Smoky Mountain Homeplace II

2024 Smoky Mountain Homeplace Determination, Leadership and Talent

Recognizing those who have worked for the betterment of others

Kallam Reddy said “Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others.” In consideration of those words, it was just as true in ancient times as it is today. It has been the talents of the people, whether wealthy or humble, famous or anonymous, in a multitude of ways, which has made life better, the contributions of each woven into the fabric of life wherever they have been.

Think of all that was given by the pioneers who came across the mountains and settled in these foothills and river valleys. Over time, trees were felled, the land was cleared, homes were established and communities developed. The adventurous spirits sometimes led them to sacrifice their money, health and lives, but they sowed the seeds for what is here today.

Human nature is continual and has changed little from the beginning of time. Basic emotions, actions, preferences and skills have always been the same. Students of any era of history can identify situations and events resulting from greed, envy, lust for power, revenge and a desire for recognition. Patience, understanding, tact, timeliness as well as a comprehension of all the facts also have played roles in the outcome of events.

For most, underlying any contribution has been the desire for an improvement of conditions – for oneself, family, community or humanity in general. Is that not the goal of all civic and service organizations? Even with politics, doesn’t either party proclaim that its platform will best serve the welfare of the public?

History only records those whose lives or contributions were of notable benefit or interest. The generals who commanded the troops into battles are remembered whereas the soldiers who waged the fight rarely are. Mentioned are the titans of business and industry but not their employees whose toil created the products. Much has been written about the desperados and outlaws who bedeviled the country but less reference to their victims or the officers who sought to bring them to justice.

It is sad that unnamed are many of the men who physically hacked away the underbrush so the caravans of settlers could pass through the wilderness, or the ferrymen who saw people safely across the

streams where there were no bridges. Who were those who gave their labor to build the homes, barns and buildings in the communities?

Remember the professors, midwives, herbal doctors, custodians, Sunday school teachers, sanitation crews, mechanics, plumbers and domestics whose work made life better for many? Though inappropriately labeled, many of these, considered “the little people,” are often overlooked, in life and in history. Some may have heard the saying “Never confuse the size of your paycheck with the size of your ability.” Could the words “or your contribution toward benefit of others” not be added to it? How would life be without all of these?

Such has been true in Cocke County. There have been all types of folks who have made this spot what it is. Unfortunately, many of the ones who have made contributions have been forgotten. Such is life as it always has been. A line from a hymn written in 1708 says it best – Time like an ever-rolling stream bears all its sons away. They fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day.

Any Cocke Countian can identify many others whose innate intelligence, creativity, perception, ingenuity and wit have confronted and successfully managed the challenges, some difficult or unpleasant, before them in ways that solved problems, calmed controversies, developed something different or opened new opportunities, often done with no thought of remuneration or recognition. Again, the names of so many of these are lost in the mists of time.

Cocke County has always had good people who have cared about their neighbors, those in need, those who were struggling, those who were hurting. Help came in various ways. Sometimes it was done quietly and anonymously, other times a community campaign was mounted. The only compensation hoped for was relief of any distress and the possible spirit to “share it forward” should another situation arise.

Some of these people sought to make a difference whereas for others it just happened, the opportunity thrust upon them unexpectedly. Some were just naturals with their specific innate talents; others honed and perfected their abilities over the years. Some just happened to be in the right place at the right time (or possibly the opposite.) Sometimes their efforts were met with resistance and hostility; other times the benefits from them just evolved.

There are common threads that bind each of these together –dedication to the task, hard work, cooperation and a vision of how things “could be.” More than just personal enrichment, they have seen an opportunity to make life better, easier and more enjoyable for others, as well as bringing recognition to their community.

Recognition has come in various areas, such as in the political or governmental arena. It may have been in literature, drama or the arts such as painting or music. Perhaps it has been locals who have attained the highest ranks in the military. Dedication and devotion have been shown in the religious realm. Participation in the civic organizations at home has led to involvement on the state and national level, where outstanding abilities have been utilized. Many of our young people have been honored for their roles in youthful activities.

It is through a search of local historical records, a probing of the memories of residents and a perusal of newspaper archives that this list of individuals has been compiled. While it would be impossible to recognize everyone, this edition of Smoky Mountain Homeplace honors all who have worked for the betterment of mankind. It will focus, however, on those Cocke Countians whose talents and abilities have been recognized on the state, national and international level. Here at home, these folks may have been well-known, generous, active and appreciated, but it has been quite an accolade to have their talents and achievements recognized on a larger level.

Politics and government: The chicken or the egg?

“Peoples’ participation is the essence of good governance”Narenda Modi

Politics and government – it’s somewhat like the chicken/egg puzzle. Was the process of government created by politics or did government begat politics? Whatever the answer, both have been a part of history, much longer than there has been a Cocke County, or for that fact, Tennessee or America. It is the people, however, who have made government and politics what they are.

Starting with our state history, on Jan. 11, 1796, 55 delegates gathered in Knoxville to draft a constitution. When it was completed, it was submitted to Congress for approval. Then, the State of Tennessee was granted statehood on June 1, 1796. While the state constitution has been amended several times, it has only been totally revised four other times – 1834, 1870, 1953, 1977. Cocke Countians have been representatives at each constitutional convention.

1796: Alexander Outlaw (1738-1826) technically wasn’t a Cocke Countian as the county wasn’t established until 1797. However, he lived in Jefferson County on the Nolichucky in the area now known as Lowland, but he owned large tracts of land in Cocke County, one of which stretched from Dutch Bottoms to Rankin. He represented Cocke County in the Tennessee General Assembly.

1834: William C. Roadman (1784-1849) owned a great deal of property along the French Broad, westward from Oldtown, where he had a store and a hotel. He was active in county affairs, was Postmaster, and a representative to the state legislature as well as national political conventions.

1870: Malcolm McNabb (1813-1898) first operated a store in Parrottsville, then he returned to the ancestral McNabb acres at Wilton Springs where he farmed and had a store. His home was adjacent to interstate exit 440.

1953: Ben W. Hooper (1870-1957) was one of three former Tennessee governors who were delegates to this convention. Gov. Hooper was elected vice president to the convention.

1977: Cocke County native, Gordon Ball was assistant US attorney when he was elected delegate to this convention when he was just 28 years old. His law practice was later in Knoxville, although he maintained a Newport office. He now lives in Nashville.

National Convention Delegates

Since 1832, candidates for US president and vice president have been chosen at political conventions. Occasionally, Cocke Countians have been delegates to these conventions.

1848: Whig / Philadelphia, PA / W.C. Roadman

1904: Democrat / St. Louis, MO / Robert B. Hickey

1924: Republican / Cleveland, OH / Anna B. Hooper (At age 21, she was the youngest delegate and received quite a bit of national coverage)

1928: Republican / Kansas City, MO / Ben W. Hooper

1956: Democratic / Chicago, IL / M.M. Bullard

1960: Democratic / Los Angeles, CA / Charles T. Rhyne and M.M. Bullard

1996: Republican / San Diego, CA / K. Robert Seay. Newport native, J.H. Burnett lll, now of Nashville, headed the Tennessee delegation.

2024: Republican / Milwaukee, WI / Rob Mathis

2024: Democratic / Chicago, IL / Cynthia T. Finch

An interesting convention story occurred in 1960. Newport teacher Mrs. Luzelle Babb and her brother Burnett Sisk were visiting their family in Los Angeles. Both Democrats, they decided to go to the convention hall. Without any kind of credentials, they were able to avoid security and go right into the arena. So very patriotic, Mrs. Babb never forgot the thrill of that experience.

US House and US Senate Candidates

The United States Congress is the chief legislative body of the United States. It is composed of two separate bodies – the Senate and the House of Representatives. There were specific reasons the framers of the Constitution created this design. In the Senate, known as the Upper House, representation is equal, two Senators for each state. The body now numbers 100. In the Lower House, representation is based upon population, with the larger states, of course, having more representatives. The number of seats is fixed at 435. Whenever state population increases or decreases, congressional districts are reapportioned to accommodate the changes.

The US Representatives have always been elected by the people. The US Senators were chosen by state legislatures until the 17th amendment in 1913 made them popularly elected.

Cocke Countians have also stood for election for seats in the United States Congress.

US House of Representatives (1st TN District):

1865: James H. Randolph / Republican / 14% / lost to N.G. Taylor

1876: James H. Randolph / Republican / won with 52%

1892: W.J. McSween / Democrat / 41% / lost to A.A. Taylor

1896: W.C. Anderson / Republican / won with 61%

1904: R.E. Styll / Democrat / 31% / lost to Walter P. Brownlow

1936: W.M. Crawford / Democrat / 31% / lost to B. Carroll Reece

1978: Gordon Ball / Democrat / 35% / lost to Jimmy Quillen

US Senate:

1916: Ben W. Hooper /

Republican / 44% / lost to K.D. McKellar

1934: Ben W. Hooper / Republican / 36% / lost to K.D. McKellar

1948: John Hickey / Democrat / less than 1% / lost to Estes Kefauver

1964: M.M. Bullard / Democrat / 13% / lost to Ross Bass

2014: Gordon Ball / Democrat / 34% / lost to Lamar Alexander

Electoral College

Presidential Elector

US Presidents are actually elected by the Electoral College. In November every four years, the voters of each state choose electors from each party. The law specifies the candidate receiving the majority of the votes garners all the electoral votes. The electors of the winning party meet in their respective capitals on the Monday following the second Wednesday of December to cast their votes. The Electoral College was designed by the framers of the Constitution in 1788 and is now an issue of contention with some voters in this country.

Newport attorney Robert B. Hickey, a Democrat, was a presidential elector twice. In 1892 when ex-President Grover Cleveland (Democrat) defeated President Benjamin Harrison. Hickey was also an elector in 1904 when President Theodore Roosevelt (Republican) defeated Alton B. Parker.

Tennessee

Governor

Ben W. Hooper of Newport was governor of Tennessee for two terms, 1911-1915. His election occurred under unique circumstances. At that time prohibition of the manufacture and sale of alcohol was one of the dominant political issues in this country. The major parties had strong factions on both sides of the issue, as well as there being a separate Prohibition party. Hooper was vehemently opposed to alcohol. The issue was so divisive in 1910 that the prohibition faction of the Democrat party united with the Republicans in a “fusion” movement and Hooper was elected. Judge Ben W. Hooper ll is a grandson.

Only one other Cocke Countian has sought Tennessee’s gubernatorial office. Aaron Lemuel Mims (1830-1913) was born on Oven Creek in northern Cocke County. In 1894 he ran as the Populist Party candidate. That party was mainly one of farmers in protest of issues and policies which they felt were detrimental to them. Mims received 11% of the votes, being defeated by incumbent Peter Turney. A.L. Mims was an uncle to the Mims family of Newport.

Gubernatorial Cabinet Members

A Chief Executive cannot know everything about every issue with which he may have to confront. Every president since George Washington has chosen a group, each one with experience and expertise in a certain field, to advise him on any matters which might arise in their specific area. State governors have done likewise.

Cocke Countians who have been members of Tennessee gubernatorial cabinets:

Malcolm O. Allen (1890-1952), a

Gov. Hooper (from Commercial Appeal campaign ad)

Anna B. Hooper

Congressman Quillen and Wilford Metcalf.

Newport attorney, was a college classmate of Gordon Browning. When Browning was elected governor in 1936, he chose Allen as the commissioner of highways and public works. Browning was defeated in 1938 but was re-elected in 1948 and Allen was tapped to be his commissioner of insurance and banking. Allen was serving in that position when he died.

Donald M. McSween (1915-1980) became acquainted with Frank G. Clement through their work in the American Legion. After Clement was elected governor in 1952, McSween served as commissioner of employment security until 1959. Clement was re-elected in 1962 and McSween was commissioner of conservation, 1963-1967. He later served as director of state parks and recreation in South Carolina.

Vernon Metcalf of Del Rio was appointed in 1959 as the first agricultural specialist in Tennessee for the department of rehabilitation for the blind. He graduated in 1955 from Tennessee Polytechnical Institute (now TTU) in Agriculture. He returned to Cocke County where first he taught vocational agriculture in the high school before moving to Nashville.

In the DRB position he helped the visually impaired determine what type of agricultural venture was best for them based upon the level of impairment and available resources. He would also help with purchasing equipment, livestock, supplies as well as assisting with bookkeeping and locating marketing opportunities.

Jeter S. Ray (1908-1998) was a native Newportian and was regarded as one of the best -informed attorneys on labor laws. In 1969 his ability earned him the position of deputy solicitor of the United States Department of Labor in Washington, DC.

He attended Tennessee Wesleyan College and then graduated from the University of Tennessee before attending Duke University Law School, graduating in 1932.

He began his law practice in Newport, serving also for a term as Newport city attorney. In 1940 he was appointed as regional attorney with the US Department of Labor, based in Nashville. In 1958 he was elected president of the Federal Business Association of Tennessee, which coordinated programs and benefits between the various federal agencies within the state.

From 1945-1953 he was in Washington, DC as assistant deputy solicitor with the Department of Labor where he oversaw the enforcement of federal labor laws at the district court level. He replaced Archibald Cox, of Watergate, who left to teach at Harvard Law School. After this job ended, Ray returned to Nashville as regional attorney for the Department of Labor.

In his retirement years, he and Mrs. Ray returned to Newport.

There is an old saying “you can’t fight City Hall or Washington,” but a Cocke County farmer proved you can.

Wilford Metcalf owned 86 acres in the Cane Mountain section of

Del Rio. His deed called for the property to go “to the top of the mountain.” In 1962 he was cutting timber on the property when a representative of the US Forest Service approached him and asserted the timber was part of the Cherokee National Forest. No explanation from Mr. Metcalf, a disabled World War II veteran, would be entertained.

Soon Mr. Metcalf received a bill for $1,717. 52 which the government said was the value of the timber which had been cut. That would amount to around $22,000 today. Mr. Metcalf was given 30 days to pay up or vacate the land. He moved his family, but he still had to return daily to the property to see about his tobacco and his cattle.

He first contacted Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver but heard nothing. He next contacted First District Congressman Jimmy Quillen, whose strength was in helping his constituents. Quillen approached Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman and convinced him to have another survey conducted.

The new survey showed Metcalf was right all along and the timber site to be his. An adjacent property owner, Ed Tucker, had also been told some of his property was government land. The new survey also proved the land was Mr. Tucker’s.

On July 2, 1965, Congressman Quillen came to the Metcalf farm in Del Rio and rode the mule, “Old Kate,” up the mountain to where the timber had been cut. The story and the picture went viral. The Forest Service had forbidden Mr. Metcalf in 1962 from removing some timber which was already cut. By 1965, the logs had rotted, and it was determined that the US government owed Mr. Metcalf $233 for their value.

Multi-faceted Diplomacy

The Diplomatic Corps is responsible for maintaining relations between the United States and foreign countries as well as facilitating trade, commerce, cultural exchanges and educational advances.

The head representative in a county is either the minister or the ambassador, appointed by the President, subject to confirmation by the US Senate. These persons are chosen for their diplomatic skills and expertise in foreign relations.

One such person from Cocke County was Edward B. Lawson (1895-1962), who was born here. His mother was a Burnett from Del Rio. At one time he had many relatives still living here. The Lawson family moved to Washington, DC in 1900 where his parents secured government employment.

Following his secondary education, Lawson enrolled at George Washington University, his studies there were interrupted by military service during World War I. After the war, he studied accounting and then attended Georgetown University where he obtained his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree at the School of Foreign Service.

In 1927 he entered the US Foreign Service. Over the years his assignments were in Johannesburg (S. Africa), London, Managua (Nicaragua), Prague, Ankara (Turkey). In 1948, President Truman appointed him minister to Iceland. He served in that post in Reykjavik until President Eisenhower named him ambassador to Israel in 1954.

Lawson played a key role in the negotiations bringing about a ceasefire to Arab/Israeli conflict in 1956. Lawson retired in 1957 to Washington, DC. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

A Natural for Labor Relations

Even though his employment took him away for many years, Iliff McMahan Sr. (1916-1999) never lost his interest nor his love for Cocke County and its people.

Born in Eastport, Iliff graduated from Cocke County High School and received his associate degree from Mars Hill College. He was a teacher in the county schools until he moved to Alcoa to work with the aluminum company. Following his service with the US Navy in World War ll, he returned to Cocke County where he was the veteran service officer and publisher of the Standard Banner, Dandridge Banner in Jefferson County and Grainger County News. He also studied at the UT

Robert B. Hickey

Jeter S. Ray

Malcolm McNabb

College of Law. He was elected in 1950 to the first of three terms as Cocke County Circuit Clerk. He was still in that position when he was appointed in 1956 as regional information officer in Nashville for the Wage and Hour Division of the US Department of Labor, for Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. He served in this capacity until 1960 when he took a position as deputy director of information with the National Relations Board in Washington, DC. He was about to retire in 1986 when he was appointed executive assistant to NLRB Chairman Donald where he remained until 1988 when he retired from Washington back to Cocke County where he said he’d be “as happy as a hog in a trough of slop.”

Outgoing and expansive, Iliff was a natural for labor relations. Whether they were rich or poor, he never met a stranger and could easily find common ground with whomever he was involved. He was the consummate storyteller with a wealth of tales suitable for any situation or occasion.

When Iliff was in newspaper work, he had known Jimmy Quillen of Kingsport. When Quillen was elected to Congress, Iliff was one of his “unofficial” staff members. He certainly had Quillen’s ear and could enlighten the congressman on any need or issue relevant to Cocke County or its people.

Iliff often accompanied Congressman Quillen when he held his annual “Open Door” event at the Cocke County courthouse.

The Federal Reserve System is the central bank of the United States with the responsibility of effectively operating the national economy by overseeing the nation’s monetary system. The FRS is managed by a seven-member Board of Governors and a Board of Directors for each of the 12 regional branches.

Patsy R. Williams: Director, Nashville region, 1984-1990

A Better Inventor

The US government issues a patent as a means of protection that provides an inventor the exclusive rights to profit from the use or sales of an invention, or another way of explanation, it keeps others from making, selling or using the invention.

Several Cocke County citizens have received patents:

John F. Kelley, Parrottsville: Tobacco-cutting machine, 1874

W.H. Shugart, Newport: Railway switch, 1909

M.O. Allen, Newport: Water meter, 1924; concrete block; voting booth

Zane Whitson and Don Boley, Newport: basketball glove, 1960

Peter Roberts, Newport: quick-release socket wrench, 1963

The Roberts story is quite interesting. Roberts was a teenager living in Gardner, MA when he invented the wrench. Sears offered to buy it, paying royalties up to $10,000, saying it would be of limited value. Roberts later learned Sears had made more than $44 million on that wrench. Roberts sued alleging fraud and gained a judgment of $1 million. He moved to Newport and worked for a time at HeywoodWakefield.

W. Gordon Ball

James H. Randolph

Don Boley

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis (left) is shown with his daughter Isabelle (center) and wife Missy (right) at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“The arts and humanities teach us who we are and what we can be.” - Ronald Reagan

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in 1934: The artist has great power, the power to make people see or heard or understand through his or her music, writing or painting what we ordinary people feel but cannot adequately express. Based upon Mrs. Roosevelt’s description, there are many types of artists – poets, writers, painters, musicians, actors, designers, craftsmen – all of whom can visualize the finished creation and then with their unique abilities and talents can achieve its completion.

Literature, arts and entertainment acclaim

Wilma Dykeman (1920-2006) was a native of Asheville. She had a unique childhood which set the stage for her future. Her parents were readers and thinkers and lovers of nature, and young Wilma grew up with an awareness of flora and fauna and the symbiosis between them and the population. At that time, the necessity of conservation was not yet considered important by many, yet the Dykemans understood its gravity. Following her graduation from Northwestern University in 1940, Wilma was introduced by a friend to James Stokely, a young man from Newport. Their shared interests and aspirations immediately meshed, and within two months, they had married and begun a great adventure, being, as described by Jeff Daniel Marion, “partners in marriage, writing and similar points of view.”

In 1955, Ms. Dykeman’s first book, The French Broad, was part of the Rivers of America series. Even if the book’s theme was historical, the reader can recognize the foundation of environmentalism she espoused. Her writing often dealt with or, at least, touched on controversial issues – basic human rights, corporate greed, birth control, conservation and various forms of pollution, environmental, moral and intellectual. Her writings included books, both fiction and non-fiction, newspaper and magazine articles and a regular newspaper column. She became a sought-after lecturer, a seminar moderator and visiting college professor. In 1981 she was appointed Tennessee State Historian. She is now recognized as foremost among the notable Southern writers, particularly in the areas of the environment and Appalachian topics.

Dr. Edmond Cody Burnett (1864-1949) was born in Alabama but moved back to his father’s home in Big Creek [Del Rio], Cocke County, at the age of 3. Following his education in the local schools and from his father, he attended Carson College, now Carson-Newman, in Jefferson City, where he received the A.B. degree

Doll created by Akira Blount

John Overholt and Ellen Wieser in “Scalia/Ginsburg”

Edmund C. Burnett

in 1888. He earned another A.B. degree from Brown University, Providence, RI in 1890. He received his Ph.D. from Brown in 1897. After finishing college, he taught at Carson-Newman, Brown University, Bethel College (Russellville, KY), Mercer University (Macon, GA). In 1907 he became a historian for the Carnegie Institute, Washington, DC, a position he held until 1936. While at Carnegie, he began editing the letters of the members of the Continental Congress, which were published in 25 volumes in 1936. For this, in 1943 he received the Loubat Prize which is awarded every five years for the most outstanding social science work in North America.

Each spring competitive piano festivals were held across the state. Competitors were divided into assorted categories, based on age and ability. Each was to perform a memorized number in front of judges, who rated from “fair” to “superior.” Those receiving the latter were eligible to participate in a statewide competition, which was designed to provide incentives to excel. Following are Cocke Countians who received them, along with mention of their teachers:

Eugenia Buxton Cup (1937): Fred Valentine, Jr. (Mrs. P.T. Bauman); Bob Mooty 1954 (Mrs. George Hickey); Dorothy Mathis 1955 (Mrs. P.T. Bauman); Donna Frances McNabb 1957 (Mrs. P.T. Bauman)

Jaco Cup (1951): Joan Steele 1960 (Mrs. George Hickey) Jess P. Haworth Cup (1957): Basil Hugh Hixon 1957 (Mrs. George Hickey)

O’Sullivan Cup: Kay Blazer 1961 (Mrs. P.T. Bauman)

Tennessee Federation of Music Club Junior Festival: 1962 - Sharon Cody (Mrs. George Hickey); Stephen McNabb (Mrs. P.T. Bauman)

Mary Todd Beam (19311922) was a native of Dayton, OH, but in her retirement years, she moved to a cabin in the Cosby section of Cocke County. She developed an interest in painting as an elementary school student, but did not begin a serious pursuit of painting watercolors until her children were in their teens. Over the years her style changed from realism to impressionism. She herself became an art teacher, both nationally and internationally.

As a member of the American Watercolor Society, she was a Dolphin Fellow, which is awarded to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to art. She was awarded the Gold Medal of Honor in 1996 and 2002, being one of five women who have ever received it and only two women who have received it twice. She was chosen to represent the United States in the First and Second International Exhibits in Nanjing, China. Her painting “Where Crickets Dwell” was sold on its journey around the world.

Internationally known dollmaker Akira Blount (1945-2013) and her husband Larry moved from Chicago to a farm in Cocke County in Marshall Hollow in 1979. A native of Madison, WI, Akira acquired her needlework skills from her grandmother. Her first creations were sock dolls and animals that she made for her children, but about 1975 she began creating the dolls which have become so renowned. From 10 to 30 inches in height, these dolls are in one of three styles – straight standing, partially jointed or fully jointed, often within a coordinated setting. They are made from cloth – cotton, wool, burlap velveteen –with accents of lace, beading, buttons or tatting – and other natural fibers. They might have bark shoes, a headdress made of thorns or a vest of pinecone scales. The hair could be either lamb’s wool, mohair, flax or camel’s hair. It was through craft shows that the public first became aware of her creations, and their desirability and popularity mushroomed. Today, Akira’s dolls are displayed in the Smithsonian Institute and the White House Collection of Crafts (Washington, DC), the Louvre and Les Musee Des Artes Decoratifs (Paris), Northpoint Center East (Atlanta) and Museum of American Folk Art(New York City), Clinton Library (Little Rock, AR), TN State Museum (Nashville), Mint Museum of Fine Art (Charlotte, NC), Museum of Arts and Sciences (Macon, GA) and Sekiguchi Doll Garden (Shizouka, Japan). The curator of White House Collection noticed that one of the dolls was

missing from the display. A search was begun, and the missing doll was located – in Chelsea Clinton’s bedroom.

Opera is the musical theater of earlier times. It is a stage production with an orchestra and costumed performers, who reveal the plot through songs. While the first opera was performed in Charleston, SC in 1735, it was an art form that was more popular in Europe and for years most operas were sung in Italian or French.

Cocke County can boast of natives of operatic timbre. Grace Moore (1898-1947) was born in Del Rio with deep roots in Cocke County history. Although she moved away in her youth, she maintained ties with her family here. Despite objections from her father, she pursued a musical career that eventually led to a debut with the Metropolitan Opera Company in 1928. Even though she continued to sing opera, she moved into motion pictures and starred in seven movies. She was killed in a plane crash in Copenhagen, Denmark while still at the height of her career. She was buried in Chattanooga.

Luke Grooms began his musical career at CCHS where he graduated in 1997. He furthered his training at Emory & Henry, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 2001. He earned a Master in Music in Voice from the Cincinnati Conservatory. He has performed with such opera companies as Glimmerglass, Chautauqua, Des Moines, Sarasota and Brooklyn. He debuted at Carnegie Hall in I Duce Foscari in 2007 and at the Metropolitan in The Gambler in 2008. In musical theater he has performed in such productions as Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, Kiss Me Kate and was part of both the national and international tours of The Phantom of the Opera. He has not forgotten from whence he came and has been willing to return to perform for the folks here.

John Overholt began singing here. After graduation from East Tennessee State University, he furthered his musical training at the Cincinnati Conservatory. He has performed with the Cincinnati Opera, the Sarasota Opera and Knoxville Opera in such productions as Falstaff, Scalia and Ginsburg, La Traviata, Beethoven, Frida and The Doctor and the Devils.

After graduating from CCHS, Lucas Hefner furthered his training at Walters State Community College and then transferred to the University of Memphis, where he received bachelor and master degrees. He was a soloist for the Memphis Symphony.

Grace Moore

Mary Todd Beam

Jairus Maples is another CCHS graduate with an operatic voice. Following graduation from Belmont University, he is pursuing a business career but also performs with the Nashville Opera Company.

Hooper Atchley (1887-1943) was born in Cocke County. He began his theatrical career on the stage and then moved into film. He appeared in 214 films, beginning in the silent era. He appeared in “Black Hills Express” shortly before his death at age 56.

The multi-talented Jordan Woods-Robinson was born and reared on an animal rescue farm in the Bruners Grove section of Cocke County. Following his local education, he attended New York University (NYC) where he graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the Tisch School of the Arts. Getting his theatrical start with the Newport Theater Guild, Jordan is an actor both in television and film, appearing in such productions as Blue Man Group, The Walking Dead, Magic City and DropDead Diva. He had performed with such notables as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Colin Ferrall, Donald Sutherland and Clare Danes. In addition to performing himself, he is an acting coach, helping others maximize their theatrical talents.

As a musician and composer, he is proficient with the violin, mandolin, guitar, bass and percussion. In 2014 he founded SOS Studios, which is an international recording network for musicians, vocalists, and musical engineers. He now lives with his wife and children in Atlanta.

Following his military career, Newport native Marshall Teague decided to study acting because he wanted to become a better police officer.He has been described in various press articles as rugged, darkly handsome and strong as a bull. He has appeared in over 100 television shows, such as Celebrities Outdoors,

Days of Our Lives, Mama’s Family, Dukes of Hazzard, Columbo, Fall Guy and Walker, Texas Ranger. His film credits include Armageddon, Roadhouse, Last Ounce of Courage and The Rock. His work has brought him friendships with such stars as Tom Selleck, Patrick Swayze, Jennifer O’Neill, Keith Carradine, Kate Jackson and Sam Elliott. In fact, it was Elliott who got Marshall one of his first breaks.

In the spirit of his late mother Doris, Marshall has a heart for helping those in need. He and his wife Lindy organized one of the first support groups in America for victims of Agent Orange. He works with Military Warrior Support Foundation which seeks to help combat-wounded veterans and their families, and he participates in Big Country Celebrity Quail Hunt, Abilene, TX, who benefits Disability Resources, Inc. He and his wife live in Azle, Texas.

Dr. Sharon Cody Mabry of Clarksville, TN began her musical career in Newport as a pupil of Mrs. George Hickey and Bob Mooty. She furthered her studies at Florida State University where she began as a piano major but switched to voice. She received her Bachelor in Music Education from FSU and later her Master in Music Education and Doctorate in Musical Art from George Peabody. In 1970 she and her husband Dr. George Mabry joined the music faculty of Austin Peay State University. She principally taught voice and vocal pedagogy. As a mezzo-soprano, she has often been sought as a soloist and a recitalist. The Mabrys have been heavily involved in cultural life of APSU and Clarksville. In 2008 they were given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arts and Heritage Development Council, and in 2012 the APSU performance center was named “George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall.”

Maurice Andrew Ottinger (1926-2010) was involved in theatrical productions both here in Newport and at East Tennessee State University.. He left teaching at Cosby School in 1951 to attend the University of Wisconsin where he was heavily involved in the theater program. This became his career. Through the years, on and offBroadway, with touring companies or as summer stock, he acted in such productions as The Great Smokies, Any Wednesday, Julius Caesar, Dark of the Moon, Caine Mutiny, Oh Dear, the Sky is Falling, A Garden in the Sea, Dial M for Murder, The Crucible and A Majority of One. At one point he did television commercials for such products as Shake and Bake, Downy Waffles and Right Guard Deodorant.

Three Cocke County High School Bands have participated in national events. On April 6, 1963, the CCHS Band was one of 62 marching bands at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. The band, which had 86 members, was under the direction of Bob Mooty. Robin Kisabeth was the drum major. When I-40 officially opened at Waterville, NC on Oct. 24, 1968, the CCHS Band played on the Tennessee side of the official ceremonies with the Pisgah High School, Canton, on the North Carolina side. The band on Feb.21, 1971, marched in the Krewe of the Mid-City Parade in New Orleans as part of the annual Mardi Gras Festival. Participants in the parade were also part of the “Greatest Bands of Dixie” competition. The CCHS Band placed second in the event. Ric Best was the director and Pat Mason was the drum major.

Burnett Guffey (1905-1983) was born in Del Rio. His career was in Hollywood as a cinematographer. His work earned him two Oscars: From Here to Eternity (1953) and Bonnie and Clyde (1967), as well as three additional nominations.

Newport native Stephanie Brooke Barnes has made a name as a make-up artist. Studying at Make-up Designory in New York City, her work has been with film, stage, television and commercials. Her clients have been featured in such publications as People, Marie Claire and Maxim, as well as on the red carpets at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Grammys.

Bob Mooty

Marshall Teague

Jordan Woods-Robinson

Cocke County has provided leadership to clubs and organizations

“Innovation grows out of membership and a sure sense of responsibility people feel for their work and their organizations.”Abraham Zaleznik

Clubs and organizations provide opportunities for like-minded individuals to connect, to pursue shared interests, to build relationships and to work for the betterment of their varied communities, both geographic and intellectual. There are several types of these organizations: social, professional, cultural, recreational, volunteer, civic and health/fitness. Persons are not forced to affiliate. They do so with the realization membership will benefit themselves and the group. Local organizations are often affiliates of the larger state or national organization, and often the abilities of persons from Cocke County have been recognized as beneficial to the larger body.

Incorporated in 1919, the American Legion is the nation’s largest veteran organization with the goal of assistance, benefits and advocacy to veterans, active service members and their families, as well as encouraging patriotism throughout the country.

Donald M. McSween: State Commander, 1947

American Legion Auxiliary was organized in 1919 with membership composed of mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of members of the American Legion. The goal of both groups was to honor and assist veterans and the active military in whatever manner possible.

Miss Mary Rowe Ruble: First District President 1930; State 2nd Vice-President 1931; State Membership Chairman, 1932 Mrs. Hugh (Ina Mae) Holder: First District President, 1933. Mrs. Robert (Mildred) Hill: First District President 1950; State President 1952.

The purpose of the Veterans of World War l was to keep alive the memories and the friendships of those who served in that conflict. Today, there are no veterans of that war alive so, of course, the organization is defunct.

W.W. Jones: State President, 1958.

Neil Harper: State Adjutant & Quartermaster, 1958

Veterans of Foreign Wars began in 1899 following the SpanishAmerican War. Membership is open to all eligible veterans, active, guard and reserve forces. The organization serves to honor and to advocate for all veterans, as well as serving our communities.

Jack Holt: First District Commander 1971; National Commander

Mid-South

Postgraduate Medical Assembly was organized in 1883 and revised in 1927. It was an occasion when physicians from Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas could gather to hear lectures and demonstrations on new medical and surgical procedures, new methods and new inventions and instruments.

Dr. L.S. Neas: President, 1952

Tennessee Livestock Producers was organized by the Tennessee Farm Bureau in 1931, and today it is the organization’s oldest service company. Its purpose is to help Tennessee farmers with better markets for cattle, hogs, sheep and goats by keeping market administration fees as low as possible.

John J. Hampton: State President, 1937

The Tennessee Fair Association (now the Association of Tennessee Fairs) was organized in 1922 to promote and encourage agricultural fairs across the state, showcasing the accomplishments in the fields, the barns, the dairies, the gardens and the homes across the state.

Jack Vinson: State President, 1956

United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized in Nashville in 1894 with the purpose of collecting and preserving the military and cultural history of the Confederacy. Membership could be a descendant of any man or woman who served in any branch of the military or gave material aid to the cause.

Mrs. Fred (Kate) Greer: State President 1935

Organized in 1901, the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians is composed of optometric physicians, students, paraoptometric assistants and technicians with the purpose of advancing the science of optometry and providing quality eye care in Tennessee.

Dr. Nathan Ford: East Tenn President, 1954, 1960; state first VP, 1963

Dr. Jeff Foster: State President, 1990

Tennessee Press Association today, as when it was organized in 1871, seeks to create a unified voice for the newspaper industry across the state and to help members obtain greater success

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Mayor Roland Dykes

Mary Rowe Ruble

collectively than could be done individually.

S. Bruce LaRue: State President, 1900

Robert P. Sulte: State President, 1935

Nancy R. Petrey: State President, 1989 (first woman to hold the office)

Kiwanis International seeks to make a positive social, cultural and professional influence in the communities where they are organized and to provide any necessary support for improving the lives of children.

James S. Franks: Governor, KY-TN District, 1959

Floyd Williams: Lt. Governor, KY-TN District, 1962

General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Tennessee is part of an international organization founded in 1901 of women with a focus on community improvement through volunteer work in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment and health and wellness.

Mrs. W.B. (Edith) Stokely, Sr.: State Chairman, Gardens, 1939

Mrs. Horace (Anna) Burnett: First District President, 1939; Mrs. Reid (Melba) Bailey: First District President, 1962

Mrs. Bill (Patsy) Williams: State President, 1976

Established in 1928, Ruritan National seeks to build thriving communities in both urban and rural areas through cooperation, fellowship, goodwill and volunteer service

Rev. Robert (Bob) Davis: National President, 1981

National League of Postmasters was founded in 1904. Its purpose is to keep local postmasters apprised of changes in the postal system, postal problems, pending postal legislation and suggestion for improved customer service.

Mrs. Burnett (Eddith) Dawson: President, Tennessee Branch, 1958

The Livestock Marketing Association, based in Overland, KS, is the largest such organization dedicated to advocate, support, represent and communicate with and for the entire livestock sector.

Lemmy Wilson: National President, 1981

The East Tennessee Farmers Convention was established in 1870 as means of economic development by giving farmers an annual occasion to gather and discuss agricultural issues of livestock, crops, soil building, fertilizer and labor. The meeting continued until 1966.

John B. Stokely: President, 1883

Charles Holland: Vice President, 1891

W.B. Stokely: Vice President, 1919

John J. Hampton: President, 1933

Alfred Swann: President, 1939

In 1947 Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, established the competitive Goodyear Conservation Awards to recognize national accomplishments in soil conservation. A committee of qualified judges who were not Goodyear employees selected the 100 recipients each year. Cocke countians have received this award.

In 1958 W. Gray O’Neil received the award. In 1959 it was Tom J. Stokely, a farmer in Del Rio, and Roy D. Brown, a conservation district supervisor. The award was a four-day trip to “The Wigwam,” a famous resort near Phoenix.. Besides sightseeing excursions, the group visited cotton and citrus farms as well as conservation practices in concrete ditching, plowing and irrigation.

Most citizens have done business with the office of County Court Clerk. This office handles driver, boat and vehicle registration and licensure, business permits and taxes, marriage licenses. The County Court Clerk Association draws its members from the person who holds the office in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

J. Donald Cody: State President, 1959

Janice M. Butler: County Clerk Award, 2002

Eleanor Little Hickey

Dr. L.S. Nease

Col. John B. Stokely

CLUBS | page 9

See CLUBS | page 11

Tennessee Food Service Association is composed of cooks, lunchroom managers and state and county supervisors who prepare and serve the food in the school cafeterias - elementary, secondary and collegiate.

Kathleen V. Ottinger: East TN President, 1967; State President, 1975-1976

The US Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Agency was part of the Department of Agriculture. This agency administered programs concerning farm products and agricultural conservation by granting loans, purchasing farm products, administering allotments and quotas and shared the costs of conservation and environmental protection. It is now the Farm Service Agency.

Billy Hugh Sparks: State Director, 1974; 1991

Federation of Music Clubs was founded in 1916 with the goal of fostering music appreciation and musical opportunities and events throughout the state with emphasis on encouraging the talents of young people.

Mrs. P.T. Bauman: State Junior Counselor, 1938-1944

Eleanor Little Hickey: State Junior Counselor, 1945-1950; State President, 1966

In addition to being active in the Tennessee Democratic party, Charles T. Rhyne Sr. was Chairman of the Tennessee Civil Service Commission, 1955-1958, as well as Senior Vice- President of National Hardwood Dimension Manufacturers Association. Based in Nashville, NHDMA was committed to improving production methods and lowering production costs for the hardwood industry, as well as protecting it from foreign imports.

Tennessee Farmers’ Cooperative was established in 1945 as an agricultural supply cooperative, owned by local shareholders, to provide

farmers with the necessary supplies at the lowest costs possible.

James R. Graham: State Chairman, 1991

In addition to working to bring a tobacco market to Newport, as well as numerous industries, M.M. Bullard also played a major role in the establishment of the Jefferson-Cocke Utility District and the city/ county water system. He was one of the founders of the Tennessee Associations of Utility Districts and served as its president for many years. He once had a landscaping business and thus was a member of the Tennessee State Horticultural Society, serving as president in 1958. He was also active in the Democrat party in Tennessee.

Since 1921 the Tennessee Farm Bureau has worked to assist Tennessee farmers through various programs such as lobbying agricultural legislation, advice on property rights, taxation and insurance. Today, Tennessee’s organization is the largest in the nation. Edna Moore Ottinger: Distinguished Service Award, 2021

Masonry is the longest existing organization in Cocke County, having been here since 1805, when charter #4 was granted for a lodge from North Carolina.

James W. Inman: TN Grand Pursuivant, 1982

Robert T. Reed: TN Grand Master, 2019-2020

Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is the black branch of Masonry

Rolan A. Dykes Jr.: Potentate, 1985

A chapter of Lions International was organized in Newport in 1948. The goal was to aid their community through such programs as sight conservation, environmental awareness, international relations and youth outreach.

James P. Masters: District 12 Governor, 1960

Raymond Sutton: Melvin Jones Award

Kathleen V. Ottinger

Mrs. F.M. Greer

J. Donald Cody

Cocke County youth leaders have made their mark

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” - Nelson Mandela Formal education has been around a long time, as references to teachers and schools are found all through ancient literature. In one sense, education is a personal venue with one’s desire and ability to learn, but the process can be assisted and accelerated with the help of teachers and schools. It is hoped that all through history, the educators had in mind that the young people before them were being equipped for their future lives and the contributions to society which they possibly could make. There have been many who have worked for and with young people in the preparation of life.

When the state legislature established Tennessee’s public school system in 1873, part of the framework was the State Board of Education which was to set the academic standards, policies and rules for the public schools from elementary to collegiate levels. All decisions of the board have been subject to review by the state attorney general. The governor appoints the representatives from each congressional district to the State Board of Education. Three times Cocke Countians have been on this board.

O.L. McMahan (1885-1956), Superintendent of Cocke County Schools, was appointed in 1913 by Gov. Ben W. Hooper.

W.O. Mims (1867-1930), Chairman of Newport City Board of Education, was appointed in 1923 by Gov. Austin Peay.

E.H. (Buzz) Kennedy (1907-1985), long-time member of Cocke County School Board, was appointed in 1966 by Gov. Frank Clement. Kennedy had previously been appointed in 1961 by Gov. Buford Ellington to a special commission designed to regulate unlicensed and unqualified business schools from issuing diplomas.

The process for selecting the Tennessee Teacher-of-the Year Award is managed by the Tennessee Education Association and the Department of Education. One teacher is nominated from seven areas of the state on the basis of skill in human relations, intellectual integrity, emotional stability, love of children, speaking voice and social poise. The winner is chosen by a panel of Tennesseans from educational institutions and then become a candidate for the national title.

The first year for this award was in 1958 and Mary Rowe Ruble of Newport, long-time home economics teacher at CCHS, was nominated from East Tennessee. The state award that year went to a teacher

Maxie Wilson was named “Teacher of the Year” in 1968. She taught Latin and arithmetic at CCHS. Her teaching career started when she was 18 years old in a log mountain school heated by a pot bellied stove with 20 students, two of whom were older than she was.

Since 1921, the Miss America Pageant has celebrated beauty, talent, poise and aspirations. For more than 80 years, a young lady, crowned “Miss Tennessee,” has represented the Volunteer State in the national pageant. The first “Miss Newport” pageant was sponsored by the Newport Jaycees in 1957. Miss Betty Brabston was crowned the winner.

The state pageant has been held in Jackson since 1953. While many young ladies representing Newport have been contestants, none have won the title “Miss Tennessee.” However, several have won a much tougher contest, that for the title of “Miss Congeniality.” This winner is chosen by the group of contestants themselves based on her outgoing personality, helpfulness, friendliness and genuineness.

Those from Cocke County who have been “Miss Congeniality”:

Dottie Jean Bullard, 1958

Emily Williams, 1959

Regenia Freeman, 1968

The Junior Miss Pageant was designed to provide scholarship opportunities. The winners were determined by academic achievement, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities and performance in an interview. The award is now known as “Distinguished Young Women.” Mona Ratcliff of Parrottsville was crowned Tennessee’s “Junior Miss” in January 1969 at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga. She competed in the national pageant in Mobile, AL in May 1969, which was televised nationally.

The American Revolution Bicentennial Administration was established in 1975 to coordinate and facilitate bicentennial activities throughout the country. An advisory council was formed to assist. Its 25 members were appointed by President Gerald Ford. One of the members was Cocke Countian Jana Sutton Chambers, then a student at UT. She had been recommended by US Sen. Bill Brock. Some of the other members were Maya Angelou, Mrs. Malcolm X, Lady Bird Johnson, Alex Haley and James Michener. Chambers had also been named Outstanding Teenager of Tennessee in 1972.

Mrs. Luzelle Babb taught American history for many years at CCHS. Following World War ll when communism was threatening the world, she felt her students should be informed on the evils of communism, so she developed a teaching unit on it. Students were required to write communism essays, which were judged by the Newport Kiwanis Club and prizes awarded.

She was proud to relate that her unit attracted enough attention for an FBI agent to come to Newport to inquire about it. For this work she earned an award

from Sewanee, TN.

1969 TN Poultry Judging Team: David Sutton, Kay Williamson, Chester Bell, Jana Sutton, Ronnie Nease

Regenia Freeman, Miss Congeniality 1968

from the National Freedoms Foundation, Valley Forge, PA which seeks to preserve our freedoms by inspiring students and teachers in the philosophy and ideals of the nation’s Founding Fathers as well as understanding of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

Ruth Webb O’Dell (1886-1956) often has been considered a woman ahead of her times. At the age of 13 she had her first job at Blowing Cave School in the mountains of Sevier County and thus became the youngest person ever certified to teach in Tennessee. In all she had 47 years teaching experience. She was the first female elected to a public office in Cocke County and the first female superintendent of schools in the county. She was the first female president of the East Tennessee Education Association, and the first woman re-elected to a second term in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Wade Butcher Jr. (1940-1983) grew up in Newport. After high school, he attended Vanderbilt on a football scholarship, and while there, excelled both on the playing field and in the classroom. Following his senior year season, he was one of seven football players from across the country to receive Earl Blaik Scholarships from the National Football Foundation. In the amount of $500 (equivalent to $5,000 today), the scholarship was awarded on the basis of athletic academic achievement, athletic ability and sportsmanship. The awards banquet was held on Dec. 5, 1961, at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC with Bob Hope as the emcee. Butcher was handed his award by none other than President John F. Kennedy who was the keynote speaker. Also present that night was General Douglas MacArthur. Following military service, Wade earned his master and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from Vanderbilt.

The Youth Temperance Council was composed of teenagers and was under the direction on the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The members were encouraged to build a spiritual foundation, patriotic citizenship and total abstinence to tobacco and alcohol. The yearly state meeting was an encampment. Elizabeth Thomas was the councilor for the local chapter, which furnished several state officers.

1956: Judy Griffin, recording secretary

1956: Freddy Morrison, treasurer

1956: Elizabeth Thomas, Gold/Silver Award

1958: Faye Crisp, service director

1958: Tommy Mooty, secretary

1959: Bob Mooty, state president

Future Farmers of America operates in tandem with the vocational agriculture program in the high schools. Perhaps the overall scope of FFA has broadened since it was organized in 1928, but it has always been an organization dedicated to preparing young people for varied careers in agriculture. Even if a member doesn’t wish to drive a tractor, there are still many opportunities in the business and technological areas of agriculture.

1954: John Stokely, Farm Electrification Award

1955: Lemmy Wilson, State Speaking Contest; East Tennessee Dairy Award

1955: Noel Seay, Farm Electrification Award

1955: Owen Allen, Water Management Award

1955: Charles McCoig, Farm Mechanics Award

1956: Lemmy Wilson, State President; American Farm Degree

1957: Mary Louise Rowland, East Tenn. District Sweetheart

1957: Jack Stokely, State first place, beef farming; Dwayne Peters, State first place, soil and water

1959: Charlie Shipley, state president, vocational agriculture teachers

1959: Evelyn Ellis, East Tennessee, district sweetheart

1960: Earl Seay, State first place, soil and water management

1960: Lyvonda Lovina, East Tennessee, district sweetheart

1961: Gerald Ellison, state president

1999: Sara Rolen, state reporter

2000: Stephen Higginbotham, Craig Phillips, James Ruch, Shawn Hendrickson, fourth National Forestry Team

2017: Emily Ellison, East Tennessee star farmer; state sheep production proficiency

2021: Kaylee Large, state star placement

2024: Nate Mason, National Agriscience Fair finalist

2024: Olivia Lewis, state proficiency winner

There is the State FFA Degree which many local students have earned. American FFA Degrees: Heath Smith (2013); Jessa Swann (2016); Emily Ellison (2018); Kayla Payne (2024) In 1957 Lemmy Wilson was also the first participant from Tennessee in the young farmers exchange program between the United States and Great Britain, which featured a three months’ tour of farms in both countries.

Future Homemakers of America was founded in 1945 as a national organization to prepare young women as homemakers and for careers in domestic sciences and arts. In 1999 the name was changed to Family, Community and Career Leaders of America with the program

being coeducational and career focused.

The records of the programs from CCHS, Cosby and Parrottsville are very incomplete, and as a result, the lists of any state award winners are incomplete:

1952: FHA state degrees were awarded to these Parrottsville students: Patricia Prichard, Charlene Hawk, Betty Jo Sams, Barbara Neas, Joan Hawk and Jerri Hawk.

1954: Katherine Ottinger, State FHA vice president

1963: Gail Ayers, state historian

1963: Mrs. Fred Sweeten, state advisor

The Jaycees of America established “The Young Farmer of the Year” award to showcase agriculture as a profitable and satisfying career. The organization made the award in conjunction with the University of Tennessee and TVA. In 1956, the Tennessee Young Farmer was Trent Ottinger, age 28, of Salem. In four years, he had turned 47 badly eroded acres into a productive farm, raising tobacco and dairy cattle.

The roots of 4-H go back to 1902, and by 1924 it had evolved into the program known today nationwide. The name refers to “Heart, Hands, Head and Health” and the ultimate goal is to engage youth to reach their fullest potential through participation in developmental activities, many of which are agriculturally based. The program is overseen through the UT Extension Office. A meeting was intended with the Cocke County Extension Office in the Courthouse Annex before the recent flood to compile a list of state awards earned by local 4-H youth. What follows will, in no way, name all who have achieved state/national honors.)

1960: Third place national dairy judging, Waterloo, IA: Frank Messer, Bill Chambers, Jimmy Smith, Brady Freshour

1966: First place, state poultry judging: Nena Valentine, Stephen Sutton, Charles Owens, Doug Miller

1967: First Place, state poultry judging: Michael Click, Duay O’Neil, Terry Kinser, Nelson Dawson, Chester Bell (coach); Terry Kinser - top scorer

1968: First Place, state livestock judging: Charles Owens, Randall Arrowood, Terry Kinser; Ray Stockdale (coach)

1969: First place, national poultry judging, Chicago, IL: Randall Arrwood, Ginger Sue Bell, Anne Bryant (Top Scorer), Helen Carver, Ray Stockdale (coach)

1970: First place state poultry judging: Jana Sutton, David Sutton, Ronnie Neas, Kaye Willliamson (Top Scorer); Chester Bell (coach)

1971: First Place, state poultry judging: Linda Anderson, Vera Miller, Debra Proffitt (Top Scorer), Kathy Lovell

1972: First place, state livestock judging: Jana Sutton

1976: First place, state poultry judging: Melinda Sutton, Beth Smith, Jonalee Wisecarver, Lois Park, Ray Stockdale (coach)

National History Day Exhibit: State first place: Katie Caughron, Sarah Stokely, 2008

National History Day Performance: State first place: Haley Ottinger, 2006

Skills USA: State Gold Medal: Braden Barnes: Mechanical Drawing, 2023

National Merit Scholar: Caroline Brawley, 2020

National Merit Scholars: Natalie Neas, 2005; Molly Hurst, 2005; Dylan Thomas, 2009

RURITANISANORGANIZATIONDEDICATED TO IMPROVINGCOMMUNITIES AND BUILDING ABET TER AMERICA THROUGH FELLOWSHIP, GO ODWILL AND COMMUNIT YSERVICE.

Mrs. Luzelle Babb

Religion, churches a foundation of Cocke County’s fabric

“Religion is everywhere. There are no societies without it, whether they acknowledge it or not.”- Octavia E. Butler

The earliest settlers in what has become Cocke County saw a need for a church, and since that time, religion has always been a part of the fabric of the county. Many denominations have established churches and schools here in order to spread the word of God as they felt best. Citizens may not have been unified in their spiritual beliefs and practices, but on the whole, they have been accepting and tolerant of those with whom they did not agree. Rare have been the incidents when a spiritual group has attempted to force its doctrine upon the others.

John W. Fisher (1855-1928) was a native Pennsylvanian who came to Cocke County in 1892 when England and Bryan Tannery located here. He became an active member of First Methodist Episcopal Church of Newport, but he used his gifts and talents in other ways to further the larger church’s program.

Every four years, the denomination holds a General Conference, an international assembly of all branches of Methodism. In 1908 (Baltimore), 1912 (Minneapolis) and 1916 (Saratoga) Fisher was elected a delegate from Holston Conference to this gathering. He was a long-time trustee of Grant University, which later became Tennessee Wesleyan College. In 1903 he announced he would double any donation made to the college. For many years he served on the national Methodist Episcopal Book Committee which was responsible for editing and printing all church publications and Sunday School literature.

Rev. Tommy Smith (1773-1874) was a Primitive Baptist preacher in Cocke County. He preached on his 100th birthday at Slate Creek Church from the text of Judges 14-16. He has descendants still living here.

The following news item was published in several national papers in 1874:

Mr. Thomas Smith, of Parrottsville is a Baptist minister of the old predestinarian faith. He was born in Fauquier county, VA. Jan. 22, 1773, and lived to be 101 years old. He came to Tennessee in 1794, married Miss Mary Bottoms, by whom he had 12 children; has always been a temperate, laboring, moral man; can still ride on horseback to his appointments; preached one year ago to a large audience; has preached several times since; still has appointments to fill; and was the pastor of one church [Slate Creek] for 44 years. He remembers the Battle of Brandywine; is fond of talking on theology; loves everybody; quotes Scripture readily and seems to have a good memory. He has good health; eats heartily; does not remember ever to have missed a meal on account of sickness and has never taken but three doses of medicine; can read without the aid of glasses and never saw the day he could not.

Berlyn H. Stokely was born at Nough [Del Rio] in 1893, the son of David B. Stokley and Margaret Wilds. In 1927, he was ordained into the Baptist ministry at First Baptist Church, Riverside, CA. He and his wife Edith moved to Arizona as missionaries to the Navajos and Hopis. In 1930 they founded the Navajo Gospel Mission in Oraibi, Arizona. This organization has evolved into Ameritribes with the continued goal of glorifying God, spreading the Gospel and planting churches among the multiple tribes in the southwestern US and northern Mexico. Rev. and Mrs. Stokely were involved in mission work for over fifty years. He died in 1967 in Beaumont, CA.

In addition to his activities the church and civic affairs in Newport and Cocke County, James S. Franks Sr. (1913-2003) was very involved in the workings of the Holston United Methodist Conference. He was a member of the World Service and Finance Commission which oversees the funding for such things as missions, church development, ministerial education and youth ministries. He was a trustee of Morristown College, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Holston Conference Colleges. For his work in the conference programs, in 1970, Tennessee Wesleyan College, his alma mater, conferred on him the honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

Newport was home to a black evangelist, Rev. Vertree R. Robinson (1876-1942), who held revivals throughout the south for over 30 years. She and her husband Patrick H. Robinson were both preachers, but it was Mrs. Robinson whose work was more notable. She was affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In 1922 she was listed as “a missionary” for the Asheville District of Blue Ridge Conference. In 1935 she was the Presiding Elder of the Greeneville District. Called “Mammy Robinson,” she was described as “one of the great evangelists of this age.”

A newspaper in Bluefield, WV in 1925 said: Mrs. Robinson’s sermons are delivered with force and power and are carrying conviction to the hearts of men and women.” When Mammy Robinson died, her funeral was held at the Memorial Building and the burial was in the cemetery at Russell Chapel in Oldtown.

Cocke County was in the national news in 1973 when two members died at Carson Springs from drinking strychnine during a worship service. This reignited the conflict over the legality of certain religious practices such as drinking poison, handling snakes and handling fire. Since 1909 certain Pentecostal sects have justified this ritual in worship from their interpretation of Mark 16:17-20.

A photograph of a participant at a service made by a reporter from the Cocke County Banner in 1973 was picked up by the wire service and eventually used in a sociology textbook.

The focus resurfaces on this practice from time to time when incidents occur, but now its legality is rarely challenged since it is understood that those who participate do so on their own accord, feeling under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Any outsider who has attended a snake-handling service can attest to the spiritual fervor of the worshippers. Cocke Countian Rev. Jimmy Morrow, who died in 2023, explained his belief in this denomination in numerous interviews, such as “Around the World in 80 Faiths” (BBC/2009), “Heaven Come Down: Practices of Pentecostal Christians” (TV movie/2006), “Preach the Word, Preacher Man” (Apple Podcast). Morrow, a folk artist, did many paintings, relative to his faith. He always painted on his knees. Since his death, his paintings have been taken to the Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University.

The Southern Baptist Convention is the world’s largest Baptist organization, the largest Protestant organization and the secondlargest Christian organization. It is headquartered in Nashville. Merrill D. Moore was Director of Stewardship for the SBC. He pastored Newport’s First Baptist Church, 1934-1940. His son, Merrill, Jr. was a

Rev. V.R. Robinson

Catherine Marshall with parents John and Lenora Wood

young child here. He became a medical missionary and served in Gaza 1964-1976.

Juanita Parks Mullins and her husband, Darrell, were appointed in 1966 by the SBC as medical missionaries to a Lottie Moon hospital in Indonesia. After five years, they returned to live in Erwin, TN. Mrs. Mullins was appointed by Gov. Lamar Alexander in 1980 to serve on the Tennessee Commission on the Status of Women.

Affiliated with the SBC is the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The president of this body, 2019-2020, was Dr. David Green, who was pastor of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, 1996-1999. He has been pastor of First Baptist Church, Greeneville, since leaving Newport.

In the early 20th century, one of the most prominent ministers in America was George R. Stuart. As well as being a church pastor, he was a speaker for the Chautauqua Circuit, which was an adult education and culture program that featured lectures, preachers, entertainers, politicians, musicians and specialists across America. Stuart was a native of Jefferson County, but as a young man he came here to teach at the Parrottsville Academy. It was while here that he was ordained at the Newport church into the Southern Methodist ministry. He had a successful ministry, he was a noted author and was one of the leading developers of the Lake Junaluska Assembly Grounds in Haywood County, NC.

Jesse M. Burnett (1870-1947) was born in Del Rio. He was educated at the University of Richmond and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He became the Professor of Greek at CarsonNewman College, later his position was expanded to Chairman of the School of Foreign Languages and Philosophy. In addition to his

In 1958, Mrs. Catherine Marshall and her parents, Rev. and Mrs. John Wood, came to Cocke County. For the parents, it was a return to their past, as they had met and married while teaching at the Ebenezer, the Presbyterian mission school at Del Rio. The few local folks whom they visited knew Catherine was gathering information for a book. It wasn’t until her novel, Christy, was released in 1967 that full attention was re-focused on that visit. Christianity Today has ranked the book as 27th out of the 50 most influential postWW2 “evangelically themed” books in the US. The plot was woven with their experiences there which involved faith, folk medicine, mountain traditions and beliefs and moonshining. Although it was a work of fiction, many local residents could recognize the characters Marshall portrayed. The book was made into a TV mini-series which aired 1994-1995. When it aired, Christy,returned to the USA Today bestseller list.

See CHURCH | page 16

Dr. Merrill D. Moore

Dr. Darrell and Juanita Mullins

educational work, he pastored churches, two in Cocke County being Rankin and Del Rio, as well as being an associational missionary. From 1912-1917, he served as president of Carson-Newman. He resigned to return to the full-time pastorate of First Baptist Church, Belton, SC.

First Priority is a multi-denominational, international youth organization that supports student- initiated, student-led Christian clubs for middle and high school students. This organization was founded in Irving, Texas, in 1984 by Benny Proffitt, a son of Joe and Wilma Proffitt, of Newport. Benny grew up here, attending Newport Grammar School and Cocke County High School (Class of 1968). Following a stint in teaching and coaching basketball, he entered the full-time youth ministry. First Priority has connections with over 350,000 evangelical churches.

Begun in 1960, Gospel Fellowship Association Missions operates under the auspices of Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC. Its goal is to spread the news of Jesus Christ around the world. Today there are 270 missionaries in 38 different countries. One of those missionaries has been Iva Dean Clark of Del Rio.

Rev. Arthur Fox (1880-1959) was a Cocke County native who became a noted Baptist evangelist. Following his graduation from Carson-Newman College (BA 1905, MA 1907), he held pastorates in Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky, before entering evangelism work full-time in 1933. He continued this work for 13 years and held revivals

in “practically every southern state, as well as ones in the north, west and midwest.” He was in such high demand that his revivals sometimes had to be scheduled three years in advance.

Rev. Fox’s mark in Cocke County is the tower which he built to honor his parents and siblings in the Fox Cemetery at Edwina. Made of handcut white bricks, marble and concrete, the tower is gothic in design and stands 54 feet high. With the help of family and friends, Fox began construction in 1943 and had it completed in 1945. It was his dream to eventually have chimes installed, but he died before that could be accomplished. After the tower was completed, once each year Fox came and held a service at the tower for family and friends.

After his ordination in 1905, Dr. Walter C. Davis (1884-1964) served as pastor of St. James (Greene County) and Salem Lutheran Church, Parrottsville. He later served churches in Knoxville, Chicago, Indianapolis and Charleston, SC. In 1943, for health reasons, it was recommended he leave Charleston and consider living in a higher elevation. He returned to Cocke County to serve the Salem, Luther Memorial and St. James Churches. When he retired in 1957, he and Mrs. Davis continued to live in Cocke County.

It was a blow to have to leave Charleston, but Dr. Davis admitted that God since had opened many doors for him. He became a professor at the University of Tennessee’s School of Religion, and in 1944 this provided the opportunity to write a weekly discourse on the International Sunday School Lesson. This went into newspaper syndication, bringing him exposure and responses from across the nation. Dr. Davis is buried at Salem.

Dr. J.M. Burnett

Fox Memorial Tower

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From many walks of life, they too were outstanding

“To do the useful thing, to do the courageous thing, to contemplate the beautiful thing: that is enough for one man’s life.” - T.S. Eliot

Sometimes there are situations or people who just don’t fit in a designated category, but that should not keep them from receiving the recognition they deserve. In keeping with the focus of this special edition, these, too, have distinguished themselves by their talents or accomplishments, which in turn have brought a positive reflection on their hometown. What they have done, in one way or another, been of benefit to others, in one way or another.

The name “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” would be familiar to most people here, as it is the name of one of the popular attractions in nearby Gatlinburg. How many now would recognize it as the name of a syndicated newspaper column which, in its time, reached more than 80 million readers daily? As the name suggests, the column featured unique persons or unbelievable facts.

After meeting Charles E. Spriggs (1887-1975), a Cosby farmer, Robert Ripley included him as a real-life Santa Claus in one of the columns. A plump pipe smoker with a long white natural beard, Spriggs appeared to fit the part. Charles W. Stanley of Santa Claus, IN encountered Spriggs at the Tennessee Valley Agricultural and Industrial Fair in Knoxville in 1949, and he arranged for Spriggs to be one of the Santas-in- Residence at Santa Claus Land, an amusement park which opened in Indiana in 1946. After being there for several seasons, Springs retired back to his farm with his mule Dancer and played the Santa role each holiday season here in East Tennessee. Older readers may remember him in Newport at Parks-Belk.

A midwife is one who has the knowledge and skills to deliver babies. At one time a number of deliveries were handled by midwives, especially in the rural areas. In the not-so-distant past, Cocke County was the home of a midwife whose work was quite notable.

Mrs. Etta Grigsby Nichols (1897-1994) lived at Slabtown in

the Del Rio section. As a young woman, she often accompanied her father, a medical practitioner, when he went to deliver a baby. This was her training. Mrs. Nichols began delivering babies in 1930, and over the next 59 years, the total number of deliveries was more than 2,000. In 1967, she stopped going into the homes and the expectant mothers came to the “birthing room” in her home. The most she ever charged was $15 but many of the deliveries were done for free. Without a medical degree, anesthesia or forceps, she never lost a baby. She delivered her last baby at the age of 92.

Nichols was featured by Tom Brokaw on NBC Nightly News and WBIR’s “The Heartland Series.” Her story appeared in People magazine as well as numerous newspapers around the country. The most loving tribute, however, was the book Etta “Granny” Nichols: The Last of the Old Timey Midwives which was penned by her granddaughter Sharon Ledford.

The Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up program began in 1912 for the betterment of communities in the areas of safety, health, attractiveness and civic satisfaction. Citizens were encouraged to undertake projects, such as painting, repairing, discarding, cleaning and beautifying. In 1949 a national competition was implemented. Communities who entered submitted evidence of what had been done to meet the established criteria, based upon beautification efforts, slum prevention, fire protection, hazard removal, new business development and overall civic pride. Communities were categorized by size, and projects were evaluated by a panel of judges.

Newport entered the competition in 1963 with Mrs. Bill Williams as chairman. She was ably assisted by Mrs. Fred Jones, who did not hesitate to approach any property owner to inquire why certain necessary improvements had not been made. A kick-off parade was staged through downtown. Projects were undertaken by civic organizations, scout troops, school groups and local businesses. The work paid off as Newport received a “Special Achievement Award” for

Santa Claus Spriggs

Granny Etta Nichols

the “Best Overall Program.”

Newport also received second place for the “Grand Award.”

Mayor and Mrs. Fred Jones accepted the award for the citizens of Newport at a banquet at the International Inn, Washington, DC on Feb. 4, 1964.

Do you know anyone who has had an ocean vessel named for them? Maybe you do. In 2016 the University of Southern Mississippi launched the R/V Jim Franks, which is a research vessel containing both interior and exterior laboratories for research in the Gulf of Mexico?

The honoree is a fishery biologist/senior research scientist at the USM’s Gulf Coast Research Laboratory at Ocean Springs, MS.

For local readers he is known as “Jimmy;” his father was known as Jim. Jimmy graduated from CCHS in 1960 and went onto Tennessee Wesleyan College where he received a BA degree in 1964. He went to the Gulf Coast in 1963 on a work program and fell in love with the work and the area. He earned the master’s degree from Ole Miss in 1968 and the doctorate from Southern Mississippi.

His entire career has been on the Gulf Coast, studying the biology, life history and seasonal movements of marine fishes in the Mississippi coastal waters down into the northern Gulf of Mexico. He is best known for his work cobia tag/release program, bluefin tuna and the sargassum (the floating masses of macroalgae that shelter the tiny larvae of many fish species.) As one writer put it, Jim Franks “Is to saltwater fish what Babe Ruth was to baseball.” In 2006 he was named “Conservationist of the Year” by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. He serves on the Marine Fisheries Initiative, Migratory Species Board and Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute.

From time to time, Newportians have appeared on national television shows, but only one has been the focus of an entire broadcast. Dr. Dennis Branch (1886-1964) was a black physician who practiced here in Newport and Cocke County for nearly 50 years. He graduated from Shaw University in 1909 and received his medical degree from the University of West Tennessee in 1914. He came to Newport in 1916 with the intention of staying until he made enough money to go elsewhere but ended up spending the rest of his life here. His caseload included both black and white patients. He was highly regarded as a citizen here. Ebony magazine in 1957 featured Dr. Branch’s story of a black doctor’s successful practice in a predominantly white community. TV producer Ralph Edwards was shown the article by his cook who suggested that Branch might be a person to feature on his program “This Is Your Life.” Arrangements began being made. Dr. Branch was made to believe he would be the keynote speaker at a medical convention. The broadcast appeared on NBC on Feb. 5, 1958, and featured many Cocke Countians. When Dr. and Mrs. Branch returned to Newport following the broadcast, they were greeted at the depot by a large delegation of citizens. The reception moved Dr. Branch to tears.

It is hoped that those featured here would not take offense at the mention of “Setting Sun,” the one-time World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse who resided here in Newport. “Setting Sun” was foaled on April 15, 1952, in Carthage, TN. He was trained by Sam Paschal of Murfreesboro, who himself had extreme medical and physical issues. The horse was purchased in 1954 by Newport industrialist M.M. Bullard. In September 1953, “Setting Sun” was named Reserve Champion Yearling at the Shelbyville Walking Horse Celebration. In his career, the horse participated in 160 shows, taking an award in 159 of them. He was named “World Champion” at the Tennessee State Fair in 1956.

In 1959 there was a movement to name “Setting Sun” the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers instead of the bluetick hound “Smoky.” The horse led the Rose Bowl Parade, an inaugural parade and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. “Setting Sun” spent his last year on the Bullard farm here in Newport. He died in September 1976 at the age of 24. He was given a funeral with TV celebrity Stan Brock of “Wild Kingdom” giving the eulogy. The horse was buried near the Bullard barn.

Steve Spurrier could be included here, as it was while his father was pastor of Newport Presbyterian Church that he had his first experiences in team sports. Steve recounted these experiences

in his autobiography, The Steve Spurrier Story, published in 1968. The Spurriers moved to Newport in 1953 and then to Johnson City in 1956. While playing football for the University of Florida, he was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1966. He had 10 years playing professional football, followed by coaching, either as a head college coach or as an assistant coach for college or professional teams. He was named to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1986 and as a coach in 2017.

Gratitude is always appropriate for the many local men and women who have served in the various branches of the military. President John F. Kennedy warned that if we didn’t guard that right jealously, there might be no other rights to guard. Several persons have had exceptional Records. Sgt. Charles L. McGaha (1914-1984) was from Cosby. President Truman awarded him the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1946 for his meritorious service to his platoon during the Battle of Luzon.

Many locals have risen in the ranks of the military, but there have been two generals.Lt. Gen. Hubert G. Smith was from Del Rio. Following graduation from ETSU, he began his career which lasted 35 years. An expert in logistics, supply and transportation, he served two tours in Vietnam, two in Europe and one in Thailand.

Lt. Gen. Charles L. Moore Jr. is from deep in the Grassy Fork area. Following graduation from the Air Force Academy in 1989, he began his career as an F-16 pilot with 3000 flight hours and 650 combat hours. He has been Deputy Director of Global Operations of the Joint Staff as well as deputy commander of the US Cyber Command.

Sisters Lt. Reesa Jenkins (1908-1986) and Geneva Jenkins (1910-1988) were from Jones Cove. Both were Army nurses in the Philippines and were taken prisoner by the Japanese. They received recognition from General Douglas McArthur.

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Steve Spurrier (standing third from right) on the Newport Grammar School basketball team.

Dr. Dennis Branch

Sgt. Charles L. McGaha and President Truman

Lisa Coggins Office Manager