The Tennessee stories that lifted us in 2020

Let's face it, 2020 was a rough one. 

Deadly tornadoes ripped through several counties in the spring. The coronavirus pandemic triggered stay-at-home orders and sent the economy spiraling. Everything from school to sports to family gatherings were affected by COVID-19. A Christmas Day bombing rocked Nashville, injured three people and crippled phone and internet services across the Southeast for days.

But there were moments that lifted our spirits even in our darkest of times. Here are just a few we rounded up from Tennessee. 

Tennessee tornadoes: A mural, a benefit and a game with new meaning

A line of storms spawned seven tornadoes that tore across Middle Tennessee on March 3, killing dozens and leaving a wide path of destruction. 

In East Nashville, residents emerged dazed in the wee hours of the morning to find an iconic mural still standing. The words "I Believe in Nashville" stood in stark contrast on an outside wall of the otherwise decimated remains of the Basement East.

A SIGN OF HOPE:Basement East destroyed by Nashville tornado, but 'I Believe in Nashville' mural remains

On March 9, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow and others threw a massive benefit concert that raised around $500,000 for tornado relief. The show sold out within two hours of being announced, and was livestreamed for free. 

"I’ve seen a lot of things, but I’ve never seen a community come together the way that this community has come together in the wake of this tragedy," Carlile said at the show. 

TORNADO RELIEF SHOW:The best moments from 'To Nashville, With Love'

In Putnam County, which had the largest death toll with 19 dead from the tornadoes, a high school football game took on new meaning on Aug. 20.

Upperman High and Cookeville High squared off while the devastation of the EF-4 tornado that flattened entire neighborhoods in Putnam County was still fresh for many. Fans navigated temperature checks, and face coverings peppered the crowd as COVID-19 continued to spread in Tennessee.

“I think this game means more to these guys than probably anybody in the state,” said Shannon Dutchess, whose son Ty was a junior on Upperman’s team. “You can tell it’s brought the community together ... It’s just a miracle.”

ESTES:After devastating tornado, a high school football game meant so much more in Putnam County

Friday night lights, humble heroes and vaccine rollouts

High schools across Tennessee began turning on lights at empty stadiums in early April to bolster the spirits of high school athletes and fans. The move was inspired by the Be The Light movement that spread nationwide as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools and left sports teams uncertain of the future. 

"Each night schools are turning on the lights at the school fields as a symbol of hope and assurance that you are on our hearts and minds," Moore County football coach and athletics director Jason Dobbs wrote in an email. 

BE THE LIGHT:Schools are closed in Tennessee, but lights are beginning to turn on at empty high school stadiums

In June, the story of a humble scientist from Knoxville who became a worldwide hero emerged as the pandemic wore on. 

Dr. Peter Tsai is the creator of the filter material inside most disposable N95 masks. He responded quickly to calls for help from health care workers with dwindling supplies of personal protective equipment, even late at night. 

The shortage was so dire that it brought Tsai out of retirement. He teamed up with scientists and worked tirelessly to find ways to streamline production. 

“This is an opportunity for me to contribute to the community,” Tsai said. “If I can do this, it will be a good memory for the rest of my life.”

PETER TSAI:The humble Knoxville scientist who became a worldwide hero during the pandemic

Beloved Tennessee native and country music icon Dolly Parton also made waves when news broke that she helped fund research for the Moderna vaccine. The vaccine was authorized for emergency use by the FDA on Dec. 18 — a week after the Pfizer vaccine was also authorized. 

As vaccine development ramped up, the team at FedEx headquarters in Memphis was at-the-ready to roll out deliveries. It completed its first vaccine delivery on Dec. 14, and the first COVID-19 vaccine in Tennessee was given to a doctor on Dec. 16. FedEx said it would divide up the country for vaccine distribution with UPS — at times working together with its competitor on the monumental task. 

VACCINE:Tennessee’s first COVID-19 vaccination occurs

'Play like a girl,' music rising, a Christmas star and a special cat

After the Vanderbilt University football team recruited soccer player Sarah Fuller as a kicker, she went on to make history — twice.

She became the first woman to play in a Power Five college football game, and then the first to score. In the fourth quarter of a Dec. 12 game against Tennessee, Fuller made it 2-for-2 on extra-point kicks. Donning the words "Play Like a Girl" on the back of her helmet, Fuller inspired female athletes nationwide, and handled her haters with grace. 

PLAY LIKE A GIRL:Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller becomes first woman to score in Power Five college football game

While Music City celebrated Fuller's historic game, we took a deep dive into the music that rose from Nashville in a difficult year. The pandemic sidelined the concert industry, threatened the livelihood of millions who work in music and claimed the lives of Charley Pride, John Prine and Joe Diffie, among more than 300,000 Americans.

But still, it was a year of empowering musical moments. Jack White gave a captivating performance on SNL. Sturgill Simpson blessed our airwaves with his new album. The circle remained unbroken at the Grand Ole Opry. Taylor Swift graced us with not one but two albums. And that's just the beginning. 

MUSIC CITY IN 2020:We salute great Nashville music that rose out of the pandemic

On the winter solstice Dec. 21, Tennesseans looked up in wonder as Jupiter and Saturn aligned for the first time in nearly 800 years to make a "Christmas Star." Some heralded it as a moment to reflect on their faith, while others simply enjoyed the view on the clear, chilly night. 

In the wake of a devastating bombing in downtown Nashville on Christmas morning, Malory Luciane scrambled to escape the wreckage of her Second Avenue North apartment. In the chaos, she was not able to find her cat, Martin. 

She said that FBI agents combing the area for evidence in the days that followed were looking for him. On New Year's Eve, she got a call that Martin had been found — a little dirty, but seemingly unhurt.

"He was asleep in my closet," she said. "He just thought it was another day, I think."

MARTIN:Cat lost in aftermath of Nashville bombing reunited with owner

She was overjoyed and grateful that he was found, and said he'll get all the canned food and special treats he wants. 

"I don't know how to thank these people enough," Luciane said. "It's so comforting knowing people are in this city are so great." 

The moment of joy was one of many that dotted the 2020 landscape, bookending a year like no other in Tennessee. 

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.