Elenora Edwards, former Courier News editor, dies at age 79
Elenora holds a copy of the November 2013 edition of The Tennessee Press as it came off the press-- her next to last edition as managing editor. (photo:STEVE MARION THE STANDARD BANNER, JEFFERSON CITY )
Edwards learned her love of journalism and newspapers at an early age. Her father, Guy Easterly, was the owner/publisher/editor of The LaFollette Press.
Her mother, Lucile, was also involved in the newspaper business.
They instilled a love of the trade early on, but also instilled in Elenora a sense of being part of a community.
And Edwards was more than a newspaper person. She was a devoted wife, mother, and sister; she was a community leader; she was a faithful servant of God.
Though she was born in LaFollette, Edwards became a Clinton icon — a true Clintonian in every sense — serving not just as a voice of the community through her work with The Courier News, but through her service with the Clinton Timely Topics Club and service through Memorial United Methodist Church.
“She’s one of the legendary newspaper veterans in the state,” said Doug Horne, a past president of the Tennessee Press Association and owner of Republic Newspapers, of which The Courier News is a part.
“I think Horace Wells probably had more respect for Elenora and was more pleased with her service than with anyone who worked with him,” Horne said.
“And she was a super great person for the community.”
Edwards started at The Courier News in 1970 as a reporter. Her skill and dedication saw her work her way up to news editor of the paper. She worked for 12 years at The Courier News until her son, Ben was born.
In 1991 Edwards returned to the world of journalism, becoming the managing editor of the Tennessee Press Association’s “The Tennessee Press,” where she served until 2013.
“I keep thinking how her laugh sounded,” Robyn Gentile of The Tennessee Press said.
“She loved her son, Ben. She loved God. She loved newspaper people.”
Fellow journalists were shocked and saddened by the news of Edwards’ death.
“She was more than a friend and more than a colleague. Elenora had an encyclopedic understanding of the history of Tennessee newspapers, and I never spoke with her without learning something new about our industry,” Darrell Richardson of the Maryville Daily Times said.
“We spoke over the holidays, and I am beyond shocked that she is gone. I will continue to pray for her family and joyfully recount the numerous times our paths crossed — usually in regards to the many, many worthwhile events that have been sponsored over the years by the Tennessee Press Association.”
“She dearly loved Clinton, The Clinton Courier, and working at the Courier with Horace Wells. Her contribution there alongside Mr. Wells was huge, I’m sure. Later, I felt that she was an invaluable addition to the entire Tennessee Press Association through her role at The Tennessee Press,” said John M. Jones, former editor of The Greeneville Sun.
“Apart from her outstanding journalistic accomplishments, I felt that Elenora was one of the smartest, finest individuals I have known in my life. I am truly sad at her passing, and will miss her a great deal as both a professional colleague and a very special lifelong friend.”
Edwards’ history with journalism began with her father, but she soon struck out on her own and made a name for herself.
She was a graduate of Maryville College, where she served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. She attended graduate school at the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri at Columbia. She worked on the city desk of the newspaper published at the school, The Columbia Missourian.
“From the start she was an encourager, helping me make connections in Clinton, offering tips for stories and giving me honest appraisals of my writing. I so appreciated her friendship, which we continued through the years. News of her death shook me. She and, in no small measure, Horace Wells, formed me as a journalist. I mourn her passing, as I still mourn Mr. Wells’ departure. I will never forget them,” said S.L. Alligood, who followed Edwards at The Courier News.