Wood Dale IV

This is the fourth of a series of articles on the history of Wood Dale School in Union County, Tennessee.

In the first article I shared information about Wood Dale School from 1900 through the depression years to 1940 as related in Our Union County Heritage: A Historical and Biographical Album of Union County—People, Places, Events by Kathleen George Graves and Winnie Palmer McDonald (© 1978 Josten’s); Ms. Bonnie Heiskell Peter’s book Union County Schoolday Memories: A Pictorial History of Union County Elementary Schools From the mid-1800’s to the 1960s; and from available school registers on file at the Union County Board of Education.

In the second article I shared information about Wood Dale School during the World War II years (1940 through 1945) as related in available school registers on file at the Union County Board of Education.

The third article commenced with the school year beginning August 6, 1945 through March 29, 1946. In that article I shared information about Wood Dale School through the post-World War II years (1945 through 1949) as related in available school registers on file at the Union County Board of Education.

This article continues the discussion of Wood Dale School from the term that began on August 8, 1949. That fall, one of the greatest educators to ever teach in Union County (and there have been and continue to be many) was assigned to Wood Dale, the late, great Florence Eva Beeler Chesney. I will share in later paragraphs why I have presented such a biased statement in a historical article.

According to the personnel records on file at the Union County Board of Education, Florence Chesney was born July 8, 1913. She and I share a birthday, I to be born 52 years later.

Ms. Chesney attended Lincoln Memorial University and the University of Tennessee intermittently from 1934-50, never obtaining a degree but accruing 90 quarter hours of credit.

She was teaching on a permit her first full year at Wood Dale, but would obtain a lifetime teaching certificate at some point before the start of the 1952-53 school year. She served Union County as a teacher for 37 years, many of them spent in the small one- or two-room community schools spread throughout the county. Eighty-five years ago in 1935 she was assigned to her first teaching job at Oakland School. She remained at Oakland for three eight-month terms, then was assigned to Cedar Grove for the eight-month 1938-39 term. She was reassigned for the following eight-month term to Raccoon [Valley].

There followed terms when Ms. Chesney taught only a few months for each of several years. Perhaps this was due to Ms. Chesney taking time off to raise her daughter, as her later registers record that Carolyn (who married H. E. “Smiley” Richardson) was born around the time Ms. Chesney taught the two month term at Wood Dale during
1940-41. She returned to Raccoon [Valley] for six and one-half months during 1942-43. From 1943-45 Ms. Chesney taught two months each at Maynardville, Beech Grove and Bull Run schools. In 1946 Ms. Chesney taught three months at Brocks (sic) School.

In the fall of 1946 Ms. Chesney returned to full-time teaching for an eight month term at Brocks (sic) School. Ms. Chesney taught the following nine-month term at Brocks (sic) through 1948 (it appears Tennessee state law increased the length of the school term from eight to nine months beginning fall 1947). During school year 1948-49, Ms. Chesney taught at Hubbs Grove School.

It was in the fall of 1949 that Ms. Chesney was assigned to her first of two full-year terms to teach grades 4-8 at Wood Dale School. She concurrently served as principal of the two-room school. Her teaching partner was Ms. Anna Lou Nicely (later to become Mrs. Jessee Dyer), a former Wood Dale student. I quote from Ms. Anna Lou’s obituary as published on May 23, 2016 in the Knoxville News Sentinel :

She was a member of Pennington Chapel Baptist Church. Anna attended Lincoln Memorial University. She taught grades 1 through 8 at Wooddale, a one room school in Union County. She had many fond memories of her students.

Ms. Anna Lou and Ms. Chesney both kept immaculate registers. I was privileged to meet Ms. Anna Lou, a most charming and gracious lady, when I was her granddaughter’s teacher at Luttrell Elementary.

Ms. Anna Lou was as of yet unmarried, seventeen years younger than her teacher/principal colleague. She taught grades 1-3 for both the 1949-50 and 1950-51 terms. Her register indicates that these were her first years as a teacher. Her salary for the 1949-50 term was $125 per month (it increased to $138 per month the following year). She retained five of twenty-five students the first year, all for irregular attendance, three males, two females, two different last names (from two families, perhaps?), and none expected to attend high school. Students who “failed”, their families and peers were all “prepared for it by the teacher so that no feeling of shame or punishment was felt” (directly quoted from the register). Two of my sisters (Helen and Madaline) were in Ms. Anna Lou’s second and third grades respectively in 1949-50, and both were promoted to the next grade. Helen was again promoted the following year, and so was Madalene, though she was then in Ms. Chesney’s class.

Ms. Anna Lou reported that most of the pupils in grades 1-4 of the Wood Dale community spent their leisure time “playing”. She classified her students by a combination of her own judgment, student marks/grades, and test results, though her grading system was based on exams. She had minimum grade standards for promotion to the next grade and reported that most non-promoted students failed to sufficiently master those standards in arithmetic, speller, writing and reader (in that order). She reported providing much remedial instruction in arithmetic, using “different levels of material” and “enrichment and variety in extra practice for slow learners”. Ms. Anna Lou’s Daily Schedule of Work follows.

8:30- 8:45 Bible Reading/Attendance Checked
8:45- 9:45 1st, 2nd, 3rd Readers and Writing
9:45-10:00 3rd Grade English
10:00-10:15 Rest Period (time taken for water and toilet)
10:15-11:00 1st, 2nd, 3rd Speller
11:00-11:30 1st, 2nd Readers
11:30-12:30 Lunch Period
12:30- 1:00 2nd, 3rd Arithmetic
1:00- 2:00 5th History, 3rd Health
2:00- 2:15 Rest Period (time taken for water and toilet)
2:15- 3:15 3rd Geography, 1st, 2nd Readers
3:15- 3:30 Stories or Unfinished Work

Ms. Anna Lou listed the following as her instructional plans and objectives for the school year:

I plan to raise money to buy books and a teachers desk. I also plan to
clean all rubbish from play ground (total value of playground equipment $5.00 for
1949-50) and set out shrubbery.

Her summary of the achievements during the school year:

We had a pie supper and raised money to buy a teachers desk, window shades, two chairs, and some library books.
We have cleaned play ground and set out shade trees and flowers.
We also got S C F (or T?) for the school.

Ms. Anna Lou’s register for the following school year had neither instructional plans and objectives nor achievements during the school year listed. Her daily schedule of work for the second year did not have the depth of detail as her first. Her second 1st through 3rd grade class was composed of nineteen boys and ten girls. Eight of these students, five male and two female, were not promoted to the next grade and were almost evenly divided by grade, retained for the sole stated reason of irregular attendance. Ms. Anna listed the following as her record of year’s work for 1950-51:

Speller: 1st day meeting new words in story or letter
2nd day spell new words.
3rd day take a pretest
4th Studying most difficult words
5th day taking a test of the unit
Arithmetic: Home work: working some of the difficult problems on board
Reading. Silent and oral reading.
Geography: making charts, studying maps, class discussion.
English: Class discussion, written lessons and test

Ms. Chesney’s registers were more detailed than Ms. Anna Lou’s, in part I’m sure because Ms. Chesney was principal. Her daily schedule of work for 1949-50 was similar to Ms. Anna Lou’s, though Ms. Chesney included “recognition of special days” as part of her opening exercises. The entire school had the same one hour lunch period, back-to-back morning and common afternoon rest periods. Ms. Chesney taught civics for the last fifteen minutes of each school day. At the end of her daily work schedule, Ms. Chesney wrote: “Some of these I alternate with science, art, hand writing, physical activity music appreciation or singing”.
For her instructional plans and objectives for the school year, she included:

“ . . . To teach by the block system . . . I hope to get the toilets repaired . . . I am planning on having a new flag pole erected. I also plan to raise money to buy bookshelves . . . I plan to have school programs during the school yr.”

As part of Ms. Chesney’s summary of achievements during the school year, she listed:

. . . We also bought wash basins and soap. We have had hand washing since we got our hand washing facilities. We bought refills for the first aid cabinit (sic). We bought new books and started a library center. [Ms. Chesney’s Annual Property Report for 1949-50 reports one fifteen volume set of encyclopedias and one dictionary valued at $60. During the year 25 library books and two dictionaries were added, total value $14, and 125 library books were secured during the year.] We joined the S. C. F. and got a sponcer (sic) shortly after we joined. We have accomplished much through her contributions for the school such as maps, crayons, puzzels (sic), books, pictures and etc. We have worked on the play ground and tried to remedy some of the most eroded soil . . .

Ms. Chesney taught grades 4, 5, 6, and 8 (there were no 7th graders in 1949-50). Her class was composed of eleven boys and eleven girls (including daughter Carolyn). Among her students in 1949-50 were my two half-brothers Billy [Howard—pronounced “Haired”] and J. C. Both were 4th graders, though J. C. was promoted to 5th grade at the end of the year and Billy Howard was retained.

I was thrilled when I discovered that J. C. also had Ms. Chesney as a teacher. He remembered her as a big, tall woman. On the first day of school, J. C. said that she introduced herself: “My name is Ms. Chesney. I’m here to teach, and you’re here to learn, and if you don’t learn it, I’ll beat it into you!” J. C. liked her tough approach, and said he decided he’d best get on her good side. J. C. says he became her “pet”. If so, it must have kept him in school, for of 177 days in the school year, J. C. was present 145. Brother Billy Howard missed forty days more than J. C., and their cousin John Henry Thomas was only present 69. Both Billy [Howard] and John Henry were retained that year.
There might not have been many days that J. C. and Cousin John Henry were present on the same day, but on at least one of them Ms. Chesney sent them to the spring to get a bucket of water. J. C. said they slipped and “peed” in the bucket. J. C. said the first person to take a drink was none other than Ms. Chesney herself!

J. C. also told me that Ms. Chesney had one boy in her class that was a constant problem. Ms. Chesney would send him home, and his daddy would send him right back. One day J. C. said that Ms. Chesney picked that boy up and set him down inside a heating stove jacket!

Nine of 22 of Ms. Chesney’s students were retained in 1949-50, seven boys and two girls, irregular attendance being the principal cause. Other contributing factors listed by Ms. Chesney included speech defects, inefficient work and study habits, lack of interest, and lack of study. Ms. Chesney said most all students spent their leisure time playing, while boys also fished and girls sewed. Ms. Chesney reported her grading system as “exams & curve system”.

Ms. Chesney’s record of year’s work 1949-50 follows.

In Arithmetics (sic) we used the text and solved the problem in it then we took the same type problem and applied them to practical things in the schoolroom for example when we were studying areas and perimeter we measured tabletops areas of floors of the different rooms and found area and perimeter
In Readers we studied for thought more than Just to Keep from missing a word. I find that makes a better reader, because they become interested in their stories and will read on and be more particular about mispronouncing the word. They soon realize they don’t get the full meaning if they miss lot of words. We did silent reading, defined all new words. In our Spellers We became acquainted with a new lesson every Monday morning We spelled the words off the book pronounced them. Then on Tuesday we spelled the words. Wednesday we wrote the words Thursday we looked them up in the dictionary and made sentences. Friday we had a test. In Geographies (sic) we drew maps, studied each continent separate and a cross country imaginary flight across the U. S. learned each state, its Capital, and large cities and what each state grew, what each mfg. In Histories (sic) and Grammers (sic). We dealt pretty close to the texts.

In her Record of the Year’s Work for the following term, Ms. Chesney would also include themes, essays and current events for history and grammar.

Both Ms. Chesney and Ms. Anna Lou returned to Wood Dale for the 1950-51 school term. Like Ms. Anna Lou, Ms. Chesney’s daily schedule of work was more simplified in her register than in the prior year. For her second year as principal/teacher at Wood Dale, Ms. Chesney recorded in her instructional plans and objectives for the school year, she included:

We plan to have a safer water supply installed. We plan to get the house repaired. We also plan to get some new basket ball goals put up . . . We would like to buy a new basketball and other play ground equipment. We would like to buy some school room furniture such as book, filing cabinet and desk and chair. We plan to add new books to the library we have started.

As part of Ms. Chesney’s summary of achievements during the school year, she listed:

A new well was dug.
The basket ball goals were put up.
We got a new basket ball.
We added some new books to our library. [16 at a total cost of $18, plus 125 secured from regional library]
We worked some on soil erosion by filling up some gullies.
We had two new window sashes put in. We oiled the floors . . . We had regular 4-H club meetings and programs. We had ball games with other schools.

This second year Ms. Chesney taught eleven boys and fourteen girls in all grades 4-8. She retained fourteen of her total 25 students, all due to irregular attendance, the bane of educational progress in small country schools. Interestingly, for all of the retained 8th grade girls, Ms. Chesney listed H. S. (High School) for the grade in which they should be placed the following year. Possibly this was because of age, for two of the three would turn sixteen, the other fifteen, during the summer or next school year. On her Report of Pupil Progress, Ms. Chesney added “laziness” and “over-age” as probable causes of pupil failure. She also listed “playing” and “working” for the ways most pupils in the Wood Dale community spent their leisure time.

For school year 1951-52, Ms. Chesney taught at Nave Hill. In 1952-53 she returned to Hubbs Grove for one year, where she taught all eight grades. Then she taught from 1953-57 at Bull Run. At Bull Run she taught grades 1-2 in 1953-54 and combinations of grades 5-8 until 1956-58. For the next two terms, 1958-60, Ms. Chesney returned to Raccoon Valley, teaching grades 1-4 both years.

It was in the fall of 1960 that Ms. Chesney began her last assignment, teaching third grade at Maynardville Elementary. This is where Ms. Chesney had me as a student in 1973-74. I knew her well even before she was my teacher. We both attended Maynardville Baptist Church. One of the best memories I have is Ms. Chesney’s reading class. She was adept at grouping students for effective instruction. When we would begin a new story, she would read it to us on the first day, with the exact diction she wished us to imitate when we read orally the next day. This was her method of teaching reading expression. To encourage us to greater levels of expression, she staged friendly competitions. Her discussions of the stories always tied into morals and values. We always said grace every day before we went to lunch: God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. Amen (pronounced “Ah-men”). In her class we memorized the multiplication tables through the sixes. Ms. Chesney used cooperative grouping as a teaching strategy long before it became a modern “catch phrase”. It was nothing unusual for her to let us get a “study buddy” and get under tables or the coat rack to study our lessons. Noise was good at this time—it showed that we were working together. Long time Union County Schools Supervisor of Instruction Ms. Patricia McKelvey told me once that Ms. Chesney’s room sometimes looked and sounded like chaos, but she could call everybody to their seats in order with just a word. Every student excelled at something, and Ms. Chesney made sure to write each pupil’s accomplishments on a section of a paper earthworm that she posted around the room. She gave each pupil his/her section at the close of the school year.

When I was in her class, Ms. Chesney motivated me to memorize an entire story from our reading book about an aardvark named Arthur. She coached me into using effective vocal inflection and body expression, and encouraged me to enter the school talent show. I think I won second place (I’ll have to consult my earthworm section) and was given the opportunity to perform at the county talent show at Horace Maynard High School. That was no problem, for our class and perhaps the rest of the school walked to the high school for the show. The problem came when the opportunity arose to go to Big Ridge Elementary to perform there. My father was not approachable about such things, and Ms. Chesney took the initiative and put me on the bus without parental consent to go to Big Ridge. She told me in later years that she prayed that nothing would happen to me, for she didn’t want to face Frank Mincey’s wrath!

Ms. Chesney would teach only two more classes after mine. She retired in spring 1976. In a visit with her many years afterward, Ms. Chesney told me she felt she had been practically pushed into retirement. She said that an administrator asked her, “Florence, why don’t you just retire? I know you’re tired.”

But Ms. Chesney did not sit at home doing nothing. She signed up to be a substitute teacher. Unlike most substitutes, Ms. Chesney actually taught. She also continued to be a motivator. She substituted in our 7th grade homeroom on a day instructions had been left to practice our 4-H meeting between lunch and our next class. Our singing wasn’t “up to snuff”, in her opinion, so she did what she did so often in 3rd grade, she led by example. She demonstrated for us how we should put feeling into the song. She had every one of us 7th graders, even the boys, singing at the top of our lungs. We left for our first class of that afternoon with a song in our heart and a spring in our step, for sure! During retirement, Ms. Chesney also became active in the senior citizens center and ceramics.

Ms. Chesney genuinely loved teaching, and she loved her students and respected their parents. That was the key to her success. When we visited, she would recall students that it would not seem possible she would remember. She was once ill, and she told me afterward that her husband Sam said that during her delirium she must have retaught every class she ever had. I visited Ms. Chesney frequently from the time I began teaching until she passed away. We talked about many things, but there were always two constants—school and church, the two solid foundations to which she devoted her entire life.

One of the greatest obstacles in life is the lack of ability or opportunity to express to others how much they have meant to us. I have liked every teacher I’ve had all throughout the Union County Public Schools and the equivalent of ten years of college work at Lincoln Memorial University, with one exception. I had one other teacher that I liked but personally but did not respect his teaching ability.

But Florence Chesney was special to me. When I learned to drive and had the means to visit her, I visited her home at least once per year, more often in later years. Not only was she my hero, she let me know I was special to her. On one of my visits, she asked me to read a poem to her, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “A Psalm of Life”. When I finished, she told me that she felt that poem summed up what she had tried to aspire to during her life. She told me that she felt that I more than any of her other students had risen to the potential she saw in me as a child in her class. She asked me if I would read that poem at her funeral, but at the same time told me not to even consider it if it would cause me “one moment of dread”. I wouldn’t say I’ve had a lot of recognition heaped upon me during life thus far, nor do I seek it, but Ms. Chesney’s request was without doubt the greatest honor of my life. I don’t expect it to be surpassed.

My last visit with Ms. Chesney was when she was in her final sickness. I don’t remember much about the visit, except an overwhelming sadness that this was to be the last time I’d see my dear friend and mentor alive on this earth. She passed away on September 30, 2002, age 89.

In this article I have shared information about Wood Dale School from August 8, 1949 through May 4, 1951 as related in available school registers and personnel records on file at the Union County Board of Education, from Ms. Anna Lou Nicely Dyer’s obituary printed in the Knoxville News Sentinel on May 23, 2016, and from Ailor Mortuary Records 2000-July 13, 2009: Compiled and typed by Martha Jean Atkins Carter (© 2010).

Comments

I went to Paulette School when I was a child in the 50s and 60s. I knew many of the community schools around but never heard of Wood Dale. Where was it?

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Our springtime church reunion: The good and the bad

The song of Eddy Arnold’s “Christmas Can’t Be Far Away” reminds me that spring can’t be far away. We’ve had a rough winter with the biggest snow (which started January 14) since the blizzard of 1993.
The snowstorm of this past January left ten inches on our deck. The temps went down below zero for two nights, but we made it through, and now let’s hope we have a long spring this year.

Glad tidings

2 Corinthians 4-7 is actually a continuation of Paul’s expression of true love to the Church at Corinth. The Apostle is serving the Corinthians by sacrificing his worldly fame to tell the whole truth of the Gospel. As many commentators before me have already said the message of the Cross of Christ is a paradox. Jesus told the brothers James and John in the presence of their Mother that Greatness in Heaven is obtained via becoming a servant. Jesus ushered in his Kingdom, by becoming a servant obedient to a death of crucifixion. God’s love for the world is his good news.

Sycamore is easy to identify in winter

Sycamore is easy to identify in winter by its bleached
white upper limbs and multi-colored bark.

Sycamore (Planatus occidentalis) is a very common tree in our area and easy to find growing along streams and lakes. It is also one of the easier trees to identify in the woods because all of its identifying features stand out.
The leaves of sycamore are large, and as broad as they are long, with a big-toothed edge. The leaf also has a fuzzy underside that can be a source of respiratory irritation. The fruit forms in the fall as a cluster of seeds forming a perfect brown ball about an inch or two in diameter, hanging from a long stem and persisting into winter.

R is for Ride

It’s a good thing my mom is brave because she’s the one who taught me how to drive.
It’s funny how different my mom and I are. For instance, driving came natural to her. Before she had her driver’s license, she was driving trucks and tractors across Papaw’s farm. Sometimes when Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle wanted an ice cream, she would give my then-12-year-old mother money for one. My mom would hop on the tractor and drive up to the store and buy her ice cream.

Lemon and Honey Salmon

Salmon likes to be sweetened. Honey will do just that. Try this easy recipe. Place salmon filet on 7- x 10-inch rimmed baking pan. Drizzle olive oil over salmon. Season with salt and pepper. Place lemon slices end to end on filet. Drizzle with honey. Bake in preheated 450 F oven for 15 minutes or less. Do not overcook salmon.

About my love of animals

A girl and her donkey friends

I have mentioned in a previous article about my love for animals and listed some of the animals that I love. I thought this month I would expand on that and tell you a little more about them and why I love them. I will start with my absolute favorite animal.
My favorite animal on the planet is the bettong. Have you ever heard of this animal? I had not heard of it until I saw it on an episode of the Rachael Ray show.

The Last Hunt

By Robert Wyrick
To the best of my recollection, it was the winter of 1953 when my cousin Ralph came up from his home in Loyston to my place in Hickory Valley to spend a few days to help my daddy in his radio repair shop.
Now, as my luck would have it, Ralph brought along Old Rattler, his blue tick hunting dog. At the time, Rattler was known far and wide as the best possum dog to ever roam the hills of Union County.

Union County Public Speaking Contest

James Whitley- Front row in the middle.

The Union County 4-H Public Speaking Contest allows youths to highlight their exceptional presentation abilities in a supportive environment. Youth learn from professionals as well as their fellow 4-H members.
On February 6th, 2024, 4-H member grades 4-8 gathered at Horace Maynard Middle School for the annual County Public Speaking contest.

History of Southern Gospel, Part II

Part of the basis of Southern Gospel were traditional postbellum shape note singing schools. At that time, shape note singing was most popular among rural singers. According to James Goff, Jr in his book “Close Harmony: History of Southern Gospel”, itinerant singing school instructors organized shape singing local, regional, and even national singing conventions and local quartets sung the latest gospel hymns.

Chiropractic care and stress

Managing the stress in your life — and most of us have it to one degree or another — is essential to keeping a healthy lifestyle.

Stress comes from many directions and makes itself known in a variety of ways. It might show up as a headache, tight muscles, nausea or back pain. It’s generally caused by outside factors, some obvious, like fretting over financial problems, and others not so much, maybe even planning for a joyous occasion like an impending wedding.

Spider in the Copier

The oddest things seem to happen to me. Most of them are funny or weird, but there
was one that was downright creepy.
I used to work in an office that had a tall copier. Actually, it was a scanner, copier, and
printer. Every day, I used it many times and in all three capacities. While I was waiting on it to finish the job, I would often look out the back door since it wasn’t far from the copier.

The Angels of God

I once received an email from a friend which said, “No true Southern boy would ever say, “Here’s an episode of Hee Haw that we haven’t seen.” I’m sure that’s true, though a truly Southern boy would have said, “. . . that we ain’t seen.”
I noted that bluegrass banjo player and cast member of Hee Haw Roni Stoneman passed away this past Thursday, February 22, 2024.

Pork chop suey

We made this dish often in the 1950’s. We had just come out of WWII with all the shortages that occur during wartime. It was time to try something new, like pizza or chop suey. In Dutch oven, brown meat in hot oil. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Drain off excess oil. Place meat in 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Combine sprouts onion, green pepper and rice. Add to pan. Gradually add milk and soy sauce to soup, stirring until smooth.

Planting Balled Trees

Taking the trouble to plant a tree right greatly improves its chances to survive and grow into a handsome tree.

Back in the day planting balled trees or trees grown in buckets was pretty straightforward: Dig a hole wider and deeper than the root ball, mix peat moss or other soil amendment with the soil and plant the tree. But some research has resulted in more stringent guidelines for urban trees. The new recommendations assure that roots have a chance to grow into the surrounding soil and produce healthy branches, foliage, and roots. Here’s an overview.

Union county veterans wall

It stands up on a hill behind the high school and overlooking Wilson Park. Many have seen it from a distance, but not too many people stop by. In different parts of the US, some of the walls honoring and remembering Veterans are made of black granite or marble. The concrete Union County Veterans Wall was first painted black to represent the bleakness, the abyss some veterans feel when returning to civilian life and there is a touch of red along the top to represent the blood that was shed during conflicts.

Menu for Veterans March 4 at High Noon

Veterans dinner

Military Veterans! You are invited to join Post Commander Darrell White and other Union County veterans at High Noon on Monday March 4 at the American Legion Hall on Veterans Rd. An Italian experience is planned with homemade Lasagna, bread, salad and dessert. Meals will be served on the first floor. There is no charge for this meal. For those who would like to attend, the monthly meeting of the American Legion New Liberty Post will be held after the luncheon at 1:00 upstairs in the building.

Take a Walk

Walking may be, pound for pound, the most accessible, beneficial and inexpensive form of exercise available. The American Chiropractic Association recommends it as a way to stay fit.

A Short History of Southern Gospel

The original Fisk Jubilee Singers introduced ‘slave songs’ to the world in 1871 and were instrumental in preserving this unique American musical tradition known today as African American spirituals.

We enjoy the precision of the close 4-part harmony and inspirational messages in Southern Gospel music. But how did this form of music come about? The oldest tradition of Christian hymns was the singing of Old Testament Psalms.

The Big BANG Theory

When I was a kid I was no stranger to guns—that is, toy guns. All kinds of toy guns—from cap pistols to plastic machine guns—but never actual BB guns. My mother was too much like Ralphie in A Christmas Story, afraid I’d shoot my eyes out!

Them Rides

Who doesn’t like having things to look forward to? As a child, birthdays and Christmases were at the top of my list. If you’re thinking it’s because of the presents, you would be correct. Next, was going to the fair. While there no gifts, there was plenty of adventure to be had.

Hawaiian chicken

Arrange chicken breast halves in crock pot. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Remove chicken breasts. Serve. Note: you could thicken sauce with cornstarch and serve with the chicken breasts and mashed potatoes.

Local Rivers Were Early Interstates

Before railroads local rivers were used to transport resources like timber and iron to industrial centers to feed a growing nation.

Back in the early and mid-1800s the industrial age combined with a growing population created a high demand for raw materials to make products, especially from wood and metals such as iron and lead. Our area had metal ore deposits to produce pig iron in locally owned furnaces fueled by wood charcoal and coke. Pig iron needed to be shipped to big cities like Chattanooga where it was refined and made into metal products such as tools and farm implements.

Events

Authors Guild of Tennessee

The Authors Guild of Tennessee (AGT) will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Faith Lutheran Church in Farragut. Social time and book exchange begins at 10:30. Published authors are invited to attend. AGT is now accepting applications for associate membership from authors who have written a book but are not yet published. Serious authors only. In the event of inclement weather, check the AGT Website for updates and information: authorsguildoftn.org.

Spring Tour With Museum Mike!

"Come by the Lenoir Museum at 1:00pm on Saturday's throughout the spring for a tour with Museum Mike! These tours will occur on a weekly basis. These tours are completely free, but please consider registering and donating to the Museum! 100% of your donation stays in our Lenoir Museum and is used for programs, interpretive displays, and other improvements. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Lost Creek Reunion is June 9

Lost Creek Church

Anyone with ancestors who attended Lost Creek Church or have ancestors buried in Lost Creek Cemetery may want to mark June 9, 2024, on the calendar. Fred Gibson and members of the Union County Cemetery Association will hold a reunion at the new Union County Forestry Building at the entrance to Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area.

Alder Springs Anniversary

Alder Springs Missionary Baptist Church

Alder Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 708 Hickory Star Rd. Maynardville TN, will celebrate it's 175 the Anniversary on Sunday, April 7,2024. The celebration will be during the 11:00 an worship service with lunch to follow. If you know of any former pastors or their relatives, we would love to hear from them so we can give them a special invitation for that celebration.

Obituary

Susan Gaye Harrell

Susan Gaye Harrell-age 62 of Knoxville passed away Friday, March 15, 2024.
Survived by daughters, Candace Brock, Sonya Butcher; sister, Donna Walker; Grandchildren, Samantha Pass, Brandon Bowling, Dylan Bowling, Braxton Butcher, Carson Butcher; great-grandchildren, Sabrina Pass, Donald Pass along with many other family members and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.

Debbie Ann "BB" Buckner

Debbie Lynch “BB” Buckner – age 59 of Washburn, formerly of Luttrell, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, William Randy and Dian Lynch; sisters. Nina Bell, Tammie “TT” Lynch; brother, William Darrell Lynch; nephews, William Cody Lynch, Joshua Reed; loving boyfriend, Gene Gibson.

Carolyn Skeen

Carolyn Grace Skeen – age 88 of Corryton, passed away peacefully at NHC Farragut Memory Care on Thursday, March 14, 2024. She was very artistic and loved to draw and work crossword puzzles. Carolyn retired from St. Paul Ins. Co. after working there for many years as a Claims Adjuster Supervisor. She was also a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Halls.

Lisa Gilbert

Lisa Gilbert-age 59 of Sharps Chapel, the best mom in the world, went to be with the Lord Monday, March 11, 2024, at North Knoxville Medical Center. She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy “Thumby” and Willie (White) Brantley; brothers, Troy and Claudia (Rowe) Brantley, Willis “Buzz” and Susie (Chumley) Brantley, David and Carolyn (Chumley) Brantley, Norman Brantley, Charlie Brantley, Arnold Brantley, Darrell Brantley all of Sharps Chapel.

Joshua Walker

Joshua Walker – age 44 of Maynardville, was called to his heavenly home on March 8th in the year of our Lord 2024. He loved his family and he enjoyed cooking for them and his friends. Josh was a gifted musician and left an unforgettable impact on everyone he met. He will be dearly missed and we will forever be grateful for the time that we were blessed to share with him.

Paul Junior Muncey

Paul Junior Muncey-age 65 of Luttrell went to be with the Lord Saturday, March 9, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family and friends after a three-year battle with cancer. He was of the Baptist faith. Worked as the maintenance man at the Cedars Apartments and Stonegate Apartments. Preceded in death by his step-son, Tony Wood; parents, Martin and Gertrude (Pratt) Muncey; siblings, Jimmy, Clifford and Sharon Muncey; Edna (Sissy) Strevel.

Delbert Turner

Delbert Turner, (77), of New Tazewell, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on March 7th, 2024. Delbert was born to Wiley and Louetta Turner, on August 19, 1946, in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Dewey McCall Raley

Dewey McCall Raley-age 91 of Corryton passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, when his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called him home with his loving family by his side. He was born September 27, 1932, in Central Peninsula, Union County Tn. He was a devoted member and deacon of Hubbs Grove Baptist Church. He was a devoted and loving husband to Bobby Helen (Wyrick) Raley for 50 yrs until her passing in 2003. He was a devoted and loving father to his four children Darrell, Debbie, Daniel, and Don.

Natasha Hope Snelson

Natasha Hope Snelson-38 of Maynardville passed away suddenly at her home Wednesday, March 6, 2024. She was her own unique person. Preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Snelson; brothers, Rick Snelson, Mike Snelson, Tommy Snelson; biological father, Lee Bussell; biological brother, Brian Bussell.

Kevin Brown

S. Kevin Brown – born June 17, 1967 in Knoxville, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the age of 56. He loved hunting, fishing and being outside and he was so passionate about his work as a brick mason.

Fredda McHaffie

Fredda “Hippie” Lynn McHaffie – age 60 0f Maynardville, passed away March 4, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was of the Baptist faith. Fredda loved life and was a very caring and generous person that would give you the shirt off her back. She never met a stranger and once she set her mind to do something she did it.

Lawrence Henry "LH" Wolfenbarger

Lawrence Henry “LH” Wolfenbarger-72 of Luttrell went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the U.T. Medical Center. He was a member of Cedar Ford Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Agnes Marie (Grisby) Wolfenbarger; great great granddaughter, Lanie Grace.

He is survived by his children, Melinda and Mike Grace, Dwight Wolfenbarger, John and Daphne Wolfenbarger; sister, Johnnie Sharp; nephew, Wesley Sharp and many cousins, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of friends.

Johnny Aurther Chadwick

Johnny Aurther Chadwick – age 80 of Luttrell, went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 3, 2024. Johnny was a diesel mechanic and loved to fish and drive racecars. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Brenda Joyce Chadwick; parents, Charlie and Mary Chadwick; sons, Ray Shanks and John (L.J.) Chadwick; brothers, Larry Chadwick, Chuck Chadwick and Ronnie Chadwick.

Jamie Earl Shoffner

Jamie Earl Shoffner-47 of New Tazewell went home to be one of God’s angels after being one on earth for 47 years, Thursday, February 29, 2024 at North Knoxville Medical Center. He graduated from Horace Maynard High School Class of 1998. He attended Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his loving step-father, Jerry Lee Cole; aunts and uncles, Louise Bonnie Bailey, Inez Ellen Poore, Troy Yadon, Sr., Glen Yadon, Sr., Tom Shoffner, Steve Shoffner, Wanda Shoffner Sheckles; grandparents, Roy and Belvia Yadon, Charlie and Edna Shoffner.

Dennis Wayne Kitts

Dennis Wayne Kitts-45 of Maynardville went to be with the Lord Thursday, February 29, 2024, at UT Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was saved at a young age. Preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Kitts Berkley; grandparents, Ted and Welmia Kitts, Donald and Thelma Beeler; aunts, Mary Kitts, Sandra Thomas; mother of his son, Sara Kitts.

Kennith Ronald Gibson

Kennith Ronald Gibson-45 of Tazewell, born May 16, 1978 passed away February 28, 2024. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his father, Kennith William Gibson; sister, Renosia Jane Noah; grandparents, William and Katherine Gibson, Curtis and Pansy Chumley; good friends, Steve Moore and Joe Burkhart.

He is survived by his mother, Diane Gibson; daughter, Lakota Gibson; son, Skylar Bishop; very special niece, Allison Noah and her father Allen Noah and other loving family members and friends.

Janice Jones

Janice Lynn (Buckner) Jones – age 80 of Maynardville, passed away peacefully and went to be with Jesus, Wednesday, February 28, 2024. She was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church and was a volunteer at Tennova North Hospital and for the Union County Election Commission. Janice loved the lake, ocean and RV’ing. Most of all she loved her husband, Rick, her children and grandchildren and spending time with them.

Michael Wayne Bullen

Michael Wayne Bullen – age 69 of Corryton went to be with the Lord, Sunday, February 25, 2024 at U.T. Medical Center. He was a member and deacon of Union Missionary Baptist Church. Retired employee of Y-12 Oak Ridge. He was the best husband, dad, papaw/paw, brother, uncle and all-around great guy who was loved by many but loved others even more.
Preceded in death by his parents, Junior and Mildred (Marsee) Bullen.

Cheryl Jo Cooper

Cheryl Jo Cooper – age 42 of Knoxville, passed away suddenly Friday, February 23, 2024.
Preceded in death be her father, Pete Davis; brother, Charles “Chuck” Davis.
Survived by her son, Hunter Cooper; daughters Kylie Cooper, Karlie Cooper; mother, Betty Davis.
There are no services planned at this time. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville.

Anthony "Tony" Frank Gilliam

Anthony “Tony” Gilliam-age 58 of Rutledge passed away Sunday evening, February 25, 2024 at his home. Preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Sue (Stapleton) Gilliam; sister, Sara Gilliam.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sandra McCarter; sons, Alex Gilliam, Connor Gilliam; grandchildren, Jaxon, Aliah, Korbin, Kason and other loving family members and friends.

No services are planned at this time. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.

Danny Leon Collins

Danny Leon Collins-71 of Washburn passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024 at UT Medical Center. He was a member of Emory Road Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Zola Collins; brothers, Don, Delmar, Ronnie, Lonnie, and James; sisters, Marine, Onalee, Doris, Dora, Pauline, Brenda, and Mary.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Dorothy Collins; sons, Rev. Danny (Cindy) Collins of Washburn, Eugene McIntosh of Knoxville; daughter, Shirley (Stephen) Owens of Hixson; grandson, Jacob Collins and several nieces and nephews.

Mildred Lou Ryder, Andersonville, Tn

Ryder, Mildred Lou, age 88 of Andersonville, went to be with the Lord on February 23, 2024 at Tennova North. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She also loved to hand sew quilts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oda & Gertie Ridenour Pike and her loving husband, Kenneth and 9 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sons, Robin (Rhonda) Ryder, Kelvin (Debbie) Ryder and Rusty (Kelly) Ryder and her daughter Della (Scott) Heath. 9 Grand Children, 6 Great Grand Children and 2 Great Great Grand Children.

Gregory "Moon" Clifton Hunter

Gregory “Moon” Hunter – age 40 of Luttrell, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2024 at his home. Moon was a great friend and loved his family. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, chickens, fast cars, hunting ginseng, and just taking relaxing drives. He was loved by many and will forever be in our hearts. Preceded in death by his daughter, Kourtney Hunter; sister, Mesha Young; father, Rickey Hunter.

Janice Faye Beason

Janice (Lay) Beason-age 60 of Sharps Chapel passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, February 24, 2024 at her home. She was a loyal, faithful member of Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church. Janice is preceded in death by her father, Sandy Lay.

Donald James D.J. Corum

Donald James “D.J.” Corum-age 45 of Luttrell went home to be with the Lord Thursday, February 22, 2024 at his home. D. J. loved his family and was very proud of his kids. Preceded in death by son, Dayton Corum; father-in-law: Bo Inklebarger; grandparents, Gene and Inez Hensley; grandmother, Naomi Corum.
Survivors: loving wife of 20 years, Comfort Corum; daughters, Aleigha Corum, Abby Corum; parents, Perry and Karen Corum; sister, Shonda Corum; brothers, Joshua Corum; Rev. Daniel Corum and wife, Lisa. Many nieces and nephews along with a host of friends.

Nicholas Trammell

Nicholas Tyler Trammell – age 25 of Powell, passed away February 18, 2024 in St. Paul. Minnesota. While Nick faced many difficult challenges, he never stopped being an audacious dreamer. His imagination and giddy laugh are the qualities most will recall.

James Herbert Bays

James Herbert Bays-86 of Maynardville went to be with the Lord Monday morning, February 19, 2024, at his home. He was of the Church of God faith. He enjoyed his long-time career as an over the road truck driver and had been to Canada, Mexico and every state except for Alaska. Preceded in death by his parents, Hayden and Lindy Bays; wives, Linda Darlene Bays and Bonnie Bays; children, Kathy Bays, Herbie Bays, Jerry Childress, David Childress, Angie Pollard; grandchildren, Misty Childress, Alex Childress, Kelley Childress, Josh Hunley; sisters, Maggie, Anne, Reba; brother, Esco Bays.

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