An emotional celebration of the life of one of Russellville’s own was held Friday, June 15 on the corner of Sixth and Spring streets. The city of Russellville honored the life of the fallen soldier by naming the intersection Sergeant Jatarius D. Osborne Way.
Sgt. Osborne’s life ended on April 5, 2005, in Fort Benning, Ga., while attending the non-commissioned academy. The City of Russellville held a street dedication ceremony where family, friends and officials from both eh city and county gathered to show their love and support to Jatarius and his family.
Osborne was a native of Russellville, who attended Russellville Independent Schools where he was a great asset to both the football and baseball teams. He graduated from the Trousdale County High School in Hartville, Tenn., and attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. where he was a member of the football team and a physical education major.
Osborne began his service with the United States Army on June 8, 2011, at Fort Jackson , S.C., after which he trained as a Food Service Specialist at Fort Lee, Va., before being assigned to the HHC, 18th Infantry in Schweinfert, Germany where he received the Cook of the Month Award and the Commanding General’s Best Decorated Dining Facility Award.
Upon his return to the United States, he was attached to the 93rd Signal Brigade in Fort Gordon, Ga., where he was a member of the football team and received the Installation Cook of the Quarter Award.
Osborne was an inspiration to his peers and superiors for the dependability, eagerness, and willingness he applied to gaining knowledge and experience about food services. He was instrumental in developing and implementing a low calorie/nutrition serving lone in the dining facility. Sorrowfully, his life and career in the United States Army ended on that day in 2005.
Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton spoke at the dedication ceremony and struggled as he fought back the tears to say how thankful he was for people like Osborne, who chose to serve in the United States Armed Services willingly and sacrifice themselves for others.
Stratton said he was contacted by Jatarius’s grandmother Anita Bellamy one day about sidewalks and asked him if the city did anything for those who have died while serving their country. Stratton said he immediately felt sadness when finding out that her grandson had died and wasn’t sure but was going to find out.
After contacting Representative Martha Jane King, the House of Representatives paid tribute to the memory of Osborne with the sign unveiling for naming the intersection of Sixth and Spring Streets in honor of the soldier.
“We take pride in doing this,” said Stratton. “Today we pay tribute to this young man. Today you don’t get drafted, you serve willingly. This city is proud to name part of this city in honor of Jatarius,” Stratton added.
Along with family and friends, Russellville teachers of Jatarius were also at the ceremony to pay tribute to their former student.
Judge/Executive Logan Chick also said a few words. “I’m proud to be a part of this. In the Bible it says that there is no greater love than a man who lays his life down for another. I know God will continue to help this family,” said Chick.
Osborne’s mother Terri Bellamy-Coleman spoke first by saying she honored God who was the head of her life and she didn’t want people to be sorrowful but joyful during this time. “This is a happy occasion, we have triumphed and we are going to honor and celebrate the life of Sgt. Osborne,” said Coleman, who thanked everyone for the love a support they have given her and her family. “You’re words of love and comfort have helped me to tell you to put on a happy face,” said Coleman.
Jatarius’s father Frazier Osborne also thanked everyone for coming to the ceremony to honor his son. “He was a wonderful son, please continue to pray for the family,” said Osborne.
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