| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 12.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 13 Jul 2008.
...
For the past several weeks I have made several trips to the Douglas Avenue area learning about this old neighborhood and the people in it. During the next weeks, we will revisit old friends there and meet some new ones. Also, chatting with Arvis and Yvonne Keys on Thursday, I got to see how amazing the renovation of their old brick house is and found out she too lived just off Kirk street as a child.
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Just Plain Talk - Haggardtown's stone houses
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com).
Keys Restores the past
(c)2008 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL Standing at the original oak mantel and mirror and fireplace are Arvis and Yvonne Keys. They started the renovation of the house and motel in spring of 2007.
Author: David Popiel
Fall relinquished its grip but not without some furious winds on Friday that blew signs and debris about city streets in our hometown, as we welcome winter today, the shortest daylight at 9 hours and 19 minutes.
Before moving on to share my visit with the Keys, I wanted to give you a little more information sent to me by Belinda (Hall) Hilliard. She shared several stories related to family members and friends during World War II. John Harper, a former Plain Talk writer, happened to be in the office last week and we talked about war stories. You will read more about this and a most interesting "murder or myth?" tale he submitted.
Like us, Belinda said she has always been interested in that era. Her Mother's (Ollie Hall) youngest brother, Joe Murr, was killed in a tank near Rome on June 4,1944. Her brother-in-law, Jesse Smith, was killed in Belgium in November
3,1944. Daddy (James Robert Hall) lost a nephew, Milburn Hall, son of Jake and Allie (Simmons) Hall. He was killed in Belgium, Dec. 29, 1944. Milburn and
Uncle Joe were from Newport, she said. When she was growing up, her parents, kept a small box on a closet shelf and it contained letters from these soldiers and other loved ones. "Some are the tiny v-mail letters. Even as a child I treasured these letters and asked them to 'will' that box of letters to me. There is one letter from Daddy's Mom, Emeline Ellison Hall, who died May, 1926. I have several letters from Daddy's Dad, Samuel D. Hall, known as "Singing Sam" because of his love of shaped note gospel singing. He was well known and well loved by many. He taught singing schools throughout the area. He was the only grandparent I knew, and he died in 1959, when I was almost 8."
Anyone who has traveled along West Broadway getting as far as the Dairy Queen couldn't help but notice the remarkable improvements to what once was the Carolyn Motel. Months ago, I chatted with Arvis Keys and promised to return and tour the renovated brick home just next to Premier Therapy and see what has changed. It was a sunny day, rare of late, that Arvis and his wife, Yvonne, hosted me at their home. Perhaps you noticed it during the years sitting empty and seemingly abandoned. "We left as much of the structure as possible. What was added was chosen to fit in," said Yvonne, who treated me to some coffee and cake, which was mighty tasty.
There was something spooky when she first entered the two-story 1930s house because it reminded her of a place from the past. As she looked around and examined the lay-out of the house, she discovered that it was identical to a house her family had rented from Haskel Finchum near the old roller rink, where Ruby Tuesday is located today. She pointed this out and also how their renewed 2,300 square-feet home had revealed at least one major change since J. Donald Cody had it built. As you face the front from Broadway, the left side used to be an open porch that is now enclosed. It is this enclosure that works as an office for motel guests. Arvis said he did not know who built the house. It retains many unique features including the large front picture window, a four-by-six-foot mirror over oak fireplace mantel, the solid oak mantel and brick facing. Most all trim is oak but refinished with brilliant varnish sheen. They did use replacement doors and windows. Tim Mahoney ripped off the old roof and replaced it. Ralph Shelton and Discount Carpet did all new carpet installation. Carrier and Goodman brand heating and cooling units were installed across the entire motel, new commercial offices, and house project at a significant cost.
All walls were sanded and repainted off white. Doyle Fine and son were the painters. Carpenter work was done by John Norton, Robert Green, and Don Brown. Robert Green also reworked the plumbing and Albert Sprouse upgraded the wiring. One of those who contributed to the project, Donnie Dover, died before all the work was completed this past summer. Keys got the project kicked off in May 2007. The tedious work was cleaning and painting. Arvis bought the house in April 2007 from the Patels, who at that time operated the motel, but the house had been unused for many years. Keys' plan was always to renovate the property.
To maintain the historic 1930s look, all bathrooms have the original tile work, which is both artistic and extensive. The downstairs bath uses pale yellow tile and upstairs is green. Yvonne pointed out that the light switch on the upstairs bathroom is original and the switch's internal night light still works after 70 years. The kitchen has the original cabinetry that has been repainted a light gray. Next to the kitchen is a butler's serving room. "It was surprising there wasn't that much to do" so far as the house interior and exterior renovation. All the oak floors were sanded and revarnished to a warm glow.
The two-story red brick house was built in 1936 by former county squire Cody. It could be that the builder of this house and the Finchum one across town was the some contractor. There are a lot of reasons to like the old house with its comfortable size, a mix of old and new furniture, an upstairs leisure room, with windows that allow them to see all their businesses, as far east at the Lucky Pawn. Arvis also owns the building leased by Discount Carpet, the adjacent storage area, and the car lot/garage across the highway. It's a good place for the cars he collects. Two were parked in the secure parking area for Uptowne Rentals: a red 1964 two-door Ford and black 1973 Monte Carlo. In 1992 he totally renovated the old Newport Motor Court. With the recent project he now has about 33 rental units.
Like other Newport homes of this era, it is solidly built, plaster over wood lathe walls, so that you don't hear the traffic along West Broadway, highways 25/70. The former Carolyn motel was not built until 1950 and extensively remodeled by Keys earlier this year. The area has a lot of history, and as I've noted before, Yvonne lived just down the street in the Douglas Avenue neighborhood when she was a teenager. Not far away on the same side of the highway at the corner occupied by Kathy Holt's Exxon station, Paul Cody, a brother to J. Donald, lived. Another brother was Hollis Cody, whose daughter, Jenny Lou Talley and husband, Bufford, live at Castle Heights. Many of you already knew that Artis "Rabbit" Suggs and his wife built the motel and also ran Rabbits tavern across the highway. Apparently they owned the house and motel from 1950-60s.
One thing you can say about Arvis is he has always worked, used his mind and developed strong business skills. His father, Woodard Keys, labored at the old tannery and advised Arvis not to work there. Mom was the former Dora Epley and both lived in the Bryant Town area. You know the other children: Janie Suttles, married to Ray Suttles; Harold Keys, oldest of the children, and retired master mechanic; and the late Everett Keys. He was killed in a car crash about 1968. Everett and Robert Taylor were driving along Knoxville Highway near Sinking Creek and struck the bridge, killing both men. Arvis and Yvonne's only child, Ricky Keys, was killed in a car crash July 2007.
Yvonne is also well acquainted with work and city life. She is the daughter of the late Duval and Frances Brooks, who lived off Woodlawn. Later in their life they lived near Douglas Lake off Morristown Highway, and I had met them through former Plain Talk photographer and deputy Nickey Maxey, a second cousin to Yvonne, who was an only child. Her Mother was the daughter of John B. Allen. She said his name can still be seen on the bricks in the alley between the two old Driskill & Lynch buildings. She still remembers riding thin-wheeled bicycle when she first met Arvis and dated during high school. They were married Feb. 22, 1961. As a young couple they lived off Ruble Street and bought their first house from Raymond Gregg. Eventually, they moved into the Brooks home to take care of Dora in 1998. Both of their mothers died within two weeks of each other in 2005.
Yvonne's first job was at Magnavox in Morristown from 1962 for 10 years. A group would ride together to work with Pepsi Mason. She then got a job in the early 11970s with the state unemployment security office in the early 1970s. A few weeks ago, I bumped into Hilda Lovell, who managed the Newport office since about 1972. Hilda told me that for about two years she taught at Cosby School and for 36 years worked until retiring in late summer this year. Hilda, Betty Whitson and others worked together, said Yvonne, who left this job and went to work at the Emerson Electric plant. When she got laid off it was time to find a new career so she studied nursing in vocational school and got her RN degree from Walters State Community College. For many years she has worked at Baptist Hospital, now Mercy Health Partners and is on the medical-surgical floor where she loves the work and her fellow nurses.
While she has worked for others, Arvis has mostly worked for himself. He recalls that as a young teen he got his first real work experience with his uncle, Marvin Keys Sr., who owned a grocery were Dixie Pawn is located today off Cosby Highway. Arvis has always had a love of business in Newport. In the early 1960s he operated an open air market off Cosby highway near the current Newport Drug Store. "My uncle Marvin put me into business." He did this by signing a note for Arvis who became a grocer. He still remembers the unique aroma of the market in the 1960s because of all the fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats' aromas mingled in the small building. It was a time when you could buy a pack of Camels or Lucky Strikes for 19 cents and a gallon milk for 59 cents. "You could take a $20 bill and fill the back seat of a car," he said. By about 1970, he had acquired the IGA from Bob Trusty. You remember as I do that it was in the building known today as Burchett's Western Auto. Arvis said that Tommy Hansel was the butcher and other employees included Randy Hartsell and Zula Gorrell. After a time Arvis was ready for new ventures and opened a used car business at the location off Broadway where Lowland Credit sits. It was called West Plaza Motors, and I remember the ads in the Plain Talk. "We'd sell 50 to 60 cars a month." That was later in the 1970s. His routine was to travel to Bristol on Fridays to the car auction and have his employees drive what he bought back to Newport. Those men were Earl Mathis, Roger Miller, and Billy Joe Gorrell. "I still have the business license," said Arvis.
So my memory is mistaken when I think he has always been in the pawn business. He first opened a game arcade next to West Plaza Motors in what today is Milano's Italian Restaurant. It wasn't until 1988 that he opened his first pawn shop. During the 20 years he has mastered the business and when I chatted again with him on Thursday, he was behind the counter at Lucky Pawn selling gold jewelry. He admits that he has a fondness for jewelry sales. When he first decided to get into this side of sales he spent several days in Knoxville with a group of gold jewelry merchants from India, and also invited them to Newport to learn about the pawn business. As you might expect, during the current weak economy more people pawn items to raise cash. "We've got enough merchandise to start another store," he said. Outside, I saw a wheelbarrow packed high with power saws. He is old enough to have witnesses many changes in Newport, business, and the economy. At 66, he was born June 3, 1942. It is his opinion, and I tend to agree, that the country's money got devalued when it left the gold standard. A lot of gold ends up today in his pawn shop, as he gives out dollars to help folks until better times arrive. Then, he recycles the valuables from guitars, tools, electronics, rings and things to others looking for a bargain.
Just Plain Talk - Keys Restores the past
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 28 Dec 2008.
Grocery business got wheels going
Author: David Popiel
Just when you thought it couldn't rain anymore it did at week's end in our hometown, still holding on to Christmas lights and slower holidays' pace.
We are continuing our talk with Arvis Keys and walk through the renovated J. Donald Cody home off West Broadway. I wish we could print the photos of the tile bathrooms in color. To maintain the historic 1930s look, all bathrooms have the original tile work, which is both artistic and extensive. The downstairs bath uses pale yellow tile and upstairs is green. Yvonne Keys pointed out that the light switch on the upstairs bathroom is original and the switch's internal night light still works after 70 years. The kitchen has the original cabinetry that has been repainted a light gray. Next to the kitchen is a butler's serving room. "It was surprising there wasn't that much to do" so far as the house interior and exterior renovation. All the oak floors were sanded and revarnished to a warm glow.
The two-story red brick house was built in 1936 by former county squire Cody. It could be that the builder of this house and the Finchum one across town was the some contractor. There are a lot of reasons to like the old house with its comfortable size, a mix of old and new furniture, an upstairs leisure room, with windows that allow them to see all their businesses, as far east at the Lucky Pawn. Arvis also owns the building leased by Discount Carpet, the adjacent storage area, and the car lot/garage across the highway. It's a good place for the cars he collects. Two were parked in the secure parking area for Uptowne Rentals: a red 1964 two-door Ford and black 1973 Monte Carlo. In 1992 he totally renovated the old Newport Motor Court. With the recent project he now has about 33 rental units.
Like other Newport homes of this era, it is solidly built, plaster over wood lathe walls, so that you don't hear the traffic along West Broadway, highways 25/70. The former Carolyn motel was not built until 1950 and extensively remodeled by Keys earlier this year. The area has a lot of history, and as I've noted before, Yvonne lived just down the street in the Douglas Avenue neighborhood when she was a teenager. Not far away on the same side of the highway at the corner occupied by Kathy Holt's Exxon station, Paul Cody, a brother to J. Donald, lived. Another brother was Hollis Cody, whose daughter, Jenny Lou Talley and husband, Bufford, live at Castle Heights. Many of you already knew that Artis "Rabbit" Suggs and his wife built the motel and also ran Rabbits tavern across the highway. Apparently they owned the house and motel from 1950-60s.
One thing you can say about Arvis is he has always worked, used his mind and developed strong business skills. His father, Woodard Keys, labored at the old tannery and advised Arvis not to work there. Mom was the former Dora Epley and both lived in the Bryant Town area. You know the other children: Janie Suttles, married to Ray Suttles; Harold Keys, oldest of the children, and retired master mechanic; and the late Everett Keys. He was killed in a car crash about 1968. Everett and Robert Taylor were driving along Knoxville Highway near Sinking Creek and struck the bridge, killing both men. Arvis and Yvonne's only child, Ricky Keys, was killed in a car crash July 2007.
Yvonne is also well acquainted with work and city life. She is the daughter of the late Duval and Frances Brooks, who lived off Woodlawn. Later in their life they lived near Douglas Lake off Morristown Highway, and I had met them through former Plain Talk photographer and deputy Nickey Maxey, a second cousin to Yvonne, who was an only child. Her Mother was the daughter of John B. Allen. She said his name can still be seen on the bricks in the alley between the two old Driskill & Lynch buildings. She still remembers riding thin-wheeled bicycle when she first met Arvis and dated during high school. They were married Feb. 22, 1961. As a young couple they lived off Ruble Street and bought their first house from Raymond Gregg. Eventually, they moved into the Brooks home to take care of Dora in 1998. Both of their mothers died within two weeks of each other in 2005.
Yvonne's first job was at Magnavox in Morristown from 1962 for 10 years. A group would ride together to work with Pepsi Mason. She then got a job in the early 11970s with the state unemployment security office in the early 1970s. A few weeks ago, I bumped into Hilda Lovell, who managed the Newport office since about 1972. Hilda told me that for about two years she taught at Cosby School and for 36 years worked until retiring in late summer this year. Hilda, Betty Whitson and others worked together, said Yvonne, who left this job and went to work at the Emerson Electric plant. When she got laid off it was time to find a new career so she studied nursing in vocational school and got her RN degree from Walters State Community College. For many years she has worked at Baptist Hospital, now Mercy Health Partners and is on the medical-surgical floor where she loves the work and her fellow nurses.
While she has worked for others, Arvis has mostly worked for himself. He recalls that as a young teen he got his first real work experience with his uncle, Marvin Keys Sr., who owned a grocery were Dixie Pawn is located today off Cosby Highway. Arvis has always had a love of business in Newport. In the early 1960s he operated an open air market off Cosby highway near the current Newport Drug Store. "My uncle Marvin put me into business." He did this by signing a note for Arvis who became a grocer. He still remembers the unique aroma of the market in the 1960s because of all the fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats' aromas mingled in the small building. It was a time when you could buy a pack of Camels or Lucky Strikes for 19 cents and a gallon milk for 59 cents. "You could take a $20 bill and fill the back seat of a car," he said. By about 1970, he had acquired the IGA from Bob Trusty. You remember as I do that it was in the building known today as Burchett's Western Auto. Arvis said that Tommy Hansel was the butcher and other employees included Randy Hartsell and Zula Gorrell. After a time Arvis was ready for new ventures and opened a used car business at the location off Broadway where Lowland Credit sits. It was called West Plaza Motors, and I remember the ads in the Plain Talk. "We'd sell 50 to 60 cars a month." That was later in the 1970s. His routine was to travel to Bristol on Fridays to the car auction and have his employees drive what he bought back to Newport. Those men were Earl Mathis, Roger Miller, and Billy Joe Gorrell. "I still have the business license," said Arvis.
To be continued…
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 4 Jan 2009.
...
Before moving along with my observations, let's complete our talk with Arvis Keys, who has offered a real insight to business in Newport and families you might not know the past two Sundays. My memory is mistaken when I believed he has always been in the pawn business. He first opened a game arcade next to West Plaza Motors in what today is Milano's Italian Restaurant. It wasn't until 1988 that he opened his first pawn shop. During the last 20 years, he has mastered the business. You will often find him behind the counter at Lucky Pawn selling gold jewelry. He admits that he has a fondness for jewelry sales. When he first decided to get into this side of sales, he spent several days in Knoxville with a group of gold jewelry merchants from India, and also invited them to Newport to learn about the pawn business. As you might expect, during the current weak economy, more people pawn items to raise cash. "We've got enough merchandise to start another store," he said. Outside, I saw a wheelbarrow packed high with power saws. He is old enough to have witnessed many changes in Newport, business, and the economy. At 66, he was born June 3, 1942. It is his opinion, and I tend to agree, that the country's money got devalued when it left the gold standard. A lot of gold ends up today in his pawn shop, as he gives out dollars to help folks until better times arrive. Then, he recycles the valuables from guitars, tools, electronics, rings and things to others looking for a bargain. And, if you wondered, most people do reclaim their pawned items.
...
Just Plain Talk - New Year brings excitement to our hometown
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 13 Jul 2012.
Summer travelers find shade, relaxation thanks to campground
(c)2012 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
Visitors are welcome to drive into Triple Creek Campground by access off Lower Bogard Road that connects to Cosby Bridge Rd. Arvis Keys hired a local contractor to build the new concrete bridge in early 2012.
Author: David Popiel
Mid July weekend may have started with the unlucky Friday the 13th, but cooler, damp days are lucky for our hometown, where parents still have a couple of weeks, before school starts, for family recreation.
During past weeks I have spent time visiting two interesting places: Triple Creek Campground and the Bybee Market. Arvis and Yvonne Keys have shared their hospitality with me and others who like the idea of relaxing near creeks and under shady trees in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains. I also had a lunch at Bybee Market, which you will soon be reading about. At one visit I spent time chatting with Von Smith and his wife, Carolyn, who started the famous home of the sub the other side of the French Broad River. Store and kitchen operator Denise Suggs served up barbecue chicken last Monday. While there it was good to see an old friend now retired, Robert Caldwell, former chief of detectives. So lets spend some time at the Wilton Springs campground.
Triple Creek hidden gem
With people looking for new experiences away from the congestion of the high-profile tourist centers, a Newport couple is offering a tree-shaded getaway between mountain creeks and off the commercial path.
Triple Creek Campground is not new to Cosby, Tenn., but its new owners have made major improvements, and visitors can enjoy the shade of trees planted 25 years ago or more.
Arvis and Yvonne Keys, Newport business owners, decided to buy the campground, located about five miles south of Newport off Highway 321, at an estate auction on May 15, 2010. "I had never set foot on the land," said Arvis Keys, who also recently purchased the old Newport Post Office. He is revitalizing the historic post office for lease soon.
The 15.7-acre campground needed a new bridge for better access. Arvis and Yvonne are not satisfied with good enough so they built a wide concrete bridge leading into an entrance road where 300 railroad ties are stacked and crossed and embellished with planters. It makes a welcome and inviting path to the heart of the 74-site facility.
Clear and wide Cosby Creek borders on the east and flowing into it are Bogard and Middle creeks. The state regularly stocks Cosby Creek with trout. So campers not only can enjoy solitude but fishing, campfire, and tailor their experience from either tent to fully outfitted camper living. "It's 'Your Home in the Mountains' and we are proud to share our facility with you."
For years the campground had been idle, but once the Keyses purchased it, they began cleanup and improving the facility. Each camper site has electric, water, and sewer. If you don't have a camper and a tent is just too cramped, rent one of the many campers by day, week, or longer. There are no limits to your relaxation at Triple Creek.
"We offer a safe and secure experience for families at what I believe is one of the finest campground you will find anywhere," said Arvis. There are live-on-the-grounds caretakers and the owners visit and work at their campground most every day.
Russ Fodness former owner
The campground came to auction after the death of its former owner, Russ Fodness, who I knew since he moved here many years ago from Florida. He had a keen interest in antiques, particularly collecting watches. Those who loved the Miller Auction events most likely saw him bidding decades ago. He made a wise choice when he bought the campground, which was in foreclosure and banked owned. I believe it was his vision that has kept it locally owned. After Arvis bought it for about half of what the original selling price was, the Keyes renewed the vision.
They added playground equipment for children, bouncing house and playhouse for young children, water slide, volleyball net and horseshoes, too. There are also laundry and hot showers onsite.
There are so many trees that every campsite has shade. Hot summer days are moderated by the cool mountain nights and campers find the constant sound of creek water "real therapy for those stressed out by city life. Triple Creek has so much going for it," said Arvis. "Everyone who has visited with us has good things to say."
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: Orvis Woodward Keys
Event: Marriage
Event Date: 03 Sep 1941
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee
Age:
Estimated Birth Year:
Father:
Father's Titles & Terms:
Mother:
Mother's Titles & Terms:
Spouse: Dora Jane Epley
Spouse's Titles & Terms:
Spouse's Age:
Spouse's Estimated Birth Year:
Spouse's Father:
Spouse's Father's Titles & Terms:
Spouse's Mother:
Spouse's Mother's Titles & Terms:
Reference Number:
Film Number: 1928651
Digital Folder Number: 4485966
Image Number: 00283
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1942 - (82 years)
(Age 86 years) 
