Reception held for parade grand marshal, Betty Snodderly

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – A reception for this year’s parade grand marshal Betty Snodderly was held Thursday evening at the LaFollette Methodist Church. Family and friends were present for the event honoring Snodderly’s dedication to her community and county over the years.

At the reception, she was presented with a plaque in recognition of her many years of service to the county. 

Her son John Snodderly spoke saying his mother was not the type to be in the spotlight.

“She’s always been more behind the curtains, but it’s good to have her in the spotlight now, she deserves it; she’s truly a wonderful leader,” John Snodderly said. 

Jay Willoughby also spoke saying Betty had been a champion for the business community and the county. 

“Betty is one of my heroes, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition,” Willoughby said. 

Kenny Baird with LaFollette Utility Board spoke via video as he was unable to attend. He recalled meeting Betty when he was just three or four years old and getting to know her working at LUB the last decade. 

“I can’t think of a better, more humble and deserving person than Betty to receive this honor,” Baird said. 

Members of the Christmas Parade Committee presented Betty Snodderly with her Grand Marshal plaque.

Snodderly said she was “honored and humbled” to be chosen and that she was accepting the designation on “behalf of all the volunteers and others that had supported the chamber and the Christmas parade over the years.”

“It takes so much volunteer work and effort to make this happen each year, and I would have never been able to do it without wonderful volunteers,” Snodderly said. 

She herself first began at the chamber as a volunteer for several years before taking over as director. She was at the helm of the chamber for about 20 years. She said her late husband, Ken, had been responsible for her coming to the chamber as a volunteer. 

“It was such an opportunity for me, and I was always blessed to have good people on my board and good people to support me and I loved every minute of it and now I’m at LUB and I love that. I’m a worker, I can’t stay at home, you can only dust so much,” Betty Snodderly said. 

It was through the chamber that she first became involved in the Christmas Parade Committee. 

“I always had such good committee members, and we always had so much fun,” Snodderly said.

Over the years Snodderly has continued to give back to her county and community. 

She retired from the chamber of commerce in 2009 and has spent the last 11 years working part-time at the customer service department at LUB, attending community events and “being a loving mother and grandmother.” 

She continues to love and support her community, her family and her friends.

“I appreciate this honor and this parade committee so much and I am thankful for all the support from my community and family and friends,” Betty Snodderly said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/03/2021-6AM)