Resolution 26-31

Requesting the Tennessee General Assembly to name a portion of State Route 46 in Hickman County as the "Reverend John E. Tidwell Memorial Highway".

WHEREAS, John E. Tidwell was born on June 20, 1926 as the eldest son to Lewis and Anna Lee Tidwell of Bon Aqua, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, John served in the United States Army during some of the most fierce fighting of World War II, where as a gunner on a mortar team he received two Bronze Stars; and

WHEREAS, John returned home with an Honorable Discharge and married Martha W Luther. Together they raised three children, John Lewis, Bobby and Gayla; all Hickman County Residents; and

WHEREAS, John had a passion for agriculture, working as a farmer he raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep and tobacco; and

WHEREAS, John served in various agricultural related roles with the Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service Office (ASCS), the Hickman County Farm Bureau and the Hickman County Soil Conservation Board; and

WHEREAS, John was Ordained a Minister in 1954, serving as a Bi-vocational Pastor for many small congregations in the Bon Aqua area to include, New Hope Baptist, Parkers Creek Baptist, Mt. Zion Baptist, Harmony Baptist, Walnut Grove Baptist, Liberty Baptist and Missionary Ridge Baptist; and

WHEREAS, John went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ, passing from this world on February 11, 2019, and

WHEREAS, the members of the Hickman County Legislative Body feel, on behalf of our citizenry, that it would be fitting and proper to name this section of highway after John.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Hickman County, Tennessee, assembled in regular session this July 27, 2026 that:

SECTION 1: The General Assembly of the State of Tennessee is hereby respectfully requested, by legislation, to name the section of State Highway 46 starting at the intersection of state highways 100, 46, and 7 running northward to the Hickman, Dickson County line as the "Reverend John E. Tidwell Memorial Highway", as a lasting tribute to his life of service. Such legislation should also direct the Tennessee Department of Transportation to erect suitable markers along State Route 46.

SECTION 2: The County Clerk of Hickman County is hereby directed to furnish certified copies of this resolution to the members of the Tennessee General Assembly that represent Hickman County, namely Senator Kerry Roberts and Representative Jody Barrett, at their offices in Nashville, Tennessee. These members are respectfully asked to draft, sponsor and work for the passage of legislation which would enact this highway designation.

SECTION 3: The provisions of this resolution shall become effective upon its passage, the public welfare requiring it.

Sponsors: Steve Gianakos; Keith Nash

Board action: Adopted unanimously by roll call (July 27, 2026).