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The Carter County Imagination Library Board will host its 17th annual Educators Hall of Fame to honor outstanding educators for their immeasurable and lasting contributions to both their students and the community. The Educators Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Elizabethton, when four educators — two deceased and two living — will be honored. One each from the city and county will be recognized.

Deceased educators who will be honored include:

Mrs. Peggy Willocks was a teacher for 14 years, seven of which were in Elizabethton City Schools as principal. She previously taught at Fall Branch, Sulphur Springs, St. Mary’s Catholic School, and Henry Johnson Elementary School.

Among the subjects she taught were English, art, math and science. She also served as a kindergarten teacher at St. Mary’s in Johnson City.

Willocks received her bachelor’s degree in education from East Tennessee State University and did postgraduate studies at ETSU from 1984–88 in supervision and administration. She was a 1968 graduate of Happy Valley High School.

During her career, Willocks served as Odyssey of the Mind coordinator for Carter County Schools and was Tennessee Principal of the Year in 1997.

Willocks, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease, was Northeast Tennessee Parkinson Support Group program director, served as Parkinson’s Creative Collective president, was a board member of the Michael J. Fox Advisory Council, and was author and editor of The Peripatetic Pursuit of Parkinson Disease.

Rhonda Kay Graybeal died on March 11, 2024. She was a beloved teacher and a proud alumna of the University of Tennessee.

“For over three decades, she served as a constant presence in the lives of countless children as a teacher and children’s director at Chinquapin Grove Baptist Church. Her passion for education and nurturing young minds knew no bounds, and her impact on her students will be felt for generations to come,” her family said.

Graybeal taught at Central Elementary School. She was always smiling and was loved by her students and respected by her colleagues.

Living educators who will be honored include:

Diane McKinney attended Cloudland Elementary and High School, graduating in 1981. She earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics and biology from ETSU and later a master’s degree from Tusculum College.

McKinney began teaching in 1986 at Cloudland High School, where she remained for her entire 34-year tenure. She taught primarily Biology I but also taught Biology II, anatomy, environmental science, grades 7–8 science, ACT prep, wellness/health, and home economics.

She served as Beta Club sponsor, founded the CHS Relay for Life club, and helped organize proms, graduations and school celebrations. She was named Cloudland Teacher of the Year several times and Carter County Teacher of the Year in 1996. McKinney retired in 2019.

She and her husband, Matt, have three children: Shellie, Mattison and Randall. She also has a daughter-in-law, Andrea, and a granddaughter, Havyn. She is an active member of Magill Memorial Presbyterian Church and volunteers with the Roan Mountain Citizens Club and Roan Mountain Recreation Foundation.

“I would like to thank God for giving me the ability to teach. I also want to thank Him for allowing me to make so many meaningful relationships through teaching over the years,” said McKinney.

Joyce Sweeney is a retired elementary physical education teacher who taught at both East Side and West Side Elementary Schools. She was inducted into the Elizabethton City School Hall of Fame in 1999–2000.

In 1997, the Elizabethton School Board named the West Side School Fitness Field “The Joyce Brumit Sweeney Fitness Field.”

Her honors include Elizabethton City Schools Teacher of the Year; Tennessee Tennis Association Coordinator of the Year in 1999; TTA Educational Merit Award in 2002; and TTA Family of the Year in 2003.

Sweeney directed the first USTA Kids Team Tennis program in Tennessee (1997–2004), hosted the Cartoon Network Smash Tennis event for citywide elementary students, and secured grants for tennis programming and court resurfacing.

She also organized West Side’s first Cyclone Tailgate Event and Pep Rally, the “Jump Rope for Heart” event, the school’s senior tea for EHS graduates, and many school-wide programs including Space Week, Field Day and Tennis Day.

A lifelong Elizabethton resident, Sweeney is the daughter of the late Luke and Oakie Brumit and is married to Pat Sweeney. Their children include Patrick, Becky Grizzle and Mary Sweeney. She also has five grandchildren and serves as co-chair of the Golf Club Acres Lights of Jesus.