African-Americans enlisted in World War I to prove patriotism

By Sherri Onorati, The Covington Leader  May 24, 2018 Several African-American units saw action alongside French soldiers fighting against the Germans. During World War I, 171 black soldiers were awarded the French Legion of Honor for their efforts. More than 350,000 Black Americans served in segregated units during World War

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James Kirby Smith

Pvt. James Kirby Smith was born in Brighton, Tipton County, TN to Robert Lee Smith and Frances Ida Huffman Smith on Sept. 11, 1895. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 28, 1918, under service number 3501627. He was 22 years old when he enlisted, 5′ 9 1/2″ tall,

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Union Hill

The historical schools that once dotted the landscape of Tipton County were segregated like all schools in the South during the beginning of the 20th century. Union Hill was a colored school in the District 6 area of Munford. Teacher records for Union Hill begin with the 1924/1925 school year,

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Group gathered at Collins Chapel groundbreaking ceremony.

The History of Collins Chapel

As printed in the Centennial Celebration (1873-1973) booklet Collins Chapel C. M. E. Church of Covington, Tenn., was founded in 1869. It was known at that time as a Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The first worship services were held under a bush arbor on the present site. Later a

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Two women looking at a photo album.

THE HISTORY OF MY WORLD WAR II SCRAPBOOK

By Hattye Thomas Yarbrough My World War II scrap booking and memorabilia collecting became natural for me because the more I learned about the history of African American contributions to America's history the more I wanted to know and the more I wanted to share this history with others. Others

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Charles E. Faught

Services are conducted for Navy Warrant Officer Services have been held in Madison, Fla., for Navy Chief Warrant Officer Charles Edward Faught, former Memphis and Covington, Tenn., resident, who died of a heart attack at sea. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Madison. Mr. Faught, who was 39, died

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Map of Covington with labeled streets.

A SKETCH OF COVINGTON IN 1885

This newspaper article from page 4 of the Friday, Dec. 11, 1885, issue of the Memphis Daily Appeal is a first-hand account of a visitor to Covington and a correspondent of the Memphis Daily Appeal. The article text has been reprinted as it was originally written. The photos have been

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Chalkboard drawing of girl, turkey, and calendar.

Craig’s Chapel

By Sherri Onorati, Special to The Leader Although, it’s been hard to determine when Craig’s Chapel first started its school, records at the Tipton County Board of Education do show that it was in operation and the district was paying teachers at the school, as far back as 1911. There

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Cooper School

A look at Tipton County’s historical schools  By Sherri Onorati, Special to The Leader This summer, The Leader is continuing its summer series on Tipton County’s former community schools. At one time, there were more than 100 community schools located throughout Tipton County. These stories are about those historical schools,

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