| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 66.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 2 Dec 2007.
Time to open The Closet door
(c)2007 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL Fred Dyke, at left, and Gary Holt were visiting the Closet when I walked in early last week. The men's wives run the business day to day.
By: David Popiel
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
12-02-2007
November ended with a host of unusual happenings, the escape of snakes, and tragedy but December arrived in our hometown with hopes for happier days ahead.
Open the Closet door and look inside, you just might find something you've long been looking for or merely to see what's inside. I'm not talking about your closet, which might need a cleaning out, but The Closet located off Highway 25E across from Freeman's Furniture. Days ago, I happened to drop by and got to meet the folks who operate it.
The shop is located in a commercial building owned by Carroll Kyker and was the creation of a McCowan Creek woman, Dorcean Holt. Her husband, Gary, was in the store when I walked in, as was clerk Emma Dyke's husband, Fred Dyke. It is true the women do all the work here, because Gary is retired and Fred gets tired enough at Eastern Plating. He and Jim Holt, who is now retired, were the first workers at the plant start up about 25 years ago. Gary worked more than 30 years at the old Enka plant and left when Lenzing Fibers shut it down. While I don't think Fred has crossed my path, I do know some of his relatives. His father was the late William Dyke, a bother to Cleo. Cleo is the father of long-time police friend Ronnie Dyke. Fred also has a brother, John Dyke, of Rankin, and half-brother, Roy Cameron. I think you know his sisters: Mary Ann Hall, Nan Brady, Evelyn Reed, and Janie Dyke.
After chatting with the men, I returned days later to find out about Dorcean and Emma, who usually arrive about 10 a.m. Dorcean is a Susong, whose father was Henry Susong, Jr. married to the former Iva Smith. They still do well in their early 80s and get a lot of good care from all the children. Like many of you old timers, the Susongs had worked in Cleveland but returned to McCowan Creek. Their six children also include one of the finest cabinetmakers around, Stanley Susong. Gary Susong is a talented mechanic living and working at Briar Thicket and Rick is a minister. Dorcean has two sisters. Delores Buckner is married to James, of Bybee. She operates My Sister's Closet. Debbie Douthat is married to Russell Douthat of Mosheim, long-time and well-known farming family.
Dorcean has always loved to work with people and spent about 25 years with Home Interiors in direct sales and helping folks make their homes look better. She and Gary have been married 41 years, and his maintenance experience and ability come in handy at the store. But he also enjoys farming and raising cattle. Gary's Dad was James Holt and Mom, the former Queenie (Carver) Calfee, who died just last January. Just drive over to Holt Town and you will run into these fine folks or some of their relatives. Dorcean got her sisters into the consignment business about eight years ago and followed suit about two years ago with The Closet. She said her experiences with Home Interior helped mold her and make many friends, vital to the business. She liked their Christian attitude. The Holts attend McCowan Creek Church of God, pastored by Tommy Burke. The Holt's children are both highly educated with Brian being an engineer at Mahle and Vicky Shore a biology teacher at William Blount High School.
Newport "desperately needed a consignment store," is the way Dorcean saw it in 2005 so she opened one. She was fortunate to come across Emma just weeks ago because Emma had been out of work when Ace Products shut down. Emma had worked there for 35 years, but has been a lifelong friend and neighbor. Dorcean said she is proud to have partnered with over 600 people who sold through her store. People bring in a vast variety of clothing, house wares, antiques, and decorative items, which The Closet sells giving back money to folks. Dorcean also sells new items such as jewelry, makeup, and candles. Several people came in while we chatted looking for candles; and one woman bought a decorated tree. The support from the community has been good so that she now has 3,200 square feet. The business has been the "right career change," she said.
People who are curious stop by to see what they can find at The Closet, and there certainly is a lot you won't find at Wal-Mart. Plus, you will find some good conversation. I overheard that winter clothing will be accepted for consignment in December.
Days ago I had heard that Gordon Denton had suddenly become ill and was hospitalized because of a problem of bleeding on his brain. I chatted with his sister, Hilda Lovell, on Friday and learned that after three surgeries he is improving. For some unknown reason he developed the blod clot, which was removed at University of Tenn. Medical Center but he had more problems and surgery. He is responding and recuperating much to the family's delight.
In plain talk, the folks around Briar Thicket and McCowan Creek have been good neighbors and offer a lot of important services and friendship to those of us on the other side of the river.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 30 Dec 2007.
Gordon Denton was released from the hospital and is recuperating from his recent brain surgeries. His sister-in-law, Valerie Ottinger, told me that he can't have visitors yet. She also said that her sister, Ina Denton, is also doing better after a heart problem. On Friday, I got a call from the past. It was my old Plain Talk associate Timothy Graham. He is in Newport visiting friends and hopes to see Agnes Franks. Her son, Jimmy, and Timothy's brother, Hatcher, are good friends. Timothy told me he is teaching community college at Warner Robbins, Georgia. In plain talk, one person's junk can easily be converted to another person's hotrod hobby.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 6 Jan 2017.
(July 29, 1938 - January 6, 2017)
U.S. Veteran Gordon Browning Denton, born July 29, 1938, died Friday, January 6, 2017, at his home in Parrottsville.
He was a member of Fellowship Presbyterian Church; Newport Masonic Lodge # 234 and a Shriner. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
He retired April 1, 2005 as President of APAC-Tennessee, Inc. Harrison Division, after 45 years of service as a general road and excavating contractor.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hooper Enloe ‘Dick’ Denton and Hazel Lindsey Denton, brother, Jesse Enloe Denton, and sister Rita Denton Benson.
He is survived by his wife Iva Lee Coggins Denton of Parrottsville; two sons Terryl Denton of Del Rio and Brad Denton of Maryville; grandchildren Dillon and Taylor Denton and their mother Jennifer Stokely, all of Newport; two sisters Emma Denton Alley of Tallahassee, Florida and Hilda Denton Lovell of Newport; and several nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
Memorial service will be held 3:00 pm Saturday January 14, 2017 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Loftis and Rev. Ned Ramsey officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Shriners Hospital.
Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 175168809).
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