Bet You Didn’t Know

Nannie Potts Lane by Renee Roberson Cornelius road honors town’s first female and African American mayor

If you’ve driven down the new road that connects U.S. 21 with Smith Circle as a way to avoid congestion on Catawba Avenue, you might be wondering about the name on the street sign for Nannie Potts Lane. Or, if you are a longtime resident, the name may just bring a smile to your face.

Potts was a longtime area resident who grew up on a farm in Davidson. She attended college at Barba Scotia College in Concord. While a student, she found her voice as a community organizer and political activist, going to sit-ins at lunch counters and the Belk department store, according to an article published by WFAE 90.7.

After college, Potts returned to the community to begin a career in education, teaching social sciences for more than 30 years at her alma mater, Torrence Lytle High School, and then moving on to South Iredell High School, where she retired in 1993.

In addition to her passion for teaching children, Potts was a caring member of her community and ran for the Cornelius Town Commission in 1980. When the mayor of Cornelius resigned after a dispute with the board, Potts, who was serving as Mayor Pro Tem at the time, became the town’s first female and African American mayor from 1982-83. She declined to run for mayor after her term ended but was elected as a commissioner.

The mother of three lived with her husband Mickey in Smithville, and neighbors knew always they could count on her for support and advice. Her obituary noted that along with her friend Vertie Torrence, Potts led many summer programs for children at the Smithville Community Center.

Potts passed away at the age of 80 on Nov. 9, 2018. Husband Mickey still owns Potts Barber Shop in Cornelius. Educating children was so important to Potts that she spearheaded a scholarship committee at Torrence Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, and family asked for donations to the fund in lieu of flowers after her death.

At the dedication for Nannie Potts Lane held last August, Cornelius town commissioner Thurman Ross spoke in Potts’ memory and mentioned she was his mentor, and the person anyone in their community went to for advice on getting involved in public office.

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