| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 227.
- [S142] Newspaper Article, The Newport Plain Talk, 6 Nov 2000.
Pearl Self Freeman obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 31 Aug 2012.
National Bank says "goodbye" to long-time loan officer
(c)2012 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
National Bank President Keith Ketterman, at right, congratulates retiring long-time employee Allen Freeman, who retired officially on August 31 after 46 years service to the bank and customers.
Author: David Popiel
September has stepped in just in time for the Labor Day weekend and to usher in more high school football for our hometown, basking in the continued end-of-summer heat wave but far from Hurricane Isaac's rain.
When I noticed the two full moons in August I had no idea that my friend and yours at National Bank of Tennessee, Walter Allen Freeman, would be retiring on the last full moon of the month. So I had the good fortune to interview him last week and present this story here. So I will take a detour from where my last column left off talking with Von Smith of Bybee. Saturday a week ago I also stopped by the Tanner building and chatted with folks at the farmers market and you will be hearing about and seeing these folks soon.
Growing up off Rag Mountain Road
He could not have foreseen a 46-year banking career, being a father, and grandfather, but Allen Freeman stands at the pinnacle of a life well-lived and worked as he eases into retirement.
Whether you are a customer of National Bank of Tennessee or not, chances are you know him, perhaps he loaned you some of the bank's money or gave you a free bit of advice. His work has always been about "people" whether with those he has worked alongside or those he served as bank customers. And all the skills he gained and utilized came from his desire to learn and to assist.
Born March 29, 1944, he was one of two sons of Charles and Pearl (Self) Freeman, who farmed, raising tobacco, in the Big Creek community, more specifically Rag Mountain Road. I have only this past year discovered and driven the road connecting to Gulf Fork.
Walter Allen Freeman and brother, Gary Freeman, who lives in Parrottsville, lived the typical rural mountain lifestyle in an era when electrification only arrived about 1950. Cocke County was still heavily populated with one-room schoolhouses so the brothers attended New Prospect: "one teacher, two rooms." But there were multiple teachers during the elementary years.
New Prospect no longer exists but was located at the convergence of Gulf Fork, Raven's Branch, and Bull Mountain roads. Some people refer to this as Big Creek. There were plenty of forest acres for hunting and fishing in creeks that flowed from the Gulf and mountains into Big Creek that flows into the Pigeon River.
Allen walked a mile to catch the county school bus for a ride to and from Cosby School where he graduated in 1962. At the time E.G. Bryant was principal and another man who made an impression on young Freeman was Bill Hartsell. The small school had, perhaps, 100-plus high school students.
You didn't get to waste much time on television as reception in the mountains was poor to none and that went for radio too. The Plain talk arrived in the next day's mail. I recall that during the 1970s Boyd Freeman, who lived at the upper end of Del Rio started a drive to raise funds for a tower to receive and retransmit TV signals. He is a first cousin to Charles Freeman.
The Vietnam conflict was beginning to perk in the early 1960s as America ratcheted up its involvement. Allen decided to enlist in the Marines and undergo the rigorous training at Paris Island. It proved to be an economical way to see the world. He served in Cuba, Dominican Republic, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
"It was a valuable experience. I would recommend it to all young men and women," he said. Most of his four years, at least half of it, was spent stateside, including training in California.
Perchance, a wife and a good job
By October 1966 he was back in Newport, about 22, and job hunting. Sonoco Products was hiring and he was on his way to apply when he happened to stop by the new bank in town, and then named National Bank of Newport, established in 1957 and across the street from Merchants & Planters Bank. Allen happened to see J. Creel Helms, who apparently knew the Freeman family and their good reputation. Helms asked Allen if he had ever thought about working at a bank. Of course, Allen had not but filled out an application and left.
He never got to Sonoco and kept waiting for word from Mr. Helms, who was general manager. So Allen contacted him and Mr. Helms told him to report for work on Monday. He has missed few days ever since with the exception of his kidney transplant. We will talk more about his kidney transplant and how Allen overcame a major health problem.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 7 Sep 2012.
Banking has made big changes in Allen's nearly 50 years
(c)2012 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
Allen and Betty Freeman have lived off Old Greeneville Highway for about 26 years. They tell me the farm at one time was that of William Susong and later Festus Boyer. Their front yard is marked by an old stone wall that runs along the edge of the highway.
Author: David Popiel
Grandparents Day this Sunday should cause many of you to travel to local restaurants in our hometown to celebrate with them, and the weather is expected to be milder after another hot week at the end of haying season.
Before continuing our talk and visit from last week with a retired banker who hailed from Rag Mountain Road, let me mention where my travels may take us wandering in upcoming weeks. You have noticed H&H Motors off Highway 321 before you get to the French Broad River. Having past this place for many years I made a point to stop and met Kevin Huff, who pointed me to his Dad, Jerry Huff. We talked awhile and he quickly made a couple of interesting connections and posed a puzzling question. The family is connected to the Lancasters; and you recall a past visit to William Lancaster's machine shop in that vicinity. Jerry also told of a stabbing after which a relative from decades ago sought help from Dr. Lemmons of Bybee. I have learned much more about this man and will share Ella (Denton) Alley's memories and Jerry's too. And then there was Jerry's puzzling questin: "Do you know where the old courthouse was?" I gathered from his hints that I was within feet of this burned historic site. We will finish our story on Von Smith and than return to the Huffs.
Well-earned retirement
Walter Allen Freeman spent last week, his first full week, in retirement at age 68. We began talking with him the first weekend in September to celebrate his 46 years with National Bank of Tennessee.
At the time, Bill Agee was the cashier and later he became bank president. Other employees from the later 1960s included Jo Mooty, Wayne Nease, Mary Esther Williams, June Finchum, Elizabeth Fine, and Patsy Gardner. By the way, on Sunday, Sept. 9, Providence Baptist Church honored their trustee for life, Bill Agee. Pastor Scott Gorrell told me that Agee helped start the church. Scott's mother, June Robinson, and Bill sold tickets together at the old downtown Winston Theater.
When Allen left on August 31, Patsy Gardner remains as the sole employee from that era of almost 50 years ago.
One of Allen's first responsibilities in 1966 was drive-in teller at the main office. Then, the drive-thru was at the rear of the bank and accessed from Mims Avenue. He trained in most departments including collections, book keeping and settled into the loan department. June and Mary were the loan dept. NBN also had a branch bank at the East Broadway shopping center where Wade Butcher worked.
Allen explained that Bill was like the lobby manager and Allen's supervisor, while Creel Helms was over-all manager and a tougher business minded man, but fair and knowledgeable. As those who have known Mr. Agee over the decades, he is the consummate gentleman. "Everyone who knew him, loved him," said Allen.
Of the executive echelon of the bank, the directors and board chairman, Allen was friendly with Charles Rhyne Jr., Dr. Fred M. Valentine Jr., and had met Dr. Valentine Sr., "who was an awesome guy." Allen did not know Col. Charles Rhyne, Sr.
"We all learned from each other," said Allen, who took advantage of two years at the new community college that opened in 1970, Walters State. He attended banking schools at LSU and Vanderbilt, and it was during this training accompanying Mr. Helms that he got to know and appreciate him much better.
Banking on a handshake
This was the time of manual typewriters, 10-key calculators with white tape spools, plenty of printed forms and a daily challenge of "balancing the cash drawer. . . . You stayed until it balanced."
During his five decades and looking back at the greatest change, it was in his mind, the Truth in Lending Act or Regulation Z. "At the time we thought it was the worst thing that happened." They couldn't image how banking would move forward under the new federal burden.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 14 Sep 2012.
Generations of families become compressed into moments
(c)2012 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
William Max Agee, Bill to his friends, celebrated his 94th birthday on September 10.
He was recently honored by his church, Providence Baptist and pastor Scott Gorrell,
and Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore. I got a chance to meet Bill's family and
make a special photo of him with his great granddaughter, Pyper Epley, who was
celebrating her 8th week of life. She is the daughter of Molly Ford, the daughter
of Jim and Terri Agee.
Author: David Popiel
At the middle of September the month is rapidly evaporating with drier air creating the perfect landscape for legions of yellow goldenrods and purple ironweed flowers about our hometown, as we get closer to the Autumn Equinox on the 22nd.
Everywhere I've look along roadsides I've seen new signs that may interest you, some of these attached to businesses and others hinting at directions to take. I've also learned a few things worth sharing such as birthdays, and where my future wanderings may take me. As a promise made to remind you, please make an effort to visit the local farmers market at the Tanner Building off Cosby Highway. During a summer visit I made many photos and share one here and more to come. I hope to entice you to make a visit and you will be surprised at the bargains and people you will meet, as I did.
Perhaps the highlights of last weekend were my reunion trip to the High Oaks Coon Club St. Jude fundraiser, Sept. 8, and the next day at Providence Baptist Church to make photos of Bill Agee. By chance Bill celebrated his 94th birthday on Sept. 10 so I was able to make a photo you see here for that special occasion. He got to hold and make baby talk with his 8-week-old great granddaughter, Pyper Ealy. Think about the span of time standing together at the altar of Providence Baptist Church where Bill has been active and important in securing the new church's future. And last week, according to the Kiwanis Club, Jim McSween and James Finchum celebrated birthdays Sept. 14. With the passing of Charlie Kickliter, former Kiwanis Club president, Jim, 82, and Reid Bailey, 92, are the oldest active Newport Kiwanians.
Allen Freeman on banking
Last week we visited with Allen Freeman and continue our story on his Aug. 31 retirement from National Bank of Tennessee. Allen talked about major bank changes, recently it has been home mortgage disclosure and the onerous reporting burdens brought on by the Great Recession since 2009.
His primary work and interest has been focused on making loans, something he has been doing well for more than 30 years. When he started, it was not uncommon for those wishing to borrow $100 or $200 to make an "oral application." This process probably went something like, "Can you loan me $200 until my tobacco crop comes in?" A handshake was the seal of the deal and promise to pay.
There were no credit checking agencies that could provide much data for rural areas because many people had no credit in what was much more a cash economy than in the 21st century credit economy. Allen recalls handing cash to people who were approved for a bank loan. It wasn't until some years later that loans were made via check that you could carry to the teller to cash.
"You knew people and if you didn't, somebody at the bank did. You knew their parents," he said. That's how he got his first $200 loan from the bank because the bankers knew his father, an honest hardworking man who paid his bills in cash. "Dad put his name on the dotted line."
Smaller consumer loans were popular at the busy bank, and in the 1960s and 1970s Newport Federal Bank then made only mortgage loans. M&P Bank did make consumer loans. NBT also made vehicle loans. "You could buy a new truck for a couple of thousand dollars. . . . A new Thunderbird for $3,000."
There were not many credit cards, people banked cash and borrowed cash and paid it back, too. Many of the borrowers were farmers, much like Allen remained through most of his life.
"We made a good many farm loans," tobacco especially as this was the cash crop once the tobacco warehouses got established with the help of folks like Col. M.M. Bullard. On cold November mornings when sales started at Planters or Tennessee Tobacco Warehouse, Allen and other bankers would be there offering hot coffee, pens, and hospitality.
It is a promotion and service that has disappeared but was well entrenched through the 1980s during the height of the tobacco industry. "You wanted them to deposit tobacco sales money. You gained new accounts and business."
Among the things that have made him the happiest during his banking career include his customers. Allen has gotten to know many people who are like family and friends. And he is pleased to provide some financial help to them. As you might suspect, a busy person at work also extends those habits away from work. He and his family have spent many years farming. Allen and Betty live off Old Greeneville Highway on a portion of farmland that is a small chunk of what used to be the Boyers farm.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 19 Sep 2016.
(March 29, 1944 - September 19, 2016)
U.S. Veteran Walter Allen Freeman, age 72 of Parrottsville, passed away Monday, September 19, 2016. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. He was a member of Cave Hill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of Newport Camp of Gideons. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Pearl Freeman; parents-in-law, William and Hilda Grice. Married October 8, 1966, he is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Betty Grice Freeman; daughters, LaDuska O’Quinn (Scott) of New Market, Laura Robertson (Robert) of Parrottsville, and Cathy Freeman of Columbia, South Carolina; grandchildren, Jacob O’Quinn of New Market, Andrew Robertson of Parrottsville, Bailey O’Quinn of New Market, and Breanna Robertson of Parrottsville; brother, Gary Freeman (Reva) of Parrottsville; brother-in-law, Roger Grice (Debra) of Newport; godson, Matthew Campbell (Regenia) of Kingsport; and his special angel, Mandy Tochloke of Parrottsville. The family will receive friends from 4:00pm-8:00 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 in the Manes Funeral Home Chapel with funerals services following at 8:00 pm. Burial will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 22, 2016 in the Cave Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gideons. Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
name: Charles Freeman
titles & terms:
event: Marriage
event date: 06 Jul 1943
event place: Cocke, Tennessee
age:
estimated birth year:
father:
father's titles & terms:
mother:
mother's titles & terms:
spouse: Pearl Self
spouse's titles & terms:
spouse's age:
spouse's estimated birth year:
spouse's father:
spouse's father's titles & terms:
spouse's mother:
spouse's mother's titles & terms:
reference number: 2171
film number: 1928651
digital folder number: 004485966
image number: 00443
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
name: Betty Jane Grice
also known as:
suffix:
event: Marriage
event date: 08 Oct 1966
event place: Cocke, Tennessee, United States
gender: Female
spouse: W A Freeman
spouse's also known as:
spouse's prefix:
spouse's suffix:
page: 28
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