LADY SUPERINTENDENT OF
UNION COUNTY 1944 TO 1948
Courtesy of Kathleen George Graves
Lucy Jean Turner Wilson was an educator extra-ordinaire. She began teaching during a period in this country’s educational history when reading, writing and arithmetic were thought to be the sum total of education. However, being the visionary that she was, she provided organized activities that were planned to enhance academic skills within a social setting. Her classroom was a learning laboratory. She provided experiences that fostered lifelong learning.
Lucy Jean was the only daughter of Westfield “Wessie” L. Turner (b.20 April 1877-d.06-January 1951). Westfield “Square Wessie”, served many years on the Union County Court. Lucy Jean’s mother was Emma Mae Johnson Turner (b. 10 July 1880-d
27 March 1966). The Turner’s also had a son Brodus Turner, who worked for Southern Railway. Mrs. Emma Turner had a long and productive career as a teacher in Union County School System. In 1922 she was teaching at Dark Hollow School. Both Mr. and Mrs. Turner are buried in New Loyston Cemetery.
Lucy Jean’s maternal grandparent was Elisa J. Johnson. Her paternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Hasten L. and Nancy Loy Turner. Hasten L. was a prominent community leader. Over a period of more than forty years he served in various capacities, including that of merchant, Postmaster of the Loyston Post Office, and Union County Trustee. (Loyston, Tennessee was flooded by the waters of Norris Lake. The Area is now referred to as Loyston Sea, the deepest and widest part of Norris Lake.)
In the early years of her education, Lucy Jean attended school in Loyston. She completed high school at Halls High School, Halls Cross Roads. A passenger bus driven by her cousin, Berney George, (son of Ida Turner George, Wessie’s sister) made a daily trip to Knoxville. Thus, it was more convenient for high school students in this area to commute to Halls than to attend Horace Maynard High School in Maynardville. At this time there was no school bus service to the school.
Lucy Jean began teaching at Loyston School, in Loyston. In 1936 when
the family was forced to move because of the building of the Norris Dam
and the subsequent formation of Norris Lake, the Turner family moved to
New Loyston, now called Big Ridge Community. Lucy Jean taught at
Arevalo, the community school. (The Rev. Verture Sharp, who was also
displaced from Loyston, was Arevalo’s principal in the late l930’s.)
Here Lucy Jean’s innovative ideas were put into action. A former
student remembers being in her first grade class when she replaced the
usual desk and at her own expense, provided small, child sized, painted
chairs and tables for the students to use. This furniture was
functional and added cheer to the room. She also made colorful window
treatments, adding to the ambiance to the room.
“Miss Lucy Jean” (as she was called) provided her students with real life experiences. A former student remembers when she invited her class to her home for a meal. The tables were set with linens and flowers, and the good food was attractively served. Table manners were emphasized.
Lucy Jean was a lover of good music, and she was an accomplished pianist. She was a member of Valley Grove Baptist Church. She gave private piano lessons charging $.25 for each session. She instilled in her students a love of music; and when school programs were held, each and every student had a part to play.
In 1942, Lucy Jean, received a Home Economics Degree from the University of Tennessee. She taught this subject at Horace Maynard High School in 1943 and 1944. World War II Was in progress and Archie Stiner, who was superintendent of schools, was called into service. Lucy Jean was named as his replacement. She held this office until 1948.
During her tenure as Union County’s Superintendent of Schools she met her future husband, Dr. Ross Wilson, an educator from Coalfield, Tennessee, who was Morgan County’s Superintendent of Schools. Upon becoming Mrs. Ross Wilson, Lucy Jean moved to Wartburg and taught home economics at Coalfield High School. The Wilson’s were parents of one daughter, Cherri, who is also a teacher.
Later Dr. Wilson was named superintendent of schools in Lenoir City, Tennessee. Following his tenure there, he and Lucy Jean returned to Coalfield and continued their educational career’s, until retirement. The resting place of both Dr. and Mrs. Wilson is Estes Cemetery, Coalfield, Tennessee.
Lucy Jean Turner Wilson made a lasting impression on those who were associated with her. She was a dedicated visionary and epitome of an effective educator.See the Largest White Oak Tree in Tennessee
The Oldest Structure in Union County
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Dr. Finger Visits Roy Acuff Museum and Library
The Union County Historical Society, Inc. (UCHS) was organized in June 1980. UCHS acquired funding, built and opened the Roy Acuff Union Museum and Library in 1992. The principal office of UCHS is at the Roy Acuff Union Museum and Library located at 3824 Maynardville Highway in downtown Maynardville, Tennessee. UCHS has exempt status under Internal Revenue Service 501 (©) (3).
