| Sources |
- [S9] Smoky Mountain Historical Society Newsletter, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, Vol. XXVII, No 3, Page 28, Fall 2001.
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 26 Jan 2009.
100-year-old has voted in every election since 1930
Waldens Creek United Methodist Church in Sevierville was packed to the walls ? in honor of a man who has vited in every election for the past 78 years.
Balford Duggan, who turned 100 years old on Jan. 22, wore one of his best suits to the celebration attended by family and friends of all ages.
"Is that you?" Duggan asked a distant cousin. "It's good to see you!"
Ray and Linda Gray, neighbors of Duggan, brought granddaughter Ella Wren ? almost 100 days old ? to the party.
"They should write a book about Balford," Linda said. "He has so many interesting stories, and he is such a good man."
Duggan's son and daughter-in-law, Carroll and Brenda, made the trip from Chattanooga. Carroll's stepson Shawn Stuart was also in attendance, as well as his daughter Rhonda Entrekin, who had traveled from Fort Worth to surprise her grandfather for his birthday.
Duggan has lived in the same house ? which was built by his father and grandfather ? since he was 2 years old. He worked as a farmer and carpenter and restored old cars in his free time.
"You should see my 1964 Chevrolet," he said.
He has also voted in every election since 1930, but hasn't been loyal to just one party.
"I vote for the best man," he said.
The Sevierville native said he didn't really have any secrets to making it to 100, but his only son offered one theory.
"He ate everything they grew out of their garden," said Carroll, whose mother was in her 80s when she died 11 years ago.
Neighbor Helen Drinnen Watson has known Duggan ? whom she says "never sees a stranger" ? all of her life.
"He always welcomes everyone and is good to everyone. He's always been a part of our life."
ebrown@themountainpress.com
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 11 Feb 2009.
On Tuesday Pigeon Forge Primary celebrated 100 days of school this year with a visit from 100-year-old Balford Duggan, who lives in the Waldens Creek area. To welcome the centenarian, the students in Jennifer Huskey's first-grade class dressed as senior citizens, many wearing wigs and suspenders, carrying canes and even possessing gray hair - artificially dyed by their parents, of course.
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 4 Dec 2010.
Balford Duggan
January 22, 1909 - December 04, 2010
Birthplace: Sevier Co., TN
Resided In: Sevierville Tennessee USA
Visitation: December 06, 2010
Service: December 06, 2010
Cemetery: Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens
Balford Duggan, age 101 of Sevierville passed away peacefully at his home Saturday December 4, 2010.
Balford was a loving father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He spent his early life working in Timber and Farming. He found his life mate in Alice Flynn at New Era Baptist Church one Sunday evening and later they were married by a County Judge sitting in his 1926 Model T Ford in Pigeon Forge on June 25, 1933. Work was hard to find after the Great Depression. Finally he and his friend Charlie Blalock and others from Sevier County found work as contractors to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC’s) to build U.S. 441 from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap. In 1937 he began working at Alcoa Aluminum plant through World War II until 1946. He then returned to his father’s farm in the Waldens Creek Community where he resided until his death. While back on the farm his public work was not finished yet. He then began working for Fred Huskey and later Earl Huskey building the first chalets on Ski Mtn. in Gatlinburg. They also built houses and hotels throughout Sevier and adjoining counties. His last public job was helping Bobby Kirby wire the Church of God on Dolly Parton Parkway. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, cutting hair, sharpening saws, and blacksmithing. His last big undertaking was sending pumpkin seeds, brought to the U.S. by his Irish forefathers, throughout the states and as far away as Japan. He had a wonderful life and those whose life he touched will remember and miss him.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to the St. Mary’s Home Health, Meals on Wheels, Allcare staff and others who helped take care of him in recent years. A special thanks to Ralph and Kellie.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Alice Flynn Duggan, Father G.C. Duggan and mother Dianah Benson Duggan, 4 brothers and 6 sisters.
Survivors:
Son and Daughter-in-law: J. Carroll (J.C.) and wife Brenda Duggan
Grandchildren: Rhonda Entrekin and husband Richard, of Huntington, WV, Shawn Stuart and wife Jennifer, of Chattanooga
Great Grandchildren: Tyler, Alex, and Christopher
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Waldens Creek Volunteer Fire Department or Waldens Creek United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends from 5-7PM Monday with funeral service to follow at 7PM in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home with Rev. Barbara Lay officiating. Family and friends will meet 10AM Tuesday at Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens for graveside service and interment. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
- [S34] In the Shadow of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Historical Society, (1993), 380.
Tombstone without death date
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