State Representative Mike Sparks (R – Smyrna), The Murfreesboro Post, September 21, 2016
State Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) and LaVergne’s A.C. Puckett
State Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) joined with State Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) and several members of La Vergne town council to honor local former Postmaster and La Vergne Mayor, A.C. Puckett yesterday at the Smyrna Town Centre.
Puckett, lifelong citizen of Rutherford County, has been instrumental in the development and cultivation of La Vergne, including becoming postmaster in 1958. He organized the dedication of the La Vergne post office, giving a lavish celebration which included a color guard, an appearance by then-Sen. Estes Kefauver, a performance by the Fort Campbell Army band, and a flag that had flown over the United States Capitol.
Puckett then served the town of La Vergne as vice mayor in 1972, during the city’s first city council. He was later elected to be the mayor of La Vergne, a role he served in from 1980-1984.
Three Nashville TV crews covered ‘A.C. Puckett Day’ at the Smyrna/LaVergne Rotary Club.
It was during this time Puckett became a founding member of the Smyrna Rotary Club, where he championed his town in his global travels while promoting goodwill, peace and understanding.
Puckett was also a founding member of Miracle Baptist Church, which has grown into a congregation of 2,000 members.
From 1944-1969, he served his county in the Tennessee National Guard, later enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1969. He served, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, until his retirement from the military in 1977.
On top of all his other achievements, Puckett is blessed with the marriage and companionship of 62 years to Dottie, with whom he shares two sons, Mark and Stephen, and six grandchildren, Larressa Montague, Savannah Puckett, Heyden Puckett, Ethan Puckett, Abigail Puckett, and Carter Puckett.
For all these reasons, Rep. Sparks and Sen. Bill Ketron, along with the best wishes from the State of Tennessee, by bestowing a Proclamation and assisting with the naming of a bridge in La Vergne, wish to honor Puckett for his public service by giving him special recognition for continued success.
Rep. Sparks’ office provided this report.