Miss Elizabeth Parham Robnett
1919 - 2023
Seated is Sue Robnett, sister of Elizabeth Robnett, and member of the Volunteer-Wauhatchie Chapter, USD 1812. She is surrounded by various family members.
USD 1812 officers pictured, left to right: Chapter President Phyllis Talbert Carter and Tennessee State First Vice President Colleen Hankins Spears
Members of the Volunteer-Wauhatchie Chapter of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, met on Sunday to pay honor to one of their long-time members, Elizabeth Parham Robnett. Miss Robnett became a member in 1963 and served in many positions in the chapter, including as registrar and chapter president, as well as in offices on the state level. The event took place at the Thomas Y. Swafford Cemetery in Pikeville on the cemetery’s annual Decoration Day.
Miss Robnett passed away in 2023 at the age of 103.
She was born in Bledsoe County and graduated from Tennessee Technological University and George Peabody College. She taught school for many years, and for 58 years served as the Bledsoe County historian. She wrote and published several books on history. In 2012 she became the first Tennessee recipient of a new history award established by the National Society of the Daughters of 1812 to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
The program was led by Chapter President Phyllis Carter. Greetings were brought by Colleen Spears, first vice president of the State Society. Gregg Ridley, mayor of Bledsoe County, brought greetings from the County. He was a close neighbor and friend of Miss Robnett. Phyllis Carter and Colleen Spears led a dedication program and unveiled a medallion of the War of 1812 attached to the grave marker. Many of Miss Robnett’s family and friends attended the service.