LOCAL BRIEFS: WTH leader honored by NAACP

Kimberly Jones has won the 2026 NAACP Jo Helen Imani Beard Community Service Award.  It is presented annually "to an individual or organization whose work and civic engagement have made a significant impact in the community. They have given of themselves in order to bring about positive and constructive changes to our community."  

It was presented by the Jackson Madison County Branch at the 2026 Freedom Fund Banquet on May 24th at the Carol Perkins Civic Center in Jackson.

Currently she serves as the System Controller/Executive Director for West Tennessee Healthcare, where she plays a vital role on the Finance Executive Leadership team.  Her responsibilities encompass Accounting, Financial and Management Reporting, Budgeting, Payroll and Accounts Payable.  In 2022, she was honored for 25 years of dedicated service.

Jones is a native of Henderson, Tennessee.  She hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on accounting, and a Master of Business Administration, both from The University of Tennessee at Martin.  She is a 2022 graduate of the UTM WestStar Leadership Program.

She is a 2023 recipient of a Sterling Award:  20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee, and currently serves on the Sterling Legacy book committee.  She will be installed as President of Jackson Area Business & Professional Women in June, 2026.

FirstBank tabs Allison for leadership role

FirstBank announced that Amy Allison has been named Vice President, Treasury Management Officer for West Tennessee. Based in Lexington, Allison will serve business clients across FirstBank’s West Tennessee footprint, providing tailored financial solutions designed to optimize efficiency and drive long-term growth.   

An industry veteran with 24 years of experience in business development, Allison pairs her treasury management expertise with a keen understanding of clients’ strategic needs. Prior to joining FirstBank, she most recently served as VP, Cash Management Director & Treasury Management Officer at Community Bank. Allison earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Missouri Southern State University.

Originally from the Midwest, Allison moved to Tennessee in 2007 and has proudly called it home ever since. Beyond her professional roles, she is a dedicated community advocate who has supported numerous local nonprofits through her work with both Leadership Jackson and Leadership Joplin. Allison’s contributions have earned her honors as one of Jackson’s Finest Professionals (2017) and the 2024 Sterling Award for the 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee. When she’s not working, she and her husband Kevin enjoy spending time together, traveling, and boating on the Tennessee River.

Women’s Veterans’ Day

Jackson-Madison Chapter DAR and James Madison SAR will host almost 50 women veterans at their annual Women Veterans Recognition Day event at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 7. The event will be held at VFW Post 6496 at 285 Airways Blvd in Jackson, TN. Family and friends are invited to attend. 

These women veterans will hear keynote speaker Tonya Launsby, who is the Department of TN American Legion Senior Vice Commander.  Danny Nolen, representing the James Madison Chapter Sons of the American revolution, will speak on Mary Mills Stepp, one of the first women pioneers in North Carolina.

The women veterans will be recognized with Certificates of Honor, and treated to door prizes, celebratory cake, Doubletree cookies, and light refreshments. 

This recognition event is part of the ongoing Tennessee America 250 celebration. 

The event is free and open to the public.      

To register for the Certificate of Honor or for more information, jutleydar@gmail.com or 731-293-5055. 

DAR installing flags in Liberty Park 

The Jackson-Madison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will dedicate their 20th annual Field of Flags on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Liberty Garden Park and Arboretum located at 24 Channing Way, in observance of Flag Day, June 14th.  The public is invited to attend this ceremony and to view the “Betsy Ross” flags representing Revolutionary War ancestors of Madison County residents. Due to the outdoor setting, please bring your own lawn chair.

The Field of Flags will be installed in the Liberty Park on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and will remain until Saturday, July 5, 2026.  The display will be in place for Flag Day on June 14, and for Independence Day on July 4.

The names of all Revolutionary War patriots honored by flags on the Field will be read.

The 220+ flags are flown in honor of the Revolutionary War ancestors of Jackson and Madison County. The field includes both male and female veterans from all 13 colonies plus Vermont.  A 50-star flag will be flown to honor those currently serving in the military and those who have served since the end of the American Revolution.   

Madison County was the final home to at least 28 Revolutionary War patriots. These 28 flags are separated slightly from the rest of the Field to emphasize their special connection to Madison County. These men and all other Revolutionary War Patriots who fought and sacrificed for our nation’s freedom will be honored with Our Field of Flags.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation’s children.  Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War.  With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3, 000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations.  DAR is non-partisan and non-political, and welcomes any woman, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineage to a Revolutionary War patriot. 

Jackson-Madison Chapter NSDAR was organized on Flag Day, June 14, 1901, and will commemorate their 125th “Birthday” this year.

To learn more about the Jackson-Madison Chapter, visit www.tndar.org/~jacksonmadison/wp, or contact Regent Jeanita Hicks at 615-210-0331 or sjhicks1@bellsouth.net.

Candidate forum

We the People of West Tennessee will host a Madison County Candidate Forum on Tuesday, June 16, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Jackson First Assembly, 1027 W. Forest, Jackson. The event is free and open to the public. Confirmed candidates represent races for County Mayor, County Commission, JMCSS School Board, Juvenile Court Clerk, and City Court Clerk on the Aug. 6 ballot. Early voting runs July 17 through Aug. 1. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for informal one-on-one time with candidates. The Forum begins at 6 p.m. Each candidate will have equal time to address the audience, followed by audience questions and a lightning round. The event will be recorded and posted to the We the People of West TN Facebook page and YouTube channel.

LIFELINE blood drives

Here’s the schedule for blood drives for LIFELINE Blood Services in June:

• June 16 - Lowe’s-South Jackson, June 16, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
• June 17 - Jackson Energy Authority, 8-10 a.m.
• June 25 - Jackson Clinic Baptist Campus, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• June 30 - Jackson Madison Co. General Hospital, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• All-American Blood Drive happens on Thursday, June 29 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at their Jackson Center.