Cavit Calvin Cheshier Ed.D., age 95, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025 at NHC at The Trace.
Cavit was born in McNairy County in the small town of Bethel Springs, TN on December 17, 1929 to the late Atlas Etheridge Cheshier and Elma Gladys Wamble Cheshier.
He was predeceased by his sister, Bonnie Lee Cheshier.
Cavit attended Bethel Springs School. He received a Bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the University of Tennessee, Martin ; a Master’s degree in education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and a Master’s and Doctorate of Education from George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville.
Cavit married Mary Evelyn Claybrook on June 16, 1956 in Trenton, TN. They moved to Nashville and lived here their entire married lives – 69 years. Their first daughter, Bonna Lynn Cheshier Adelman was born in 1958 and their second daughter, Cynthia Jane Cheshier-Hill was born in 1963. Both daughters survive.
In addition to his daughters, Cavit is survived by three grandchildren: Stephanie Adelman, Manning Kelly (Samuel Brady) and Mary Moore (Shawn); and two great-grandchildren: Maeve Moore and Cameron Kelly.
Cavit served as an educator for the faculty of the University of Tennessee, Martin for two years. After marriage, he joined the Tennessee Education Association, where he worked as a field worker, Associate Executive Director and finally as Executive Director. Cavit was instrumental in the design and construction of the new TEA building on 2nd Avenue in Nashville. He worked tirelessly on behalf of the teachers of the state of Tennessee, helping to pass legislation that benefitted the teachers through medical insurance coverage and a pension plan. Cavit served Tennessee as a representative to the Education Commission for the state for 6 years (1976-1982), appointed by Governor Ray Blanton. After his 38 years at TEA, the TEA Board of Directors named him “TEA Executive Secretary Emeritus.”
Cavit was affiliated with the United Methodist Church, and was an active member of Blakemore UMC, where he served as a Sunday School Class teacher, a church usher and a member of the Board of Trustees. He landscaped the church grounds, created a Biblical garden and gave leadership and guidance to the formation of a daycare center.
Cavit served on the boards of many organizations including the Horace Mann Insurance Company and the Tennessee Arts Academy. He advised the decades the Whitworth Landscape Committee and assisted in gaining National Arboretum status for that community, in which he lived. Cavit was deeply admired and respected by his neighbors for his kindness and spirit. Mary and Cavit are immensely popular in Whitworth. They scattered joy.
Cavit served in the Army National Guard as a First Lieutenant, and he affiliated with the Purdy Masonic Lodge in the 32nd degree.
Cavit enjoyed gardening, ballroom dancing, big-band music, travel and joke-telling. He loved woodworking, landscaping design, sports, trees, dachshunds, peanut butter and naps.
Cavit and his family gratefully acknowledge the doctors and nurses who served him, especially Dr. Ben Womack, Dr. Tom Johnston and Dr. Samuel Horr. The family also appreciates the care that Cavit received from Sherry Lee, Janice Brown and CC Brown, angels on earth. In his final days, Cavit was supported by Centenniel Hospital, NHC at The Trace and Adoration Hospice.
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Blakemore United Methodist Church, 3601 West End Ave., Nashville, TN, Wednesday, April 16 from 4 – 6:00 PM. A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at the same location on Thursday, April 17 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be for family only immediately following the service. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn
Memorial gifts may be made to Blakemore United Methodist Church, the Tennessee Arts Academy, and the Tennessee Education Association.
For more obituaries visit https://davidsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
