Newsletter  Articles Dec.1995 Sept.1996 Mar 1997 Sept 1997 Sept 1998 Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.   Gym and Auditorium Renamed At Sevier Middle School  Documented by William Reed Hood September  02, 1998        The DBer subscribers, mainly alumni of the 1940s era, initiated a program in December of 1995, to rename the Sevier Middle School Building for C. K. Koffman. Mr. Koffman was the first principal of Dobyns-Bennett High School and remained for twenty years.         Articles from the DBer Newsletter and recent pictures are listed to the left.  A committee led by Dr. Jack D. King of Knoxville, included Jim Scott, Sidney Miller, John  Robert Bell and John “Jack” King. They were the  members who worked on the committee throughout the project (over 2 1/2 years).   The articles and pictures were by Sidney Miller, Class of 1946, Jim Scott, Class of 1944 and Will Hood, Class of 1946.          Newsletter  Articles Back to top Sept.1996 Mar 1997 Sept 1997 Sept 1998 Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.   Rename the Old D-B "C. K. Koffman Middle School" For His Scholastic Leadership  at Dobyns-Bennett During the First Twenty Years. By: Sidney Miller - Class of 1946 Dec. 1995 The 46er Newsletter      Several of us have realized finally that many changes are taking place or should take place regarding the renovation of the old Dobyns-Bennett High School- now called Sevier Middle School. Renovation has destroyed Sprankle Gym and probably the Fess Witt Music Room. Also the past school boards have not honored Mr. C.K. Koffman by naming a school or even a room for him!       I personally think what has happened as described above is a downright shame. It is not unexpected however, because those on the school boards and many other Kingsport residents did not know these people who established D-B as one of the best high schools in the state. I would like to suggest that you include something in the Class of '46 Newsletter that would bring this to the attention of all D-B graduates. Suggested further that those who are interested write Dr. Larry Gillenwater, President Board of Education, City of Kingsport, Kingsport, TN 37660.       Let him know your concerns and feelings. The old D-B should be named in Mr. Koffman's honor. The remaining gym for Mr. Sprankle, and the music room for Mr. Witt.       We will be writing letters here and your help would be appreciated. Our voice needs to be heard NOW.       Copies of the last three issues of the '46er, which featured Mr.Koffman and others, were mailed to Dr. Gillenwater and he will receive future publications of our newsletter. Dr. Gillenwater and members of the Board of Education, please consider renaming the Old D-BHS Building, "C. K. Koffman Middle School.  Back to top                            Newsletter  Articles Back to top  Dec.1995 Mar 1997 Sept 1997 Sept 1998 Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.   RENAME IT  “C. K. KOFFMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL” Eoditors Corner Sept. 1996 DBer Newsletter      Jack “Yankee” King, of Knoxville, readily accepted the responsibility of having the old Dobyns-Bennett High School renamed “C. K. Koffman Middle School.”       Jack’s interest in renaming the old D-B Building caused him to be asked to organize a committee to have the Board of Education or PTA or whoever to rename it? He is a member of the Class of 1941, who originated the C. K. Koffman Scholarship Fund. Cooperate willingly when he asks for your support.                                         Newsletter  Articles Back to top  Dec.1995 Sept.1996 Sept 1997 Sept 1998 Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.   Memorials for C. K. Koffman & Leroy Sprankle by Sidney Miller Class of 1946 March 1997 DBer Newsletter      The Kingsport City School Board, at the February 6, 1997 meeting, voted unanimously to honor C. K. Koffman and Leroy Sprankle with the memorial honor they richly deserved. The Board named the new auditorium for Koffman and the gymnasium for Sprankle.      Thanks to the efforts of the committee for pursuing and succeeding with this effort. This effort has been ongoing for almost two years.       However, with success comes responsibility. The committee representing all DBers who attended the old D-BHS building agreed to provide and maintain the appropriate plaques for both areas of the school. We (you and I) need to raise enough funds for the plaques and installation.       You should make your checks for: The Koffman-Sprankle Memorial Fund. Send to James Scott, Treasurer      2125 Swannanoa Ave.    Kingsport, TN 37664-3222.    Contributors to the Koffman-Sprankle Fund  Published in the September 1997 issue of the DBer Newsletter.  Thanks to Sidney Miller for this list and for his management of this project.  Newsletter  Articles Back to top  Dec.1995 Sept.1996 Mar 1997 Sept 1998 Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.   Paul Von Bramer   C. G. Clemmer   Elizabeth Alvey   Lewis D. Hall   Melba Watson Johnson  Sam Anderson   Robert D. Jordan   Frank K. King   Ann Koffman Morison   Daniel J. Zoerb   Harold Brooks   Lynn & Jean Shetterly   Max Counts   Chrles M. Gibson   John (Jack) & Jane King  Louise Danielson Kelly   Iris King Eunice   Dr. Shelton Reed   Jack & Peggy Mayo   William L. Barrett, Jr.   Laurence Mitchell   Lucile Danielson Hincke   John D. Wimberly   James H. Quillen   E. William King   John I. Cox William Y. Harkins   W. C. Lady   Glen W. Barker   Joe W. Wimberly   C. Kim Koffman, Jr.   William Owens   Sam E. Bonsack III   Betty Bailey Porter   John S. King   Kenneth E. Cox   Ray H Moseley   Paul Jordan   Harry L. Starnes   Selwa Showker Roosevelt  Lon V. Boyd   Walter W. Ketron   Wayne V. McConnell   Cecil Puckett   King E. Cox   Pal Barger   Julius Martin   William N. Patton   Jerry Jackson  Holiday H. Smith   Robert E. Johnson   Joe C. Wallen  Nina Gibbons Fleming   Denver & Pat Crawford  Frances B. Reed   Noah & Rosemary Johnson   Helen Gibson Lister   Robert L. Peters   Richard L. McConnell   Matt Carmack   John & Jean Pyle Dodson   Hope Carter Moore   Chuck Gilmer   Darius Eaton   Harry Miles   Charles Robinson   Nancy Parker Gideon   Carl & Patsy Archer   Hal M. Miller   Carroll R. Jones   Everett Crawford   Paul R. Davis   Robert D. Holsaple   Magy Jean King Yates   James A. Scott   Pearl S. & HG Lane   Thomas D. Pruitt, Jr.   Virginia Starnes Hickman   Clarence M. Callahan  Sonny Warrick   Ivan C. Cole   Thelma Feagins Marshall   Kenny K. Curtis   E. Earl Dudney   Odel Thompson Davis   Ann Fuller   Alex & Marcine H. Berry   Bill & Ruth Todd   Ken & Betty Cloud   Fincher Sidney Miller   Jack B. McConnell   C. A.. & Carol Whitaker   P. J. Shivell   Edward C. Cifers   Charles W. Joseph   Ann Kincheloe Lucy   Rober Paul Cloud   Edith Long Vance   Tony Moore   Jack D. King   John Robert Bell   Katherine Pyle McLendon   Ellen Kenner White  Back to top   Dedication Ceremonies Held at John Sevier Middle School  By Sidney Miller, Class of 1946  September 1998 DBer Newsletter  Kingsport, Tennessee Newsletter  Articles Back to top  Dec.1995 Sept.1996 Mar 1997 Sept 1997 Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.       On May 17, 1998, the dedication program honoring Mr. C. K. Koffman and Coach LeRoy Sprankle was held at the John Sevier Middle School, Dobyns-Bennett High School from 1926-1967. The Kingsport Board of Education responded to the efforts of the committee led by Dr. Jack D. King of Knoxville. Other members of the committee: Jim Scott, Sidney Miller and John “Jack” King.        The auditorium was named for the memory of C. K. Koffman, principal of DBHS from 1925-1945. The original gymnasium was named in memory of Coach LeRoy Sprankle. Denver Crawford and Sidney Miller spoke of Mr. Koffman and Coach Sprankle. The history of the project was provided for the audience by Lib Dudney.        Approximately one-hundred alumni and friends of the school attended the meeting. Invitations were sent to the one-hundred ten people who donated money to the project, so named in the Sept. 1997 issue of the DBer Newsletter.        Very nicely designed and build plaques purchased by donations are in the gymnasium and the lower entrance to the auditorium.        The Koffman family; Ann Morison, class of 1948, and Kim, class of 1954, submitted thank you to all involved with the project.        Exterior plaques will be installed on the building when they are delivered.   From Sidney Miller  Class of 1946  September 1998  Here are the pictures of the new letters on old Dobyns-Bennett. The two initials  "C and "K" of Korrman Auditorium have been reordered and should be in place shortly.       Street Named “Fess Witt Place”  September 1998 DBer Newsletter  Newsletter  Articles Back to top  Dec.1995 Sept.1996 Mar 1997 Sept 1997 Sept 1998 Pictures Koffman I.S. Koffman O.S. Sprankle O.S. Fess Witt Pl.        May 1, 1998, Dr. Richard McConnell, class of 1944, chaired a committee consisting of former D-B students: Paul Von Bramer, class of 1944; Wayne McConnell, class of 1937; Dan Zoerb, class of 1938; Bruce Sullivan, class of 1938; Ruth Long, class of 1939 and Joan Boswell, class of 1948.        With Richard leading the way, the committee went to City Hall in Kingsport and requested a street near the old D-BHS.. Building between Catawba, St. and Wateree Street bear the name “Fess Witt Place.”        The request was granted and signs are in place at the intersection of both streets.        This street name and honoring Mr. Koffman and Coach Sprankle will help to preserve the memories of these outstanding educators who gave so much to Kingsport .