<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 492
By Sparks
HJR0492
006028
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A RESOLUTION to recognize and commend Mary Patterson
Watkins.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should salute those
citizens who, through their extraordinary efforts, have distinguished themselves as community
leaders of whom we can all be proud; and
WHEREAS, one such noteworthy person is Mary Patterson Watkins, who has
distinguished herself as a citizen of the greatest dedication, ability, and integrity; and
WHEREAS, born in Rutherford County, Ms. Watkins is the daughter of Walter Patterson
and Sam Ella Patterson; she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Art and Sociology from
Middle Tennessee State University, in addition to gaining two endorsements in special
education from the University of Tennessee at Nashville and the University of Tennessee at
Martin; and
WHEREAS, dedicating herself to the service of education both in the classroom and in
the board room, Ms. Watkins was named the Teacher of the Year for both Riverdale High
School and Rutherford County Schools and was employed by the Tennessee Department of
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for twenty-three years; she retired as a teacher with
sixteen years of service; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Watkins's outstanding performance in the classroom was also
recognized by "Who's Who Among High School Teachers," and she received the Trailblazer in
Education Award from Middle Tennessee State University and the Daily News Journal; and
WHEREAS, eager for the continued success of her students, Ms. Watkins was
instrumental in the creation of the Rutherford County Transition Academy at Middle Tennessee
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State University, and she developed Profiles for Athletes to assist students in leveraging their
athletic abilities to secure college scholarships; and
WHEREAS, no stranger to accolades, she has earned myriad recognitions and awards
for her many and varied accomplishments: Resolution for Extraordinary Service and Leadership
in Rutherford County from the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners in 2025, the African
American Heritage Society Founders Award in 2024, the Tennessee Historical Commission
Certificate of Merit in 2024, the Murfreesboro Muslim Youth Person of the Year Award in 2023,
the Leading Ladies Project Historian for the Party of Twelve Play in 2022, the Rutherford County
Heritage Society Community Service Award in 2021, the Unity Luncheon Unsung Hero Award in
African American Arts at Middle Tennessee State University in 2018, a profile in the creative
journal Collage titled "From MTSU Student to Community Icon" in 2020, the NAACP Woman of
the Year Award in 2015, and the Recognition Award from the Department of Education, Division
of College and Career Readiness in 2011; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Watkins, keenly understanding the power of history, helped found the
African American Heritage Society of Rutherford County, which seeks to discover, preserve,
and teach the African-American story in Rutherford County, and its efforts have resulted in the
installation of three Tennessee Historical Markers, the erection of four monuments, the
mounting of a plaque, and the consideration of six other possible historical marker sites; and
WHEREAS, she has also been a genealogy instructor at the Patterson Community
Center for "African American Voices: Past and Present of Rutherford County" since 2012, and
she utilizes her superlative skills as a public speaker on various topics for her local community;
and
WHEREAS, multivalent in her talent, she is a skilled artist, an expertise that she shares
with her neighbors through helping at youth art camps and senior art activities; acting as a
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sketch artist for the Murfreesboro Discovery Center on Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; presenting
art exhibits at schools and other community events; and donating art for local fundraisers; and
WHEREAS, her creative facility also extends to the written word; she is both a playwright
and a director of plays and skits, which have been performed at such locations as the Patterson
Center, Riverdale High School, Stones River National Battlefield, and Bethel Missionary Baptist
Church; and
WHEREAS, her renowned historical sensibility and care are well employed on the
advisory board for the Oakland Mansion and as a commissioner for the Rutherford County
Courthouse Museum; and
WHEREAS, additionally, Ms. Watkins served as the guest speaker at Representative
Mike Sparks' Rutherford County History discussion at the Sam Davis Home; and
WHEREAS, thoughtful of both this world and the next, Ms. Watkins is a lifelong member
of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Walter Hill; and
WHEREAS, Mary Watkins epitomizes the spirit and commitment that are characteristic
of a true Tennessean, and she should be specially recognized for her many accomplishments
and devoted work; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor and commend Mary Patterson Watkins for her selfless service to
her fellow citizens and extend to her our best wishes for continued success and happiness in all
her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.
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