Furrows named “Heroes;” party looks like hootenanny!

John Tolsma and his son, John II, were the emcees last week when his in-laws, Sam and Ann Furrow, were designated “Heroes of Southern Appalachia” at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris. 

Sam and Ann Furrow at the Museum of Appalachia prior to receiving the “Heroes of Southern Appalachia Award.”

The award, in its fifth year, recognizes “individuals of Southern Appalachian
heritage who exemplify perseverance, fortitude, self-reliance, and service.”

But John, upon looking around the room, declared, “This just looks like a hootenanny with their best friends!”

He was right! The place was packed with folks there to celebrate the venerable couple, most of whom count the Furrows among their closest companions.

Sam Furrow accepting his award. He also is vice chair of the board of the Museum of Appalachia.

A Roane County native, Sam is widely recognized as one of East Tennessee’s most influential business and civic leaders. He founded and built Furrow Auction Company and went on to establish and lead business ventures in automotive dealerships, heavy equipment, and real estate development throughout the region.

In addition to his business success, he has held senior leadership roles with major community institutions, including serving as chair of the board of the United Way of Greater Knoxville and chair of the board of Zoo Knoxville, as well as president of the Tennessee Auctioneers Association and president of the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also played a key role in guiding the Museum of Appalachia’s transition to nonprofit status in 2003, strengthening the Museum’s long-term sustainability and ensuring its continued role as a public steward of Southern Appalachian history and culture.

He also is known for generously donating his time as an auctioneer at many civic and charity functions.

Ann Furrow making acceptance remarks.

Ann Furrow, a Maryville native, is recognized for a series of historic firsts at the University of Tennessee and for her lasting impact on women’s athletics and higher education. She became the University’s first female Vol golfer. She was also the only woman to compete on a men’s varsity athletic team and the first woman to receive an athletic scholarship at the University.

Ann Furrow later became the first woman and youngest person appointed to the University’s Board of Trustees, where she served for 18 years, including as vice chair and as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.

As an amateur golfer, she achieved national distinction, at one time ranking as the number one woman golfer and among the top ten golfers overall in the United States. She was also involved in the early development of the Lady Vol golf program. In recognition of her contributions to the University, a main thoroughfare in Sorority Village was named in her honor. She  has been inducted into the Tennessee, Greater Knoxville, and Blount County Sports Halls of Fame. Beyond the University, she has served in leadership and advisory roles with a wide range of civic, educational, and community organizations, including Covenant Health, Fort Sanders Foundation, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Spiritual Heritage Knoxville.

Both are active members of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville.

Previous winners of the “Heroes of Southern Appalachia Award” are Alex
Haley, Dr. Joe Johnson, Jim Hart, Gen. Carl Stiner, Sen. Howard Baker, and Pete DeBusk.

From left, John Tolsma, Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, and John Tolsma, II.

Michell and Jim Clayton at the start of the evening.

Old “Tennessean” colleagues Tom Ingram, left, and Alan Carmichael.

Tom and Terri Hale.

Sandy and the Hon, Gary Wade, retired Tennessee Supreme Court chief justice and chair of the board of the Museum of Appalachia.

Former Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander, standing, with, from left, Jane and Bill Carl and Joan Ashe. Jane and Lamar are siblings.

Jenny and UT President Randy Boyd. She’s secretary of the Museum of Appalachia’s board of directors.

From left, former Knoxville Vice Mayor and City Council member Joe Bailey; Tennessee Lt. Governor Randy McNally; and former minority leader of the Tennessee House of Representatives Jim Henry, who also is on the board of the Museum of Appalachia.

Sharon and Joe Pryse.

Bill and Donna Cobble.

Cindi and Pete DeBusk.

From left, former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, UT Women’s Athletic Director Emeritus Joan Cronan, and Lamar Alexander.

A sold-out crowd.

Wendy and Dale Wortham.

Museum of Appalachia Board Member Bear Stephenson, left, and John Tolsma.

A Southern dinner wowed everyone! Clockwise from top left: sugar snapped peas cooked with pork fat; Kennebec potato puree; wild mushroom chicken thighs with a rich mushroom sauce; slow-braised pork loins with apples and sweet onions; and spicy cornbread with a Parmesan crust.

“Perfect” chocolate cake, left, and Hummingbird cake.

From left, Barbara and Dale Keasling, Cheryl and Mack Gentry. Dale is treasurer of the museum’s board.

Jane and Bo Shafer.

David and Martha Reynolds.

From left, Duffy, Suzanne, Wes and Liz Stowers. Wes is on the museum’s board.

Heather Waliga Griffin and Kevin Griffin.

Flynt and Carter Griffin.

Nancy and museum board member Steve Dean.

The Museum of Appalachia Band playing, fittingly, a song called “The Auctioneer.”

Museum of Appalachia President Lindsey Meyer Gallaher and Board Chair Gary Wade. She’s the granddaughter of Museum of Appalachia founder John Rice Irwin.

Joan Cronan, left, and Diana Cantu, head women’s golf coach at the University of Tennessee. The beautiful bowl in the foreground was the award. It was created by Bill Capshaw of Oak Ridge.

John Tolsma, left, and John Tolsma, II. He was joking about how many ribbons Sam Furrow has cut in his career!

Board member and John Rice Irwin’s daughter Elaine Meyer.

The evening concluded with Lamar Alexander and the Museum of Appalachia Band performing “The Tennessee Waltz.” Lovely.