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‘Faye has a heart for the Lord and for the children of this community’- State Rep. Dennis Powers
By Charlotte Underwood
JACKSBORO, TN. (WLAF)- Community “icon” and “legend” Faye Heatherly was honored Friday night with a proclamation from the state and a proclamation from the county celebrating her “legacy of service” to Campbell County.
She was honored for not only her service as a long-time Campbell County School Board Member, and as a Christian Learning Center Board Member, but also for her services at local churches including Indiana Avenue, Central, and Hillcrest Baptist Churches.
The evening was filled with heart-felt stories from those who Heatherly has “encouraged, influenced, or helped somehow along the way.”
The banquet was held at the Jacksboro Methodist Church and benefitted the Campbell County Christian Learning Center, an organization Heatherly helped bring into fruition and that is “near and dear” to her heart.
State Rep. Dennis Powers and State Sen. Ken Yager kicked off the event with opening remarks about Heatherly and her commitment to the Campbell County Christian Learning Center and her community.
Powers said, “Faye is a huge supporter of the Campbell County Learning Center and that she played an integral role in the establishment of the learning center.”
“Faye has a heart for the Lord and for the children of this community,” Powers said.
Yager said Heatherly is an “extraordinary lady, and one of a kind.”
“Faye Heatherly is an encourager, she brings out the best in people, it makes her a great leader and one who cares about those around her. She is a vessel for God, and she pours that vessel of love out wherever she goes, ” Yager said.
Heatherly said her “heart has always been drawn to children and youth ministries” which is why she “enjoys serving on the board for Campbell County Christian Learning Center.”
Heatherly was born and raised in LaFollette. Her parents were Everette and Walcie Bowman who were owners of J. Everette Bowman Jewelers in downtown LaFollette. Faye was married to Paul Heatherly for 46 years when he passed away in 2000.
“God blessed us with four awesome children, Sherry, Mark, Stanley, and Angie. Paul served as Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Caryville 1964-68 and Hillcrest Baptist Church 1968-2000. As a Pastor’s wife, I was actively engaged during those years in many capacities such as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Director, Youth Director, Vacation Bible School Director, pianist, and organist all while being a mom and having fulltime jobs,” Heatherly said.
She has always been passionate about serving her county, and her community activities reflect that service. Overy the years, Heatherly has been involved in children’s schools serving as PTA President and Treasurer. She served as LaFollette Business & Professional Women’s Organization and was president for two terms, and also served on the Campbell County School Board 2000-10 and 2014 -22, the Tennessee School Boards Association East District Director and 2018 TSBA President and served on National School Boards Association committees and delegate. Heatherly served as the Tennessee Legislative Representative attending Washington D.C. for the Annual Advocacy Institute Conference to lobby with legislators for education and public schools and has “volunteered for many organizations through the years.”
During Friday’s celebration, Campbell County Mayor Jack Lynch read a proclamation in Heatherly’s honor, designating November 15th, 2024, as Faye Heatherly Day in Campbell County.
“She has spent a lifetime, living, working and worshipping in Campbell County, while raising four children. Faye Heatherly is recognized for serving the people of Campell County in many different ways, serving 20 years on the Campbell County School Board and volunteering for many organizations such as being on the board of the Campbell County Chrisitan Learning Center,” Lynch said.
Powers and Yager honored Heatherly with a proclamation from the state signed by the Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton and themselves.
“We have a depth of gratitude for you Faye, for your service to your God, your family and to your community. The state of Tennessee recognizes that great generosity of spirit that you possess and that you share,” Yager said.
The 88-year-old Heatherly said she felt like the whole evening was a dream and gave credit to the Lord for everything.
“Oh, my goodness sakes alive, I cannot believe this. I told my family on the way down here, that it seems like a dream and I that I could wake up anytime and I would say what a pleasant dream that was, but tonight, I realize that it’s reality. I cannot believe that it’s happened to me, because anything I have ever been, anything I am now or anything that I will be, I owe it all to God, he is my light.”
Heatherly said her heart was “overcome with humbleness, thankfulness and gratitude” and told all present that they “held a special place in her heart.”
“Everything that I’ve done in my life, is because I felt like in needed to be done, I don’t feel like it was anything special, it was just what I needed to do. My years on the school board were such a blessing, and to know that I was a part of helping the children and the students and the educational system in this county. Everything I have done, I give the honor and glory to God, without him, I would be nothing.”
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 11/19/2024-6AM)