On Wednesday more than 50 women and men gathered to honor five new inductees during the 4th annual Tipton County’s Awesome Women Luncheon, held at the Tipton County Museum, Veteran Memorial and Nature Center in Covington. The annual event began in 2017 and is officially known as the Hattye T. Yarbrough Women’s Appreciation Luncheon and is sponsored by the Association … [Read more...] about Awesome Women celebration celebrates Hattye Yarbrough on her 100th birthday
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Collins Chapel cancels 67th annual Black History Month program due to COVID-19
Hattye Yarbrough started the tradition as a new teacher 76 years ago. “When I came to Covington in 1945 I wanted to hold something for my students,” she said. “I asked my principal, Mr. Brown, if I could teach something for my fourth grade class. It was Negro History Week then, but it became Black History Month.” As a teacher at Frazier Elementary School and later a librarian … [Read more...] about Collins Chapel cancels 67th annual Black History Month program due to COVID-19
Covington once hosted Blues legends B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Muddy Waters
The Blue Flame is no longer standing and the memories of the time when it hosted legendary Blues musicians have begun to fade. Located near present-day WKBL Drive in Covington, the nightclub was once the place where B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Rufus Thomas and Little Milton played. Their appearances in Covington in the late 1940s are corroborated in Sebastian Danchin’s … [Read more...] about Covington once hosted Blues legends B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Muddy Waters
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
Did you know B.B. King played in Covington?
According to locals who remember, during the early days of his career, B.B. King used to play in Covington. As remembered by Covington alderwoman Minnie Bommer, Eugene “Nez” Eaton and his wife Katie Bell ran Eaton's Cafe on North Main Street for nearly 20 years. The cafe was located on the lot that is now greenspace next to the existing Burnett’s Bar B-Q, and there was an … [Read more...] about Did you know B.B. King played in Covington?
Several locals to be honored at new Unity Within Diversity event
On Feb. 18, several local people will be honored at the inaugural Unity Within Diversity program. Held at the Ruffin, the event will honor retired physician Dr. Jesse Cannon, firefighter/paramedic Mark Heaston, former teacher/historian Hattye T. Yarbrough and the evangelical and community service of the late Grace Phelps. “Each of these people has made a difference and been a … [Read more...] about Several locals to be honored at new Unity Within Diversity event
Artifacts from Hattye Yarbrough’s collection were on display when the Smithsonian’s new museum opened
As a girl growing up in Hardeman County, the daughter of sharecroppers, Hattye Mae Thomas Yarbrough couldn’t imagine many of the things she’s seen in her 95 years. “Never in a million years” is when she thought she’d see America’s first African American president, for instance. And “never in a million years” did she ever think she, the star basketball player from Paris, … [Read more...] about Artifacts from Hattye Yarbrough’s collection were on display when the Smithsonian’s new museum opened
Historian’s scrapbook becomes new Smithsonian exhibit
Covington resident Hattye T. Yarbrough isn’t bragging about her upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. “I feel about it the same way I felt a few years ago,” the 95-year-old said Tuesday. It’s not just any trip, though. Later this month, the former educator’s World War II era scrapbook will be one of the exhibits on display when the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African … [Read more...] about Historian’s scrapbook becomes new Smithsonian exhibit
