Roane County names seven 'Roane County Treasures' at Founders Day ceremony

Roane County Executive Wade Cresswell opened the Founders Day 2025 ceremony and said he was “honored to be joined here tonight by many distinguished guests” as the county marked its anniversary and recognized seven residents as the county’s 2025 "Roane County Treasures."

The awards program, a county tradition for nearly two decades, recognizes local residents nominated by county commissioners for long service to the community. Cresswell read a brief history of the county — noting its river confluence, early treaties and Fort Southwest Point — before introducing the class of honorees.

The seven honorees and highlights from their presentations:

- George Edward Pickle: Presented as a "golden treasure" for being over 90, Pickle’s biography noted his lifelong residency in Roane County, decades of Sunday school teaching and jail ministry, years on a prize-winning cattle ranch and work with Mayfield Dairies. A presenter said, “George Edward Pickle, born in 1932, is a devoted lifelong resident of Roane County, Tennessee.” The presenter also told a lighthearted local anecdote about Pickle’s family and Kingston-area memories.

- Nell Willis: The program noted Willis was born Sept. 16, 1925, and recently turned 100. Presenters recounted a 30-year teaching career (beginning in 1948), long church leadership and ongoing activity in the community; she sent regrets for not attending.

- Linda Carter: Honored for decades of local service, presenters described Carter’s Rockwood roots, education, employment history (including work at the Roane County Sheriff’s Office) and long volunteer roles with the West Roane County Volunteer Fire Department and the rescue squad. Presenters emphasized her message that age and gender do not determine one’s ability to contribute.

- Robert Puckett: Introduced as a Kingston baseball coach and community leader, Puckett’s biography included his birth date, National Guard service, work at local institutions and more than 30 years coaching youth baseball for the Kingston Optimist Club.

- Henry Lawrence Robinson: Presenters recounted Robinson’s life and community involvement, including National Guard service, decades of county work and active church participation.

- William Howard Rose: The program honored Rose for his career in construction and at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, for service as a county commissioner from 1994 to 2010, and for local civic and church activities.

- Dr. Steve Smith: Lance Dunn presented Dr. Smith’s biography, noting his dental career (Smith Family Dentistry, retired 2024), service on the local board of education from 1983 to 1995, involvement in founding Citizens First Bank and volunteer medical and dental outreach programs.

The ceremony concluded with an invitation to a reception in the General Sessions (Judge Stevens) courtroom across the hall. Cresswell thanked organizers (Bonnie Angus, Kaylee Hill, Kenny Clinton and team) and said a plaque listing honorees will be displayed in the courthouse in perpetuity.

Several presenters and attendees offered short personal anecdotes and applause during the presentations. The program primarily consisted of commemorative remarks, biographical readings and informal remarks from commissioners and community members; no policy or formal government actions were taken at the event.

The county’s list of honorees will be added to the courthouse plaque and the celebration is expected to be held again next year.