| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 Aug 2013.
Teacher Remembered: New Bridgeport School sign honors Suggs
(C)2013 NPT PHOTO BY DUAY O'NEIL
The family of the late Ricky Suggs and Bridgeport Elementary School administrators gathered Friday afternoon to dedicate a new school sign in memory of Ricky Suggs, longtime Bridgeport teacher who died suddenly last October. Front row, from left are daughter Haley Hall, mother Euvena Suggs, Mikayla Alley, Noah Caughron, Jarred Alley, McKensee Robinson, and school principal April Cody. Back row, from left, are Jonathan Alley, son-in-law Travis Hall, wife Tamra Suggs, mother-in-law Cloyas Brown, brother-in-law Kenny Brown, Mechelle Robinson, and Belinda Alley.
Author: Duay O'Neil
BRIDGEPORT-Friday's heavy rain and thunderstorm didn't prevent the dedication of a new entrance sign at Bridgeport Elementary School in memory of Ricky Suggs, longtime Bridgeport teacher who died suddenly last October.
The sign is located at the entrance to the school driveway at its intersection with its intersection with Edwina-Bridgeport Road. Local Girl Scouts volunteered to landscape the area surrounding the sign as a community service project.
Because of the storm, the Suggs' family and school staff gathered inside the school for a short ceremony. Special guests included Mechelle Robinson, Girl Scout leader and some of the troop members.
The project began last spring, according to school principal April Cody. "Our school is hidden from the road," she said," and we needed a sign. Belinda Alley and the Girl Scouts took the idea and ran with it."
Cody said, “Everyone who was asked to help agreed. Terry Stuart volunteered to lay the block, Adam Allen did the stonework, and Jeff Cody of Rocky Top Graphics did the sign. Mike Alley and his sons and the Girl Scouts all helped, too. It was a good community project. We’re very proud of our sign.”
Belinda Alley described Suggs as a co-worker who “was such an encouraging person. Bridgeport was his second home. He was just an amazing person.”
Suggs’ family thanked the organizers of the project. His mother Euvena Suggs, a former employee of the school, said, “You’ll never know what this means to our family,” a statement echoed by his wife, Tamra.
“We miss him every single day,” said Cody. “It is important to us to remember him always.”
Girl Scouts proudly posed with the new Bridgeport Elementary School sign recently dedicated in honor of longtime Bridgeport teacher Ricky Suggs. Troop members volunteered to landscape the plot as a community service project. From left are Marissa Reed, Annie Wardroup, Mikayla Alley, McKensee Robinson, and Lakelyn Branner. These girls will receive community service badges for their project.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 6 Oct 2012.
(March 29, 1958 - October 6, 2012)
Ricky D. Suggs, age 54 of Newport passed away suddenly Saturday, October 6, 2012. He was a 30 year school teacher at Bridgeport Elementary School and a member of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, father and son. He was preceded in death by his father John Rowe Suggs. He is survived by his wife Tamra Suggs, daughter Haley Hall and husband, Travis of Parrottsville; daughter Alex Suggs of Newport, mother Euvena Suggs of Newport; brother Eddie Suggs and wife, Vickey of Knoxville; sisters Brenda Allen and husband, John of Maryville, Rowena Wallace of Nashville; niece Paige Allen and a host of other special family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Craig Ward officiating. Burial will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church prior to funeral service. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church Building Fund, 234 Lincoln Avenue, Newport, TN 37821.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 9 Oct 2012.
Funeral services tonight for Ricky D. Suggs, well-known educator
Author: Duay O'Neil
NEWPORT-Funeral services will be conducted tonight at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church for Ricky Dale Suggs, a well-known Cocke County educator who died suddenly Saturday morning of an apparent heart attack.
Suggs, 54, was at his home with his daughter Haley at the time as the family prepared for her wedding later in the day.
Born March 29, 1958, he was the youngest of four children of Euvena (Byrd) Suggs and the late John Rowe Suggs.
He began his own educational journey at Bridgeport Elementary School, where he completed all eight years of his elementary work.
At Cocke County High School, he was a standout athlete, playing both basketball and baseball. Upon his graduation in 1976, he was awarded a scholarship to play baseball at Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he was a pitcher.
For a short time following his college graduation he worked as a night auditor at the Newport Holiday Inn.
Initially hired to teach health at Cocke County HighSchool. While there he coached both the baseball and basketball teams. He later transferred to his alma mater and spent the rest of his 30-year teaching career at Bridgeport Elementary School as a sixth-grade teacher.
For several years, he taught all subjects, when departmentalization came, he devoted his work to teaching math, science, and spelling.
On June 8, 1985, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Tamra Brown, now Newport Grammar School Assistant Principal.
He retained his keen interest is all sports and for many years played softball and basketball in various local recreation leagues. He was also a devoted fan of the UT-Vols, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves.
He also enjoyed camping.
Suggs was a member of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church and formerly drove the church van.
Suggs is survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, one brother and two sisters.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
SUGGS RICKY D TAMRA B [NOT GIVEN] COCKE 07-08-1985 23992
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