Board to ask state to name Columbia Pike in honor of Pastor Hewitt C. Sawyers; vote set for regular meeting

Alderman Baggett introduced Resolution 2025‑01 at the Feb. 25 work session, a request that the state of Tennessee name the segment of Columbia Pike (U.S. 31/State Route 6) from South Mac Hatcher Memorial Parkway to Coleman Road as the “Pastor Hewitt C. Sawyers Historic Highway.”

Baggett read elements of Pastor Sawyers’ service — longtime pastor of West Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church at the Coleman Road and Columbia Avenue corner, leadership roles in the Cumberland Association and the National Primitive Baptist Convention, and service on local boards including Habitat for Humanity and the Franklin Housing Authority — and said family, friends and community leaders attended the meeting in support. He told the board the resolution requests that the city send the naming request to state legislators who typically combine local highway namings into a larger bill for consideration in the spring.

Several speakers at the podium praised Pastor Sawyers. Elder John Haines said, “Pastor Sawyers is like a big brother to me,” and Pastor Kevin Riggs recalled Sawyers’ leadership in the community during times of division. Alma Macklemore, a resident, said Sawyers had “made a great and huge impact on Williamson County” and praised his integrity. Alderman Peterson said Sawyers’ long service supported the request. Alderman Baggett noted the resolution will be formally voted on at the 7:00 p.m. business meeting; the board did not vote during the work session.

Staff told the board the requested segment is state‑owned and that, if the board approves and transmits the request, state legislators would add the naming to a statewide bill for legislative consideration in the spring. The board did not act on the resolution in the work session; the item is scheduled for a vote at the business meeting that evening.