| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Jan 2007.
Mrs. Gladys L. Dockery obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 10 Aug 2010.
'Stop ignoring the rich cultural history we share'
Duay O'Neil, fourth from left, was presented the TCAI Living Legacy Award at the annual Freedom Banquet on Saturday. With him, from left, are Hazel Johnson, Marketa Dockery, Shedenna Dockery, and Phyllis Ramsey.
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT-"We must make a conscious decision to stop ignoring the rich cultural history we share," said Rev. Sharon Bowers, keynote speaker at Saturday evening's Freedom Banquet held at Carson Springs Conference Center in celebration of Emancipation Week.
"Too often we forget," continued Bowers. "Let us decide tonight that wherever we go, we'll make a difference. Decide tonight that ignorance is no excuse. We must stop making excuses for not celebrating August 8."
Saturday's banquet continued a weeklong series of events held in Newport to celebrate the anniversary of the emancipation of slaves in America in 1863.
Bowers, a Greeneville native, is a full-time minister who has been preaching and teaching since 1977. She currently is senior pastor of a two-point charge in Marion County, TN, serving Randolph United Methodist Church and Wells United Methodist Church while she continues her studies in Atlanta at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Gammon United Methodist Seminary.
"Life is lived walking forward," said Bowers, "but celebrated by looking backward. The reality is this-we are not what we used to be."
Bowers then enumerated what she called "five transferable skills" which are necessary for success.
"It is important to be the kind of people who have discipline and cannot to afford to cut corners," she began. "We must work as a team and not ignore out heritage. We must have self-confidence and never stop trying to improve where we are. We must set goals-develop 5-10-20-plans. We must have mentorship and understand the chain of life. Our job is to tell people who we are in East Tennessee. We are rich in togetherness."
Also speaking was Lizzie White, Superintendent of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, who gave a thumbnail sketch of President Johnson's life.
"As always, we're thrilled to be part of Emancipation Day festivities," said White. "Andrew Johnson came from a generation with very different beliefs, but he changed, and in doing so, changed the world around him."
Johnson, according to White, started as "the poorest man in Greene County but died as the richest man in Greene County."
"His credo," said White, "was hard work, a belief in God, and education."
Following a welcome by Roberta Elliott, emcee Shedenna Dockery, president of the Tanner Community Action Initiative, read statements from Mayors Iliff McMahan and Connie Ball and a joint resolution signed by the two proclaiming Emancipation Week in Cocke County.
Dockery then recognized Rep. Eddie Yokley, who was instrumental in the Tennessee Legislature's designation of the Historic Day in 2007.
"It's good to be here and celebrate," said Yokley. "East Tennessee has a long history of being populated by a loving, caring people."
Music for the evening was provided by Melinda (Cookie) Luttrell Holt, a Morristown native, and daughter of Shirley Carr Davis and the late John W. Luttrell.
Holt, who now resides in Knoxville, presented three gospel solos.
At the close of the banquet, Dockery presented Duay O'Neil with the annual TCAI Living Legacy Award for his help in recording local African-American history.
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(Age 46 years)