Annie May Cox celebrated

The late Annie May Cox, award winning teacher from Westside School, is one of six Tennessee women featured in a weekly newspaper that goes to students across the state.

Annie May, who died in 2009, was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and taught School in Cannon County for more than 60 years.

In addition to teaching Mrs. Cox was perhaps best known as a basketball coach at Westside where she had a positive influence on thousands of children

Mrs. Cox was featured in Tennessee Studies Weekly, a newspaper for young students of history. She was one of three teachers listed in "Great Tennessee Women."

Her portrait was surrounded by three better known Tennesseans, Sarah Ophelia Cannon (Minnie Pearl), Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline.

"Folks may not know her name all over the world, but Annie May Cox is the kind of person who makes Tennessee a great place to grow up and learn," the article said.

It also cited her many accomplishments including winning the Cannon County Teacher of the Year award twice, along with being named Tennessee Teacher of the Year as well as Cannon County Coach of the Year.

Also included in the newspaper article was Virginia Reed Leedy, who coached boys basketball at Rutledge High School in Grainger County. Mrs. Leedy is also in the Tennessee Teacher Hall of Fame.

A third teacher, Geneva King, of Nashville was featured as well.  Best known as debate coach, Ms. King was honored as Metropolitan Nashville Teacher of the Year.

Particular notice was given to Dolly Parton in the article for her Imagination Library, which is designed to send a free book to every child under age 5.

It started in Tennessee, but now Imagination Library sends books to 700 communities in the U.S.