Pamela Jean Rutledge Sensabaugh remembrance

                                      Pamela Jean Rutledge Sensabaugh

                                           June 27, 1947 - July 12, 2024

Pamela Jean Sensabaugh passed away Friday, July 12, 2024. She was the daughter of Cleveland and Mary Rutledge, born in Kingsport, Tennessee. 

She graduated from Douglass High School in the Riverview Community.  Pamela's class was one of the final graduating classes from Douglass.  She also attended Clark University. 

She began her career in the trucking industry as a secretary and advanced to Terminal Manager at Mason and Dixon, Overnite, and Service Transport. 

Pamela worshipped and showed her love for the Lord at Central Baptist Church in Kingsport and Friendship Baptist in Greeneville, Tennessee. She loved to cook and bake. She enjoyed reading and solving a few pages in crossword books. Pamela always had an encouraging and caring word for her friends and family. 

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, James and Lenora Clark; her parents, Cleveland and Mary Rutledge; and her loving husband, John E. Sensabaugh. 

To celebrate and remember her life, she leaves her daughters, Marchita Sensabaugh and Meleka (Kevin) Arnett; grandkids, Natricia Onry, Antonio (Christine) Smith, Akeyia Arnett, Wesley Arnett, Kayden Arnett, and Braylon Arnett; great-grandkids, Cobi Thornton, Victoria Thornton, Demi Howard, Ilunga Smith, and Amir Smith; special cousins, Annette LeFlore, Mary Ann LeFlore, Donita White, special Friends Dawnella Ellis, Dallas Watterson, and Andra Watterson; Varley Hickman and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services for Pamela Sensabaugh will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024 at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver  Street, Kingsport.  The visitation will be from 10 AM to 11AM, and the Celebration of Life will be from 11 AM to 12 Noon.  Interment will be from 1 PM to 1:30 PM at the Mountain Home National Cemetery, 215 Heroes Drive, Mountain Home, TN.

Professional care for the Sensabaugh family is provided by R. A. Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Inc. 802-806, East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport.

Mary Carpenter remembrance

 

Mrs. Mary Carpenter, May 8, 1934 - July 4, 2024 

Mary Deloris Wood Carpenter was the seventh child and youngest daughter out of ten children born to Thurman and Lula Wood. She was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. At eight years old, she was baptized at First Baptist Church on Wood Avenue by Rev. A.S. Mitchell. She attended James Bland High School and graduated in June 1954. She then attended and completed one year at Swift Memorial Junior College.

She worked at North Electric and Strolee companies, where she made many friends because she never met a stranger. She joined Central Baptist Church and was loved by all who knew her. She had a beautiful tenor voice. She was a devoted choir member who had a personal strut when the choir marched in to sing. She could be seen from the choir stand doing her sign language to someone sitting in the pews saying, "I love you." Even at age 90, she remained active in the choir until God called her home. She loved her church family, and sometimes the Lord would put someone on her heart to call and sing, "I just called to say I love you." Everyone was either "little boy," "little girl," or "the shot." 

Mary was a woman of many talents. Her love of painting ceramics can be seen throughout her home. She also loved candles and had many, many different beautiful plants! She was the Matriarch of her family and loved family gatherings where sometimes she'd show her dance moves. She was also a wonderful poet; most of her poems were to her siblings who went before her. 

Some of her favorite sayings were: "Hi darling!" If one of her grandchildren or children were leaving for a trip, she would say, "You better get on the road before it gets dark." If you were discussing something with her, she would look at you and say, "Be real," when she was troubled about anything, she would say, "Merciful Father." She knew who to call on! She had an unfathomable devotion to her family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman and Lula Wood; husband, Aubrey Carpenter, Sr.; sisters, Mabel, Dorothy, Ruth, Gloria Ann, Doris, and Billie Sue; brothers, Wayne, Eugene, and Clinton; children, Jeffery, Ronald, and Angela; and one grandson.

She is survived by her son, Aubrey (Tobey) Carpenter Jr.; daughters, Donna (Raymond) Bowers and Erika Carpenter; 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildrens, three great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; a special friend, Mary Burns; two church sisters, Mrs. Betsy Ann Pierce and Mrs. Frances Graves; two church sons, Donald Davenport and Melvin Drumgoole; as well as a host of many, many friends.

Visitation for Mary Carpenter will be Monday, July 15, 2024 from 11 AM to 12 Noon at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport.  The service will follow at 12 Noon.  Interment will be at the Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family is served by the R. A. Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Inc., 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport.

Charles Wright remembrance

 

Charles Wright, age 77, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024, at Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, TN. He was born on December 2, 1946, in Birmingham, AL, to Joe Spencer and Tommie Ree Wright. He attended Knoxville College and earned Biology and Chemistry degrees from East Tennessee State University. 

Charles was a highly gifted man with multiple artistic and scientific skills, abilities, and talents. His favorite hobbies included music, bowling, hunting, fishing, taxidermy, and riding his motorcycle. He retired from Eastman Chemical Company as a Senior Research Chemist in 2008 and was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dr. Brenda White Wright; daughters, Tamala D. Wright and Shana Q. Wright-Avery (Jeffery); son, Jamil R. Wright; grandchildren, Christopher, Jaisan, and Sean Avery; brothers Joe and Tommy Wright (Marsha); sister Carol Gayles; and several beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

A memorial service will not be held at this time. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution via mail to the ETSU Foundation (memo Dr. BWW Emerging Leaders Academy), P.O. Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614, or online at www.etsu.edu/ela.

Henry Perry remembrance

 

Henry Perry departed this life Saturday, June 22, 2024. He was born in Norton, Virginia to Abram Perry and Ollie Mae Lewis.

The graveside service was held on Friday, July 5, 2024 at the Mountain Home National Cemetery.

Care of the Perry family provided by R.A. Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service.

William Albert"Smiley" Carpenter remembrance

 

William Albert "Smiley" Carpenter, 70, of 1014 Maple Street, departed this life Monday, July 1, 2024, after a long illness.

        

                                 William Carpenter, Douglass School, 5th Grade

Mr. Carpenter was born on January 18, 1954, a lifelong Kingsport citizen and a member of Mt. Zion Holiness Church.   He also attended the Douglass Elementary School in Kingsport.  He served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Clinch Mountain Lodge 531 and Kingsport Masonic Lodge #688 F&AM. 

He was preceded in death by his father, O'lan T. Carpenter; mother, Hattie Bristol; and several brothers and sisters.

Mr. Carpenter is survived by his children, Chad Lee and Dominic Peters; six grandchildren, Tiara Lee, Chae Lee, Jayla Lee, LaVeaha Harrison, TeArrius Brooks, and Ta'Kari Brooks; five brothers, James Henry, Richard Henry, Larry Carpenter, and James Carpenter; one sister, Mary Jane (Stanford) Treece; uncle, Lyneal Bristol; aunt, Edith Brown; special nephew, Clifford Miller; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Services for William Carpenter will be held on Thursday, July 11th, 2024 from 12 PM to 1 PM at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street in Kingsport.  Interment will follow at the Holston View Cemetery, 226-296 Yuma Road, Weber City, VA.

R.A. Clark Funeral Chapel and Crematory Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport is serving the Carpenter family.

Patricia Jane "Trish" Lollar Wood

 

Patricia Jane Wood - affectionately known as Trish by close family and friends - passed away June 23, 2024, in New Carrollton, Maryland, at the age of 71.  She succumbed to multiple complications and effects of a stroke from 2017.

Patrica was born April 12, 1953, in Kingsport, Tennessee, to Fred and Dora Grace Lollar.  Her early life was rooted in the values of family and community, which she carried throughout her life.  Patricia was the 10th of 11 children born to Fred and Grace.  She grew up in a close knit community and family, surrounded by high achievers and loving siblings. 

The Lollar family may not have had much money, but they were highly respected and revered in the community.  They showed love through acts of service, and had a huge amount of laughter and joy.  Patricia and her siblings loved to sing, dance, and play cards.  From Spades to Canasta to Pinocle and Bid Whist, the siblings always had a fun filled time when they were together.  Patricia was in her element when she saw a pack of Bicycle cards in the room.


Trish began her school years at the segregated Fredrick Douglass Elementary school, where she thrived.  She thought she would matriculate from Douglass High School like her older siblings, but a new, state of the art integrated high school, was built at the beginning of her high school journey.  She graduated from Dobyns-Bennet High School in 1971.


Trish began dating George Wood of Gate City, Virginia, when they were both teens.  When George graduated from high school in 1971, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  They were engaged before he left for basic training.  Patricia left to attend Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Patricia and George were married December 23, 1973.  They were married for 50 years at her passing.  They had 3 children; Katrina Renee, George Douglas II, and Ebony Taiwana.


Patricia's husband George served in the Air Force for 20 years, a journey they navigated together with strength and resilience.  The Wood family lived all around the United States and in Germany.  Like most military spouses of her time, Patricia worked hard to maintain a sense of home, and to help provide for the family.  Patricia was a woman of many talents, and used them all to make a comfortable home.  One way she made money each time they moved was to tailor young airman's uniforms.  She was an excellent seamstress, and could make anything from dresses to short sets, to coats and suits.  She made curtains and pillows, and even handcrafted "Cabbage Patch" dolls.  It was not uncommon to go shopping with her and hear "I can make that, and make it better, too."


Patricia's higher education journey was marked by perseverance, overcoming numerous challenges due to frequent relocations as a dedicated military spouse.  Each time the family moved, she would take classes at a local college.  However, when the family moved to the next military installation, local colleges would not accept most of her credits from previous institutions, and she would have to retake classes, or a new set of required coursework.  Eventually, through sheer determination and hard work, Patricia graduated summa cum laude from Strayer University with a BS in Business Administration in 2000.  By the time she graduated, Patricia had accumulated enough college credits around the country to have earned 2 undergraduate degrees.


Her professional life included various clerical roles within the US government and military, culminating in a position as an analyst for the US Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.  Trish's career was a testament to her adaptability and determination, consistently rebuilding her professional life alongside her husband's deployments.


Patricia was a creative and outgoing individual, known for her many acts of service, loyalty, and a humorous, assertive nature that endeared her to many, and even scared a few.  Her artistic talents shone through in her hobbies.  She was the "OG" of upcycling.  Her children knew to be wary if she stopped the car near a curb: that meant she would make them get out of the car to collect an item she would later renovate (yes, this was utterly embarrassing for her children!).  Besides sewing, she was also amazing at macramé, painting, upholstering, jewelry making, cooking (she made the best peanut brittle and fudge you will ever find), and BARGAIN HUNTING!


Patricia was known for her thrift store finds, and had a regular thrift store circuit.  She was known by name by thrift store employees from Clinton to Columbia.  She had an eye for collectibles and treasures, and could envision a new life for quality furniture that had seen better days.  She saw the beauty in things others discarded; at times, that meant people as well.


Faith played a significant role in Patricia's life. She was raised in Bethel AME Zion in Kingsport.  As a military spouse, she attended service at numerous Protestant churches, but always tried to find an AME or AME Zion church when she could.  She became a member of Union Bethel AME Church in Brandywine, Maryland, after George was stationed at Andrews AFB.  She contributed passionately to her church community.  She was an active member of the Guiding Lights Senior Group, Unity Choir, Women's Missionary Society, and the Order of the Eastern Star.


Trish is survived by her husband of 50 years, George, and their children and spouses, Katrina R. Dodro (George Scott), George II (Sheron), and Ebony T. Wood;  grandchildren Isabella Sojourner, Amira Grace, and Trey;  siblings Shirley Ann, Margaret Clara Eunice, and Ada Vanessa; and (too numerous to name) nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Charles Alfred and George Wesley, and sisters Freda, Elizabeth, Helen Francine, Zelma Huphelia, and Evelyn Beatrice, nephew Christopher Weaver, and niece Nicole Francine Lynch.


A memorial service was held Friday, July 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Union Bethel AME Church in Brandywine, MD.


The arrangements are under the care of Adams Funeral Home, P.A., in Aquasco, Maryland. Patricia's life was a portrait of service, love, and commitment.  She left a lasting impact on everyone she touched.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that people donate blood if possible, or sign up to be an organ donor, continuing her legacy of service.

Patricia Lollar Wood remembrance

 

Patricia Lollar Wood was born on April 12, 1953.   She was the  10th child of Fred and Grace Lollar.

  

She departed this world on June 23, 2024 after a lengthy illness.

  

She lived the last 35 years in Clinton, Md where she was a retired analyst for the Post Office Inspector General in Washington, DC.

  

She is survived by her husband George Wood of Gate City, VA and 3 children:  Katrina, Douglas and Ebony.  She is also survived by 3 siblings: Shirley Lollar Patterson, Margaret Lollar Crutchfield, and Vanessa Lollar Overton.

  

Her obituary and memorial arrangements will posted at a later date.

Riding the Streets of a Snowy Riverview

Snow Day, January 16th, 2024 - East Center Street at East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport

Here at the beginning of summer with temps in the 90's, let's go back 5 months.

 

I rode the streets of Riverview back on MLK Day, January 15th and 16th, 2024 on the eve of one of the biggest and coldest snowstorms to hit back home.  It brings back memories of when bad weather at home would band the neighbors together to check on one another, some of them bringing soup, crackers and cornbread to each other, checking on medicines for our seniors, cranking the heat up just a tad and giving a watchful, protective eye out the window on the kids playing in the snow (leave them galoshers at the back door).

This video was taken at 3 PM on January 15th and over the next 12 hours, it snowed about 8 inches to 12 inches of snow in Kingsport on down to Knoxville and almost stranded me in Kingsport (I did run off U.S. 11-E between Jefferson City and Knoxville; not hurt, no car damage thank God, but a scary, one-lane, 7-hour trip from Kingsport to Chattanooga that normally would haven taken three).

It's been my experience that most Black people don't like watching videos, so if you're looking for still pictures, the internet has plenty of them.

This visit starts on Wheatley Street and goes around to canvass the neighborhood.  Click the "play" arrow below and enjoy the snowy video trip around our Riverview!

Descendants of Rotherwood slaves: Special Reunion planned

 

SPECIAL NOTICE TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROTHERWOOD DESCENDANTS OF KINGSPORT FAMILIES WITH THESE LAST NAMES:

Watterson

Stafford

Gray

Phipps

Leeper

Pierce

Long

Lyons

Looney

Ewing

Manis

Garrett

Davis

Brice

Logan

Lollar

Lollis

And possibly others.

The names above have been identified as possibly being descendants of families who were enslaved at the Rotherwood Plantation back during slavery.  There are also other family names from the Ross, Phipps, Netherland side as well.  Other family names will be added once they are discovered.

There is a special reunion being planned in mid September at the Rotherwood Mansion in Kingsport, for those families who have connections to Rotherwood Heights.  Please contact Tacia Green at tkpgreen@yahoo.com for more information about this special reunion.

Why the Reunion? 

This reunion is one of healing. Although, we will never forget our history or the many contributions that were provided not only to Rotherwood by to Kingsport. We need to come together, families of the oppressed and the oppressor, and heal the land of Rotherwood Mansion. Healing the land through Christian love, sharing our history to descendants and others and acknowledging wrongdoings. 

Why the Reconciliation?

Because it is past time. Down through generations, our ancestors endured pain, suffering and belittlement. We, as the descendants of Rotherwood, should want to end that pain and renew our ancestors by healing the people of Rotherwood. In 2024, when we look over at Rotherwood Mansion or when we drive by Netherland Inn, we don't have to think about our ancestors as slaves, instead we can have memories of our " Rotherwood reunion."

It's time for us to reconcile with our past... it's time for the Rotherwood Mansion to be healed and forgiven from its past, and us as well.

Ralph E. Hale remembrance

 

Ralph E. Hale passed away on June 7, 2024, at the age of 70, at the James Quillen Veterans Affair Medical Center in Johnson City, TN, after a brief, terminal illness. 

Mr. Hale was born in Dante, VA, on August 7, 1953. Part of his early life was spent in Kingsport, TN, but he returned to Virginia to complete his high school years. He played varsity football and graduated from Castlewood High School in 1971. After high school, he attended Clinton Junior College (now Clinton College) in South Carolina, a Historically Black College (HBCU), earning an associate degree. After college, he joined the United States Army, serving at Fort Leonard Wood, MO with the 2nd Platoon.

After the army, Mr. Hale returned to Kingsport, TN, where he lived in an off-and-on pattern for the remainder of his life. He loved to dress in matching outfits and had a great collection of baseball caps. If you saw Ralph not dressed, you knew he wasn't feeling his best. He was an avid, die-hard sports fan. His favorite sports teams were the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves in baseball, the Cleveland Cavaliers in basketball, and the Cleveland Browns in football.

Mr. Hale had several accomplishments in life, but his most precious was the birth of his children: his son, Jermeil Tarter, and his daughter, Alexis Tarter Essuman. Another precious accomplishment that was the highlight of his time on earth was Ralph accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior about a week before his death. After accepting Christ, he requested to be baptized because he could not remember if he had been baptized earlier in life. The VA medical and support staff worked together on this life-changing event, and Ralph was baptized on May 29, 2024, with the medical team and family members in attendance. He was baptized, which was an outward manifestation of the inward decision he had made earlier in the week.

Although we were all praying for physical healing, the Lord provided spiritual healing and gave Ralph time to accept Him and make Heaven his home. In the short time Ralph had left, he prayed and requested prayer and to have the Bible read to him. God is good, and His mercies are everlasting.

Ralph was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Venita Tarter; his parents, James Hale and Violet Davis; brother, William Hale; niece, Georgette Hale; and nephew, Edward "Sweetman" Long.

Mr. Hale leaves to cherish his memory and mourn his passing, his son and daughter, Jermeil Tarter and Alexis Tarter Essuman; grandchildren, Aleryia Venita Robinson, Anajah Venice Neiba, and Jabari Jordan Tarter; siblings, Virginia Dianne Long, James Hale, Elder Sharon Comage, Deborah Hale, Caron Hale, Vickie (Theodore) Hale-Brown, Robert (Sharon) Hale, Terry (Tonya) Hale, and Timula (Charles) Hale, who was his niece but was raised as a sister; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service is serving the family of Ralph Hale.   The visitation will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024 at the funeral chapel at 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingssport from 11 AM to 12 PM.  The Celebration of Life will be held from 12 PM to 1 PM also in the funeral chapel.

The cortege will depart the Clark Funeral Chapel on Monday, June 17, 2024, bound for the Mountain Home National Cemetery, 215 Heroes Drive, Mountain Home, TN 37684.

Burial will be on Monday, June 17, 2024 from 11 AM to 12 PM at the Mountain Home National Cemetery.

 

Lunch registration closed for "History of African-Americans in Kingsport" presentation, Monday June 10th

 

According to the new post, registrations for lunch at the "History of African-Americans in Kingsport" presentation are no longer being accepted.

You are free, however, to bring your own lunch.

Hope to see you there on Monday, June 10th at 11:30.  Please try to come early to get a good seat.

Speech: The History of African-Americans in Kingsport New Edition: June 10, 2024

 

If you were born or raised in Riverview, it's a presentation you don't want to miss.

As always happens with ongoing research, the History of African-Americans in Kingsport has been updated.  Months of discovering new aspects that shaped the Black community in Kingsport have now been added to the history.

During the presentation, we'll go from slavery (yes, there was slavery in Kingsport), through the early 20th century, to the beginnings of our namesake Douglass School and Riverview (the neighborhood that was built on a dumpsite), and then enduring the trials and tribulations of ultimately making our community a place to be proud of.  We'll also talk about the one single thing that is standing in the way of our community's future, and it's not what you think.

  

The original presentation several years ago was the result of almost a year of going through papers, reading articles, talking with our neighbors who experienced the community's growing pains, and visiting the landmarks that live in our memories.  We have now expanded that and I've added some previously unseen video clips to help tell our story.  Everything you see and hear is not opinion... it's fact and it comes from someone in the community, who experienced it enough to remember it.

In honor of our 2024 Juneteenth celebration, the presentation "History of African-Americans in Kingsport" will be on Monday, June 10th beginning promptly at 11:30 AM in the Douglass Room of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.

You need to register for the lite refreshments (scan with your phone's camera the QR code in the ad at the bottom,  or by going to this link to register for lunch

There will also be a SHORT 10-15 minute midbreak.  Come one, come all, come early to get a good seat and bring someone with you.

  

The event is free of charge and is sponsored by the United Way of Greater Kingsport.

One Juneteenth Event Rescheduled

 

Rescheduling for one Juneteenth event...

The Riverview Juneteenth Community Unity Bingo event has been moved to Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 6:30 PM.  It will be held in the Riverview Community Room beside the pickleball courts on Wheatley Street in Kingsport.

Please bring a door prize.

The Bingo event had to be moved from the original June 8th date because of other things going on in the community on that day.

Bring a friend for fun, food and Unity.  Everybody welcome!

Riverview Splash Pad opens for summer!

 

The Riverview Splash Pad (1101 Martin Luther Jr. Drive) will open for the summer season this Saturday (May 25) and will remain open until the end of September.

The splash pad will be active from 10:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day during the summer. The splash pad can be turned on during these hours by rubbing the silver activator pad located on the wall between the restrooms.

The splash pad is a zero-depth aquatic play structure that allows children to experience different types of water environments. Because the splash pad is a zero-depth facility, it does not have a lifeguard on duty, so all children must be supervised during their visit.

Features of the splash pad include surface water jets, a snake head water spray, run-through loops with water jets, rotating water cannons, water buckets and a palm tree with water jets.

Each of the picnic shelters adjacent to the splash pad can be reserved by clicking on the CivicRec link in the ConnectKingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “outdoor rentals” in the search bar. You can also reserve the shelters through the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department by calling 423-224-2489 or 423-343-9723.

The rentals are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.visit this link to Kingsport Parks and Recreation to rent a shelter.

2024 Bike and Car Show benefits Riverview charities!

1st Annual Juneteenth Bike and Car Show, benefiting the New Vision Youth, the Sons and Daughters of Douglass and Vic Danger Legacy, June 15, 2024  - please put on your calendar and plan to visit, or enter and show off your ride!

 

Kingsport Drug Take-Back Event Puts Old Drugs Where They Belong

Old, discarded, out-of-date medicines now have a new home in Kingsport and the Riverview community.

The trash.  Where they belong.

The New Vision Youth Group, in cooperation with the Kingsport Police Department and the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition conducted a prescription drug take-back program in the Dobyns-Bennett High School parking lot recently (April 27th).

The Kingsport community came together and brought their old, outdated prescriptions, needles and drug containers to be discarded and in return, the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition gave out free prescription lock boxes to keep their medicines safe from grandchildren and visitors to their homes.

The event is an annual one, started first in Johnson City by the New Vision Youth Group with DEFY (Drug Education for Youth), along with ETSU, the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy and the Johnson City Police Department and the late Mrs. Mary Williams, a former director at the South Central Kingsport Community Development Corporation.  Kingsport began its event shortly after.

More pictures of the take-back event this year in Kingsport are below:

NAACP Meeting in Kingsport

 

There will be an NAACP meeting in Kingsport on Monday, April 22, 2024.

The meeting will be held in the Riverview Community Room, beside the pickle ball courts on Wheatley Street.

The time will be 6 PM.

Come with your concerns and get answers.  Everybody welcome!

Rescheduled Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2024 Events in Kingsport

(click the play button above)

             (Courtesy the Kingsport Times-News)

KINGSPORT— Kingsport hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade Saturday afternoon. After two months of rescheduling due to inclement weather and other scheduling issues, the parade proceeded on its new route down Sullivan Street.

Bishop Ronnie Collins, parade organizer, said changes to the route were put in place to protect participants and keep them safe. “One reason that we're on this road is because throughout the country, over the last few years, there have been people who are driving into parades and killing people and hurting people,” said Collins. “What we've done, now because our parade is small, is that we’re coming down one street so they can block the whole thing off on both sides so that there's no room for that.”

The theme of this year’s parade was “The Answer to Racism is the Love of Christ and Show Love More in 2024.” Members of the community walked in the parade, alongside other city officials and representatives. Vice Mayor Colette George and Alderman Darrell Duncan carried the banner at this year’s parade.

“I've been here almost every single year because I think this is what our city's about,” said George. “Like they said, unity is part of the community, and it's always a nice parade. They do a wonderful job with it.” Duncan said the parade has served as a way to form lasting connections with the community. “Some of the friendships that I've made here over the years from this I’ve had forever,” Duncan said. “This is how I met Bishop Collins. It is [about] unity, but to me, it's [about] bonding and friendship." 

The parade concluded in the parking lot of City Hall, where Mayor Pat Shull presented a proclamation making Jan. 15 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city of Kingsport. The proclamation marks Kingsport’s 24th year of observance of the federal holiday. “I know that everybody knows that Martin Luther King Day was in January, but I suspect that Dr. King would be more concerned with the fact that you're dedicated to his vision,” said Shull. “That's what I think he would appreciate. And what a great vision it was, about peace and unity and love for fellow Americans.” 

Collins said that King’s assassination left a lasting impact on him. He said it felt like the loss of a family member. “It's almost like he was part of the family,” Collins said. "For you all who don't understand, the day I heard and our family heard, we started crying like it was a brother, a sister, a daddy or grandma." Collins said King’s legacy and impact has always stuck with him, as a reminder that the community can make a difference. “It's all about loving instead of hating,” said Collins. “Trying to bring us all together, trying to treat people the way you want to be treated, but most importantly letting the love of Christ come through you so people can see that it does not have to be the bad, it can be good.”

 

New Vision Youth hosted its annual MLK Day Luncheon in the Riverview Community Room at the V.O. Dobbins Community Center later that afternoon.   Appreciation awards were also given out at the luncheon to the Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Eastman Connect, Van Dobbins and Calvin Sneed.

A Candlelight Vigil was held later in the evening at the Shiloh Baptist Church.