Freddie L. "Tank" Hale remembrance

 

Freddie L. "Tank" Hale , 80, of Jacksonville, FL died Sunday evening November 9, 2025 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family.

Freddie "Tank" Hale, Douglass High School Senior, 1963

Born in Wise County, Virginia, the family later moved to Kingsport, Tennessee where he attended the Douglass High School.  He joined the United States Navy after graduation from 1963-1984.  Freddie served on multiple ships within his time including the USS Brule, USS Sampson (DDG-10), USS Fahrion as a plankowner.  Upon retirement, he was employed with the Mayport Postal Operations for 30 years (1985-2015).  He retired with a total of 52 years of Department of Defense service.

Freddie received multiple distinguished awards during his time of service:  Vietnam Service, Medal with Bronze Star/ Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device/ Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Grenada),  Meritorious Unit Commendation/ Navy Achievement,  Medal/ Forth Good conduct Award for period ending November 17,1981.

"Tank" is preceded in death by his mother and father Robert E. Sr., and Rebecca Moore Hale; his sisters, Dolores H. Singleton and Linda (Reverend Donnie Wade), and a brother, Robert E. "Sparky" Hale, Jr.

Freddie Hale was a loving brother, husband,father, grandfather and uncle to his wife, Carolyn Dulaney Hale "Kaye";  daughters Katrina M. (Brian Burnette) Hale-Burnette;  Karaliea L. (Brian Funches) Hale-Funches;  grandchildren Franklin Williams III and Brian Funches II;  Goddaughter Misti Rushing (Michael Rushing);  God children Lonna and Garrett Rushing;  brothers Carl (Chynet Bond-Hale) Hale "Twig";  William "Tarik Hassan" Hale;  along with multiple nieces and nephews.

For those who knew Freddie, enjoyed his good-humored presence.  He was quiet and spoke with wise words to his friends and family.  An avid football fan and dedicated chef, he will always be remembered.  Thank you to all those surrounding his family during this difficult season.

There will be a committal service Tuesday, November 18th at 11:00 AM at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218. 

Please wear Tennessee Volunteer or Jacksonville Jaguars swag in Tank’s memory. 

After the ceremony, gather with the family members to celebrate Freddie “Tank's” life at 11010 Cisco Gardens Rd N Jacksonville Florida  32219.

         Care of the Hale family is entrusted to the 

 Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home

940 Cesery Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221

 904-744-8422

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

Reverend Jesse Jackson hospitalized

 

Great Golden Gathering Banquet, 2015

On this, the 10th anniversary of the first "Great Golden Gathering," the assembly of alumni and descendants of the 15 former African-American Schools in upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia in 2015, we are concerned to report that the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. has been  admitted to the hospital for observation related to a condition he has been managing for more than a decade.

Reverend Jackson is no stranger to East Tennessee.  Ten years ago in 2015, he was presented an award in by the "Great Golden Gathering" of African-American alumni.  He could not attend in person to receive the award as his mother, Helen Burns Jackson had just passed away in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina.  Below is a screen grab from the video message he sent to the Gathering's banquet.

Rev. Jackson has also spoken at churches in Chattanooga and Knoxville.  Born in Greenville, he recounted to the Great Golden Gather alumni how his old high school used to travel to East Tennessee quite often to play local schools in the area in basketball.

In a statement shared by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, officials confirmed that Jackson, 84, was admitted to a local hospital on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 by police escort and was under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a condition he has been managing for more than a decade.

“The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. was admitted to the hospital today and is currently under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). He has been managing this neurodegenerative condition for more than a decade. He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed. The family appreciates all prayers at this time,” a spokesperson for the coalition said.

PSP is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that impacts movement, balance, eye coordination and cognition. PSP shares some symptoms with Parkinson’s disease, though it is known to progress at a more rapid rate.

Sullivan County Comissioner Who Voted Against Juneteenth Recognition Arrested in North Carolina

 A Sullivan County Commissioner who blasted the celebration of Juneteenth was arrested by police in Asheville, North Carolina last month and charged with sexual battery.

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office says Joe Carr was arrested early on Oct. 19th for sexual battery and intoxication/disruptive by the Asheville Police Department.  He is accused of inappropriately touching a woman at a nightspot on Woodfin Avenue in Asheville.

His mug shot from the Asheville Police Department:

Click on parts of the arrest report for Commissioner Carr to make the page larger.  (NOTE:  It is our policy at the Douglass website not to publish the names of sexual assault victims):

According to TV station WCYB-TV, Carr posted a $2,000 secured bond (meaning he had to put up some kind of physical collateral that's worth the amount of the bond).  He was released two days later on October 21st and it is not known if Carr spent two nights in jail.  Meanwhile, TV station WJHL-TV reached out to Carr, who directed any inquiries to his attorney. Carr’s attorney, Doug Edwards, provided the following statement to the station:

“Mr. Carr is innocent of the accusations made against him. We fully respect the judicial process, and are confident that once the facts are presented in a court of law, my client will be completely exonerated. We remind everyone that the presumption of innocence is not optional; it is a fundamental cornerstone of our justice system.

We are conducting our own investigation into this matter, and will aggressively challenge the allegations that have been made.

Mr. Carr remains focused on continuing to serve the people of Sullivan County with integrity.”

Commissioner Carr is no stranger to African American communities in Kingsport and Bristol.  He's known for his controversial comments regarding the recognition of Juneteenth as a county holiday. In a May 2023 meeting, Carr referred to Juneteenth as a "woke holiday" and voted against a resolution to make it a paid county holiday. 

During the discussion, Carr stated: "I just think Juneteenth is a woke holiday and we shouldn't give these people an inch". He also claimed that "almost nobody" in Sullivan County was in favor of the resolution and suggested the only people it would please were those who participated in gun control protests at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, which he described as an "insurrection". 

Despite his opposition and the "no" votes of three other commissioners, the Sullivan County Commission ultimately approved the resolution in a 17-4 vote to recognize Juneteenth (June 19) as an official paid county holiday, aligning with the federal and state holiday.  

Carr's comments sparked controversy and led to calls for his resignation or discipline from some members of the public via emails and phone calls to the mayor's office. Carr, who represents District 9, reportedly doubled down on his comments following the backlash. 

Sullivan County District 9 represented by Joe Carr is the area in

the map above.  Most of Kingsport's population is located in 

Districts 6, 8, 10 and 

11.  District 9 includes the entire neighborhood of

Ridgefields, the entire neighborhood of Lynn Garden, plus the

Carter's Valley area up at the state line, Lynn Garden Drive and

Gravely Road, West Stone Drive to the Holston River, and the

Netherland Inn Road (Old Kingsport) area.  It is one of the

smallest county commission districts in Kingsport.

The Sullivan County Democratic Party issued a statement after

Carr's arrest:

The Sullivan County Democratic Party calls for the immediate resignation of Sullivan County Commissioner Joe Carr, who was arrested for public intoxication and sexual battery in Asheville, North Carolina October 19, 2025. 

Carr’s arrest is an unfortunate addition to other incidents of unethical behavior in the last several months that clearly illustrate he is unfit to hold a position on Sullivan County Commission. 

In June, Carr publicly called Juneteenth “a woke holiday.” In September, he sent a message on social media to a constituent in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination stating, “Hope what happened to Charlie Kirk happens to you.” 

Sullivan County deserves leaders who work diligently for all Sullivan County residents and who represent our county with decorum and respect for the office. Joe Carr has proven he is unable to do that. 

The Sullivan County Democratic Party calls for Joe Carr’s resignation, and if that is not forthcoming, for his dismissal by the Sullivan County Commission.

We will continue to follow this important story.

Riverview Luncheon

 

Ms. Billie Anderson remembrance

 

Billie D. Anderson made her transition from labor to rest on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Billie was born to the late Carl English and Edna Davis English in Bristol, Virginia, on August 6, 1949. 

Billie confessed her life to Christ at an early age, and she was baptized by Reverend Ragsdale at Lee Street Baptist Church. Billie worked in the church, serving in the BTU, Youth Choir, and Usher Board, and represented her church at state conferences. She was also secretary at Shaffer Memorial and sang in the Women's Choir.

Billie graduated from Virginia High School in 1967. She worked at Higbee's, Sperry Corporation, and Smith-Kline. She retired from the County Sheriff Department. In 1989, Billie enrolled at Northeast State, King College, and Virginia Intermont College. After she graduated, she worked at Unisys. 

Billie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Carl and Edna D. English. She also joins her siblings, Chiquita Owens, Carlton English, and Brenda English.

She is survived by her sisters, Piccola English, Clara Dulaney, Vivian (Douglas) Releford, Theresa (Emanuel) Courtland and Gloria English; cousin, John Goodbread; her nieces and nephews who cherished Billie, Michael Dulaney, Angela English, and Deborah English; great-nieces, Danielle Charette, Emerald McDaniel, Demond McDaniel, and Sydney Releford; great-nephews, Brock (Ashley) Charette and Enrico Charette; six great-great-nieces, five great-great-nephews; and many more cherished family and friends. 

With a deep sense of gratitude, we offer sincere thanks to our many friends who have been so kind to us in the midst of sorrow. Many thanks for your words of kindness, your helpful deeds and acts, your prayers and concerns, and the many messages of love and sympathy. We want to extend a special thank you to the staff of Greystone Healthcare Center.

The visitation will be on Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 12 PM to 1 PM at the Lee Street Baptist Church, 1 West Mary Street, Bristol, VA 24201.

The Celebration of Life will follow from 1 PM to 2 PM at the church.

The Interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, 1019 Valley Drive, Bristol, VA 24201.

Care of Ms. Billie Anderson and the family is entrusted to R. A. Clark Funeral Services, Bristol, TN. 37620.

 

Steve Bristol remembrance

 

Steve Lark Bristol departed this life on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. He was born on July 17, 1949, to George and Carolyn Brady in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

Steve graduated from Science Hill High School and served in the United States Army. Steve was a craftsman who was good with his hands. He worked in construction and concrete and enjoyed restoring classic cars. He was a selfless man who loved everyone and was always willing to help. Steve was a member of the Thankful Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Carolyn Brady; brother, Michael Bristol; sister, Justine White; son, Byron Bristol; and granddaughter, Olivia Bristol.

To cherish his memory, Steve leaves behind his children, Chad (Wendy) Bristol, Stephanie Bristol, and Ebony Phillips; eight grandchildren, Kyron, Eli, Daliah, Bailey, Izmerelda, Leo, Aiden, and Payton; three great-grandchildren, Gavyn, Kalianna, and Ja'Kobe; siblings, George (Patricia) Bristol, Frieda (Robert) Talley, Patricia Bristol, and Aunya Latham; special friend, Sharon Johnson; and a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews who he loved dearly.  

The Visiting of Friends will be on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Thankful Baptist Church, 1501 East Watauga Avenue, Johnson City, TN.

The Celebration of Life will be from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at the church.  

The interment will be at 2:00 PM at the Mountain Home National Cemetery, 53 Memorial Avenue, Mountain Home (Johnson City), TN.

Care of the Steve Bristol family is entrusted to the Birchette Mortuary and Cremation Service, 219 East Millard Street, Johnson City.

And the Kingsport Kiwanis "Spirit of Kingsport" Award Goes To.......

 

                                                 

KINGSPORT — The 2025 Kiwanis Spirit of Kingsport Award has been awarded to Johnnie Mae Swagerty. This annual award is given to a non-Kiwanian who is actively involved in enhancing the quality of life in the Kingsport community.

Swagerty is the co-founder of New Vision Youth, which teaches and mentors youth about life skills, job preparation skills, and volunteering in the community.

Swagerty has served on many community boards and volunteered with many organizations that strive to improve the quality of life and safety of all residents in the community.

Swagerty was presented the award by Donna Sade, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport.  The award carries the inscription: A special person who goes about making Kingsport the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Previous Spirit of Kingsport honorees include Liza Harmon, 2016 (Meals on Wheels); Bonnie Booher, 2017 (Girls, Inc.); Mary Steadman, 2018 (Friends of Warriors Path), Bob Schrader 2019 (Boys & Girls Club); and Jeanette Blazier, 2023 (former mayor).

The Kiwanis Club is a community service club. Its purpose is to serve the children and youth of Kingsport. For more information visit www.kingsportkiwanis.org

Sinora Horton Lewis remembrance

 

Sinora H. Lewis, retired Master Sergeant, combat veteran and registered nurse, departed this life on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

The Going-Home service will be on Friday, October 10, 2025 (10-10-25), at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport, TN.

Officiating will be by Rev. Kenneth Calvert (Shiloh Baptist Church).

The Receiving of Friends and Family will be from 10 AM to 11 AM.

The Service of Remembrance will be at 11 AM at Central.

At 1 PM, there will be a Release of Butterflies.  Following the Release, will be the drive to the Final Resting Place.

At 2 PM, the Burial will be at the Mountain Home National Cemetery at Johnson City, TN.  Military honors will be provided by the Ft. Campbell Honor Guard.

From 4 PM to 6 PM, dinner will be served with a program at the  Farmers Market in downtown Kingsport.

From 6 PM to 8 PM, there will be a Celebration of Life party, also at the Farmer's Market in Kingsport.  

The family asks, in lieu of flowers, to please donate to the soon-to-be-established Sinora H. Lewis Nursing Scholarship Fund at 
East Tennessee State University.  

Professional service and care of Ms. Sinora H. Lewis and family are entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Inc. (423) 245-4971.

Pinkie Horton and the Conquerors

 

To kick off the Pinkie Lee Horton Scholarship Fundraiser, the Sons and Daughters of Douglass (the Douglass Alumni Association) of Kingsport, TN is proud to show you this Pinkie Horton retrospective.

Come take a walk down Memory Lane with a song and a voice that will bring back many memories.  This is the first of several songs Pinkie Horton and the Conquerors that will be published on the Douglass Alumni website.

Calvin Sneed took all the pictures over the years.  The song by Pinkie Horton and the Conquerors is "Is There Anybody Here Who Loves the Lord?"  Pinkie Horton is the lead vocal, Ms. Bernice Horton is the pianist, and the backup vocals are Ms. Louetta Hall, Ms. Jenibelle Bristol and Ms. J.J. Jones.  The recording engineer is Wayne Bledsoe.

"Joy!" was recorded at the Willowind Studio in Kingsport, TN.  Turn up your speakers.  Click on the arrow below.  It's time to have church.  

Money for Pedestrian Bridge; Other Access Points Still Off-Limits

 The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen entered into an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to add more funding for a pedestrian bridge creating a safer connection to downtown Kingsport. The agreement provides $500,000 towards the project connecting Brickyard Park and Brickyard Village to downtown. The city had received a grant at the beginning of the project, but due to inflation and rising construction costs, the city requested more. While the pedestrian bridge has been in the works for almost eight years, it is currently being designed and is expected to be under construction within the next year and a half.

********************************

Right now, plans are for the pedestrian bridge to connect to the ballfields at Brickyard Park.  Still to be decided is when the Riverview Community, as promised, will be connected to the proposed Brickyard housing development.  MLK Drive still dead-ends at the intersection with Dunbar Street, where Mr. Paul's Liquor Store used to be.  Your Douglass website will attempt to get these answers.

 

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Meeting Scheduled

 

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association Board will hold its regularly scheduled "Second Saturday of the Month" meeting, this coming Saturday, September 13, 2025.

The meeting will begin at 11 AM, in the Board Room on the Second Floor of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Community Center Complex, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.

The meeting is open to all Douglass Alumni, their descendants and the public.

Riverview Community Celebration on October 18, 2025

 

"Hello Community!". "Come out and Celebrate your BIRTHDAY this year 2025 whether it was month ago today November or this year. We want to celebrate have fun and eat enjoy! 

Some people CAN'T celebrate due to personal things but "CELEBRATE LIFE YA UN MISSION" FROM JOHNSON CITY TN," 

(DORIS KAFIA) & "NEW VISION YOUTH GROUP" "WILL COME TOGETHER IN UNITY CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS! 

"IF YOU HAVE NEVER CELEBRATED YOUR BIRTHDAY WE WANT YOU TO COME CELEBRATE WITH LOVE HUGS & TOGETHERNESS! (FREE !)" 

"WE WILL BE DOING MORE EVENTS TOGETHER AND WITH CHILDREN OF THE COMMUNITY!" 

"PLEASE SHARE!" @JOHNNIE MAE SWAGERTY

Two Douglass Legacy Students set for DBHS Alumni Induction

 Please copy and paste the links below:

KINGSPORT — The Dobyns-Bennett High School Alumni Association Board has announced the association's Class of 2025 alumni Hall of Fame inductees. They are:

• Col. Shelton B. Biles Jr., Class of 1941

• Jay Larkins, Class of 1979

• John G. McJunkin, Class of 1980

• Michael A. “Andre” Releford, Class of 1973

• Kenneth W. “Scat” Springs, Class of 1979

Releford and Springs are Douglass Elementary/High School Legacy Students, meaning either they or their ancestors attended or were employed by the Douglass Elementary/High School in Kingsport.

To date, the DB Alumni Hall of Fame has four Douglass Legacy students.  They are: 

*Simpson "Skip" Brown (2011)

*Calvin Sneed (2019) 

*Darwin Bond (2020)

*Johnnie Mae Swagerty (2021)

The DB Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set to start 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 at the Civic Auditorium, 1550 Fort Henry Dr., Kingsport. Registration will open at 10:15 a.m.

The D-B Alumni Association Hall of Fame was established in 2009 and information regarding all past inductees, including photos and biographies, can be found online at the Dobyns-Bennett High School website under “Alumni” or by going online to https://dbhs.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=345742&type=d&pREC_ID=753945

The ceremony is open to the public, but seating is limited. Tickets are paid, and a discount is given for those purchased by Oct. 2. Lunch is provided.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Graham Clark, D-B Alumni Association president, at 423- 967-1288 or email dbalumniboard@gmail.com. Also, payment by check may be mailed to the Dobyns-Bennett High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 3337, Kingsport, TN 37664. Tickets can also be purchased online at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/R9WXBSCZRLG2J.

Alumni and friends of Dobyns-Bennett High School may become an individual and/or business sponsor of the Hall of Fame Luncheon for a fee, which will put alumni and friends, and for a higher fee business names, on the back page of the Hall of Fame program.

Information and the form to be completed to have your individual name and/or the name of your business included on the back page of the Hall of Fame program may be accessed online at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7NJFXYMG9NEL4 or you may visit D-BHS Alumni Website, email dbalumniboard@gmail.com or contact Graham Clark.

The Dobyns-Bennett High School Alumni Association seeks to unite DBHS Alumni and keep them informed of community and school news. Alumni news and information are posted regarding membership, class reunions, football schedules, D-B highlights, the Alumni Board and a complete listing of the Hall of Fame Inductees by year with bios and headshots.

You can become a Lifetime Member of the association by filling out the Lifetime Membership application online at https://dbhs.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=345732&type=d&pREC_ID=753919

For more information regarding the association Hall of Fame nomination process or the association, visit dbhs.k12k.com-Alumni or email dbalumniboard@gmail.com

Riverview Splash Pad (Our Old Swimming Pool) Now Closed

 

KINGSPORT— The Riverview Splash Pad has closed for the winter as of today, Tuesday, September 2nd.

While Riverview closes after Labor Day, the Centennial Park water feature will remain open into October before shutting down for the winter.

For more information, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

"Miss Pinkie Horton Day' on the 26th; Reviving the Miss Pinkie Horton Scholarship; Day Event Planned

 

Please see the note from the family and friends of the late Miss Pinkie Horton and mark your calendars for Friday, September 26th.  A day doesn't go by that we remember her singing in the choirs, taking part in the church activities, and raising her children and the rest of us in Riverview.  This is a way to remember those mentoring moments.  Click on the images below to read them: