Meet Lewis County's Best Man and Woman of 2021

Best Woman, Tammy Skelton Carroll

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I'm a lifetime resident of Lewis County. My parents are the late Jackie and Norma Leigh Sisco Skelton. I am the youngest and only girl in my family. I have three older brothers, Yogi, Chigger and the late Jeff Sisco. I have four wonderful children, Oakley, MaKenzie, Leighton and Eli. I also have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Ashley. I am a proud MiMi of two very energetic grandsons, Wyatt and Ruston.

2. You've worked behind the scenes in our community for years. What all positions have you worked in? How long did you work at the school and what position did you have?

I was a member of the Lewis County Jaycees in which I took part in many community activities. I loved doing activities that brought smiles to children's faces! I realized when my kids started school I wanted to be in the kid business, so I took a job with the school system. I was a Special Education assistant in the Lewis County Intermediate School for 14 years!! When I was there I wore many hats alongside being an assistant. Kids would come to me when they needed a nurse, a counselor or just a Mama figure to love them! I loved making a difference in a child's life. I would like to think those kids knew Ms. Tammy was there for them no matter what, and that they were truly loved!

3. How long have you worked at the election commission and what led you to taking on that job?

There comes a time in life you need a change, so when I was offered a job with the Lewis County Election Commission 4 years ago, I accepted and that is my job still today! I love election time and early voting!! This is a time I get to see people I haven't seen in awhile. I love greeting them with a smile and making their voting experience an easy one in hopes they will want to come back and early vote with us again in the next election!!

A lot of times people come to us when they first move to Lewis County and register to vote! I love it and I'm sure they hate it because I ask questions like, "Where are you from? What brought you to Hohenwald?" I love to hear their stories, I really do! I always try to give them our phone number and let them know that can reach out to us whenever they need any help or have any questions. I have met several people and made many friends! I like to think I'm a people person and never meet a stranger!

4. What motivates you to be active in our community?

I love Lewis County and feel we are one big family! We celebrate happy occasions and also when someone is down on their luck we come together to help anyway we can! I am so thankful to call Lewis county home!

5. How does being named Best Woman in Lewis County make you feel? Was it something you ever expected?

Being named Best Woman in Lewis County was a total shock! I was excited, speechless and humbled. I never dreamed this would be me in a million years!! I really still don't know what to say except thank you Lewis County for voting me Best Woman! It means the world to me!

Best Man, Blake Farr

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I am twenty-one years old. I will be twenty-two on September 9th. I was born on 9/9/1999. I have lived in Hohenwald my entire life. It is my most favorite place on this earth. I honestly can't ever see myself leaving. My parents are Matthew and Kara Farr, and I have one brother, Cole. I am the grandson of Kay Long Parrish and the late Joe Long, and the late Horace Farr and Vestal Farr.

2. Where did you go to school after graduating high school and what led you to become a funeral home director?

I attended John A. Gupton College and obtained my funeral director certificate. I feel like this is the job I was called to do. The fact that I can get up every day and serve people in a way that few can is something I love to do.

3. You have been a big part in our community and you always make people smile. What motivates you to play an active role in our community and keep the smiles going?

First, thank you for that compliment. I hope I make everyone smile, and I've always tried to. My motivation mainly comes from my love of people in general. I love everyone in this town, and I'd do whatever I needed to help them out. If I can be on a committee, work a fundraiser, give a museum tour, or stand at a red light and take up money and it will help someone else-sign me up. I hope that there is never a day in my life that I miss an opportunity to serve. As far as keeping the smiles going, I always do what Dolly says and she says that if you see someone without a smile, give them yours!

4. You're very young to have accomplished all that you have. What advice could you give to others who would like to follow in those footsteps?

I don't know that I've accomplished a lot, but I am proud of what little I've been able to do. First, my advice would be to NEVER let anyone define who you are. You decide who you are and what you want in this life, and once you decide, go for it. Also, make a list of people who inspire you and do what they do. My list of inspirational people grows every day. These are people who I view as accomplished and I try to follow in their steps every day. At the top of my list is Kay Starling. If I treat people how she did, I'll be successful.

5. How does being named Best Man in Lewis County make you feel?

I am so very proud and honored. There are so many other men that deserve this over me, but I am very thankful to have been chosen. I just can't say thank you all enough for this award. Hohenwald is truly the greatest place on earth.