By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor
The families of two beloved Knox Countians gathered Tuesday to light the massive Christmas tree marking the entrance of the Knox County Courthouse.
The family of the late Granny Tye donated the tree, and its lighting was done in honor of a former Knox County coroner, Jerry Garland.
Garland died in May at age 60 when his riding lawnmower overturned near his home in Bimble.
Tye — known simply as “Granny” to most of Barbourville — had nine children, 31 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren when she passed away.
Knox County Attorney and UNITE Coalition representative Charley Greene Dixon described her as “a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother and a great-great-grandmother — and I would be remiss if I didn’t say a Barbourville Tiger fan through and through — but most notably, a lady. Granny Tye was true to her family. Not a time could you drive down Allison Avenue and not see the yard parked full and the front porch with standing room only with her family.
“I want to thank the Tye family for donating this tree in memory of Granny Tye and allowing it to stand as a symbol of the love that she had for her family. May her legacy live forever,” he said.
The Knox County UNITE Coalition, a local anti-drug program, coordinates the lighting ceremony every year. Dixon also spoke about Garland’s commitment to the UNITE program.
“I remember when we first started the Knox County UNITE program, there was a lot of hard work that went on and we didn’t know where we were headed with that program, but I remember Jerry Garland coming into my office and saying ‘boy, you’re doing good. Keep it up, and if I can help ya, I will,’” Dixon said.
That same year, UNITE started its basketball league and Dixon mentioned to Jerry that he hoped to have a party for the kids at the end of the basketball season.
“Just like a kid on Christmas, I walked into the gym after the program was over and I had 500 pizzas sent to me from Jerry Garland,” Dixon said. “It touched my heart to know that someone cared that much about the kids in this county.”
The late Garland’s son, Jerry Wayne Garland, attended the lighting with his own young son, Jakob Garland.
“That’s an honor to Dad, and an honor to Dad is an honor to the Garland family,” Jerry Wayne said after the lighting. “I really appreciate Knox County and the city of Barbourville. It’s a joyous thing to start the season off right. I appreciate them honoring Dad, but the real reason is Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and celebrating his birth.”
The choir from First Baptist Church of Artemus also entertained the crowd with Christmas carols, and an opening and closing prayer was shared by the pastor of Scalf Chapel Church.
Barbourville Tourism Director Betty Cole also spoke about other upcoming holiday events in Knox County. The “I Believe in Santa” parade begins in downtown Barbourville at 6 p.m. Saturday. Santa will be at the courthouse before the parade to meet with children and roast marshmallows.
“It’s just amazing what happens to this community when everyone comes together, puts their heads together and makes things like this happen,” Cole said.
