NEWPORT-Little did Charlotte Tweed know in December, 1956, that her decision to leave her studies at  Draughon's Business College to accept a job as account clerk with the Tennessee Department of Transportation would be the beginning of a career spanning over half a century.

Then she was Charlotte Pullum, newly graduated Cosby High School valedictorian, who was completing her first semester of work at the Knoxville school.

"My father was the local garage's chief mechanic," Tweed recalled Tuesday morning in reflecting over her amazing career. "When the job came open, he urged me to apply for it. After thinking about it a long time, I made the choice to leave school and return to Cocke County."

At the time, the local garage was located off Hwy. 25/70 near the old Wood Products industry. Nearby was the county garage.

"Originally we had between 80-100 employees," Tweed said. "At the time there was no Interstate 40."

She recalls the preliminary work which preceded that highway's construction through Cocke County. "In 1960 the appraisers came and started negotiating with the local landowners for their property," said Tweed.

With the interstate came more employees. "At that time the rest areas were part of the highway system, and we had over 150 workers," Tweed explained. "Now the rest areas fall under the Department of Tourism."

The state garage moved from its Hwy. 25/70 location to its present home south of Newport. "We were located off the Cosby Pike then," said Tweed, "a two-land highway. The wall in front of our garage wasn't there then, and I watched as they moved several houses and businesses out of the way. It was an amazing thing to see."

When the teenager first reported for work that December of long ago, the business equipment waiting for her included a manual typewriter, a manual calculator, a rotary telephone, and "thousands of pieces of carbon paper."

It wasn't until 1972 that Tweed enjoyed the luxury of an electric typewriter, one complete with the "bouncing ball" so popular then.

"I didn't see a computer until the mid-1980s," laughed Tweed, "and I was afraid I'd tear it up."

Tweed confesses to being self-taught in using the modern marvels. "I think of all the equipment that's come along the fax machines are the most amazing," she added.

Upon her initial employment, Tweed's duties included keeping the payroll and personnel files, mileage and odometer records, processing invoices, and ordering supplies and asphalt. "Basically I ended with the same duties I started with," she said.

It's been Tweed who's greeted the auditors upon their arrival in April.

The number of employees has dropped to 62 for Cocke, Jefferson, and Greene Counties, the three counties comprising District 13.

When asked to name the most memorable time of her employment, she quickly said, "The Blizzard of 1987, when over two feet of unexpected snow fell in early April, trapping motorists on I-40."

"I came to work on Thursday morning," she continued, "and didn't go home until Sunday night. I just catnapped during that time."

She also remembers that White Stores was located across the highway from the garage at the time. "Their parking lot was completely filled with tractor-trailers whose operators had to leave the interstate. We had as many as 25 drivers here in the office at one time wanting to know when the interstate would re-open. They had to take bulldozers to move the snow out of the way."

The Blizzard of '93 was another eventful time. "It was really worse than the one in 1987, because the temperature dropped to below zero," she added. "It got so cold that the diesel in the trucks froze."

An added headache came when the ice-laden trees began falling. "Crews worked day and night to clear the roads. They shone lights along the way to see to work."

Her first supervisor was Ralph Witt. He was followed by Carl Robbins, Terrell Lane, James Saulsbury, John Wells, and Lester Matthews.

Over the years her co-office workers have been Diane Wilder, Jane Pullum, the late Ruelena Proffitt, and, for the last 19 years Dovie Bradley.

"I'll miss my co-workers the most," Tweed mused, but quickly added, "but I sure won't miss the extra work that's been added and the confinement of the office."

She looks forward to spending more time with her high school sweetheart and husband of 49 years, George Tweed, now retired as a driver for Landair out of Sonoco.

The couple wed May 30, 1959 and have two children, Phyllis, now the wife of Daryl Harrison, and the technology director for Evan County Board of Education in Statesboro, Georgia, and Steve, Foods & Nutrition Director at Baptist Hospital of Cocke County.

Son-in-law Daryl is manager of the optical department of the Statesboro Wal-Mart.

There are two grandsons: Derek, 13, and Brian, 10, sons of Daryl and Phyllis.

Tweed, who was born and reared in Hartford, is the daughter of the late Charlie and Viola (Ramsey) Pullum. She spent her elementary school years at Hartford before entering Cosby High.

She has three sisters-Helen Hendrix of Greenville, SC; Charley Ann Pullum and Carolyn Pullum Wilder, both of Newport-and one brother, Harry Pullum, Knoxville.

"George and I want to travel, especially to places inside the United States," said Tweed, "and visit the grandsons more often. We also plan to be more involved at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, and I want to do some volunteer work."

It goes without saying she and her family will continue their avid support of the Lady Vols and journey to area Bluegrass festivals.

This week co-workers have honored her and a reception on Friday, June 27, at Carson-Springs Conference Center, hosted by her children, will top off the celebration.