The Rev. C. E. Edge Awards

"Hello Community"

"At the VO Dobbins Complex Riverview. "Central Baptist Church Presented THE African - American Entrepreneur( Business Owners) in Kingsport Black History Feb 7th 2025. "The Distinguished C.E. Edge Awards. "Congratulations ro all the winners!" "Very nice evening with dinner prepared by Taste Budz of JC Tn. Thanks to: Rev. James Scales Mayor Paul Montgomery, Ms. Linda Kincaid, Andrea Wilcox Salyers, Rev. Pamela Hoard, Minister Denise Morrison and Keynote Speaker: Mr. Craig Charles and Mrs. Louetta Hall and Rev. Myrna Casey. Pictures courtesy Johnnie Mae Swagerty.

Mr. Jack Pierce remembrance

 

Jack Pierce, Sr. departed this life on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at his home.  Jack was born on December 24, 1929 to Albert and Lena Pierce in Old Kingsport, Tennessee.

Jack was a graduate of the Douglass High School in the community of Riverview in Kingsport.  He then went to work at Tennessee Eastman Company for 39 years, where he served as the first Black foreman.  He was a member of the Central Baptist Church and was a member of the Usher Board.

Jack had a heart for others, spending much of his time gardening, being involved in the community, and volunteering.  He was a member of the Riverview "Catch the Vision" Strategic Planning Team, the South Central Kingsport Community Development Board, the Weed and Seed Board, a founding member of the Frederick A. Douglass Cultural Arts Museum of Kingsport, the Bays Mountain Historical Commitee, the Board of Directors of the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, the Head Start Policy Council, and served with the Holston Habitat for Humanity.  

Jack was kind-hearted and never met a stranger.

Jack would often say, "I'm kicking, but not too high" and "pretty good shape for the shape I'm in."  He always amusingly referred to your drink no matter what it was, as "a 50-cent shot."  Jack's warm heart and gentle spirit will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him.  

Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 75 years, Betsy Ann Whittington Pierce; his son Jack Pierce; sons-in-law B.C. Camp and Mickey Rogers;  parents Albert and Lena Pierce; grandparents Jerome and Alice Pierce; and 12 brothers and sisters. 

To cherish his memory and carry on his legacy, Jack leaves behind his children Veronica Camp of Kingsport; Garfield (Becky) Pierce of Bristol; Sandra (Paul) Williams of Cleveland, Ohio; Lena Rogers of Kingsport; Alan (Wanda) Pierce of Atlanta, Georgia; and Veronica (Filo) Martinez of Nashville, Tennessee; daughter-in-law Sandra Pierce, 15 grandchildren, 32 great-children, 28 great-great grandchildren, a cousin, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The Going Home Services will be held at the Central Baptist Church, 301 Carver Street, Kingsport.  The Visitation will be from 12 Noon to 1 PM and the Celebration of Life will be from 1 PM to 2 PM.  Interment will be beside his beloved wife in the Historic Pierce Chapel AME Church cemetery, 1810 Seaver Road at Horse Creek in Sullivan Gardens, Kingsport.

Professional care of the Pierce family is entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport.

  

Mr. Jack Pierce passing

 

Jack Pierce departed this life Thursday, January 23, 2025, at his home.  

The service will be at the Central Baptist Church in Kingsport on Saturday, February 1st, 2025.

The viewing will be from 12 Noon to 1 PM.  The service follows immediately from 1 PM to 2 PM.

The remembrance is forthcoming.

Mr. Jack Pierce announcement

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association is sad to report the news that Mr. Jack Pierce, a native son of Douglass, a historian of the Riverview Community, and a good friend to all, has passed away.

We're told that he passed away peacefully to join Ms. Betsy Ann at their Mansion in Heaven.

Please pray for the family and friends.

We will keep you posted on the Remembrance and Homegoing.

Just in case you're curious:

How many days until the next presidential inauguration? 

MLK Day Of Service In Kingsport, Tennessee

Although there are no traditional MLK Day activities scheduled for Monday, January 20th because of the sub-freezing temperatures, let's not forget our obligations to our friends and neighbors:                          

Support PUTTING BABIES FIRST PROGRAM on MLK DAY (Monday, January 20, 2025) at Riverview Community Room on Wheatley Street (Next to Pickle Ball Court) from 3 pm - 5 pm our Drop-Off Location!   

Please Donate DIAPERS and WIPES!

Contact: Bishop Ronnie Wayne Collins at (423) 956-0675 or email: rcollins.j316@gmail.com

MLK Day Activities Postponed in Kingsport

**** NOTICE ****

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. activities, including the annual parade in downtown Kingsport, the MLK Luncheon in Riverview and the MLK Candlelight Vigil HAVE ALL BEEN POSTPONED from January 20, 2025.

Weather forecasts indicate temperatures in the single digits to temperatures in the teens on January 20th, therefore the decision to postpone events.

The Annual Candlelight Vigil will now be held on Friday, April 4th at 6 PM.

The Annual MLK Day Parade downtown will be held on Saturday morning, April 5th at 10 AM.  The MLK Day Luncheon will now be held also on Saturday morning, April 5th at 11 AM.

The dates coincide with the commemoration of Dr. King's assassination 57 years ago on April 4, 1968.

Patrice Janee Lytle remembrance

 

Patrice Janeé Lytle, affectionately known as "Pat-Rice!" and "P-Lytle!," departed this life Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Holston Valley Medical Center. Patrice was born on October 23, 1982, in Milton, Florida, to Kevin Lytle and Sherry Watterson. 

Patrice was known for her energetic and fun-loving personality. She enjoyed coloring and riding around in her car with her children, where they would play and sing along to music. She also delighted in catching a movie with her children, siblings, and mother. Patrice was a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church. 

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Edward and Virginia P. Lytle, and maternal grandparents, Betty Lou Hale and Freddy Watterson. 

To cherish her memory, Patrice leaves behind her children, Macarius Javan Miller and Sa'Daya Janise Rose; father, Kevin (Clara) Lytle; mother, Sherry Watterson; step-father, Jessie Williams; brothers, Adam Lytle and David Lytle; sister, Jessaka (Jacob Christian, fiancé) Williams; grandmother, Cheryl (Rommie) Argo; special cousin, Bron Cox; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

The visitation will be on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 1 PM to 2 PM, at the St. Mark United Methodist Church, 929 Maple Street, Kingsport, TN 37660.  

The Memorial Service will immediately follow from 2 PM to 3 PM at the church.  

Care of the Patrice Janee Lytle family has been entrusted to Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37660.

Snow at Home in the View

From the top of Bays Mountain (on the upper left), to Louis Street in Riverview, snow invaded our homes yesterday and last night.

The snow is slowly changing over to rain and temperatures are only slightly warmer than yesterday.  Cold temperatures tonight will probably freeze any moisture on the streets.  

As you can see below from WCYB's webcam at J. Fred Johnson Stadium, people are enjoying sledding down the hill inside the stadium, with Fort Henry Drive in the background.

Douglass Alumni Board meeting rescheduled

 

Because of snowy weather, the regularly monthly meeting of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association Board scheduled for Saturday, January 11, 2025 has been postponed.  The meeting will be re-scheduled for a later date.

Please check back here for that new meeting date.

Send your Condolences to the Carter Family in Memory of the late former President Jimmy Carter

 

Click here to visit the official Jimmy Carter memorial and to leave condolences for the family.

Kwanzaa: Giving Thanks for the Harvest of the Good in Life

 

 

Merry Christmas, but what ever happened to........

Here's hoping that all the alumni of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, the descendants, the friends, neighbors and all those who love and was raised in and around the Douglass High School, have a wonderful 2024 holiday season.  

But just taking a nostalgic walk through the Riverview neighborhood and along Dale and Maple Streets 'cross town on Christmas Eve night can be very emotional.  I remembered back in the day how the Riverview community hummed on a single night as special as the one on Christmas Eve.

Let your minds travel back a few years.  Your imagination is knocking at the back  door.  What ever happened to...

...holiday lights on little hedges outside front doors... every house had inside lights on.... front windows would be adorned with the Christmas tree... some front windows would have green trees with lights of every color showcased.... 

Whatever happened to front windows with silver trees with single color lights, either red, blue, green, and at least one, all gold lights.  Some of them would even be flashing!  

Whatever happened to the Christmas music playing from a couple of houses that you could hear from the street?

Whatever happened to the smell of gingerbread, cakes and pies what some of our mothers of Riverview would be making for dinner tomorrow, or the church's Christmas get-together tomorrow afternoon?  You could smell the gingerbread and the apple spice cakes from the sidewalk outside.

Whatever happened to all of the cars parked at some houses, indicating that somebody has come home to visit for Christmas?  The cars with the Georgia, Ohio, New York, Illinois license plates?  The cars with the Knox, Davidson and Shelby County, Tennessee license plates?  "So glad so-and-so made it home safely for Christmas."

The Oakwood Market (especially the one on Eastman Road), the Little Store, the Giant Food store... they'd all sell out of hams and turkeys because our folks would make sure they had plenty of food, not just for their own families, but for friends in the neighborhood.

And what of Christmas day?  Whatever happened to the youngsters riding their brand new tricycles and bicycles up and down the streets, always between 8 AM and 11 AM Christmas morning?  If you were driving over to see your sister or your aunt and uncle 'cross town to open presents, be careful... kids were darting those new bikes all around the parked cars.

Whatever happened to the phone calls from folks who couldn't make it home to experience a Christmas celebration at home in Riverview?

A stroll through Riverview at Christmas time these days, could be like a stroll through any neighborhood in Kingsport.  Mostly, everything is quiet and serene, except for the low hum of Eastman.  Brings tears to the eyes as we remember the family atmosphere we all shared.  Our hearts go out to the ones amongst us who are celebrating the birth of Jesus with the Man himself.  Our neighborhood Christmases were special.  It always took a neighborhood to celebrate our Christmases.  Has it really been that long ago?  

What ever happened to...

The Second Book in Mama Jill Ellis' Series about Growing Up at Rotherwood is now out!

We are happy to pass along this announcement from the Ellis family... Craig says, the second book in the series "Denny at Rotherwood" is now available, this one "Christmas at Rotherwood."

Click here and go to the bottom of the page to order the book!  

We miss 'Mama' Jill.  She lives in our hearts.

Local restaurant owned by Riverview native closes its doors

 

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — Eatz Uptown, formerly recognized as Eatz on Moore Street, in Bristol, Tennessee announced its permanent closure this week.

A social media post by business owner Mark Canty said that after 23 years in operation, he has decided to close the State Street restaurant due to health and economic reasons.

The establishment thanked its patrons over the years.

"Eatz Uptown restaurant is saddened to announce its closure after 23 years of being an integral part of the Bristol community. Due to health and economic reasons, owner Mark Canty has made the difficult decision to close the doors at his new location. The restaurant would like to express its deepest gratitude to friends and neighbors for their loyal support throughout the years. Eatz Uptown will continue to operate after Thanksgiving through Sunday and wishes everyone a happy and relaxing holiday season."

Eatz Uptown

 

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Regular Board Meeting

 

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board will hold its regularly-scheduled meeting on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

The meeting will be held at 11:00 AM, in the Eastman Conference Room of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Tower, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport.

James Artis Henderson, Jr. remembrance

 

James Ardis Henderson, Jr., known affectionally as "Jr," passed away on October 10, 2024 at home.   He was 63 years old. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, James A. Henderson, Sr.and Cecilia Mae (Tucker) Henderson, and by a nephew, Justin Machen. 

Survivors include sister Audrey Faye Henderson, sister Milicent (Eric) Mack, of Georgia, his fraternal twin Willie Thomas Henderson, of California and sister Karen (Jerry) Machen of Gray, Tennessee as well as nephews, one niece, uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends. 

Arrangements are being handled by Clark Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service, Inc. in Kingsport.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov 2 @ 11 am at Clark's Funeral Chapel, located at 802 E Sevier St in Kingsport.

His remains will be interred at the VA in Mountain Home, Tennessee (Johnson City). 

Riverview Fall Clean-up Breaks Record: The LOWEST Trash-Litter Amount Collected in 30+ Years

 

One community says 'no more litter' and apparently the message is getting across.  The annual Fall trash and litter neighborhood collection in Riverview collected the lowest amount of litter gathered in more than 30 years of the bi-annual event.  

"It is absolutely a testament to the community that puts forth a positive effort into making its streets and public areas free of trash," says Sharon Hayes, director of the Keep Kingsport Beautiful campaign.  "Based on past community collection drives, I expected to see a lot more trash and litter today, discarded paper, liquor bottles, even syringes.  We didn't see any of that today.  Mainly for me, it's been just cigarette butts."

New Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery noticed that, too, as he picked up litter with former Mayor Pat Shull and current alderman and vice mayor Darrell Duncan.  "I picked up more cigarette butts than anything else and one empty pop bottle," he said.  "But I'm not surprised at the success of keeping the neighborhood free of trash and litter.  You can see the pride that people have in the neighborhood with the well-kept lawns."

Normally, the twice-a-year pickup campaigns will collect at least two tons of trash and litter for Kingsport Public Works crews, but this year, the amount was less than a ton.  

36 volunteers fanned out on the streets of Riverview and also the Dale-East Sevier-Maple and Oak Street areas.  The entire collection process took about an hour.

"We were glad to have the people that gave of their time on a beautiful Saturday morning," said South Central Kingsport Community Development director Johnnie Mae Swagerty.  "There was wonderful fellowship and we had a great lunch afterwards.  Our next litter collection activity will be in April and we're hoping that the weekend's event will start a trend of getting others involved in keeping their own neighborhoods free from unsightly litter, too."

"I think the trend is there," Mayor Montgomery said.  "I don't think it would be difficult to keep it going and growing, since South Central Kingsport does such a good job of promoting and emphasizing its program to local residents."

"We do hope the no-littering trend spreads to other neighborhoods in Kingsport through cleanups," says Hayes.  "We'd love for other neighborhoods to "pick up" on it (pardon the pun).  If we can share the good news of how beautiful the neighborhoods of Kingsport look free of litter, let it be contagious."

 

To get information on how to organize litter cleanups in your Kingsport neighborhood, email Hayes at   shayes@kingsportchamber.org or call (423) 392-8814.

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board Meeting

 

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association Board will meet in regular session on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

The meeting will be held in the Eastman Board room of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex, 301 Louis Street, Kingsport, TN at 11 AM.

It's an open agenda with just a few things to discuss.

Please plan to be there and help our Board with important decisions that affect the organization and its involvement in the community.