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
minnie bommer
Meet Frazier High School’s Class of 1957
Frazier High School is no longer standing and few of its artifacts are still around, but Tipton County Museum Archivist Sherri Onorati has a 1957 yearbook from the former all-Black school in Covington's District 1. The Class of 1957 featured some people who would go on to do great things. Minnie Burrell was the class's treasurer who would later marry classmate John Bommer, … [Read more...] about Meet Frazier High School’s Class of 1957
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
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
“You could die”: Minnie Bommer on life, activism since Dr. King’s assassination
COVINGTON – It’s the day before the 50th anniversary of the shooting death of Martin Luther King Jr. and Minnie Bommer is looking at a reprint of the April 11, 1968 Covington Leader. At the bottom of the page is a story about Covington’s unit of the Tennessee National Guard assisting with riot control in Memphis after King’s assassination. The end of the story shares news of a … [Read more...] about “You could die”: Minnie Bommer on life, activism since Dr. King’s assassination
The Town of Mason will salute three African-American women trailblazers
On Saturday, the Town of Mason will salute three African-American women trailblazers from West Tennessee at its first Black History program. “We indeed have three unique women of color who have left their mark on history,” said Kelvin Willis, special liaison to the mayor. The program will honor Gwendolyn Kilpatrick, Covington Alderwoman Minnie Bommer and Judge Bernice B. Donald … [Read more...] about The Town of Mason will salute three African-American women trailblazers
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?
