TOP PHOTO: DeWayne Kitts drove his La Follette mail truck through the late Ken McCarty’s funeral procession as the former postmaster was laid to rest on Tuesday afternoon.

Postal employees, past and present, expressed their respects for former Postmaster Ken McCarty as his funeral procession traveled up East Central Avenue under a sunny sky on Tuesday afternoon.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Former La Follette Postmaster Ken McCarty was honored and remembered on Tuesday afternoon in a fitting tribute. Mail trucks lined East Central Avenue as McCarty’s funeral procession made its way up the street.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for Ken,” said veteran mail carrier DeWayne Kitts. Kitts and other postal employees, past and present, were hand Tuesday to say goodbye to former La Follette Postmaster Ken McCarty.

Kitts drove his mail truck in McCarty’s funeral procession that left Cross-Smith Funeral Home around 2:30 pm. The procession made its way through the valley to the Davis Chapel community and Sunrise Cemetery where McCarty was laid to rest.

Though McCarty had been retired for a few years, he left a lasting legacy at the La Follette PO.

McCarty led a life of service. He served his country in the U.S. Army and served his community as a member of Valley Star Masonic Lodge #522 and Kerbela Shriners. For 40 years, he was employed by the US Postal Service where he worked his way to the top position of postmaster of the La Follette Office.

“He took a chance on me by pushing to get the transfer (postal service) from Knoxville. He wouldn’t quit till I got transferred from Knoxville to Duff.” said Kitts. Kitts has been at the La Follette Post Office now for years, in large part due to McCarty.

McCarty’s family received friends 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Tuesday at Cross-Smith Funeral Home and proceeded to Sunrise Cemetery for the 3 pm graveside service and interment.. Military honors were presented by the Campbell County Honor Guard along with Masonic Services. Rev. Brian Burge, pastor of McCarty’s church, Cedar Hill, officiated.

In lieu of flowers, McCarty’s family requests that memorial contributions can be made to the Campbell County Shriners Club Hospital Transportation Fund. The address is P.O. Box 264, La Follette, TN 37766.

Kenneth Donald McCarty was 82-years- old. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/12/2021-6AM-UPDATED01/13/2021-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)