Henderson, Tennessee – A group of West Tennessee bankers presented a check to Freed-Hardeman University Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in memory of Bob East, former president of Chester County Bank. Funds were generated by the West Tennessee Bankers Memorial Golf Tournament.

According to a press release from Tajuana Cheshier – The Bramblett Group – East, Bruce Hamblen, retired president of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Adamsville, and David Alan Greene, senior vice president of The Plateau Group, Inc., started the tournament in 1986 as the West Tennessee Bankers Invitational to create a day of fun and fellowship for the area bankers.

Due to the passing of East and several other bankers who had participated in the tournament, the name was changed.

“The tournament was not originally intended to be a fundraiser; however, because of generous donations, the group decided to contribute the excess funds to FHU to honor Bob and Regina East’s love of FHU,” Greene said. With this donation, the tournament will have given more than $50,000 toward student scholarships.

FHU President David R. Shannon expressed his gratitude for the support of the bankers’ association. “Freed-Hardeman has enjoyed the support of Bob and Regina East for many decades,” he said. “We are thankful their legacy continues with this gift.”

Attending the presentation were Andrea Browning, president and CEO of Centennial Bank; Jay England and president and CEO of Decatur County Bank and Neal Smith with Centennial Bank.

FHU President David R. Shannon expressed his gratitude for the support of the bankers’ association. “Freed-Hardeman has enjoyed the support of Bob and Regina East for many decades,” he said, “We are thankful their legacy continues with this gift.”

Photo caption: (l to r) FHU President David Shannon; Neal Smith (Centennial Bank); David Greene (The Plateau Group); Andrea Browning (Centennial Bank); Jay England (West Tennessee Bank); Dave Clouse (FHU VP for Community Engagement) and Kyle Lamb (FHU Assistant VP for University Advancement)