U.S. Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger embraced Earlene Teaster at her retirement party last month.
I don’t think anyone knew how much it meant to me to be invited last month to the big blowout at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge for Earlene Teaster‘s retirement from her long tenure as Pigeon Forge city manager.
I first met her in 1979 when I was a wet-behind-the ears cub reporter in Sevier County and she was the city recorder for Pigeon Forge. She was kind to me as I covered Pigeon Forge City Commission meetings for the Gatlinburg Press and Sevier County News-Record, which today are published together as The Mountain Press. I admit I was a little intimidated by her confidence. She was an old hat at it, having first gone to work for Pigeon Forge in 1962, the same year the city was incorporated.
In 1980, I moved on to report for The Knoxville Journal. And Earlene Teaster was named city manager of Pigeon Forge, making her the first female city manager in Tennessee. When she retired on June 30, she also had the distinction of being the longest-serving city manager in Tennessee.
“As I reflect on my time in office, I’m overwhelmed with immense gratitude as I know what a blessing it has been to serve this fine city and its people,” Teaster said in a news release when she announced her planned retirement. “I’ve lived my entire life in Pigeon Forge and gotten a front row seat to watch the city and my family grow, and both have brought me tremendous joy. I close this chapter with the certainty and confidence that Pigeon Forge’s foundation is solid, and the best is yet to come.”
LeConte Center, the site of the event, was opened in 2013 in Pigeon Forge.
Sue Carr and Leon Downey. She’s marketing director and he’s executive director of the Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism.
Ron Newcomb, left, and Jimbo Whaley.
Norma Ogle and Jim Gass are both former city attorneys for the city of Pigeon Forge. She’s a retired Criminal Appeals Court judge; he’s currently a Circuit Court judge.
Pigeon Forge Police Chief Richie Catlett and his wife, Stacey Catlett.
Linda Ogle and her constant companion, Annie.
From left, Janice Wallin, Ricky Gresky, Bonita Clabo, and David Wear, who has since been named Pigeon Forge City Manager.
Former long-time Mayor Ralph Chance and Jenny Chance.
A very special cake.
And cupcakes!
Teaster and David Ogle.
From left, Rick Rudder, Phil Campbell, Jeff Taylor, and John McClure.
From left, Pigeon Forge City Attorney Nathan Rowell, Nathan Carr, and Kevin McClure. McClure, a city commissioner, has since been elected Pigeon Forge mayor.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, left, and Sheriff Michael Hodges, Jr.
Jeff Farrell of the Mountain Press, left, and Pigeon Forge City Attorney Nathan Rowell. (Thank you, Nathan, for inviting me!)
From left, Jimbo Whaley, Eric Brackins, and Kevin McClure.
Karen and City Commissioner Jay Ogle.
Former Pigeon Forge Police Chief Jack Baldwin left, and John Batson.
Ellen Wilhoit, left, with Linda Ogle and Annie.
Teaster, left, with Andrew and Brenda Byrd.
Developer Darby Campbell.
Brenda McCroskey, left, with John and Mary Joselyn.
Cake wasn’t the only food! There also were turkey and pimento cheese sandwiches and lots of fruit.
There even were special water bottles!
From left, Nathan Rowell, Judge Keith Cole, Norma Ogle, Brian Bibb, and Deb Campbell.
What a surprise! I haven’t seen Bob Bowers in decades! Since he was the city of Knoxville’s Director of Engineering in Mayor Randy Tyree’s administration and I was a reporter covering City Hall! He hasn’t changed a bit!
Finally the crowd settled down for a program.
How sweet.
Teaster was about to receive a LOT of proclamations and a lot of praise! Former Mayor Ralph Chance was one of the presenters. He was mayor for 18 years.
Sevierville City Manager Dustin Smith. The three main cities in Sevier County work closely together.
Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company.
Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters gives Teaster a hug — and a proclamation. Waters has held that post since 1978. (Although the position was called County Executive until 2003.)
Members of Pigeon Forge City Commission take the stage: From left, Kevin McClure, Teaster, Jay Ogle, Tony Watts, and then-Mayor David Wear. McClure has since been selected to be mayor and Wear is city manager.
Here are some members of the Teaster family. It’s a large one! She is the mother of two, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of four.
Several dignitaries who couldn’t make it to the event offered video tributes. These included country superstar Dolly Parton who said, “From one Smoky Mountain girl to another: congratulations! I am proud of you and I will always love you!”
City employees Marsha Nelson and Mike Gwinn surprised Teaster with a very special song:
You’ve outdone yourself with this one, Cynthia.
Sandra: How nice of you to say! Do you know Earlene?
Nope. Just as a name.
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