NEWS
PAGE 6A v INDEPENDENT APPEAL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2018
LEGACY
FROM PAGE 1A
Staff Photo by Joel Counce
Commissioner of Agriculture and former McNairy County Mayor Jai Templeton (left) and District 94 State Representative Ron Gant (right) remember Dwana Pusser Garrison as passionate about carrying on the legacy of her legendary father Buford Pusser.
HEART
FROM PAGE 1A
of Steve Sweat Body Shop. “Some she counted as family ... she stood up for people who couldn’t stand up for themselves.” Sweat’s wife – Sherry – said the couple considered Pusser Garrison part of their family. “She was just the kind of friend who would do anything for you and I’ve seen her do it time and time again,” said Sherry Sweat. “She would stick by you, she would fight a bear for you if she considered you a friend.” Renee Blevins-Miller is the former curator of the Buford Pusser Home and Museum.
show appreciation for my parents and what they did for McNairy County,” she said at the unveiling. Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner and former McNairy County Mayor Jai Templeton remembers the passion of Pusser Garrison. “She had energy and passion for telling the story of her family’s struggles,” said Templeton. “She shared that with all of us so we could learn and improve not only ourselves, but our community.” Pusser Garrison was known as a crusader for law enforcement. She annually honored an officer of the year and officers fallen in the line of duty during the Buford Pusser Festival each May. “That was her way of giving back,” said Tony Barham, Lt. Colonel with the Tennessee Highway Patrol. “Law enforcement was what she lived.” “Dwana was an extraordinary advocate for our community and her father’s heroic legacy lived on through her daily actions,” added District 94 State Representative Ron Gant. “She will be greatly missed.”
Pusser Garrison, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, penned “Walking On” in 2008. The book takes a closer look at her childhood in Adamsville. The biography of Buford Pusser presents him as only his closest friends and family knew him. “She fought multiple sclerosis for years,” said Sherry Sweat. “It took a toll on her body, but she fought it and did what she had to do for the festival.” “Dwana had a tough life all the way,” added Steve Sweat. “She would wear herself out working at the festival.” Tina Mullis is the director of the Buford Home and Museum in Adamsville. “None of us will ever know what Dwana went through, losing her parents at such a young age,” said Mullis. “She was reared by the people of Adamsville and McNairy County.” “Obviously, she was passionate about tourism, but she was also very passionate about the home and museum,” added Adamsville City Administrator Steve Simon. “She wanted to make sure we were securing it for the present and the future.” Pusser worked in radio broadcast communications for more than 15 years and was ac-
tively involved in civic affairs in Adamsville. “She was a very giving person,” said Lamberth. “She was upbeat all the time and promoted McNairy County.” “Her legacy should be that we are better off due to her efforts promoting tourism all across Tennessee,” added Templeton. “She had the heart of a public servant.” Buford Pusser was the subject of three other biographical books written by W.R. Morris. The Twelfth of August: The Story of Buford Pusser; Buford: True Story of “Walking Tall” Sheriff Buford Pusser; and the The State Line Mob: A True Story of Murder and Intrigue were all penned by Morris. Morris also published a pictorial history book called The Legacy of Buford Pusser: A Pictorial History of the “Walking Tall” Sheriff. Four movies and a television series have also been created about the former McNairy County sheriff. “Buford Pusser put McNairy County on the map,” said Selmer Mayor John Smith. “Dwana’s efforts will not go in vain as the Pusser legacy will continue for many years to come.”
“Dwana molded me into the person I am today,” said BlevinsMiller. “I am stronger because I knew her.” Dwana Pusser Garrison was born January 9, 1961 in Chicago, Ill. the daughter of the late legendary sheriff Buford Pusser and Pauline Mullins Pusser. She is survived by her husband, Jamie Garrison of Adamsville; two daughters, Atoyia Barnes of Adamsville and Madison Garrison of Houston, Texas; a stepdaughter, Tara Garrison of Jackson; four grandchildren, Abby Moffett, Hayse Barnes, Dani Beth Moffett and Jack Houston Barnes; and a halfbrother, Mike Vance of St. Louis, Mo.
Staff Photos by Joel Counce and Janet Rail
McNairy County Mayor Ronnie Brooks and Dwana Pusser Garrison lay a wreath at the 12th of August ambush site of her parents, Buford and Pauline Pusser. Dwana Pusser Garrison passed away March 7. The longtime advocate of McNairy County is remembered as passionate. Pusser Garrison was a former member of the Adamsville City Commission. She was appointed to the commission after former commissioner Tommy Morris resigned in 1998. Pusser Garrison spent 14 years on the board before deciding not to run for re-election in 2011 to spend more time with her family.
Dwana Pusser Garrison introduces her family (at left) during the annual Buford Pusser Festival in May. Pusser Garrison dedicated her life to promoting the legacy of her father, legendary McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser.
Dwana Pusser Garrison told of her journey as the daughter of legendary McNairy County Buford Pusser in the book “Walking On.” Pusser lost both of her parents before she reached the age of 14. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (at right) visited McNairy County in March of 2004 to promote “Walking Tall” along with Pusser Garrison, Steve Sweat and Kennie Lamberth.