EDITOR'S NOTE: The Tanner Preservation Committee continues its work to rescue and preserve the historic Tanner School, one of the few Rosenwald Schools remaining in America. Many students of the institution used the knowledge and wisdom gained there as springboards for success in many areas of life. The family of Bessie Thomas and her late husband Andrew 'Hoochie' Thomas recently recalled their days as students at the historic institution. In observance of Black History Month, the Tanner Preservation Committee has shared these memories with us.

Andrew and Bessie Thomas attended Tanner School in the early 1940’s. Although neither one graduated that was their lifelong dream to see that their nine children graduated from school. There were many happy times for the Thomas family, but one such time, was the history making event of the graduation of the ninth child of Andrew and Bessie Thomas. 

Bessie and Hoochie, as friends knew him, celebrated the graduation of the ninth child on May 30, 1981, from Cocke County High School.

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.