County Mayor Jack Lynch (second from left) and County Commissioners paid tribute to longtime Commissioner Whit Goins at a sign unveiling held on Friday morning on Old Middlesboro Highway.

 By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The 50 years of elected service of Whit Goins was commemorated with the placement of two road signs along Old Middlesboro Highway last Friday.

Goins served more than four decades as a county commissioner for the first district and six years on the county school board. During that time he “served his community well” and was responsible for getting water to the first district, a task he was “most proud of.”  He also served 50 years in the Campbell County Shrine Club.

Members of his family, elected officials and the community gathered at 10 am Friday to attend the sign unveiling and dedication, which was held at the intersection of Old Middlesboro Highway and Knox Hollow Road. A place where Whit often set up to “trade” and sell items, something he loved to do. The other sign was placed along the road near Valley View Elementary School.  This section of road was often driven by Goins as he traveled to and from his home.

County Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck, left, Senator Ken Yager and State Representative Dennis Powers attended the sign dedication in honor of Longtime Commissioner Whit Goins in honor of his 50 years of elected service.

State Senator Ken Yager and State Representative Dennis Powers attended the event to present a resolution honoring Goins to his widow Beatrice and their two children Marquita Goins and Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. 

County Road Superintendent Ron Dilbeck and County Mayor Jack Lynch, along with the county commission members spoke of Whit’s dedication to his district and his county as a whole.

The signs were donated and of no cost to the county.

“He was a great man and I appreciate his years of service; when you see that sign, it is a perfect representation of Whit,” Dilbeck said. 

County Mayor Jack Lynch said Whit’s legacy would live on.”We will remember Whit and all he did for the county for a long time to come,” Lynch said. 

Commissioner Dewayne Gibson said Whit “was a perfect example of what a man should be and what a commissioner should be.”

Commissioner Scott Kitts said Whit Goins had been a mentor to him over the years and had given him “a great deal of advice.”

Members of Whit Goins family, elected officials and the community gathered at 10 am Friday to attend the sign unveiling and dedication, which was held at the intersection of Old Middlesboro Highway and Knox Hollow Road.

Whit’s longtime friend Kent Younce spoke about Whit’s dedication to to his county and how much fun they had together over the years.

Whit Goins’s longtime friend Kent Younce spoke at the sign dedication held on Friday. LaFollette Utility Board General Manager Kenny Baird, at right also spoke.

“We had breakfast at Katie’s six days a week and then we ate at Big O’s every Sunday morning. We saw each other on a daily basis; he went to Nashville with me and we went a lot of places together. I loved Whit; he meant so much to me,” Younce said.

Whit’s son Mark Goins described how his dad “loved people.” 

“He loved every day citizens and those elected to serve. He loved people and you all loved him. On behalf of the family, we thank you. I’m not sure what dad would think of this, but it’s fitting, and it’s right,” Mark Goins said. 

Senator Ken Yager read several lines from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

“Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;”

“Whit Goins was a great man and his actions and his service to his community and his county have left footprints on the sands of time,” Yager said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/27/2023-6AM)

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