Benton County honors longtime trustee Sherry Crosno Beasley; departing commissioners recognized

The Benton County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 15 presented a proclamation honoring Sherry Jean Crosno Beasley for nearly four decades of public service and recognized six outgoing county commissioners for their years of service.

Mayor Brett Lashlee read a proclamation noting that Beasley began county service in October 1983 and served as County Trustee since Sept. 1, 1998, becoming the first woman elected to that office. The proclamation recounted Beasley’s local roots, University of Tennessee education, longtime involvement with Natchez Trace Baptist Church and her staff of Tammy Hartley, Glenda Pierpoint and Laura Pruett. Mayor Lashlee said the county wished Beasley "God's Blessings and continued happiness in her retirement." Beasley's retirement date was noted as Aug. 31, 2022.

County Budget Administrator Ashley Travis, who told the commission she is resigning with a last day of Sept. 9, thanked the commission and colleagues for their support. Lashlee also singled out Commissioners Dayna Ferguson and Angie Hern as the senior members among the six departing commissioners; the six departing commissioners together accounted for more than 50 years of service on the commission, the mayor said.

The recognition was presented as a formal proclamation for the county’s historical record; no formal action beyond the proclamation was taken. The meeting then proceeded to routine business, including roll-call approval of the agenda and minutes.