On June 17, 1898, The Covington Leader published a story about the death of Uncle Shirley Fisher, a Black man who they said was already a grown man when arriving in 1823. He was enslaved by the Dunham and Fisher families before being emancipated. Fisher was also acquainted with both Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson. He is buried at Hall Cemetery and his services were … [Read more...] about Remembering Uncle Shirley Fisher, the oldest man in Tipton County, who died in 1898
black history
John Edwards is on a mission to preserve Tipton County’s African-American history
John Edwards has been busy lately. On top of being re-elected to the Covington Board of Mayor and Aldermen late last year, the second-generation public servant is on a mission to preserve Tipton County’s African-American history before it’s too late. “We have to ensure there will be some record going forward,” he said. Edwards has built a website called Tipton County … [Read more...] about John Edwards is on a mission to preserve Tipton County’s African-American history
After WWII, Tipton County’s Black veterans founded their own American Legion post
The soldiers who came home after World War I were tired, traumatized and many felt out-of-place given what they had been through – even in their hometowns – places which should have been welcoming and familiar. A small group of World War I war-weary veterans grew their idea of focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and their families to become one of the most … [Read more...] about After WWII, Tipton County’s Black veterans founded their own American Legion post
Men of Valor: A Tipton County Museum exhibit honors the Wakefield and Wherry brothers
A family’s legacy - a torch of honor and patriotism - which started with a father and uncles serving in the United States Navy and Army during World War II, was passed down to sons and now grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It is a fitting honor for the Wakefield and Wherry descendants of the enslaved and sharecroppers. Oldest son, William Thomas “Tommy” Wakefield, … [Read more...] about Men of Valor: A Tipton County Museum exhibit honors the Wakefield and Wherry brothers
Brighton and Munford elect their first Black aldermen
On Tuesday, the Town of Brighton and the City of Munford elected the first Black aldermen in each town’s history. In Brighton, former police officer Sonny Foster earned the second-most votes in the race where four aldermen are elected. In Munford, Deborah Reed ran as a write-in candidate and was elected to fill the third of three seats up for grabs. They are only two of four of … [Read more...] about Brighton and Munford elect their first Black aldermen
A look back at Covington’s only-known Juneteenth celebration
[metaslider id="5813"] Juneteenth has entered the mainstream discussion lately after several states have decided to observe it as a holiday. Tennessee is considering doing the same. But what is Juneteenth? The holiday commemorates the abolition of slavery and falls on the anniversary of its announcement in Texas on June 19, 1865, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation … [Read more...] about A look back at Covington’s only-known Juneteenth celebration
A unity walk is planned for Sunday afternoon in Covington
A unity walk is planned in Covington Sunday afternoon in the wake of global demonstrations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. “We are bringing awareness to social justice, police brutality, racism and, most importantly, equality,” said Queisha Harris, one of the event’s organizers. The walk will begin at Crumpy’s, which is located at 835 Hwy. 51 North, at 3 p.m. It … [Read more...] about A unity walk is planned for Sunday afternoon in Covington
Their lives ended in tragedy, their stories ended with miracles: How the the deaths of three young men brought forth so much life
Charmin Smith described it as a nightmare. “We were asleep and one of his cousins called me. He said, ‘Run Run and them had a wreck. Run Run is laid on the ground.’” She and her daughter Elaysheon Udley sit across from each other at the table. Charmin is stoic, matter-of-fact as she details the drive to Dyersburg in the overnight hours on Sunday, May 17. “I thought maybe the … [Read more...] about Their lives ended in tragedy, their stories ended with miracles: How the the deaths of three young men brought forth so much life
