Home of ROBERT MOORE 131st YEAR - NO. 25 Wednesday, December 30, 2015 ONE SECTION - 50¢ PER COPY 2015: A year mixed with bad, good news for community From Cannon Courier Staff reports ty booster Dr. J. F. Adams, who took note of Bill’s work ethic and off ered him a job at 2015 was a year of change in Cannon Woodbury’s Bank of Commerce. His time County marked by budget woes, signs of at the bank took him from being a teller growth and the death of Woodbury’s most all the way to being President of the bank prominent citizen of the 20th Century. with 55 years of service at the time of his Retired banker William “Bill’ Smith retirement, died at age 97, leaving a legacy that won’t be soon duplicated. State Toursim plan could help Mr. Smith, a lifelong resident of Woodbury During 2015, Cannon County Chamber passed away on Octo- of Commerce members learned of state ber 30, 2015. He was plans to revitalize its rural trails program, born on June 10, 1918 which in turn could help promote tourism to the late George here. Stanton Smith and The news came during a visit by the Linda Brevard Smith. newly selected Commissioner of Tour- “Bill was constant- ism Development, Kevin Triplett . Gov. ly promoting Cannon Bill Haslam recently appointed Triplett County and what a to replace resigning Commissioner Susan good place it was to Whitaker. live, work and raise Triplett was vice president of public af- Bill Smith a family. He touched fairs for Bristol Motor Speedway. Prior to the lives of a countless joining Bristol in 2005, he worked in vari- number of people during his 50+ years at ous roles for NASCAR, ultimately serving the bank,” said Andy Bryson, former edi- as managing director of business opera- tor and owner of the Cannon Courier. tions, guiding the operation and admin- The Cannon County Sheriff ’s Department grabbed a major drug bust near Readyville. Like many other people, the Smith fam- istration of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, Arrested were Ivan Garcia Morales (aka Ivan Garcia) along with Rolando Bejerano ily was always close to the Brysons. Smith Nationwide Series and Camping World Morales, both of Bradyville. Authorities seized 137 marijuana plants at the sophisticat- gave many youngsters their fi rst job in Truck Series ed indoor grow operation. Woodbury. Triplett witnessed NASCAR’s decade “My fi rst job was hauling hay during of explosive growth. Among the lessons well with music and youth sports being been erected in Cannon County. the summer for Bill on his farm,” Bryson he learned was “you want to accentuate “two huge growth areas.” The growth is But signage is a problem for att ractions said. “Hayden and I stayed with Steve and what you are,” which applies directly to music-related tourism is an advantage to like Short Mountain Distillery, Kaufman Mike many nights at their home on the old Cannon County. Cannon County and its ties to Uncle Dave said. The state Department of Transporta- Murfreesboro Road just west of the Funer- Cannon County has beauty, the arts and Macon and old-time music. tion won’t allow signs marking the route al Home.” we need to expose that to more people, The “trick” is to link Cannon County to the distillery. “I have had some luck “Bill gave me my fi rst job out of college. the commissioner said. Thanks to the In- to nearby, but much larger counties like with local landowners” in placing signage He would always have some errands to ternet that exposure is now multifaceted Rutherford, Williamson and Davidson but the state has warned the signs must run for him or somebody. We always talk- between the “baby boomers, millenniums where residents haven’t heard of, much not be on the state right-of-way and signs ed on Monday morning about our week- and generation X who all are looking for less visited, the many att ractions of the on I-24 and I-40 are impossible because of end. I can’t say enough good things about something new to do.” Woodbury area. the distance involved. Bill,” said Craig Mears of Woodbury. The State of Tennessee is well known for “We would like to see more support for “We don’t want to change Cannon Smith provided important linkage be- its tourism maps, which were voted the our events,” said Billy Kaufman of Short County but instead celebrate what exists,” tween the Cannon County of yesteryear best in the nation, he said. “While I prefer Mountain Distillery. “gett ing the word Kaufman said. “In 15 minutes you can be and today’s 21st Century way of conduct- a map myself, a lot of young people have out is expensive. We’re going everything a million miles away.” ing business. never held a map in their hands,” prefer- we can to bring people here. We’re telling “I can’t say enough good things about ring to use the Internet, Triplett said. Be- them ‘To Escape to the Country.’” Good news about hospital what he has done for me, my family and cause of that, the state is looking to “tell its A promotion being planned for the our community. They broke the mold story in diff erent ways.” original state Route 1 could help Cannon Cannon County Chamber of Commerce when he was made. Prayers to all of his When it comes to tourist att ractions, County get the message out, said Triplett . offi cers received good news about St. family and friends,” said Tim Gentry, Tennessee is fortunate. “We don’t have That roadway, now known bett er as US Thomas Stones River Hospital in Septem- Bill’s co-worker at Smith Funeral Home. to create it ... we have it,” Triplett said. 70S, cuts through Cannon County. Signs ber 2015. Smith followed the legacy of communi- But the face of tourism is changing as marking that fi rst roadway have already See 2015, Page 9 Woodbury’s Annie Cox, Ricky Cope applauded DAN WHITTLE Part 2 of a Series Service, talks about being Wood- Courier Correspondent bury’s fi rst African American mayor in the years 2000-2008. People of African descent in “Mr. Cope before serving two “If there is a word above ‘hon- Colonial, Revolutionary and An- terms as mayor of Woodbury, or,’ I’d use it,” Cope proclaimed. tebellum America, and people and who was unopposed for elec- “Growing up in Woodbury, and such as Ricky Cope and the late tion in his second four-year term, then, being elected as mayor has Annie Cox, are credits to the hu- is another example of an eff ective been such an honor.” man race, confi rmed historian/ public servant,” added Marthal. He moved to Middle Tennes- storyteller Barbara Marthal. “I’m advised he also served on see at age 3, from Chicago. Former Woodbury Mayor the Woodbury City Council 17 “Woodbury people are special. Cope and educator Mrs. Cox long years prior to being Wood- My wife and I are still amazed are the type people author Mar- bury’s fi rst black mayor.” when our neighbors throw up thal spotlights in presentations When Marthal speaks, histori- their hands and wave when driv- throughout America involving ans listen. ing down a country road,” Cope accomplishments of “people of “Historian Barbara Marthal accounted. “I wouldn’t want to color in the South.” did an excellent, enlightening live anywhere but Cannon Coun- “The late Annie Cox is exactly presentation recently at the ty.” Ricky Cope The late Annie Cox the type of example I point out Rutherford County Historical Current Woodbury Mayor as outstanding,” confi rmed Mar- Society’s annual awards dinner/ Author Marthal’s third great “I wrote this book so that chil- Harold Patrick agrees with Mar- thal, herself an African American banquet,” confi rmed Shirley grandfather back was a slave, dren with Confederate ancestors thal’s assessment of the late Mrs. and retired Southern educator. Ann Jones, historian/author of and another of her ancestry ac- would be encouraged to research Cox, whose grave at Hoover “During her six decades of teach- multiple Civil War books in re- companied his master to war, and discuss with pride those Cemetery in Woodbury cannot ing and coaching in elementary lation to Cannon and Rutherford and later, received a Confederate members of their family heri- hold the accolades of her life’s school, it’s likely Annie impact- counties. “She doesn’t hesitate in pension. tage,” Marthal penned. impact on community. ed more students positively than pointing prideful to her Southern She has authored a children’s Former Mayor Cope, who “‘Miss’ Annie surpassed ‘race’ any woman in history of Cannon heritage, and the fact she’s of Af- book entitled, “Fighting for Free- serves today at age 62 as director in our community,” Patrick con- County.” rican descent.” dom: A Documented Story. of Cannon County Ambulance See WOODBURY, Page 9 See Cannon Blast on Page 7 MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AA/EEO/disability/vet PAGE 2 CANNON COURIER December 30, 2015 CANNON COURIER Is Your Life in Balance? Healthy Habits to Try in 2016 Is your life in balance? The and organizational needs. new year is a great time to • Documenting your day not OBITUARIES take stock of your routine only keeps you organized, and make improvements but also provides you with where necessary. an opportunity to look back and refl ect on your Gladys Young Prater Emma Gladys Pope Here are some thoughtful life’s accomplishments, habits to consider memories and milestones Morrison, TN resident and Cannon County, TN native Morrison, TN resident and Warren County, TN native incorporating into your day from the year.