MARK MCGEE

Staff Writer

Rheaetta Wilson is gone, but as the old saying goes, she is not forgotten.

Wilson, who passed away in July of 2025, will receive the Tennessee Library Friend of the Year Award for 2025. The award, presented jointly by the Friends of Tennessee Libraries (FOTL) and the Tennessee Library Association (TNLA) will be given to Wilson posthumously at the state meeting in Knoxville later this month.

The award has been presented since 2011 and honors individuals or groups making significant contributions to local libraries. 

Wilson spent more than 50 years working on various boards in support of the Shelbyville=Bedford library.

“She will always have an influence on this library,” said library director Margaret Petty. “I don’t think there is a day that goes by when I don’t hear Rheaetta’s voice in my head. She was the guiding for in our getting this library.”

Wilson set up the first book sale by the Friends of the Library in 1979 when she was pregnant. It was held in the basement of the old Argie Cooper Library.

“Rheaetta would get out there and really talk people up about getting this library built,” Petty said.

During the groundbreaking for the new patio a gold shovel honoring Wilson was included in the ceremony as the library celebrated 10 years.

Petty commended Wilson for her knowledge and expertise concerning library operations.

“She and Pat Hastings (former library director) were the ones we would go to whenever we had a question,” Petty said. “She was a vital part of this building being built.

“She was on the board 30 years ago when I was hired. She championed this building. She knew the history of the library.”

When it was time to replace the old Argie Cooper Library Rheaetta went around the county and talked to people bout why a new library was needed. She visited other libraries to see what they had to offer.

When she met with local officials starting, back in 2000 the entire staff would go with her as a show of support. But people soon realized it was hard…no, almost impossible…to say no to Rheaetta when she wanted something.

 “She was very supportive of keeping the library updated,” Petty said. “She always wanted to make it better. It is hard to imagine the future of the library without Rheaetta.”