J.D. Elliott, founding president of The Memorial Foundation, passed away after a brief illness at age 78. More than two decades ago, he helped launch the Hendersonville-based nonprofit organization using money from the sale of the former Nashville Memorial Hospital. Elliott was CEO of the hospital when HCA purchased the Madison facility in 1994. Over the past 20 years, The Memorial Foundation has supported numerous nonprofits in the area, providing $135 million in grants to more than 775 organizations so far. Nearly one-quarter of their grants have supported health-related missions. For more information, go to memfoundation.org.

Francis Guess, who died at home at the age of 69, was a renowned civil rights advocate and humanitarian. He was the first African-American commissioner for the Tennessee departments of Labor and General Services under then-Gov. Lamar Alexander. He also served 30 years as a member of the Tennessee Commission on Human Rights and worked as a vice president with The Danner Corporation. Most recently, he served as executive director of The Danner Foundation, which has contributed millions to state programs addressing health and education. The immediate past president of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, the organization has created a fund to continue his legacy. Donations can be made by visiting cfmt.org or mailed to: CFMT-The Francis Guess Fund, 3833 Cleghorn Ave., Suite 400, Nashville 37215.