The names of Buchanan County residents who helped shape their communities now have a place where the public can see them.
The Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce dedicated the Buchanan County Hall of Fame plaque Friday, Sept. 25, at the Grundy Community Center Theater. Chamber members and guests gathered at noon for remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony before viewing the plaque in the theater foyer, just beyond the entrance ramp.
Chamber Vice President Ryan Clevinger thanked the people and organizations who helped purchase the plaque and find a home for it. He expressed appreciation to the Grundy Community Center, the Grundy Town Council and his fellow chamber members for helping make it possible to display such a significant piece of county history in a place open to the public.
For years to come, people visiting the theater will be able to stop at the plaque, recognize a name and perhaps learn about someone whose work made a difference in Buchanan County. Clevinger thanked those who worked behind the scenes to bring the project to completion and everyone who came to share in its dedication.
Chamber Executive Director Chad Cooper opened the ceremony by welcoming the crowd. He thanked theater supervisor Dusty Childress and his staff for hosting the event and allowing the plaque to be displayed in the foyer. He also thanked Dennis Ramey and Donna Smith at the Town of Grundy offices for her help.
“When you look at this plaque, you’ll see people from every corner of Buchanan County,” Cooper said. “They came from different communities and followed different paths, but each of them made a mark that deserves to be remembered.”
Cooper said the display gives families and future generations a place to find those names and reflect on the people behind them.
Among those attending were Grundy Mayor Chris Mitchell, Grundy Police Chief Seth McGlothlin, Buchanan County Tourism representative Traci Evans, Hall of Fame member Ginger Robertson, recent Hall of Fame recipient Frannie Minton, chamber members, other Hall of Fame members and guests.
The list provided for the plaque includes the following Hall of Fame members through 2024:
1976: Dr. Frank E. Clark, F.H. Combs, H.A. Compton, Willie Lee Dennis, Mrs. Helen Ruth Henderson, Samuel R. Hurley, Claude H. Pobst, Dr. A.S. Richardson, J.H. Stinson, Dr. Jessie G. Storie, Dr. John W. Waldron and Dr. J.P. Sutherland Sr.
1977: Dr. Miles Harvey Looney and Blanche Hicks Smith.
1978: E.E. “Pete” Dixon. 1979: Lydia Angeline Coleman. 1980: Percy V. Dennis Sr. 1981: John Harrison Lester. 1982: Clarence Greenleaf. 1983: F.B. “Boyd” Fowler. 1984: E.M. Bane. 1985: Charles M. Sublett and Bernice H. Sublett.
1986: Corria B. Ratliff. 1987: Fred Shortt. 1988: John Astor Rife. 1989: Julius W. Hall and Dr. Robert F. Baxter. 1990: Sam Beinhorn and Burl Rife. 1991: Therman E. Boyd. 1992: John S. Ratliff. 1993: Obra Simpson. 1994: Dr. Marcus Arnold. 1995: E.M. Gene Cecil.
1996: Woodrow McGlothlin. 1997: Sylvia Wright Raines. 1998: H.A. Street. 1999: Grace Woolridge. 2000: F.D. “Red” Robertson. 2001: Ernest Raines. 2002: The Honorable N.E. Persin. 2003: H.C. Lodge Compton. 2004: Ancil Childress and Tivis Mullins Jr. 2005: Willard Owens.
2006: Michael Trent. 2007: Lyle Mutter. 2008: Ralph Hagy. 2009: Earl Dellinger. 2010: Roger Powers. 2011: Mary Lynn Neeley. 2012: Curtis Mullins.
2013: Joe Gary Street, W. Miller Richardson, Authur Ratliff Jr., Fred Stigner, John N. Watkins, David Church and B.R. Thompson Jr.
2014: Robert Rife. 2015: Ginger Robertson. 2016: Peggy S. Yates. 2017: Edgar Talbott. 2018: Mickey McGlothlin. 2019: Jon Rife. 2021: Jack C. Smith. 2022: Jay Rife. 2023: Shirley Clark Belcher. 2024: Edwin D. Bunn. 2025: Frannie Minton
