MILDRED MILLER THOMAS HAS DIED

She was a painter, an author, a great storyteller, a preacher's daughter and an all around wonderful lady. Mildred Miller Thomas has died after several months of declining health. Her obituary follows.

THOMAS, MILDRED MILLER, age 86, of Madisonville, Tennessee passed away 11:45 a.m. Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Sweetwater Hospital. Preceded in death by parents, Oliver and Mary Hartness Miller, sisters, Stella Miller, Edna Miller, Jessie Miller Harlow, Marian Aleen Miller and Edith Miller; brothers, Boyd Miller and Austin Miller; brother-in-law, Floyd Harlow. She was a member of South Madisonville Baptist Church. Survivors: husband, Hugh E. (Tommy) Thomas; sister, Ella Miller;
brother and sisters-in-law, Stanley and Loretta Miller, Dot Miller, Ann Miller;
nieces, Carol Harlow Caines and husband, Eugene, Jeanette Harlow; nephews, Ronald Miller and wife, Billie, Bobby Miller, Stephen Miller and wife, Suneetha,
David Miller and wife, Tammy; several grand nieces and grand-nephews, great-grand nieces and a great-great grand nephew. Funeral 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Biereley-Hale Chapel, Rev. Rick Harris officiating. Interment in Madisonville City Cemetery. Family will receive friends 10-11 a.m. Saturday at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville.

WHY DO THEY CALL IT THAT? TELLICO PLAINS IN MONROE COUNTY

Visit the WBIR TV Channel 10 website (wbir.com) and click on the link for "Why Do They Call It That? Tellico Plains in Monroe County"

This segment recently aired on WBIR TV.

You may also go to the WATE TV Channel 6 website (WATE.COM) and look for Latest Video section to see video of "Tellico Plains celebrates Independence Day and 100th Birthday".

TELLICO PLAINS, TN CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

The town of Tellico Plains, Tennessee celebrated its 100th anniversary this past weekend. The Tennessee Legislature incorporated the town on July 4, 1911. Special events were held throughout the weekend to commemorate the occasion. On Saturday afternoon, the town square was sectioned off and special kid-friendly events and activities were held. On Saturday evening, a square dance was held on the town square, complete with special music and fireworks. Many vendors were set up on the street, offering various food items and other goodies for sale. Monday at noon, the town hosted a parade of sorts as the traditional wagon train rolled through town. The regular flow of traffic came to a halt as horses, buggies and wagons took over the streets for a short time. This was the first time in several years the wagon train was a part of the Fourth of July activities for the town.

Wayne Dutton, of Madison, Georgia is shown above with his replica of a stage coach. Mr. Dutton and his stage coach led the wagon train thru town with former mayor, Charles Hall, on board. Hall, who served as the parade grand marshall, was mayor of Tellico Plains for over thirty years. Mr. Dutton said the stage coach is a replica of one from the old west and was hand built by a group of Amish men. It took a year to build the coach. Dutton had it built about 4 years ago. The other photo is of a pair of mules pulling a wagon with two unidentified men, who also rode in the parade.

The Tellico Plains Library also celebrated the town's centennial birthday on the Fourth of July. Guests enjoyed refreshments and had an opportunity to discuss the town's history from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tellico Plains is significant to our family. Our Self ancestors settled near Tellico Plains, at Turkey Creek, around 1885-1890, arriving from Union and Lumpkin Counties in Georgia.