Rest In Peace Diane! Rest In Peace

I received a message yesterday that about 11:30 a.m. Diane Dozier had passed away.

In 1998, Diane Dozier was elected to the Knox County School Board seat from out in the north end of Knox County, the Seventh District seat. She was elected in a 5 way race between a popularly retired Gibbs High School Principal Jerry Sharp, Knoxville businessman Kevin Purdy (both have passed away) and two other candidates, I recall. Dozier was elected with less than a majority of votes. The non partisan school board elections were part of the same legislation that gave TN an elected Superintendent. Dozier was an active Democrat. She worked for Mike Padgett, the Knox County Clerk and was a big supporter of Harry Tindell, who served in the legislature.

The Knox County Commission in desiring to right the wrong in having someone elected with less than a majority of votes cast asked the legislature to permit Knox County to have a run off election if no candidate received more than a simple majority. That bill passed and Knox County is the ONLY county in the state that has run off elections if a school board candidate does not receive 50% plus 1 vote in the primary. In 2004, Indya Kincannon was required to face Patsy Vittatoe. In 2012, Doug Harris had to best Gina Oster when neither of them of and a third candidate received 50% + 1 vote.

In 2000, I was elected to the Knox County School Board and Diane and I began serving together. In 2001 the Tennessee School Boards Association held a School Facilities workshop and Diane and I both attended. During a break in the meeting the TSBA staff asked Diane asked the TSBA staff to take a picture of myself, another school board and herself. How surprised was I when that photograph appeared on the cover of the Summer 2001 Journal a magazine sent to Superintendents and School Board Members across our state.

Left to Right above the word “Building” the late Diane Dozier, myself and another School Board Member from across the state

How fitting that the caption under our picture read Building (of course wearing hard hats was Diane’s idea) Anyhoo. Diane was on the school board and her County Commissioners that shared her district were Mary Lou Horner and Scott Moore. During that time, the Seventh District received more new facilities, renovations and additions than that district had ever seen and will ever see.

So, when I heard of Diane’s passing today. It brought some sadness. While she and I did not agree politically with one another. We could agree to disagree without being disagreeable. That is something that I can not say for everyone that served on the school board during the time I served.

I will never forget when I was pushing to have Memorial Day as a holiday for all employees. I wasn’t sure where Diane stood on that issue. When the votes were cast, she voted yes. I asked her after the meeting what changed your mind, she said it was when you talked about individuals serving our military and having to clean and or serve as a Principal, when they sacrificed greatly and was still having to work even though students were already dismissed for the year. You became those peoples voice.

So, a raise a toast to the memory a great lady, a fantastic mother and a genuine public servant Diane Dozier. Rest in Peace, Diane. You deserve it.

Arrangements by Lynnhurst. Here is the obituary where you can get the arrangement details (when posted) and leave a condolence to her son Curtis and extended family.