They are in their eighties. Strong leaders, full of integrity, respected by all generations. Way makers, truth tellers, role models. On Saturday, January 4th, designated” Juanita Usher Cannon Day”, the city of Knoxville celebrated such a leader. Juanita Usher Cannon, dedicated educator, celebrated her 85th birthday with hundreds of devoted former students, sorority sisters, government leaders, and community friends. For over three hours honors poured in as she was celebrated, guests shared stories, and she was entertained in a fashion befitting the queen she is. Always carrying herself in such a dignified way, she is lovingly referred to as “Ms. Cannon” regardless of the age or stature of those speaking to her. Her achievements over the last several decades have also earned her a street named after her. Cannon’s influence in the city of Knoxville includes service on the KCDC board where she helped birthed many projects, among them the revitalization of Five Points, Residents at Five Points Senior living, and worked on the HOPE VI revitalization project in Mechanicsville.
A longtime member of the AKA sorority, the ladies in the pink and green showed up to honor her. Cannon’s greatest achievements lie in her over 40 years as an educator in the Knox County School System. Twenty of those years were spent at Austin East High school, where she was the physical education teacher and also the cheer coach for the mighty road runners. Many of those former cheerleaders and students returned to honor the woman who continued to pour into their lives, long after they marched across the stage and into a world, she had purposefully prepared them to be successful citizens.
Happy Birthday!
