Shelbyville Mills School

The name sounds familiar! What year are you talking about moonwalker?

Caligal, I can't take any credit for the pictures but thank you for saying what you did! I'm not sure of the names of people there (I wasn't able to attend) but I do know the first picture Redddj posted had been commented on as a "Carroll family reunion" and I did recogonize Ben in back of his sisters on the front row. And thank you for all your comments that I enjoyed reading about! Take care and hope to read more from you as you post!

Thanks redddj!

Shelbyville Mills School reunion * December 1, 2012

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-p...

Shelbyville Mills School reunion * December 1, 2012

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-a...

Caligal,

You probably wouldn't want to give out your email, but I have the pictures saved! If you're on facebook there is a page about Shelbyville Mills and from there is a link to the person who was the one who got the reunion started and the pictures are posted there. I hope they are still there and hope you can find them as I don't know how to put them here on the blog and redddj did the ones I sent him from the Volunteer. I'll also check later on see if I can find them and you might can go from that. Good luck!

Happy Birthday Grits! Thanks for all the memories you've shared.

Been awhile since I've posted but wanted to put on here that today is the birthday of Grits! I wish him a happy one and perhaps some of you would like to do so as well!

A person who read some responses about the German POWs who worked in the fields off Shelbyville Mills Road asked how everyone reacted to them after they had been there a fews day. Can anyone help him?

Doug Moore was a very good all-round athlete. Left out of previous blog.

Sorry to hear about the passing of Logan Derting, we

were great childhood friends at the Rubber Mill. I

haven't checked this blog in quite a while so I do

offer my belated condolences to Logan's family. We

spent almost all our free time growing up just going

fishing, swimming and exploring around the river and

bluffs. Logan, Newsom Head and myself spent almost all our youth together at the village growing up, a

lot of great memories.

Warmest Regards to all who lived that wonderful time

at the Rubber Mill.

Newton Smelcer, Seattle, WA

Do any of you recall Doug Moore? I recall he was a really fine athlete Who played on some of the men'a teams and also coached one of the school teams for a brief time. Anyone ever play on the team he coached?

I lived across the street from the Watleys, who lived between The Dirtings and Sadlers. Patsy was a beautiful girl Logan must have been around 8 to 10 years old back then. Sorry about Logan and trust Patsy is doing well.

i knew logan. thats the only name we had for him.i would hav missed it in the gazette if they u

sed only his real name.

i also knew patsy. wife sees her often at walmart

reunion was real good.

silver: i did put a little notice on the blog but got no response

Mr. Melson, and all who have contributed to this Blog, I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your life.

There are some pictures on Facebook if any of you are on it. It's been so long since I attended Shelbyville Mills I didn't recognize some of the people there in the pictures. I'm sorry to say but I couldn't attend the reunion :(

The SMS reunion was a rousing success. With a reunion committee of one and the help of Fellowship for Christ Church we had about 40 attendees. Great to see them although I was surprised how much they had aged.

Kudos to Gene Williams and I hope this becomes a tradition.

Heard the reunion is at Fellowship for Christ church on Richdale Lane off Fairfield Pike a short distance out of town. Potluck about 11:30 or so on Saturday December 1.

They chased the aspirin and B C down with soft drinks mostly coca cola. See my remarks about the stacks of coca cola cases. They had to sell a lot of colas to make those stacks. Some times they would send an empty truck out just to pick up the cases of empty bottles. Without ever hearing about being green, these bottles were returned to the Coca Cola plant to be cleaned and reused. Milk bottles were also reused, in fact the residents would place their used bottles on their porch and someone, sometimes me, would collect them and return them to the store. The bottles were returned to the store paying the most or the one nearest. Of course for pay, not much. A cola cost a nickel and then a dime. My favorite was R C Cola. You got twice as much for the same price. We were in hog heaven when we had enough money to get the cola and a box of peanuts to pour into the drink. The peanuts were boxed and a prize of one cent or a nickel may be wrapped in waxed paper inside.

I would have thought it was because they sold soft drinks which were called dopes in some parts of the country.

Billy, Why do you think they called it "THE DOPE WAGON"?

If any of you are on facebook, it would be nice for you to check out the Shelbyville Mills School page and possibly download pictures you might have for everyone to see. Thanks ahead of time.

Thank you ArtistEyesBlue! Been trying to find out the details for sparkie46 and myself. Reggie was such a nice guy and I'll always remember him. Rest in Peace my friend.

I am so sorry to hear about Reggie. My prayers for his family and friends.

Found out through Redddj that Reggie Cunningham passed away during the night. Other than that, I can't find out when or where his funeral will be. Does anyone know?

Yes, there was a "dope wagon" still going in the early 1950. It was filled with sugar-filled goodies to keep the workers awake and on the job.

Candy, cookies, and sodas of all kinds. I didn't work in the mill, but I saw the wagon many times being loaded up for the runs.

Nah, make that the early 1940's.

A person asked me recently about a wagon that went among employees at their work stations in mill that sold various items to eat. She wanted to known such a wagon really existed, what foods were sold and what the cost was for some of the items back then. can anyone help?

Caligal,

Sara was a sister to Shirley Faye and Paul.

Thanks for posting this info about Barbara.

I recently saw an old rerun of 'Law & Order. I was amazed at how much Scott resembled his dad Tim. I was about 13 years old when I had my crush on his dad. I tell my friends this and their reply is, "yeah right"........

From 1990 t0 1995 I was the care taker for my mother in Cincinnati. I would pay meals on wheels to bring her lunch weekdays. They would always spend a few minutes talking to her. Once a man who was a regular came out while I was working in the front yard and said your mother is out of it or she can make up a good story. I ask how is that and he said "the way she tells it you grew up in Mayberry USA". I looked at him and said "you know it was better" Billy Joe

I went to school with Reggie and hate to hear about his problems. He was always around sporting events as a player or coach or umpire. May God Bless him at this time in his life and take care of him.

Thank you, Number 25! Thanks for the memories....

I have not been in Shelbyville for about 46 years but I felt like I had a wonderful reunion and some lost memories refound....It is nice to know that it is still a wonderful place to live and that some very wonderful people are still around.

Silver, I know what you mean! I was recently talking to someone my age recently about this blog and they said they longed for those days also. I think people are so weary of the things that are going on in this country now, that people are retreating from news/media and watching old movies and longing for the "good old days." I wonder what the courts would have said about our assemblies during Mr. Mills's days. A Bible passage and a hymn! Remember "This Little Light of Mine.".....? And we said the pledge and sang patriotic songs? I'm afraid we would be in the news everyday under today's scrutiny!

Some of the basketball players I can recall: 1957-58 team Kenneth Wells, Robert Posey, Johnny Donegan, Junior Donegan, & Donald Carroll.

1958-61 Gussie Wright, Danny Allison, Jimmy Stamps, Logan Derting, Bobby Morgan,Danny Wagner

Carl Arney, Jerry Lentz, Steve Lemay and David Fults.

Recently attended Bobby Kirk's funeral service and his brother Rodney conducted the services. I talked with Rodney some and he is living in Benton, Arkansas.

Basketball played a very big role in the lives of SMS students. I think they started us dribbling the ball around the floor in the first grade and we played very agressive games during recess. The coaches knew what they were doing; they passed on some great players to the high school teams.

DF, SO GLAD YOU FOUND US!!! This blog has meant so much to all of us who have participated. I do remember the big tournaments. It was very exciting to meet people from all over the place. There was some great basketball played in those tournaments. A really good memory....

So sorry to hear about Buddy Phillips. I remember him so well. He and his father would give me a ride to the gym so I could watch our basketball teams play once the store closed. But I had to walk home. I always stop at the store on the way to school. They were both always nice to me. I assume the obit is in the Shebyville Time gazette. I will go look for it.

My last name is Pilkington. Dorris

I had an uncle who was a deputy sherrif,I beleive. his name was Buford Clanton. I had no sister

Dorris,

Did you have kin on the Police Force a long time ago, and a Sister (C. F.).

I did check the funeral home website and discovered that this R. Cunningham is not "our" Reggie!!! Thanks!

When I saw that obit, my heart sank. I wish the obit notices were a little bit more informative.

A while back people were asking about the Kirks. I noticed in the paper today that Bobby had passed away and his brother, a former classmate at CHS, Rodney would be holding his service. May you rest in peace Bobby.

i don't remember a basket ball court either. i was there in 1952 so it could have been earlier. every thing was old then except the tennis court.

i flew model airplanes on the croquet court with gary bullion.

jerry

Mrs. Hall was the one.(Buchanan when I was there)She married a Mr. Lindsay Hall.

Gene Hudson was our school mate.

Normandy was the worst place to play. They had a pot belly stove on each end of the court just out from the goal. You did not drive in under the goal unless you wanted to chance getting driven into the stove. We had to change clothes in the restroom and after the game our clothes would be scrattered all over the floor

Thanks Jerry,

I believe you're right about the blog and I hate to see that. Looked at the obits and I saw the death of Harold Hudson and I think that was Gene too as we knew him. Perhaps some more people can remember things and get this up some more. I have lots of memories too and sometimes think I write too much. Any way, I hope you're doing well and take care.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if the Mrs. Hall that passed away this week is the same Mrs. Hall that was my fourth grade teacher at Shelbyville Mills. Thanks for any information ahead of time.

You are correct about that old gym at JHS caligal. Anytime a player drove under the basket for a layup there was no choice but to crash into those flimsy 1x6 boards forming the lower part of the wall. Some crashed through the boards and have scars to prove it.

Did anyone ever crash through the door leading outside at one end of the gym at Pleasant Grove?

Well Bo,

I remember the schools but forgot to mention them when I wrote about Pleasant Grove. My last year of playing we also played: Bell Buckle, Petersburg, Lewisburg, Winchester, and Cowan. That year (1956) we won the county tournament. Guess that was a senior moment on my part!

A reader asked me today what schools the Shelbyville Mills basketball teams played in regular season games other than Junior High School in Shelbyville.

I couldn't answer the question.

One thing is certain. Shelbyville Mills had the best gym to play home games of any other junior high school in the county.

Do any frormer SMS players recll the worst gym they had to go to on away games?

Happy New Year --- 2012 --Joel

Merry Christmas everyone.....

Joel

Although I was an outsider I suppose who attended Junior High School, I had some really great friends who attended SMS and I want to wish all of them Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for some fantastic memories.

In order of oldest Grant, Juanita, Helen and Nute

Caligal,

I never figured out who you were, but wanted you to know that I think you're right about Grant being the eldest. I remember my brother, Denzol, and he being good friends and they were the same age. He had a brother named Newt and I believe he wrote some on this blog and had his email address. Will check it out later and if so, perhaps people could email him. If not, I apologize for my mistake ahead of time.

David,

I want to thank you for the picture and it really does bring back some more old memories. I've "found" lots of people I grew up with and am now in touch with them by email. Sorry to see that there hasn't been much on here lately though.

I guess lots of people knew about George Tittsworth passing away. He was the husband of Jane Carroll who grew up at the "Rubber Mill".

To David Armstrong,

I keep looking to see if you answered my comment of who I was and about the picture of you boxing that was put on here. I guess I failed to mention my brother, Woody, as he would probably be closer to your age. Guess everyone knows him. Take care.

Dear Number 25,

My late brother, Carl, and I played on the basketball teams. He was a much better player than I. What is your name and the name of your sibling who attended SMS?

Jimmy Clanton ,age 70, passed away June 9 at Heritage Medical Center. He had been a pt at Glen Oaks Nursing Home suffering from cancer.

In the 50's, he lived on Earnheart St with his mother, sister, and two brothers. Jimmy's dad never came home from World War 2. He was sent to the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro suffering from "shell shock". Jimmy's mother went to see him every Sunday. May Jimmy rest in peace.

Billy Joe It is so good to hear from you, sorry it took me so long, I haven't looked at the blog in a long time. Juanita lives in Murfreesboro near her son and daughter.

a reunion would be fun.

Jpigg,

I don't know if this was your daughter that I just heard about that passed away but want you to know that if it is, I'm so deeply sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.

To Silver do you have any contact info.

you can find me on facebook

silver,

Thanks for the information! It was I who asked about him and since no one had answered me, I thought it was a senior moment I was having. I'm sorry to hear about their passing away. Do you know if he was a minister as I had thought he was in school for? Thanks ahead of time.

Reddj

You and your family are in my prayers. It is in God's hands. He knows best. Prayers from us all will not hurt. May God Bless and Comfort you and your family.

I just saw this in the obits today and know some of you will remember her as I did. I attended church with her. She was a wondeful woman and may she rest in peace.

Mrs. Frances Ruth Arney, age 84, of Shelbyville, died Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Heritage Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Reverend Charles Williams, will officiate, with burial to follow in Willow Mount Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-7 PM Monday at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Arney in 2008.

She was born June 27, 1926, in Dekalb County, to the late John Luther and Minnie Susan Cantrell Lowery. She was retired from Uniroyal Corporation and a member of Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sons, Carl Quenton Arney, and his wife Darlene, of Manchester, and James L. Arney, of Shelbyville; a daughter, Patricia Blevins, of LaVergne, Tennessee; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Activities Fund at Christian Care of Bedford County.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Well, I had a senior moment to the above statement. I did send the picture to Redddj to post but I had asked him to use Woody's name as he sent me the picture and he was grateful enough to do so. Please forgive all.

Sorry for the wrong information. I apologize.

I just wanted to say to everyone there in Shelbyville that my prayers are with you all after the storm last night. Where we live was also "in the line of fire" that was involved but we made it through all right. Take care everyone and may God bless all of you.

I don't believe the person doing the painting was Carlos Bailiff. His first name may have been Carlos, but Carlos Bailiff was my father-in-law. He did work at the Rubber Mill, but was not an artist, nor was he black. I'll ask around and see if I can find out. Yes, yes to a reunion!!!!

Wolf Clan,

It's later in the day and I realized he painted the background on the stage at SMSchool also.

The Black Fellow was Carlos Baliff. He was a fantastic artist.

If there is enough interest, Gene Williams and I plan to organize an SMS Reunion in early fall. You SMS Royals please post if you are interested.

FIRSTMOST

Number 25: I was in the Navy and sold my camera for $30 to buy a 7 day trip to Paris. It was the summer of 53, aboard the battle ship Missouri, taking Navy midshipmen on their summer cruise to Lisbon, Portugal and Cherbourg France. Rode the train to Paris. My friend and I met 6 young girls on their way to Paris where they danced at the Foiles Begere. We let them stay in our fancy hotel room and we slept in the lobby. They usually stayed in a very rough and cheap hotel. Sure wish I could have kept my camera, and had pictures of Lisbon, Cherbourg, Paris and especially those 6 dancers. I did get very friendly with one of them, but a diamond salesmen from Rhodesia showed us a large bag of large, fresh cut diamonds he was taking to London. She dumped me for the salesman faster than I could say "nice diamonds".

Dear Bo, You initiated this epilogue on August 13, 2010 and it is still going in March 2011! How wonderful it has been to see so many people joining in and sharing their memories and pictures. Every entry by someone evokes another memory from someone else. How wide your arms have been, Bo! Thank you for making this ol' lady very happy....very happy indeed!

Wolf Clan,

I respect your wishes and won't ask again, but I think people would remember you as the Shelbyville Mills area was like a large family.

Also, to bell_c! Sorry but I wasn't a Bell but knew them and went to church with them as well.I grew up there so if I could give you any info I know and you want to ask me, I'll try to answer you.

Number25

Are you related to the Bells who lived at the Mill. I am a Bell. Like to talk about our family tree.

My email is bell_c@charter.net.

Wolf Clan,

Thanks for the info. Wish I knew who you are as you seem to know about me and my family. Perhaps we went to school together but right now I can't place who you would be.

Billy, I left out John (Brother) Allison. The one I mentioned before had the last name of Spence. I'm still trying to figure out the Bodie I mentioned. Bob Jones University was where students went to study for the ministry. I also remember there was a small store next to the Bells home but no one has mentioned it. One of my sisters worked there for awhile.

Number25, the only Troup I remember was Bill Troup. He lived in the cedars and was an only child. He was a very likable person. I was very sad when I read his Obit some months ago.

avaandsylviesmim, Sylvia, you Muriel, Justine and Mary Lee were a really something. Peggy and Jaunita may have in your group. I know Justine and Muriel have passed on, sometimes I would see Jaunita when I visited Justine and have wandered about the rest of the group. Billy Joe

NUMBER 25, Do you remember the players who played on the team that traveled to near by towns to play. I remembr Sonny Gray and maybe Calvin Blackman got me on the team and I believe Woody was also on the team,

that's Baptist parsonage. later mark went to work for the funeral home & they moved to town on fairfield pike.

Been awhile since I wrote anything here but I just read about Barbara in the newspaper online.She was the sister of Gale, but firstmost, they didn't live across from the school as that was my family and a few others mentioned on here before. Perhaps you're mistaking where they lived with another area of the Rubber Mill. Anyway, she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Barbara, I don't really remember you mom. But I do remember Dickerson's Studio placing portraits of some the prettiest girls of Shelbyville in the display window. Seems I remember a pretty Ann Gregory being there at one time.

I remember he took great pride in showing off The Horse Show Queens.

There was always something wonderful about Dickerson's photography. I often wonder whatever happened to all that art.

My all time favorite was a portrait of Uncle Billy Alexander from Bell Buckle.

I know this is a bit off subject, but memories are memories, we take them as they come.

Dear Grits,

I made a mistake and thanked Bo for writing about my Mom, (Ann Gregory Halmontaller) skating across the Shelbyville Mills floor.

I should thank you for the comment about her. Like I told Bo, she was a great skater. We skated at Tullahoma, Winchester, the old tent rink set up at Chapel Hill and as far away as Huntsville, Alabama. Of all the times we skated together, I can only recall her falling twice.

There was a hairline crack in the floor at Tullahoma, and she went down. Also, someone must have lost a bolt or screw on the floor which caused her to fall. Not a bad record of those mishaps for so many times at the rink!

Luckily, there were no broken bones or injuries that resulted from the falls.

I know Mom would have been proud that someone had remembered her skating and cheerleading days. I think she is probably smiling down at you and the others for those memories. Thanks again!

Donna H. Cartwright

Speaking of Shelbyville Mills School, there is a good article in this weeks Baptist and Reflector about Kayla Bryant. Kayla is the daughter of Dawn West Bryant and Mark Bryant, and the Grandaughter of Edna West and Aaron West.

Duke Snider, Hall of Fame center fielder for the Dodgers during the 50's passed away today at the age of 84.It seems that part of our life keeps slipping into history. I know that's part of life, but it's still sad.

cody 1 and bo, I also remember Ann when she worked at the T-G in the little brick building behind the Gunter Building. Ann ran the Address-O-Graph machine that imprinted the addresses on papers that were to be mailed.

Bo,

I read your comment about Mom, Ann (Gregory) Halmontaller and Bill Troup skating across the Shelbyville Mills gym floor.

I will have to agree, Mom was a magnificient skater! She continued to skate until knee surgeries prevented her from doing so. She and I spent many hours at the rinks. She actually taught me how to skate backwards and also how to do the two step.

Having lost Mom in May 2010, these memories are helping me to get through the most difficult time of my life. Thanks for the memories!

Sincerely,

Donna H. Cartwright

shemac, Did you see your uncle Bobby's picture in the photobucket above. My sister is also in the photh.

shemac, Ask your dad if this is true. When he first started dating Willa Dean, Wille ask his dad to use his car. Mr. Saddler said if he wanted to see that girl he could walk across the fields to her house. Well Willie climed the fence behind our house and headed to Sims road through the fields. Then Marriage and you. Billy Joe

Bo, During the late 90's and early 2000's we had SMS reunions yearly in a building (forgot the name of the roads) going out past the T G the road forks and you stayed left and the meetings were on the right. Could have been the American Legion building. Sonny Gray and Calvin Blackman were active in organizing the meetings. Four or five years ago Bead Cook was involved in setting up the reunion. This time we met at a restaurant on the Tullahoma Highway just past the railroad tracks on the left. That is the last one I heard about. Mr. Campbell came to some of the early reunions. Billy Joe

Shemac Your father has to be Willie, He lived next door to my aunt and uncle. My cousins Ronald, Justine and Wanda Faye Watley and I lived across the street from my cousins. Henry, Preston and Willie were great friends. Robert was older and I think he moved away. Mary Lee and Justine were great friends.

Billy Joe

NUMBER 25 Was reading through the blogs again and saw your question about Mr. Mills. Miss Womack was principal for several years and I was in her sixth grade class. Mr Shelton's fifth and seventh grade. The next year Miss Womack went to teach at CHS. Mr. Mills had been the Princal at CHS and was moved to SMS as principal. He was my eight grade teacher. He was a very nice guy as long as you stayed out of trouble. I remember Charles Edward (Bulldog) Tucker, one of my good friends in the villege had moved to Nashville. One day during recess I saw him coming into the building and I yelled out Bulldog and started toward him and Mr. Mills grabed me and ask did you say that and by then Bulldog was there and he realized who I was talking to and let me go. Later I was told that Bulldog was the nick name the students called him at CHS, behind his back of course.

KHL Rent was deducted from checks weekly.

Hi Billy Hall. Nice to hear from you. Your brother Ernest and sister Loraine(?) were like family for so many years. Thanks for trying to scan the picture of us that I and my sisters will sure enjoy seeing. Bobby Brown

Gsanders, I can't remember your name, but I know who you are. Tom and Edna were very good friends of ours. We lived in Nashville and when we visited my mother we would also visit Tom and Edna. While visiting your parents we would play cards. You would stand around and watch, Edna would ask about your home work and send you of to study. Once while studing we heard this jumping up and down noise. When Edne went to see what was going on, she came back laughing. You explained to her that your teacher told you to study your spelling words and skip around and thats exactlly what you were doing. Skipping round the table. We still tell that story and always get a good laugh. Tom and my brother were great friends. Hope you are doing well. BJH

WHO SAYS ONE POINT IS NOT IMPORTANT?

SMS beat Junior High School 26 to 25 in the 1956-57 county basketball tournament. Jimmy Faulk had 25 points and Reggie Cunningham added 1 point. Way to go Reg.

The reference to Auston "Pinky" Davis is so true.

Auston has been my brother-in-law for 59 years this August. I am the preacher and he has been my inspiration. Truly one of the finest men I know.

An earlier post alluded to Austin "Pinky" Davis. In case you are wondering how he got his nickname, here is one version. In the late 1940's, the Central High basketball coach was George Swing. He had two red headed players: James Gregory and Austin Davis. He decided there couldn't be two Red's on the team. Since James had the darkest red, Coach Swing said you will be "Red" Gregory. Austin had a lighter red so he became Pinky". I hope that clears things up.

Speaking of Austin Davis, he probably had more influence on the boys who came from Shelbyville Mills than anyone. As a Christian, he taught the Juniors at Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church. Not only did he talk the talk, but he walked the walk. In sports, he not only taught us the basics, but instilled the desire to win. We never gave up even if we were way behind. As a scoutleader, he was always prepared. Troop 125 always walked away with most of the Scout awards.

When I left home to join the Air Force, I didn't have much more than the clothes I wore to Basic. However, I left with confidence, the will to be a winner, and a well worn New Testament that "Pinky" had taught me to use. I know now that I was a "rich" teenager and a great deal I owe to Austin "Pinky" Davis.

I noticed this today in the obits and some might remember him:

Mr. Clarence Edward Ewing, age 83, of Shelbyville, died Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at Glen Oaks Convalescent Center.

Funeral services will be 1 Pm Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Feldhaus Memorial Chapel. Brother Ora Walls will officiate, with burial to follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Marshall County.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service Saturday.

He was born January 23, 1928, in Bedford County, to the late John A. and Leara Gant Ewing. He was retired from Uniroyal and a retired security guard from Calsonic.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ewing, of Shelbyville, and two sisters, Mary Rippy and Lettie Garner, both of Shelbyville. He was a Father To All.

Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To: JEPIGG

You are right about Brenda Davis being in our class. I'm pretty sure Harvey Cook was too, but he didn't go on to high school. NUMBER25 mentioned someone named Doster. The closest name I could think of was Melba Sue Dodson and she was a year ahead of us.

Another interesting story about Mr. Cortner's class was the world series. Back then the games were played in the day time. Gayle Bearden and Terry Grey lived across the street from SMS. Mr. Cortner let the Dodger fans go to Gayle's house to watch the games and the Yankee fans went Terry's house. The girls went to the playground. Can you imagine what the Board of Education would say now? Back then, we didn't let education get in the way of learning.

My mother tells me that the rent for us when we lived in the Cedars was $3.25 per month or maybe a week.

KLH

The cedars were built later. They actually just

ran out of houses in the village. Some people owned their homes, such as the Moore's and the Adgents. I believe some privately owned homes were rented to the mill workers.

Firstmost,

I stand corrected! Summers did go to S.Mills for awhile and I was using that as my basis for what I wrote. I'll try to do better from now on.

And Sparkie46, thanks for the picture of Dorothy. I remember her well and she was very beautiful.

Number 25

You are right about Harvey Cook, but Summers Pass went to Wheel. I remember tackling him when we had an 8 man football team. We wore leather helmuts.

I think Linda Rollins went to Wheel.

sparkie46 you can send to me and will be glad to post.

redddj@yahoo.com

I have a newspaper picture of Dorothy Holman. I was going through a lot of all stuff and came across it. I think my mother may have cut it out of the paper. It look like it may be the picture they put in the paper for her obituary. But I am not sure all I have is have is the picture. I would be glad to send it to someone to post if they would let me know who to send it to.

If I remember correctly I think that the iP2 race car was also driven at one time by Freddie Prosser. I do know that before iP2 found fame as a race car that old Plymouth was our "Service Car" at Landers Service Station at the corner of Depot and Derry streets beside the present day T-G building.

Clarence Skinner passed away eight years ago today.

SHELBYVILLE MILLS COMMUNITY

If Norman Rockwell had been asked to design an idyllic community, he couldn't have done a better job than Shelbyville Mills. We had everything within walking distance: church, school, grocery store, rec center, and swimming hole.

In 1957, Mr. Cortner was both the 8th grade teacher and principal. Jerry Cunningham sat by the door and ran across the hall to answer the phone. Compare that to the huge administrative staff the schools have now.

Members of that class as best as I can remember:

Kenneth Couser, Thomas Gray, Buck Moore, Gayle Bearden, Brent Lokey, Glen Rainey, Jimmy Clanton, Robert Bonds, Dwight Graham, Buster Waters, Gary Hitson, Terry Gray, Gene Hudson, Ralph Moulder, Jerry Pigg, ? Skinner, Bobby Allison, Jerry Cunningham, Lamarr Neese, Robbie Holman, Donna Rae Thompson, Helen Young, Linda Nowlin, Mary Ann Vandergriff, Vivian Cook, Anna Auberry, Sara Cook, Geraldine Adgent, Wilma Jo Dycus, Edward Gibbs,Wanda Rainwater,Josephine Butler. If anyone has any corrections, please post them. Your memory is the second thing to go. I've forgotten what the first one is.

Early 1960's - Hart Hastings owned modified racer at Fairgrounds Speedway, Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-s...

Number25 and redddj: Thanks a million. I sent the article about our dearly departed sister Margaret on to my sisters Barbara and Betty. They are going to be very surprised and delighted by the memories of a very special time in their lives. Also thanks to Bo Melson for originating the blog of SMS. It has been a joy for so many to see and remember some of the happiest times of our lives.

So many times, for so many years, I have wished I could relive some special times in my past, and thanks to you 3, a lot of those wishes came true.

Kenneth,

It sure sounds like something I should remember, but if anyone could really remember it would be Redddj.

And Grits, I told Redddj that was all I had, but am glad I relooked at my items. I found the article of Margaret's wedding shower and when I get it scanned, he'll post it for me and you can pass it along.

Thanks a lot to him for doing the posting online for me and I did send him my thanks in an email as well.

number25, I found Barbara's name at the top of pt2. I sent it to her in email. She will be excited to see it, I know.

Thanks number25 and redddj for the pics. Enjoy all of them. number25, I did'nt see the article where Barbara joined church. Maybe my eyes, which are not very clear these days, missed it.

Bales of tire cord at the plant

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Eddy Arnold with Lonzo & Oscar from WSM Grand Ole Opry peform at Shelbyville Mills School Gym

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Courtesy: Number25

Old Timers Meeting at Holland Camp

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Photo courtesy: Number25

United States Rubber Company Old Timers Banquet

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Grady (Butch) Milholen presents award to Frank Martin - United States Rubber Company

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Household shower for Billie Carol Fults - February 1953

Courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Doll Party hosted by Mrs. June Carroll

Courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Mrs. Thompson hostess to brush party

Courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Shelbyville Mills Baptist & Shelbyville Mills Church of Christ News

Courtesy: Number25

Part (1)

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Part (2)

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Number25 and redddj, thanks a million for the pictures and articles. Lot's of memories of happy days, and very sad days, in the lives of Heaven bound souls, I used to know and see. The world has turned so many times passing by Decembers, and now only a few will remember , the faces in the pictures of those dearly departed members.

A couple of the people who have made comments made remarks related to Empire and Musgrave Pencil Company. I googled and found this interesting link related to Musgrave Pencil Company.

http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/places/m...

Shelbyville Mills Sick Bay Report

Courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Norman Hasty presents badges to Shelbyville Mills School Boy Scout members. (December 1952)

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Howard Leverette - United State Rubber Company

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

H. A. Pinkston retires from United States Rubber Company - February 1953

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Edward Johnson, Jr. - United States Rubber Company

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa38...

Number25: Thanks again and I hope I can identify some of the people, although at 80 yrs I am forgetting names I should remember. But, maybe my sister Barbara or Betty will remember. We sure had wonderful neighbors on our street. From the Clays, then Pinkstons, then Browns, then Brahsheirs, then Grays, then Davis and the Thompsons. Your mother was a great lady and all the mothers on the street worked so hard and for so many hours and all of it devoted to their children and family. I do remember many of those ladies working in the Mill during the summer when it was 96 deg outside and no air conditioning, just bans to cool them down some. If you google the "child labor in Georgia cotton mills" you can see the little 13 yr old girls that worked in the mills before they outlawed child labor. That is why the mills were moved to the south; for child labor.

firstmost... welcome to this blog. I too feel like moving on from 'the village'.

I remember Betty Ruth Wells, she lived in the shadow of Musgrave & Empire, yet she and her siblings were a part of SMS.

I lived in Bakertown, I can still smell the cedar from those pencil mills.

I am a little late jumping into this exchange. I lived on Pencil Street which was fondly known as "Rat Row". Although our parents worked at Musgrave, we were still part of the rubber mill gang. In the late 40's, we fielded our own basketball team - the "Rat Row Gophers". Players I remember include Paul Allison Jr. (recently deceased. Jim McBride (deceased), John Allison (deceased) and Monk Harris (?). I had a paper route in the mill area and will post stories as time permits.

Thanks redddj for the photos and stories. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

U. S. Royal Bowling Team - May 1949

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Front Row (left to right)- Fred Phillips & Hugh Searcy, Center Row - John Dooley, Back Row (left to right) J. C. Pilkington (standing), Norman Hasty (seated), Carlton McCarty (seated), Bob Fort (standing)

Photo courtesy: Number25

Scouting

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Junior League Baseball - May 1949

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Announcements related to Sonny Gray & Bobby Charles

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Shelbyville Mills School classes present plays featuring Barbara Ann Brown tap dancing.

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

I am the granddaughter of Ed & Willie Bell Thomas Adgent. My mom is Edna Lee Adgent McCarty Nash. I Lived in the village for about 5 years , the beginning of my life, but I visited my mom's family throught my life. I really don't remember my dad, Robert Lewis McCarty, because he died in an automobile accident when I was 18 months old then my mom married Tom Nash, I was about 5. We moved to "town" but I still called Shelbyville Mills home & I am proud of it. I read all the names in this blog and I know or remember just about all of them. My great grandmother was Lena Thomas, but we called her mammy, she was a pistol. Another lady Josie Cunningham lived next to my mom's family. She was like my grandmother, I don't believe she ever married, but I remember she wore a bonnet & walked to the store with me. She also had a bucket on her porch that caught rain water & I drank from it with a dipper. Cold & good! She also had a Cherry tree in her side yard that I climbed & ate the cherries. I love reading everyone's memories. I didn't go to school in the village but I went to basketball games & the store that sold tennis shoes behind the gym. Thanks I feel happy & sad Bye

Grits, I had always thought it was you but wasn't sure so I just had to ask. As others have noted, I'm the youngest, Donna, and remember all of you. Just as a refresher, the Grays lived next door to you all, then the Davis family. I have an article about Margaret when she was first married. I'll try to find it and send it to Redddj to post for your benefit. I have some more things that he knows about and then that will be it. I'm glad I found this blog and being able to share. Take care and God bless you as well.

Look @ that # 400, fantastic.

Merry Christmas everyone, may 2011 bring you more great memories.

Remember when Photo http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Posted by redddj on Thu, Dec 16, 2010PM

I have the Times Gazette clipping with the info at the bottom of the picture:

This submitted photo features Shelbyville Mills School's eight grade graduation of May 17, 1945. Left front: Eliza shearin, Edna Lee Adgent, Mary E. Rogers, Rosie Lee Lynn, Cherry Ann Day, Billie Jean Helton, Robert Lemay (Sadler, my father's 'brother'), Mable Oldfield (my mother's sister), LaJune Waggoner: second row, school offical Helen Womack, Katherine Gray Keeling, Dudly Delffs, Lorraine Hall, Millie Jo Gray, Emma Jean Moore, Nellie Mai Lynn, Faye Russell, Billie Jean Thompson and Nolin Harris.

I've always liked the greeting a cashier gave me on a Dec 24 day in New Zealand. "Merry Christ Day" she said with a smile as I checked out.

To number25, Caligal, Bo Melson and all the wonderful commenters that have graced this site; where I found heart warming visions of persons and places etched in my memory. At this time of year I always like to thank God for giving me the nourshing warmth of summer. In spite of the cutting, slicing and chopping I've done to kill and gather the 60 years of harvest I've stolen from her.

Road named in honor of Mary Pepper Fort. Mrs. Fort's husband was an employee of U. S. Rubber Company.

http://www.t-g.com/story/1688702.html

My maiden name was Victory. Buddy in the photo posted on 12/12/10 was my uncle. Even though our house was on SM Rd, I considered it "beside the school". :-)

We lived in the 3rd house on SM Rd from the corner of Jackson St & SM Road (Crouse's lived on the corner) from '66-'92 when my parents had the house moved to land they bought a few miles south of town. The Fults (then later Brantley's) lived between the Crouse's and us, the Grangers lived on the other side till they both passed away, then Mr & Mrs Thurman Seagroves' moved in (John & Bonnie Baskins & their baby moved in after the Seagroves passed away - I think it became a rental after the Seagroves passed away). I think the Troupes lived next door, then Billy Rogers moved next to them.

I went back down to check the neighborhood out during my visit home in Oct and took some photos that I hope to post soon. I left home after I graduated in '81 and boy it's changed a lot. Right now I'm back in Delaware and in the process of moving, so it'll be a little bit.

Freddy Fryar of Chattanooga, TN wheels the #14 around the dirt facility called the Legion Bowl located in Nashville in 1957

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Charlie Griffin, Chattanooga, TN driver of Hastings & Tune modified racer

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

1961 - Hart Hastings at Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Charlie Griffin driver of #14 owned by Hart Hastings, Brooks & George Tune

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

I have several pictures related to racing. Hart Hastings, Brooks & George Tune a big part of the mill area. I am going to share some of the photos.

Donnie Redd

1957 Nashville 100 at Legion Bowl Nashville, TN (the last race ran on this speedway won by the car owned by Hart Hastings, Brooks & George Tune.

Photo (left to right): Hart Hastings, Freddy Fryar (driver), Brooks Tune, George Tune & Bennie Goodman

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Not sure of the year and those in the picture. Perhaps those who are viewing the Shelbyville Mills School blog can help out.

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Billy Lovvorn & Carlton McCarty

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

I remember boxing Buck Moore at the SMS gym. He knocked me foolish in the first round. I remember his girl friend back then. Mary Ruth Walker. She married Ernest Shelton, Jerry Shelton's older brother.

This is the way I remember. Correct me if I am wrong.

KLH

Yes redddj, I think I was in Linda class it been along time and sometime I forget some of the name because we had a good size class of around 30 kids. Thank caligal for the information on the Holman, they were the older girls us young kids always looked up to. I am not sure what ever happened to Robbie or Ricky.

Dorothy and Robbie Holman were dear friends and playmates of mine. Their house was always a

buzz of activity. We would get together and cook

and do acrobatics in their yard. Robbie was

especially talented at this. I moved away from

the village after the 6th grade and lost contact

with them until high school. Dorothy's death was

hard to take. I was at the skating rink when she

was hit by the car and it was heartbreaking. She

was indeed a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul

and heart.

Thanks jepigg for the info, I heard Walter took his on life (not sure if that true), I think he was in Flordia at the time. Thanks for reminding me about Robbie and I am not sure what every happen to Rickie. Yea Buck Moore that right I can recall listening to the high school football games when I was in grammar school and I think he played end for them. I graduated from SMS in 1960 but recall a lot of the older kids mention here. The Grays (I think I am a cousin to them), the Carrols, Austin Davis, Hixon Pugh, etc.. I went to school with Helen Carrol

Royal Wildcats Basketball Team

Bud Carroll, Sonny Gray, Jewell Pinkston, Charles Corneilson, Ben Carroll & Coach Austin Davis

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Cedar Tigers Basketball Team

"Remp" Bledsoe, Gene Howell, Paul Rittenberry, Bill Lovvorn, Buddy Victory, Calvin Blackman, Marvin Lovvorn & Coach Bobby Brown

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

Shelbyville Mills School Royalettes (1952 - 1953)

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

I was just in grammar school when Dorothy Hollman (not sure of the spelling) was hit by a car at the skating rink (I was friends with her brother Walter and there was a younger brother Ricky). I think I was in high school when Jackie Moore passed away in a car accident. Just wondering if any of you knew Dorothy. Base on some of the comment I have seen Jackie name mention but nothing about Dorothy.

grits, not only did you leave the past behind 65 years ago, some of us left it behind 55 years back. The memories of the Mill Village are so great for those who lived there, but this blog started about Shelbyville Mills School.

Give it up for those on Central Ave., Baker Street, Fishingford Pike, Sims Road, for each and everyone, find a memory.

Miss Helen Womack was the principal at SMS when I was in the seventh grade (47-48) and Mr. Mills became principal the next school year when she left to teach at SCHS.

Caligal, you're more than welcome. Am in the process of sending more pictures to Redddj to post for me. If I knew who you were, I could check to see if you're in any of them. The way you speak here, we must be close in age. Take care and am glad you wanted to see this blog as I have many memories that were forgotten, but not now with others sharing theirs.

Thanks for the info caligal.. I was to young to remember the name but I defintely remember one being around there. Again thanks for the info

Does anyone remember a restaurant in the village? It was close to the Floyd & Huffman Grocery store and I think next to the Moore's house. I must been around 4 yrs old when my parents took me there on a Friday night. I remember getting a hamburger. I do not know how long it was there but it I do not remember it after I started 1st grade which was about 1952.

Bo, good to see you at the Rec. center. Ben Green was the editor in June 1965 when I left. Gerald Tenny was Editor when I started to work at the T-G in 1962. I remember all the airplane trips Mr. Yates carried us in his private plane. I was 18 and never been in an airplane. I still have a photo with Virgina Tenny, myself and Mr Yates with the airplane. Do you remember when had we Southern Airlines in Shelbyville? Joe Reed and I flew back from Union City Tn. with Southern Airlines to Shelbyville. These are great memiores..Hey the Sports Editor in 1962 was a very important person.Shelbyville girls basketball team won the state title in 1964.

JFK was killed in 1963, I saw it on AP.

KLH

In response to the first entry about the basketball teams, I too remember the games between Shelbyville Mills School (SMS) teams and the JR High teams. Even though I did not play on the basketball team they were a lot of fun to attend. There was a big rivalry between us and the JR High at least to us Mill kids it was. To me it was like (Tennessee vs Vanderbilt), (Auburn vs Alabama), (Texas vs Texas A&M), etc. It there was one game you did not want to lose that was the one. We also played Wartrace, Bell Buckle, etc but the Jr High team was the one we always wanted to beat. I remember one year we were playing the JR High team on a Saturday night and Jerry Bell was one of the referees and he made a call against us which most of us Mill kids did not like. I think it cost us the game. Any way Jerry attended Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church, so that Sunday morning I am sure it was tough on him going to church.

Anyway it was a great rivalry and like the writer said we all merge together once we got to high school. Remember the girls teams were you had 3 guards and 3 forward and they stayed on their half of the court. They won the state championship in '64 my senior year.

Thank you to Mr. Woodrow Thompson and his Baby sister Donna for all the pictures and memories. You have stirred memories I didn't remember. Runing wild up and down the river and the woods in the "cedars" and the ball park the club house, and most pleasant those of Mrs. Ruth Cunningham.

For those of you who have FACEBOOK all of the pictures on this blog are on the FB page listed as Shelbyville Mills School

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelbyvill...

Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church early 1940's with Rev. Buford Bull

Photo courtesy: Woody Thompson

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Shelbyville Mills School 1949 Graduation Class

Photo courtesy: Woody Thompson

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Number25: Thank you very much for the pictures that you and Woody have contributed. I'm 80 now and we did'nt have a camera at home and depended on pictures in the Gazette or those made at our school. I went into the Navy in 1951 and was on the battleship Missouri when it went into Cherbourg, France. I signed up for a week trip down to Paris, but it cost $30 and I only had $7. I sold my camera for $30,and went: but I have always regreted that I don't have pictures to look at now of the trip, most of which has faded from my aging mind.

I really enjoy reading the blog. The Lord has blessed me more than I can never pray enough. I have a wonderful family.

I got a job at AEDC. I got OJT there and have worked there for 45 years.

KLH

Bo, I haven't heard any comments from you on this blog. I would like to hear some. Although we have lost contact over the years. I still think alot of you and my friends at T-G.

KLH

Re the Sipsy family. They lived in the former

Nash's home after the Nash's moved. Rosemary

Sipsy was the only child, I believe. They moved

to Wartrace in the early 50's. I have seen their

name on a list of Shelbyville Mills cemetary

headstones on line recently. Their house was

a great gathering place for kids in the neighborhood. Canasta and tea parties at their

house were highlights. After they moved to Wartrace, Rosemary would come load up her car with a group of us girls and take us to Wartrace

for the day or weekend.

At one time there were two stores at the Mill. One was in the deep curve below the office building. The other of course was Phillips'. The one in the curve had the Post Office in it, before it moved up under the water tower. The store was gone when the addition was built.

I thought that face looked familiar.

Photo courtesy: Number25

John Tune

U. S. Rubber Company

Shelbyville Mills

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

There were a couple of houses down in the valley from the Nash house. One was the home of Graham Sharp, his sister Irene, and their mother Granny Sharp. Up under the water tower were a couple of more houses. We lived in one one those houses when Pattons Troops were on Maneuvers in Shelbyville and the surrounding County. They would take rests in the park across the street.

The Black fellow was Frank Bailey. He was a very nice person. His wife was very nice also. He had a lot of children, who had to walk all the way to Harris School every morning, and back home at night. I couldn't understand that when I was a child. Still don't. But know why it was done that way now.

cali/ Peggy... If one of your sisters was R.. Would you email me maposie38@hotmail.com

We became good friends long after SMS. Lost contact many years ago.

CBB: YES, I DID....I WASN'T SURE YOU WOULD

REMEMBER ME SINCE IT HAS BEEN SO LONG (LIKE 50 PLUS YEARS!) WARM REGARDS TO YOU AND YOUR

FAMILY.

klh just called & said johnny donegan died today. no details. he was a good man!

I am simply amazed how wonderful it is to read this

blog and all the memories it brings back to life.

Just remembering Kenneth Housch and his remembrance of Linda Pigg as his first girl friend made me smile. I'm certain all who read this blog are

reminded of really how wonderful it was to grow up

in the mill village and think and wonder about all

their childhood friends.

Connie, I have been following this blog. I am very sorry to hear about your daughter. I haven't seen you in decades (maybe half a century!) but I will always remember the fun we had as friends in the village. Peggy

KLH

The store on the hill just shy of the plant was known as Floyd and Huffmans for a long time. Then it was just Huffmans. As long as I can remember the Phillips's owned the store. Mr. Ab and his son Buddy.

Who was the father of the Huffmans. I remember something about the Huffmans, but can't remember what. A bell rang.

KLH

#25

when we lived in the cedars a mr ruskin lived in the log house. i don't remember any kids. also jde sunshine must have lived in the house that kirks or bullions lived in. i don't believe there was ever any houses next to the school, only churches. the house on the hill would be where mr riddle lived.

This is great stuff. I heard from Edgar Sheltnutt after his reading of the Blog. It is good to hear from older friends. The T_G and or Bo Melson should be commended for this. This had brought back so many good memiores.I spend so many years, not hearing from old friends.

KLH

Some things that i remember that may be corrected. JE Pigg was one of my best friends. His sister, Linda was my first girl friend. When she broke up with me, you cannot image how I felt.

When I started to HS and got a job at Day Brothers, I met a new girl. She approched me . Then my life, as i thought changed. Boy, was I wrong. She and her parents had other things in mine. Hey George MacDonald. What doyou think At that early age, what are we thinking.

What is our goals in life? puppy love, our carees.

This all about thinking about the past. I appreciate my memories and mistakes I made.Your prayers are welcome. No problems, I pray.

KLh

Also, just found this great list for the cemetery records mentioned earlier. It lists the name of the deceased, birth & death dates, parents and the name of the cemetery at the time since it changed names several times.

http://files.usgwarchives.org/tn/bedford...

klh

edgars sister are patrica & brenda. the vistor at the goldens was joyce. i had forgotten about you living next to woody, you must have moved while i was in the army.

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Bottom row from left,Thelma Dyer,Judy McClardy,Georgia Massey,Connie Locke,Lorene Dotson,Connie Calahan,Sheila Sanders, Helen Carroll.Top from left,Patrica Donegan,Susan Brown,Barbara Baker,Sheila Reed,Barbara Cook,Linda Pigg,Sue Hutson & Pat Carroll

Photo courtesy: gusbt1

Hi Kenneth!

It's good hearing from you after so long a time. If you've read all of this blog then you will know who I am. I talked about all of my neighbors and failed to mention that when the Davis family moved away you all as well as the Driver family lived next door. I hate to say it, but I don't remember saying you had a pug nose.

God bless you Connie. I remember when your

'Itty bitty' baby came into this world.

As Alan Jackson says...It is ok to be itty bitty.

Bo, I appreciate you taking the time to read our blogs and responding. It meant a lot to me to read what you said about Denzol! In case you didn't know he passed away on the 13th October in 2000. Our family was close and remembering him as we knew and now as you stated in your comment adds another memory to him.

I wanted you to know I did a search and found a Charles Cornelison who still lives in Tennessee and he's your age, but am not sure if he's the one we remember.

In reply to Gus about the Butler children. There was Geraldine, Josephine, and Franklin (better known as "Bud" back in those days.) Geraldine has passed away and Franklin and Josephine are here in Shelbyville.

BoMelson:

I barely remember Charles Cornelison. I looked in an old telephone book(92-93) I have to see if a Cornelison was listed. It was'nt, but I noticed a bold print ad for "CRICKET BOX BEAUTY SHOP" East side shopping ctr. Made me laugh and made me sad becaue it has been so long since I drove by.

connie bullion's daughter just died from cancer. i don't know any details.

i remember the armstong boys. they were from baker town.they are all younger than me. there was a josephine butler who was my age. i think she lived in baker town too.

when we moved to the cedars in 52 the rent was $3.25 a week. if it ever went up it was never mentioned. that included water & lawn work

Number 25, the person you asked about who wrote sports and took pictures was Red Bean. That's the only way he was listed. Getting back to some more good folks who attended Shelbyville Mills School, do any of you remember Charles Corneiliaon? Not sure of my spelling of his last name.

Hi, Billy Joe I can't believe you remembered all the neighbors but you forgot Pat, Narvie and Jean Moore who lived next to the Altmans if I think of more I'll post.

#25

there was karen thrasher. she was same age as us.

in the cedars mary ann vadergriff was too & maybe wanda rainwater but i'm not sure. i think kenneth couser had an older sister. are you thinking of terry reeves?

The only other girls I remember on that street were Helen Alexander who had a brother and then there was Janice Orr. She was a cheerleader in high school and her parents passed away awhile back. There was another girl and maybe one day I can remember her name. I know she had a "fancy" sled when we all went up Riddle's Hill in the winter to slide down. The Thrasher family wasn't mentioned either. Deannie Adgent was my age and she passed away some time back.

grits

you forgot terry gray. they lived in the first house on the right as you turn into the cedars for a while. they also had a mulberry tree & we would climb on the garage & eat them. i believe they had the only garage.

the lentz's were next door to bells & ledbetters on the corner. on the other corner were the kirks,

linda rodney & bobby.

the stamps boy with polio was called punkin but i don't remember his name.

there was a deannie adgent but that might not be her real name.

jacky moore, james(buck)& sue lived next to adgents across from the store. james was my age & was killed in a car wreck shortly after returning from the miltary. deenie adjent was my age too. so were terry gray, rodney kirk,& kenneth couser.thats enough for now. i'll do some more next time

Well Bo you have started something here. I have about 25 pages on growing up in the village for my children and grandchildren to read after I leave this world in about 30 years. I am still adding to it and I want to thank you for this blog, it is a big help.

We lived in the lower village (close to the mill) across the street from aunt Mittie and uncle Herman Watley and Ronaald, Justine and Wanda Fay. They had a large Mulberry tree with branches hanging over the porch roof. We would climb the tree and sit on the roof and eat the berries. Mr. and Mrs Olive and their daughter Betty lived next door on one side. She married Buddy Phillips. On the other side lived the Sloop's, son John Harold and daughter Frances. The Sadlers lived on one side of the Watley's and the Dirtings on the other. The Smelcer's lived a few houses down as did the Bridges. Up the street was the Waters, Bill. The Bakers lived on the corner. Billy Altman lived on the corner toward the water tank. On toward the store lived the Hutto's, William's Bullion's Lee's and Mccoy's. Across from the store were the Nash's (Marvin, Joe, Bertha) and Seagrove's (Kenneth). Then Edd Agents cafe, barber shop and his house. Edd had daughters Edna, Rena and Ann. Not sure about Ann. Billy Rodgers lived up the street on the right and a Frank, avery nice black man with several children lived across the street from Billy on a large farm. On toward te school lived the Bells, Carlton and Jerry. I forget who lived in the house at the corner turning toward the school and across the street. In front of the school were the Pinkstons, Jewell, Grays, Millie Joe and Sonny, Browns, Bobby Betty and Barbra, the Davis, Austin and Joyce and the Thompsons, Darrel, Woody, Betty Donna and etc. Every year they got recognized as having the largest family in church. The Rittenberries lived on the main road that the plant manager lived on as did the Carrols, Buck, Bud and Ben, the Reeves Carolyn, the Cousers Carolyn and the Rainwaters I can picture a tall dark complexion girl and a boy who han polio, but can't remember their names. I think the girl lived there but attended school elswhere.

The Cedars was blessed with the Troops, Bill, the Jones, Freda, the Fults, Ruth, The Lavvorns, Billy.

Need help with other names.

Then there were the pencil mills with john and Paul Allison, Charles and Bonnie Wells and Monk Harris. Baker street people have been named not sure about Bobby Moore. Also have not mentioned my brother Earnest, Eddie and sister Lorraine

The thanks should go to all of you who responded to this blog. Although I lived in Shelbyville this has stirred a lot of memories for me as you've mentioned a lot of my friends and reminded me of a few more people I always admired during my school years. One of many things that has amazed me is the number of great role models you had while growing up and attending Shelbyville Mills School.

How I wish I could relive those days in the village around this time of year (October-fall)

with all the leaves falling off those maple trees and the fireplaces smoking. And Halloween fun time beginning. If only I had walked and run a little slower so I could remember every detail of those days. Bo, you have accommodated all of us villagers to relive some of those days with these memories. A "Thank You" seems hardly enough.

Thank you, from Caligal......

Hey Pinkey, Billy Joe Hall here, who is Grits. We played in Mr. Floyd's barn, had corn cob battles in there, of course they were soaked with cow urine. Stung like heck when you got hit. We, Marvin Nash, Billy Rodgers, Charles (Bulldog) Tucker, (Rooster) James Pendergras, Grant Smelcer, (my cousin) Ronald Watley and me played all over those fields and the river. Mr. Floyd was a very nice man, but he hated dogs. His daughter was bitten by a mad dog and she died. Mrs. Floyd worked for Mr. Phillips in the store. Sonny Gray lived in the villages but mover across from the school. Billy Mc Coy, Charles and Butch Lee, Richadr Williams, Buddy Victory, Billy Altman, Buck Bridges, the Saddler brothers, Henry, Preston and Willie, Frnklin McKamey moved in latter and we became great friends. Some of the girls were Sylvia and Connie Bullion, Muriel Williams, (my cousin)Justine Watley Watleley Juanita Smelcer and Mary Lee Sadler, all lived near the mill. May have left some out.

number25

austin asked where you live. he thinks you moved away.

b.thegun!

I really made a big mistake and wanted you to know that I did. When I wrote about Brother LeMay, I should have said his wife had gone on to be with the Lord and not him. Should have read my comment better than I did before I posted it. So sorry about that information.

Marwi, I can smell the smells also!!! Especially

in the winter when there was a fire in the stove.

I wish I had allthe ice cream lids I threw away. I am sure they sell for a pretty penny on e-bay!

Does anyone remember sliding around on the pond

on Mr. Floyd's farm when it froze over? Seems

no one has mentioned the rock quarry either. When

it filled up with water it was a pretty good swimming place. Of course, you had to chase off the snakes first! This blog is like an onion. Every piece of the onion reveals another memory.

Bobby,I was raised in Bakertown,and remember you,and your mother and father well. In fact I remember your grandparents,and Miss Elizabeth.

I sat with your granny for Mr.Sam and Mrs.Ruth, when I was a teen ager,and after I was grown up,married and had children of my own,I rented the old mobil home behind the store.

I remember the old bench outside the store,and all us kids hanging out there,for an RC filled with peanuts.

My grandmother had an account with the store,and she would call,and your dad would deliver. I remember the phone number to the store was 574.

Number25 yes and I also want to remember Bro. Shelton L. Smith who is now living in Murfreesboro.

Thanks Bo. I was raised in Baker Town and went to Jr High in order to play football. I was blessed to have memories from two groups. Willard Baker, Richard Williams and myself carried what we learned in the sandlot football games into Central High. I wonder how many can recall playing basketball at my granddaddy' barn with the bottom cut out of bushel basket for a goal. I have spent many a happy hour in the old mill gym. Every name that has been mentioned brings back memories. Reggie if you read this know that I will be holding you up in prayer.

(remember the cottage prayers meetings?) I found my jewel at the old mill village and she has been with me for 58 yrs. As for the Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church, it was there that my life was changed and there I found my life's calling. I left when I was 19 years old but I have never left the memories of 19 years of being blessed with all the wonderful people that I grew up with.

Again, thanks Bo for giving all of us a chance to reunite in memories.

For those of you who don't have Facebook, I do plan to continue to put any photos I receive on this blog. Two places to keep the great stories and memories of Shelbyville Mills School and all the other activities that was a part of the mill village.

redddj thanks for posting all of the pictures and please continue to do so as you get them. Also thanks for the Facebook page.

For those of you who have reviewed this blog I have started a page on Facebook related to Shelbyville Mills School. It is the plan to share some of the pictures from this blog about the school and area. I hope that each of you can join and continue to discuss and share our many memories. Please continue to support this blog and thanks to Bo Melson for bringing us all together.

The link to the Facebook page is:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelbyvill...

Newt, I remember you and your whole family!

How great that you found this blog! Bo Melson

gave all of us "villagers" to connect in our

sunset years. I don't think any of us will ever

forget our village and what a great place it was

in which to grow up. The memories are emotional

for me too. I left Shelbyville at an early age

have only gone back one time since I was 19.

The village was no longer there; just concrete

slabs where the houses had been, but as I drove

through, all I could see were the neatly kept houses and heard the echoes of our voices, laughs,

and shadows of all that had been there. I am

so happy that you shared your memories.

RIP: Mr. Clarence "Shorty" Campbell

July 11, 1985 - September 18, 2010

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity...

NUMBEE25, I AM J.L. BAKER'S DAUGHTER.

Anyone remember Nancy Jane Baker. We were about the same age, I remember a Christmas play @ the SM Baptist Church, we played the angels. The following week she hit me in the gut with a medicine ball. Remember those, 'pinky' Davis took great pleasure in those med. balls. When you are in the 8th grade, they feel like 150##

Was Nancy a twin...

It's nice to find out who you are, but wondering if you're a Baker now by marriage or the daughter of J.L.Baker. I knew a lot of Barbaras and one was the daughter of Mark & Dot Bearden.Please let me know.

Cotton Mills Cemetery located on Shelbyville Mills Road

http://www.tngenweb.org/bedford/cemeteri...

Yes, many are left out. Just to name a few; ~~ Justine Watley, Rena Adgent, Nettie Mae Barlow, Sara Mae Waters, Henretta Nelson and all the Nelson family. Wanda Hallmark, Gail Helton, Kenneth Segroves, Migra Masters, Nancy Baker, Jack Armstrong, Peggy and Polly Frame, and the list goes on and on. Some of these wonderful people have gone on to be with their Lord. It makes them no less a memory of SMS.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone could find a

good picture of the outside of the gym? Maybe

in the "Volunteer" newspapers? It has been

great reading all of those memories. It really makes me want to go out and take pictures of all the places where I now live so my kids and grandkids can retain some memories. Maybe we should all do this. Just look at how hard it has been to find pictures now of our past! Well, it has been great. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

caligal, I am not sure what is there now. I live in East Tennessee now and I have not been down to the old Rubber Mill site in a long time.

caligal if you are familiar with Google Earth you can get a pretty good picture of what it looked like in June of 2007. Possibly an even better view could be had by using Bing Maps.

Can someone post a picture of what Shelbyville Mills Village area looks like today? Those of us who no longer live in the area would probably like to see just what is there now. Thanks, Bo, for accommodating this incredible journey down memory lane.

One of the photos from Number 25 posted by Donnie Redd on 9/13 has an unknown girl with the Tune twins. She is Betty Phillips, sister of Jerry, Annette, and Ted.

Early 50's - Shelbyville Central High Golden Eaglettes (many from Shelbyville Mills School on the team)

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Woody Thompson with Shelbyville Mills School in the background

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Bobby Massey (Shelbyville Mills School)

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

1956 Shelbyville Mills School (Nancy Wright)

Courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

I remember a big snow storm when I was about 6 years old. My cousin Buck Carroll took the hood off his car and we slid down the golf course hill making sure we stopped before the creek at the bottom. Would you try that with your car hood today?

Maybe that trauma is the reason I can't spell TRUANT OFFICER !!! ;)

Don't remember being extremely hot or cold in the village. Maybe you forget those things as you....age, but I do remember that the sidewalk would burn your feet. Also, remember seeing the tar in the street bubble up and poking it with a stick. One favorite memory is going to the village store and getting a bag of candy for 10 to 15 cents.

Glad to see all the pictures. I might not know the faces but have heard the names spoken. ~Thanks~

NUMBERS THANKS FOR ALL THE PICTURES, CHARLIE LYNN AND WILFORD LYNN WERE MY MOMS BROTHERS NEXT MONTH MY DAD WILL BE IN HEAVEN 13yrs.I KNOW HE AND MOM WOULD HAVE ENJOYED THIS STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE SO MUCH. I HAVE HEARD THEM MANY TIMES TALK OF YOUR FAMILY AND SOME OF THE FUNNY THINGS THEY DID WHILE WORKING "AT THE MILL".

Mr. G. W. Tuck retires

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

U. S. Rubber Company Old Timers

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Jane & June Tune with unknown girl

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Frank Carroll

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Charlie Lynn

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Buck Carroll & Jerry Bell

1947 Shelbyville Central High School

Photo courtesy: Bob Weldon

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

JONNY DONEGAN & LARRY NASH ARRANGED THE OTHER REUNIONS WE HAD. TALK TO THEM .

REMEMBER CARLTON McCARTY, MARGARET AND THEIR DAUGHTER JUDY. JUDY MARRIED A POPE, HE PASTORED IN ROVER. JUDY, MARGET. AND CARLTON OUR WITH THE LORD NOW.

Shelbyville Mills School playground (Touch Football)

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Jerry Pigg & Glen Rainey (Boxing)

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Shelbyville Mills School Teachers

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Photo courtesy: Number25

While memories are still there, I think a reunion would be great. It would be incredible if a "verbal history" could be made at the reunion.

Shelbyville Mills Village exists today only in the memories of those still alive. This history should be captured for all those grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come. They should know that "once there was a spot, called Shelbyville Mills Village." And it was the nearest thing to heaven there was.

It would be great if all of you who attended Shelbyville Mills School could get together for a reunion at some place that still remains essentially as it was when you were in school. How many would be interested in a reunion and have some suggestion to offer as to where it could be held?

You're welcome, Grits. And ditto on the kudos to Mr. Melson. Excuse my being sentimental, but this is a really hard time in our family, as my Papa Shorty is not himself anymore. It's so sad to see him not know any of us or most of what's going on, but by reading this blog I am reminded that he should be remembered by what he was then, and not what dementia has made him now. It gives me great pride, and great peace. I sincerely thank you.

JennJones: Thank you so much for the info about Mr. (Shorty) Campbell and Sue. He was a wonderful guiding light in the lives of all the young, during our days in the village. Mrs Sue was a LADY with admirable manners, modesty and grace. I talked with him back in 1992? as they were coming out of Shelbyville Walmart and I going in. He said his days at the village were the happiest time of his life, and I said "me too!". The words in your comment brought back images of those days of contentment that will not fade away like so many other memories of my past .

God bless Bo Melson for this blog that revealed the status of Mr. Campbell.

I remember Rosemary Sipsy so well. She was older than a lot of our "gang" but for several years she would have a birthday party for the Dionne quints, who were an oddity then, and make cake, small sandwiches and pink lemonade. We would all make crepe paper party hats and have have a party around their picnic table in the back yard. They moved to a nearby town (don't remember name) and she would sometimes come and pick us all up and take us to their house for weekend stays. What a nice memory her name brought up!

Shelbyville Mills vs Normandy (boys)

Courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Shelbyville Mills School Girls Basketball

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Shelbyville Mills vs Normandy (girls)

Courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Hixson Pugh - Shelbyville Mills School

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Amos Rainwater

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

silver

i remember you & mickey & jl. i remember when mickey was a city policeman.

jerry

I found some pictures of MS.FANNIE FLOYD, MISS OASIE, AND MANY OF THE OLD S.M.C. MY Dad J.L.BAKER AND SOME OTHER MEN WERE DIGGING OUT THE BASEMENT IN THE S.M.C. FOR NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOMS. THEY HAD JACK HAMMERS BREAKING UP THOSE LARGE ROCKS UNDER THE CHURCH. THERE MANY MORE PICTURES. I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK TO THOSE TIMES! THANKS BO FOR ALL THE MEMORIES YOU HAVE BROUGHT BACK TO THE "SHELBYVILLE MILLS GANG"!

Great memories! I attended Shelbyville Mills School in the first grade. I remember the great parades we used to have. I was the Grand Marshal! My dad worked at the Times Gazette as a printer.

1956 SMS Boys' Basketball Team - Bottom Row

Scooter Granger, Kenneth Wells, Alvin Jones and Donald Carroll. Top Row - Randy Faulk, Thomas Gray, Kenneth Couser, Buck Moore, George Waters, Gene Hudson, Phillip Waggoner, Terry Gray.

Number25 & redddj thanks for the picture(wish it had names) and the Charles Rainwater Obit. I can still picture Charles amazing speed when he was doffing a machine at the cotton mill. When a bobbin was filled the "doffer" came along to take it off and place an empty replacement. I heard that in the 1900s, when 12-13 year olds were doffers, that a lot of them were killed when caught in the machine. Back in those days of boys and girl child labor, 12-13 year olds were used because they had small hands, and were able to reach into the machines to tie broken strings. The cotton mills were originally in the northeast, but were moved to the south were child labor wss legal. Wonder if child labor is legal in China? Bet it is.

I can remember the basement of Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church being flooded. I can not remember what year it was, but it was between 1970 and 1976.

1956 Shelbyville Mills School Basketball Teams

Photo courtesy: Number25

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

linda died from radition treatment.killed the tumor & the patient. laura died before her from chemo at age 39. mary sue is a nurse in savanah, ga. who is number25 & gottago?

I will put the links on here now that I have relocated the links.

1953 Shelbyville Mills School Basketball League

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

1955 Shelbyville Mills School Football Team

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

U. S. Rubber Company Mill Village

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

A. B. Alexander (plant manager)

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Shelbyville Mills Church of Christ

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

1981 UniRoyal Softball Team

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Yes, jepigg I am the one you know. Number25 was my basketball number.Hope you're well and wondering if I heard right about your sister, Linda. Someone told me she had passed away. and to Redddj, I'm working on the pictures and since they're old, the condition is not the best and I should have kept them better than I did

Bo, The lower area near the reservoir always flooded during heavy rains. The side of the village that the mill was on was backed by

cliffs and embankment that held the water back on that side.

could some of you use real names so some of us will know who you are? number 25 has to be one of my classmates too. i think one of the writers is donna thompson.

the bullions did live in the cedars, then moved over on bosses row. they lived between the callahans & fultses. they were the first to have a tv & would put it the window so we could sit on the guard rail & watch. gary was killed in car wreck too.

jerry

BoMelson: You may have google advance searched "POWS Camp Forest Tennessee" for info on POWs. I did and can not believe the info there. I always thoght the ones in Riddle field were the only ones, but it seems about 3,000 came through Camp Forrest.

I also grew up in the Rubber Mill, what wonderful memories.I have enjoyed reading everyones comments. Reggie so sorry to hear about your illness, will keep you in my prayers played with you Jimmy,Randy,Don & Donald in Grandmothers yard many times

Number25 please send to redddj@gmail.com I moved some of the files and can send to you via email. I sent several the other day to those that replied to a prior post. I would really appreciate you sending those and will then post and share all of the information on this blog.

silver, I have fond memories of Gabby. He and I were at Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church at the same time in the early 70s.

If there was a ball game going on anywhere you could count on Gabby being there just behind the screen at home plate.

Also, Mickey and I were schoolmates and team mates at one time or another.

Avaandsylviesmimi, I am very sorry to hear about Sue. I was of her friends (a muskateer) I always thought your Aunt Blanche was very "exotic"...

I am not surprised that she has lived for 91 years! And you're a great grandmother! Impossible.

Dorris, Our relatives who lived in Pulaski were Blanch Pilkington Jordan and Uncle Brantley Jordan, Aunt Blanch was Uncle J.C. and my Grandmother Segroves sister. The Aunt Blanche I was referring to is My Grandmother segroves daughter, Blanche Cunningham. Do you remember Aunt Lorene Moore, they were sisters.

Bo, I hope the boot skates were not in too bad a shape when you got them. I still have the boot skates that I bought after those. They are in a trunk. Just couldn't bear to get rid of them.

Dorris, good to hear from you, Sue passed away about 9 years ago, everyone else doing great, Aunt Blanche will be 91 in February, I have 2 great-grandchildren, who are a joy. We owe our co. so I still work some but work-out at the gym mostly. Keep in touch.

Bo, he was probably living on King Avenue at that time.

We lived at The Village too. The Sadlers, Oldfields,and Sipseys. Living first at the lower end and then we moved to the upper end. Dad was a young teenage boy when he went to the river bank and dug up a sycamore tree. He planted it in the back yard of his mother and dad's house. Years later some visiting cousins would throw the spiney sycamore balls at us. Whew, that hurt. I worked at National Pen in the 80's and would park under Dad's tree. It was one of the largest trees down there. Grandma always had flowers too and a backyard full of butterflies. What wonderful memories have been stirred up. Thanks.

Some other names that I have remembered are Alene Pinkston, and Teresa Waggoner. Also someone mentioned that a Brown family lived across from the school. It seems to me that I remember a Bobby Brown and his sister Betty Brown. It also seems to me that there was an older sister named ? (maybe Barbara but I am not sure).

Sylvia, I do remember you and Sue taking me to the airport. I hope you and Sue and all are fine. Many Thanks for what you guys did for me. I shall never forget it.

Thanks Bo for this great blog. I sure am enjoying it.

Do any of you remember,Terri Reeves,and what a great little basketball player she was?

Thanks so much tnsouthernbelle22. I remembered all the people named, but I had forgotten their names from so long ago.

Olie olson was a great fast softball pitcher for the Royals. Bead Cook(Crawford Henson) was a fantastic left fielder for the Royals baseball team. He had a great arm and very accurate. June Carroll threw a mind boggling knuckle ball which seemed to defy physics by dancing up & down and suddnely right to left on it's way to the plate. Shorty Campbell was a great coach and Bill Pack make a big target at first base.

A lot of the players were in WW2 and when they came back after the war it turned the village and Shelbyville into a different place suddenly. Most of the area's 19-30 yr olds were gone for 3-4 years. Old men and young boys had to do their chores and obligations.

I'm Sylvia, one of the Bullion girls from the Rubber Mill, our parents were Earl and Ethel Segroves Bullion, Dorris, we are double cousins because Uncle J.C. was my Grandmother Segroves brother and Aunt Leddie Ann was my Grandfather Bullion's sister. Glad to hear you are doing good. You might remember Sue (another cousin) and I used to carry you to the airport when you came home. Reggie we pray for you and your family daily, love you. Keep the blogs coming. We're loving this.

leeiii: I don't have your email so I have to post here.

My paternal grandfather was Albert Lee (Monk) Cunningham My paternal grandmother was Mildred Martin Cunningham

My paternal G-Grandfather was James (Jim) M. Cunningham Born Dec 12, 1877 Died Sept 24, 1942 My paternal G-Grandmother was Alice Leslie Ethridge Cunningham They had 4 girls & 8 boys: Argie C. Welch,Lucille C. Granger, Nelle & Belle, Hubert, Raymond (1/2 brothers to rest, mother unknown) Harold,Fred, Robert, Marvin, Douglas (Duck) Cunningham

My GG grandparents were: John (William?) & (Sara?) Elizabeth Helton Cunningham Their Children were: Mattie Helton, Joe, Will, Bert, Dick.

My email is ArtistEyesBlue@att.net if you have any info on James (Jim) & Alice or John & Elizabeth Helton that would be wonderful because this is where I am stuck. :-)

Good to see that Tren Payne is still going strong. He mentions his father Charlie in this article. Charlie Payne was very instrumental in the progress of U. S. Rubber Company.

http://www.t-g.com/story/1660308.html

I got several emails for the pictures and sent them to those who asked. I got an email from Edgar Shelnutt who is the son of the late Bruce Shelnutt. It is great to come across so many families from the Shelbyville Mills days and reconnect.

We got to keep this blog going so here is a couple of names to recall: Shorty Buntley & Willie Baker. I remember both of them real well.

I do a lot of posting on the Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville facebook site and one of the post today had a connection to Shelbyville. Diane Bledsoe-Green who had a lot of family who was from the mill village: Her grandmother was Sadie Posey Bledsoe. We talked about Flossie Posey, Elmer Posey, Buck Posey and Wilson and Ruth Curtis.

The three Bullion girls were children of Earl and Ethel Bullion; grandchildren of Leonard and Iva Bullion. Leonard and Iva also had a daughter, Marie. Marie was the mother of Don, Jimmy, Randy, and Carol Faulk. As Randy and I have been reading these blogs, he says "Oh, I remember him; I remember her", so this has been a trip down memory lane for him as well.

BoMelson: The field where POWs camped; travel west on W. Lane St. turn left on Mill Road and proceed south. The Riddle house is on top of the hill across from the end of the golf course and the beginning of mill houses on your left. The field is on your right down the hill from the house. The POWs were in tents and I quess about 100 POWs. It seems like I heard they were overflow from Camp Forrest at Tullahoma? Previously the field was used for grazing as best I remember. It was about 1942 and the POWS were not there very long. Don't know where they went. You might ask Auston Davis if he remembers them, because he lived not far from the field.

Bo, There were German POWs In that area, in fact some of them worked on Baker St. in Baker Town just across the road from us. I remember my grandmother taking food to them. They had a gaurd watching them with a rifle.

Caligal, As far as I can remember the only Bullions that lived in the Rubber Mill as far as I can remember were my Uncle Booker Bullion and Aunt Earline. They are the ones You have in mind

One name and place I remember was Ed Agent's barber shop. Some men were usually on the porch or inside killing time and talking. Some even brought a coon dog along. It must have been a boring conversation for the dogs, because they were always sleeping. Ed had a daughter named Edna and I think she married Joe Nash. I went to school with Tom Nash who was tougher than anyone else.

My mother was a Bullion,

Leddie Ann Pilkington her brother Booker Bullion and my Aunt Earline lived in the Ceaders, my Uncle Leonard Bullion and Aunt Ivy lived across the street from us in Baker Town. They all worked at the Rubber Mill early 40's, also my Aunt Nettie Bell

Thank you Dorris. I would not have guessed that this blog would have brought so much to each of us.

The memories are profound and buried just beneath the surface. All we ever need is for someone to tweet the goodness there.

Once again I will say, Our children , grandchildren and greats have missed something.

Thanks again Bo, well done.

Reggie and Tim were good athletes. As I often saw while covering sports Reggie did a great job of teaching a lot of young people the good, solid basics of baseball. And, I'm sure some of those Reggie taught have grown up to pass those lessons on to other young players.

My daddy Reggie Cunningham wanted me to tell you all thank you for your prayers. I just got off the phone with him after reading pretty much this whole blog to him. HE LOVED IT!! He remembers almost every name listed on here. He wanted me to let you know that HE has all of the old pictures from the Mill Papers. They were just throw in a box down in the boiler room & he found them & brought them home. Daddy paid to have them all lamanated to preserve them & he has put them into books. He was NOT going to just let them get tossed out. So Mr Melton, my daddy has ALL of old photos & old Mill Papers. You can contact him if you want. I think it would be wonderful if they could all be scanned & put on a website for historical reference. Seemed the MILL didn't want them & was just tossing them away.... but those contain alot of history, & they hold the memories & beloved family members so my daddy was making sure they were preserved! :-)

About the pictures from the School Gym, he says the thinks he MIGHT know who has those, but he is not sure.

About the Trophey's from the school.... my daddy (Reggie) took all of the trophey's. He used the old pictures from the sports teams found someone that played that year & gave them their trophey. He successfuly gave out every single trophy.

MARWI: Daddy said to tell you that Tim is doing well & still lives right there in Shelbyville! LOL! My daddy is now living out on Hwy 80, (2 miles past the Moose Lodge) his address is still Shelbyville, but he is much closer to Lynchburg.

I thank you all for your kind comments & I am so happy I got to share this blog with my daddy! I know it absolutely made his day!

leeiii: Thanks for info about Dorris. Sounds like a beautiful place to retire.

Grits, they are retired now and living in Sonora, California. That is in the extreme northern part of California in the high mountains.

Another sad note. In today's newspaper is the obituary of Shirlene Ledbetter Harris. She was

a village girl and I remember all the good times we had together as kids. As the village residents age, it is time to share all the good memories.

Grits, You mentioned Dorris Pilkington. My wife and I have been working on our geneology for some time now. Dorris is on my wife's side of the family and we have stayed in contact with him and his wife.

marwi: Yes, it's too bad, but now I am 80 and so many of the memories and people during my days in SMS are fading away. I quess most of the commenters never knew my acquintances and school mates. But, I sure enjoy it when I am reminded of persons and places I knew. I lived in the mill village from 1940-1951. And years 55-62 in town. Almost all of my school mates are gone. I am trying to locate a phone book from about 1939or40 which I saw in 1987, and at that time the phones were operator calls. We used to laugh that the operators knew everything about everybody in Shelbyville. I used to ask the operator to ring my girlfriend by name and she would say "OK sweetie I'll ring her". Much more sophisticated system to contact another person than our iphones/cell phones of today.

Artisteyesblue, we are all praying for your father and your family. As far as I know back in those days your father and all of us lived a wonderful life. I am older than Reggie, but I remember Tim and Reggie as very gregarious youngsters with big smiles.

marwi: I rode my bycicle so many times up to Bakertown to visit Tony & Skemp Statum and Dorris Pilkington. If only I could walk down that street one more time as it was in the 40s. I would be filled with all the happiness that I had back then, but never realized it until that special place was gone.

ArtistEyesBlue, I am so very sorry to hear about Reggie. I was a classmate of his. I am sure everyone in "the village" sends our very best wishes to him and your family. God bless you all.

Oh what a wonderful Blog! I happened upon it while doing some family history research. My name is Reggina (Gina) and my daddy is the Reggie Cunningham you speak of "avaandsylviesmimi" in your post on Thu, Aug 19, 2010, at 9:10 PM. Not sure you are aware that he is in very ill health, having had both legs amputated in last year due to dibeties complications. Also having dialysis 3 times a week. My dad as well as my both of my grandfathers worked at the Rubber Mill for years. My maternal grandfather Ivy M. Bush (16th Model Rd, Manchester) retired from the rubber mill (weaving looms) he always worked night shift & farmed during the daytime. My dad Reggie last worked at the Pencil Mill, before having to retire due to his health. I am doing research on my Cunningham side of the Family, so if anyone can help me with any info it would be greatly appreciated, please email me @ ArtistEyesBlue@att.net Thanks!

Love all the blogs about old memories, I know thr Thompsons well, where is older brother, Denzil,. I loved Mr. mills, he was probably my favorite teacher even though when I was much younger I was scared of him. I fell out of the swings at the gym and broke my arm once. I remember how much fun we had skating at the gym.

i also went to school at shelbyville mill and would love some pictures of the village i had

Mrs Shelton, Mrs Cathy, Ms Prince,Ms.Westbrooks

Mr.Stoneciper, Mrs, Wiggens,Mr Shelton

and just saw Mr& Mrs Phillips that ran the store in the Village at the Glen oaks Nursing home

MR Buddy Phillips is their recovering from a illness Mrs philips also worked at Guys market on Cannon BLV. Was nice talking with him about the village when i was a little girl he remember my parents and grand parents I am hooked on all the info about the Rubber Mill and the Village keep send photos and info

Speaking of the stairs in the school.....When I started school in the first grade, I did not want to go to school, so, I walked into the front door and continued down the stairs, out the back door and went home!!! I was escorted back to school by my mother. Sometimes I would swing on the swingsets near the gym before I went home..Fond

memory...

I posted above that I thought the 1935 photo might be too large for a blog. I split it into six parts, it looks fine and it's now in this week's Picturing the Past (PTP #75) blog.

I mentioned that mill houses in the cedars were duplexs. That was because most of the kids I knew and played with lived in a duplex in the cedars. I remember the Thompson's house across from the front of the school. And the houses along that line were single houses. All the cedar houses had a mailbox down on the road to Shelbyville. A lot of mailboxs in a row. We were all facinated during WW2 when German POWs lived in tents in a field next to the Riddle house. Mr Riddle's son Albert Riddle lived there and he was a much admired person by all who knew him. I believe the German POWs were more than happy to be living the life of Riley out in the sun and fresh air and from the smells very tasty food 3 times each day.

I remember Mr. Mills. His name has been mentioned in an earlier note in this blog. I

remember that when I started 1st grade, my teacher was Mrs. Hale. I think her family owned Hale's Dept. Store.

I grew up at the Rubber Mill and even though people keep saying all the homes were duplexes, they are wrong. We lived right across from the school and were known as the "Thompson Kids". Our home was a single dwelling and next to us was the Davis family (Pinky was the son as you all know and was my coach and Hixson Pugh coached the guards). Next to them were the Grays, Browns, and the Pinkstons. There were also single homes that led to the old golf course and of course high on a hill was Mr. Riddle's farm and in the winter we could go there and sled in the snow. About Miss Westbrooks who was killed in an auto accident was also Mrs. Floyd. I have some old Mill newspapers and it has a picture of the teachers at that time. Doesn't anyone remember Mr. Mills and later on Mr. Cortner as the principals? I would like to mention that since my family played basketball for the Royals some people remember my brother Woody, does anyone remember when he shot the ball before halftime and was on the other end of the court and made it? Back then you didn't get 3 points for that. I could go on about other people, but will save that for another time

Is the old school building still standing?

Some time ago, I met a man in Las Vegas that said he was building game machines in that old building. If memory serves, he was a friend of Bobby Sanders.

Another rumor, Sondra Locke wanted to buy the light that hung outside the front door.

Me, I would never trade my memories for that light. For the most part that thing never worked anyway!!

Bo, did you expect this great response. I did, and I am sure there is more to come.

What special memories.

This link has some information about United States Rubber Company and Shelbyville Mills.

http://www.tngennet.org/bedford/historic...

Marwi

No,they were different people. Miss Fanny Floyd,died in an auto wreck. I had her in 7th grade.Miss Prince lived in Flatcreek,with her father. I had her in 4th grade. Both ladies were were single,and good,very strick teachers.I can't remember exactly,but I seem to remember Miss Floyd was also known as Fanny Westbrooks.If someone can,please help me on this one.

My memories are many of the great old school,and the mill village.

I remember some more of the great basketball players.Sheila Reed,Barbara Jean Cook,Belita Nelson,Linda Pigg,Loraine Dodson,Barbara Baker,Connie Locke,and myself who never played in any games,but I was a great 3rd string bench warmer.The boys I remember,Vance Clay,Gussie Wright,Buddy Dodson,Donald Caroll,Donald Locke,Sandra's brother,and some that have already been mentioned.

I played against some of those SMS basketball teams. Brother and John Allisons' names were omitted above, Sonny Gray, as well. We played in the Bedford County finals at Junior High School on Bryant Street in 1950 and the final score was 16-15 (don't even remember who won).

I coached Honna Clay, Pat and Helen Carroll and Bonnie Graham, a great shooter, who was coached in the "Rubber Mill" tradition.

Mr. Floyd lived right behind us. He was a wonderful man. I remember his sweet wife before she died. We used to spend the night with them and sleep in big soft feather beds. After his wife died "Aunt Sharp" came to live with him, and man could she cook! One day a bunch of us kids were playing in the barn and we were going to walk across the rafters...well, I froze and they had to go get Mr. Floyd to help me across with a broom handle. We used to wake up in the morning and find fresh corn, and vegetables laying on our back porch from his garden.

marwi, I remember the "cedars". All the mill houses there were duplexes and it was a beautiful cluster. We used to cut through the cedars to the golf course where we caddied. Most of the golfers were nice, except when we got to the 2nd hole. The green was out of site and on top of a high hill. Golfers would hope for the best, but most of the time the ball was lost, rolling back down the hill into a small creek or in a ditch next to a highway. Many clubs were tortured, bent and mutilated at the top of the hill. I learned many 4 letter words and evern some 9 lettered words on that hole. The "greens" were filled with sand(no grass) and made putting a real challenge. But when a ball landed on the sand it staided right there.

One of the ladies who made our youthful days so pleasant was Mrs.Cunningham. She was in charge of the Club House. It was a small building away from the gym where we played checkers, card games and listened to her read thrilling stories. She was a lady with a good conscience, a magnetic warmth of manners, decency and a heart full of kindness. My sisters emulated her and grew up from wild cotton mill girls to become modest cotton mill ladies.

Who remembers Cedar Town. This was just beyond the SM Church. In my childhood memory, Cedar Town was the elite. If you had a friend there, you felt you were special.

Of course, if you had friends on Baker Street or Central Ave. that was ok too.

Many times we would miss the bus, and walk across the golf course to get to Baker Town.

We thought the old Moose Lodge was 'hainted.'

Only when we would get to Sam Moore's little store, with a couple of pennies, we were home.

T H A N K

Y O U,

BO M E L S O N!!!!!!!

And thanks to everyone who has contributed.

Bo, instead of writing a book about the athletic

teams, you should write a book about this blog.

There will never be another place like it, except, as GRITS said, HEAVEN....

avaandsylviesmimi - I remember the Moore family and Mrs. Segroves real well. We lived next door to them on Shelbyville Mills Road in front of Floyd & Huffman Grocery. Mrs. Segroves made me a shirt when I started to school in the first grade. I use to ride to church with Mrs. Hutto and remember riding the church bus some too. I worked at Floyd & Huffman for Mr. Phillips & Buddy. I can remember when Wayne Cartwright owned the farm up from the store and was called Royal Acres. Claude Statum, Artie Bell, lived up across from the Statum's. It is great to see so many come in here and share old memories. My first grade teacher was Mrs. Shelton, I remember Mrs. Wiggins, Ms. Floyd and of course Mr. Stonecipher.

I remember my grandmother telling me ghost stories, except she used the word hant. The stories that I clearly remember involve the sighting of a hant during the night in the mill village. She would follow the hant throughout the village in darkness. It would eventually disappear at the door to a neighbor's home. Soon after, a child in that family would die. Play outside after dark? No way, after listening to her ghost stories during the day. She frightened the crap out of me!

This is great. Even though I did not live in the Mill Village, a lot of the names mentioned here were friends, or at the least acquaintances. I am really enjoying it as all of you take a stroll down memory lane.

The Moores were my aunt and uncle and Sue and Buck my first cousins, the housekeeper was Sally Bomar and she raised us all. athe Moores, Bullions ans several segroves. The rubber mill was a wonderful place for families and our children and grandchildren have really missed out. I remember summer nights playing kick the can and hide and seek with all the kids at the mill village. I remember Halloween nights when Bulldog Tucker and marvin putting neighbors lawn furniture on top of Floyds Grocery which was run by Mr. Phillips and Buddy. I also remember my dad playing crochet when I was a kid' We had big summer cookouts and picnics with greased poles and pig catching with the whole village involved. What wonderful memories. So glad this was brought up and Reggie Cunningham used to have lots of the old pictures.

My mother grew up in the mill village. I showed her the 1935 photo and she was able to identify Clyde Waters, Boss Waters, Rena Hoover Walters, Carlos Bailiff, Ira Pittman, Lester Curtis, Marshall Lundy, Geneva Hoover Curtis, J.L. Baker, and her father, Wilson Curtis.

Can you add to the list?

The teacher Mrs Cathey has a son that I talk to often when I see him come through the flea market at Monteagle.

I just today was thinking that very thing caligal. I recall many names in the mill village. I will name some last names see if anyone can share some memories.

McCoy, Curtis, Hutto, Dale, Segroves, McKamey, Elliott, Bailiff, Derting, Watley, Lovvorn, Skinner, Bonds, Ledbetter, Lentz, Oldfield, Finley, Marsh, Williams, Hurt, Sloop, Calahan, Statum, Moore and the list can go on and on.

My next door neighbor today is Dave Crawford and he was in management of UniRoyal. My mother use to talk about Mr. Crawford's sister Bell who was the company nurse when she was a child.

Redddj, thanks for the picture and write up on the Shelbyville Mills 1953 basketball league. I played on the "Greenies" team and we won the first league championship. But my name was left off the rooster listed with the picture. Life is not fair.

What wonderful memories. I didn't live in the Village but attended SMS. I even played a little basketball. Being a little shorty, I always played second string guard. But I remember the first team from 52/53. Adele Hudson was a lefthanded center, she helped take us to many victories. There was Justine, Sylvia one or two of the Adgent girls, Nettie Mae , Peggy and Polly. Chapel Hill used to scare us but we took a few from them. Sure would like to know where all the great pictures are that hung on the gym balcony wall.

My favorite teacher was Mr. Shelton, he was so kind. Ms. Hope was tough, Ms.Floyd TOUGHER !!

I learned many good old hymns when Mr. Mills called us together for chapel. Too bad our children and grandchildren don't have a Mr. Mills in their life.

I've just gotten around to reading all the comments written and looking at the pictures regarding the "rubber mill" area. I have known my husband for 45+ years and during all that time, I've heard about the experiences he and his brothers had growing up as part of that scene. I thought it was just HIS memories, but I now believe most kids from that era have the same pleasant memories. Randy, Don and Jimmy can keep our families entertained for hours talking about sports teams that existed in the "mill village". Too bad most kids of today won't have that.

My roommate at Tenn Tech was Dr. Glenn Moore(Recently Deceased) who carried the Nashville Tennessean and Banner to the Mill Village in an "A Model" Ford during the early 1950's...I remember working with someone at The Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church "to cue-up" for the Sunday Nite Broadcast on WHAL...

You're welcome I have some more information. My grandfather (Oscar Skinner) moved here in 1936 to work for U. S. Rubber Company. My late mother was three years old when they moved to Shelbyville. I've always been proud that I went to the same school as my Mom. She told me many times over how special it was back in her childhood. I think being raised in that area of town, working at UniRoyal around good people made me realize what life is all about. As I mentioned before, the people who grew up in that area was very good people.

Thanks redddj, that sure helps to bring back a lot of good memories. A lot of those people you named have been good friends through the years. And thanks for sharing a little bit of the history of the village. Helen Carroll is another name that was on the 1964 Girl's State Champions. She was the sister of "Duck" Carroll.

Shelbyville Mills School Football Team

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n452/...

Thanks Bo, that sure brings back a lot of memories. I was raised in the mill village and went to school at Shelbyville Mills for my first eight years. I've heard my late mother talk about a lot of the things they did at the gym when she was growing up. I remember the sales room (U. S. Rubber Co. store) being in the gym which was operated by Hixson Pugh and Woody Thompson. Honna Clay played basketball for Shelbyville Mills and I know I am missing a lot of other names. The school had a successful sports program. I would enjoy reading what you have to say about the school. I had a lot of great memories from there. One of the things I have carried over in life is a lot of good people worked and lived in the Shelbyville Mills area.

Such great memories! I PLAYED BASKETBALL FOUR YRS. AT THAT GREAT SCHOOL. I REMEMBER GETTING FOULED AT ONE OF OUR FAMOUS TOURNAMENTS,ROLLED HEAD OVER FEET THREE TIMES AND LANDED WITH MY FEET UP AGAINST THE WALL UNDER THE GOAL.SURE WOULD LIKE TO REUNITE THE LADIES ON THAT TEAM. I'M SURE WE COULD STILL PLAY A SLOW BUT GREAT GAME.

I WISH OUR CHILDREN COULD HAVE SUCH GREAT TIMES!

THAT OLD GYM KEPT ALOT OF CHILDREN OUT OF TROUBLE.

does any one have pictures of the village i grew up their and like to see and have some pictures to show children and grandchildren

Bo, I enjoyed your article about the Shelbyville Mills School, BUT you are much too formal. People of that era knew it as the "Rubber Mill" school. I thought my friends who lived at the Rubber Mill were so lucky to have a gym, club house and baseball field within walking distance of their home. Since my girl friend lived at the Rubber Mill, I skated every week at the gym. I think "Pinky" Davis ran the gym. There were some good baskerball games between Bill Troup and his group and our J.H.S. We did have Bo Melson, Dan Smith, and Bobby Sanders but I think they won most of the time.

The Rubber Mill gym was a great place to spend the afternoon playing bball with Billy Lovorn and Franklin McKamey and anyone else who was there.

Bo you always were smarter than me but I did not understand the word "caligal."