Rodney K. Bly remembrance

 

Rodney K. Bly was born on November 6, 1964 to his mother Judy Bly Phillips, and father Douglas S. Releford.

He attended the Kingsport public schools and Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN.  Rodney was a contractor and would find a job even if he had to make it himself.  He was a hard worker.

If you knew Rodney, you know that he talked to any and everybody.  He never met a stranger, but when he did, they would soon become his new friend.  His dad used to say that Rodney would put a spotlight on you.  He loved everybody.  If you could hear him and Randal Releford talk about DB Coach Walter "Buck" Van Huss, you would be sore from laughing.  It was such good comedy they could take the show on the road.  He had so much love and joy to spread.

To cherish his memory, he leaves behind his sons, Seraja Hodges of Roy, Utah and Roderick Melton of Jackson, TN.... two grandchildren, Jordan Melton and Camden Melton, both of Jackson, TN.... siblings, Sharnita B. Freeman, whom he affectionally referred to as the 'warden'.... Marcus (Tonya) Bly of Knoxville, TN.... Brent Bly of Kingsport, TN.... Carlton (Carla) Bly of Knoxville, TN.... step-mother Vivian Releford, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and his KAPPA ALPHA PSI brothers whom he loved dearly!

We will miss and mourn him, but just remember all the love and laughter he left behind.

The family will receive friends at 12 Noon on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at the Shiloh Baptist Church, Kingsport.  Funeral services will begin at 1 PM at the church.

Care of Mr. Rodney K. Bly and family is entrusted to the Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Inc., Kingsport.

Note to Riverview Motorists

 

Passing along a note to folks who drive in an out of Riverview on Martin Luther King Drive during the week.....

The crosswalk warning lights on MLK going in and out of Riverview between the railroad parking lot and the Eastman headquarters close to Wilcox Drive are now working again.  

A Public Works crew has trimmed the overhanging tree branches circled in red in the picture above, that blocked sunlight from reaching the solar panels that power the flashing lights.

But please remember to watch out anyway for pedestrians in that crosswalk when the lights are, or not flashing.  State law is on their side:  

"In Tennessee, pedestrians have the right of way over vehicles in any marked crosswalk," according to TCA 59-835(a).

Now if a pedestrian is crossing the roadway OUTSIDE a crosswalk, he or she must yield the right of way to motorists, according to the same law.  But if they are inside the crosswalk, whether the lights are flashing or not, THEY have the right of way and you must stop for them until they cross the street, road or highway.

Please be careful.  The fines for violations of that law are not pretty.

Note from the Brady family

    To our Douglass Alumni and Riverview 

         Friends  and Neighbors:

Billboard in Kingsport causes a stir; take down spurs apology

This article courtesy the Kingsport Times-News

KINGSPORT — A City of Kingsport billboard has been taken down due to its “offensive” arrangement of graphics.

The city issued a statement via social media on Monday regarding the billboard, which was set to draw attention to the city’s promotional website for This is Kingsport.

“The City of Kingsport regrets the offensive arrangement of the graphics on a recent billboard promoting its leisure website, This is Kingsport, which is intended to be an uplifting and positive representation and resource for our city’s residents and visitors,” the statement on the This is Kingsport Facebook page said. “The billboard has been removed. Going forward, the city’s communications department will use a more stringent review process for such materials.

“The city apologizes for the error. The unintentional presentation of the site’s logo does not reflect the views of city government.”

The city declined further comment on the billboard.

The billboard included three This is Kingsport “K” logos. The three-K graphic on the electronic billboard sparked discussion on the city’s Facebook page from citizens.

“You really think that a city government would intentionally post a racist billboard to just stir the pot?” one comment read. “Why would they want all this negativity on purpose? Oh yeah, they wouldn’t, because it wasn’t on purpose. I know there is racism in this town and this country, but this isn’t an intentional example of that.”

Others said the billboard proved the “micro-aggressive, racist attitudes of non-people of color in Kingsport.” Another commented, “Great, you fixed the aesthetics. Now fix the system.”

Other Facebook users argued that the city’s workforce should be more diverse.

“I would like to see more diversity and inclusivity in these departments!” one comment said. “It will greatly reduce the chance that these things can slip by and diversity should be commonplace anyways.

“Maybe there should be more diversity in the building to help with this process. Just a thought.” The commenter continued, “... A panel of all different races that could be as simple as an email chain.”

The This is Kingsport Campaign is designed to support Kingsport as a whole, including the resources regarding arts, entertainment, education, events, businesses and more.

For more information, go to http://www.thisiskingsport.com/.

Decked out in Douglass Blue and Gold: Order Your Apparel Right Now for the Tribute Game from the Douglass Apparel Store!

 

The Douglass High School Apparel Store is open for business right now!

If you want to dress up in the Blue and Gold of the Douglass Tigers, the Dobyns-Bennett Athletic Department has set up an online store at Action Apparel in Kingsport, to offer long-sleeve and short-sleeve cotton tee-shirts, and long-sleeve fleece sweatshirts in two styles (one with a hoodie) all emblazoned with the Douglass Tiger on the front, as pictured above.

Here's the web address to order:

Click here to order your Douglass apparel!

The pictures above are what you'll see when you go to the website (click on the pictures to bring the images up to full size), but go to the website link to order.

NOTE:  The DB - Science Hill home game in Kingsport is about a month away.  That means if you want your items shipped to you after ordering, they may not arrive at your house in time for the home game on December 17th.

If you are coming to the home game at the Buck Van Huss Gym at D-B on December 17th, IT IS IMPERATIVE that you order first, THEN PICK UP YOUR ITEMS FROM ACTION APPAREL.  You have to "opt in" for pickup at the store when you checkout on Action's website after placing your order.  All apparel will be ready for pickup the week of December 13th.

For pickup, Action Athletics is located at 889 West Center Street, Kingsport, phone number 423-246-8326.  The business is west of downtown just past the Center Street-Lynn Garden Drive "T" intersection, down on the left just past the old Scott Adams Skateboard Park.

If you're not coming to the home game in Kingsport on December 17th, but you want some Douglass shirts, you can have them shipped to you and they'll arrive in time to wear to the  DB - Science Hill away game in Johnson City on February 4th.  That game is going to be a big deal, too because there will be more of them Langston people there, running their mouths about who's best.

Your Douglass apparel will match the uniforms of the D-B Indians, who will be wearing the Douglass Tiger Blue and Gold colors for both games (again, Science Hill will be wearing the colors of the Langston Golden Tigers and as usual, them (Golden) Tiger imitators are coming into our house on December 17th, and will then be in full force at whatever they call that place in Johnson City on February 4th to try and show us up---we'll show them we've got more school spirit than they have, or ever will have).

Douglass-Langston in basketball and football was always the biggest games in the Tri-State Conference and for good reason... we always won (when they weren't trying to jealously beat us up).

We'll see you dressed in your Douglass Tigers apparel on December 17th.  I'll also be modeling the apparel at the Douglass Alumni Board meeting on November 13th, so you'll know what you're getting.

Call to Arms: Upcoming Planning Meeting for DB's Tribute to the Douglass Tigers and Tigerettes

 

Note from President Douglas Releford:

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association will have a meeting on Saturday, November 13, 2021.  

Please try to attend and help spread the word about the meeting and what we're meeting about.

Probably the biggest rivalry in the Tri-State Conference back in the day was between the Douglass Tigers and the Langston Golden Tigers of Johnson City.  

On Friday, December 17, 2021,the Dobyns-Bennett Indians will dress in the gold and blue uniforms of Douglass, when they take on the Science Hill Hilltoppers, who will be dressed in the uniforms of Langston.

We need to have your thoughts on the things we need to do for December 17th.  Part of that is welcoming in the visiting alumni.

Please see the flyer above.  We also need help in distributing the flyers as well.  On that day, the Douglass High School Basketball Tigers and Tigerettes, along with the Douglass alumni faithful will once again be honored in a tribute to those glorious days when the Douglass Tigers reigned supreme over all opponents.

This is a DB home game.... on February 4th, D-B will travel to Johnson City, where Langston's alumni will try to outdo us (can't blame them for trying as they always have) to honor the Golden Tigers.

Of course, we want our Douglass time on December 17th in the spotlight to be the best.  That's why we need your input and your help.

Please mark your calendars.  The Saturday, November 13th meeting time is 1:00 PM on the second floor of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex tower, 301 Louis Street.  As soon as you get off the elevator, turn to the right and the Eastman Conference Room is on the left.

See you there and please bring your helpful ideas, suggestions and what you can do to help us make this a memorable event.

Douglas Releford, president

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, Inc

A 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit Tennessee Corporation

Carolyn Brady remembrance

 

Carolyn Brady age 92 passed away peacefully at home, on October 28, 2021.

Carolyn was the daughter of John Bristol and Annie Mosley. She was married to George Brady for 26 years, until his passing in 1988.

Carolyn was a faithful member of the Thankful Baptist Church and diligently helped her church community.  She sang in the choir and was an Usher.  She enjoyed working at the Johnson City Medical Center for 32 years and for the City of Johnson City as the first Black female Bus Driver for 35 years, for which she was honored by the City.

She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Bristol.. brothers, Dirl, Johnnie, Edward, George, Lester, and Azell Bristol... sisters, Pearl Royster, Sarah Camp, Geraldine Westmoreland, Belle Dulaney, Wanda Bristol, Jennie Hughes and Hattie Bristol... and two Great Grandchildren children, Jessica Flack and Tristan Pace.

She is survived by her children, Fredia Talley (Robert), Patricia Bristol, Steve Bristol, George Bristol (Patricia), Justine White, and Aunya Latham...  a brother, James Bristol and sister Edith Brown... and a host of Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Great Great Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and her beloved friend Elva Morrison.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday November 6, 2021 at Thankful Baptist Church. 

The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM at the church prior to the service.  

Interment will be held at 1:00 PM at the Washington County Memory Gardens in Johnson City.