Wilma Rhea Kane

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Wilma Rhea West Kane, age 85, of Normandy, Tennessee. She peacefully departed this life on June 22, 2025. We find great comfort in knowing that she lived a long, well-lived life and will be reunited in heaven with her loved ones whom she missed so dearly.
Wilma was born on January 5th, 1940, to the late Alvia Ray West and Floella F. West. She was raised on her family farm with her brothers and sister in Normandy, Tennessee, where she developed a lifelong love for gardening. She graduated from Tullahoma High School as part of the class of 1958. She loved the community of Tullahoma and dedicated much of her life to volunteering and serving on numerous committees and projects. She was an active member of the American Legion Women's Auxiliary and cared deeply for our military veterans. She also dedicated many years of service to the Bethany Good Neighbors Club and our local agricultural community through 4-H and farmers' markets.
As a career, she worked at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in purchasing for over 30 years. After retiring from public work, she could be found at the local farmers' markets selling her home-grown produce, plants, and preserves. She was known throughout the community for her strong work ethic. She continued to care for her farm daily until her health began to fail just a few months shy of her 80th birthday.
To her family, Wilma is remembered as a loving sister, mother, and grandmother to her two sons, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The role of grandmother was one of her greatest joys. She had a generous spirit and enjoyed preparing Sunday dinners and hosting holiday gatherings at her home. She never missed a birthday and always took time to make her loved ones feel special.
Wilma was preceded in death by her father, Alvia Ray West, her mother, Floella F. West, and her two brothers, David E. West and Harry R. West. She is survived by her dear sister Bonnie West Stephens of Windermere, Florida, her loving sons Robert (Lisa) Kane and Edgar (Dawn) Kane both of Tullahoma, Tennessee, her grandchildren, Father Adam Kane of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Allison (Casey) McGehee of Meridianville, Alabama, Amy (Nicholas) Cunningham of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Matthew (Rebecca) Kane of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Morgan (Cody) Beattie of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, Madison Kane of Christiana, Tennessee, her great-grandchildren, Lucas Tyler McGehee, Hope Elizabeth McGehee, Aubrey Claire Cunningham, Jack Montgomery Cunningham, Connor Lee Kane and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her family, she is survived by many special lifelong friends, including Linda Smith of Normandy, Tennessee, Patricia Outlaw of Tullahoma, Tennessee, Susie Crowell of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and Daryl Hammers of Tullahoma, Tennessee. Our family would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to her special caregiver, Tracie Smith of Tullahoma, for her devoted care and companionship, and the staff at Life Care of Tullahoma, to whom the family is deeply grateful.
Viewing will be on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, June 26 at 12:00pm at Daves Culbertson Funeral Home with Pastor Joel Capizzi officiating. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express sympathy consider donating in to the 4-H Bedford County Extension, an organization close to her heart. Donations may be sent to Bedford County 4-H, 2105 Midland District Road, Shelbyville, TN 37160. Make checks payable to University of Tennessee. Please indicate it is in memory of Wilma Kane.