Justice Charles O'Brien Dies At Crossville

  • Thursday, January 18, 2007
Justice Charles O'Brien
Justice Charles O'Brien

Retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Charles O'Brien died Thursday.

He had been in the hospital in Crossville for the last couple of weeks.

Justice O'Brien was a member of the 83rd and 84th Tennessee General Assemblies. He was elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 1970, where he served until his appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1987 by Gov. Ned McWherter.

He retired from the court in 1994.

Justice O'Brien was born July 30, 1920. He served in the infantry during WWII and the Korean War. He attended Cumberland Law School, graduating in 1947. He practiced law in Memphis from 1948-67 and in Crossville from 1967-70.

His survivors include former Sen. Anna Belle Clement O'Brien.

Chief Justice William M. Barker said, "Charles O'Brien devoted his life to his family and to public service. His contributions to the state as both a member of the General Assembly and as a judge will serve as a fine man's outstanding legacy. All of those who knew him will miss his gentle and kind disposition and his wonderful sense of humor."

Visitation is tentatively set for this Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bilbrey Funeral Home in Crossville.

The funeral is tentatively set for Monday at 1 p.m. and will be held at the Tansi Community Church. Tansi is in the Crossville area.

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