Carolyn Peebles’ Legacy of Service and Vision for the Wings of Freedom Fish Fry: Honoring the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II
The Smyrna community lost one of its brightest lights on October 26, 2024, when longtime Rotarian and community champion Carolyn E. Peebles passed away at age 75. Her death marks not just the loss of an extraordinary person, but the end of an era of selfless service that touched countless lives throughout Smyrna, Rutherford County and our great state.
Carolyn joined WGNS Radio Roundtable with Rick Hall and Wayne Blair
Carolyn was one of the most organized individuals I’ve ever met, bringing her God-given talents to everything she did at the Smyrna Rotary Club. It is often said that God gives us all a talent. Carolyn certainly was granted more than one. I loved her quote she was known for: “Govern yourselves accordingly.” Like many Rotarians, she didn’t just quote the Four-Way Test—she lived it daily.
The famous test was created by Herbert J. Taylor, the Four-Way Test serves as a moral compass for Rotarians in all their decisions:
Rotary Four-Way Test
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
This simple yet powerful guide, officially called “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do,” shaped how Carolyn approached every project and relationship. Her life exemplified these principles, making her not just an exceptional organizer, but a true example of Rotary’s values living out in action.
“If people would practice that and live by it, our world would be a much better place.” The late Smyrna Mayor Bob Spivey
It was twenty-four years ago I had the privilege of sitting next to the late Smyrna Mayor Bob Spivey, who became my mentor when he asked me to join the Smyrna Rotary Club. After reciting the Four-Way Test, he would often say, “If people would practice that and live by it, our world would be a much better place.”
Bob believed strongly in service through Smyrna Rotary, where he served as past president. It seems like yesterday when he told me with characteristic determination, “Mike, I’m going to bring a college to Smyrna. These young students in Smyrna and La Vergne need access to higher education right here in their community.”
It seems like yesterday that I recall touring the McMinnville Tennessee College of Applied Technology with Bob when former Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen called him. During that conversation, Bob shared his ambitious vision with me: he was determined to bring a college to Smyrna and La Vergne, ensuring that local students would have access to higher education in their own community.
Bob’s unwavering commitment to education and community development would eventually become reality, transforming his bold promise into the thriving Motlow State Community College campus that serves the region today.
True to his word, Bob worked tirelessly to help navigate Motlow State Community College’s path to establishing a campus in Smyrna. His vision and dedication transformed what began as a dream into the thriving educational center that serves our community today. The 82,000 square foot Hiatt-Spivey Center stands as a lasting testament to his commitment to improving the lives of others—a perfect embodiment of the Rotary principles he held so dear.
A Life Dedicated to Service
Carolyn Peebles embodied the very essence of community service. As she once said when receiving the Town of Smyrna’s Victory Lifetime Service Award in 2022, “I believe we were all created to serve, to give back,” adding that true happiness comes to those who have figured out how best to serve others. This philosophy wasn’t just words for Carolyn—it was the driving force behind every aspect of her remarkable life.
Her impact on the community was immeasurable. From co-founding what is now the Nourish Food Bank to serving in leadership roles with the Smyrna Jaycees and Smyrna Rotary Club, Carolyn’s fingerprints can be found on virtually every major community initiative in Smyrna over the past three decades. She served on the Rutherford County Election Commission, chaired the Town of Smyrna Historical Commission, led the Smyrna Library board, and coordinated the annual Back to School Bash that provided essential supplies and services to local schoolchildren.
Apostle Amos Howard and Dr. Yolanda Howard of Smyrna’s Living Truth Christian Center, where Carolyn served faithfully 
for more than 30 years, captured her essence perfectly: “She lived and breathed every moment with purpose, bringing warmth, kindness, and strength to everyone she encountered. Carolyn was more than a partner; she was a spiritual daughter, family member, and a beacon of unwavering faith who loved deeply, believed fully, and served with all her heart.”
HELEN COMER/DNJ
Rutherford County Election Commission
Carolyn served as a Rutherford County Election Commissioner after being appointed to the commission in 2011. Her expertise and integrity in election administration were so highly regarded that she was later appointed by Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett to serve on a national election board, extending her influence in protecting democratic processes far beyond the local level.
The Wings of Freedom Legacy
Perhaps nowhere was Carolyn’s commitment to service more evident than in her passionate support of the Smyrna Rotary Club’s Wings of Freedom Fish Fry. Working alongside Master of Ceremonies Neil Orne, Carolyn was instrumental in building this event into something truly special—a celebration that has raised more than $2 million for nonprofits throughout Rutherford County while honoring the heroic legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
The Wings of Freedom Fish Fry represents everything Carolyn believed in: community coming together, honoring our heroes, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives.
The event’s dedication to the Tuskegee Airmen—those courageous African American pilots who broke barriers and fought for freedom during World War II—aligned perfectly with Carolyn’s lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and recognizing the contributions of all Americans.
As longtime Nourish Food Bank Executive Director Ladawna Parham reflected, “I cannot express the impact this lovely woman had on her community, but I know that the world is dimmer for her loss… A million meals a year, lives changed, families surviving, children thriving, hope offered … that is her legacy and each generation to come after that has been touched by it is better for her and the life she gave away to others every day.”
Continuing the Mission: September 13, 2025
This year’s Wings of Freedom Fish Fry takes on special significance as we gather to honor not only the Tuskegee Airmen but also the memory and mission of Carolyn Peebles. The event will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 5:00-9:00 PM at the Azure Corporate Flight Management Hangar at Smyrna Airport (gates open at 4:00 PM).
The Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen: Breaking Barriers in the Sky
The Tuskegee Airmen, known as the “Red Tails” of the 332nd Fighter Group, were African American military pilots who served in segregated units during World War II. This group included not only pilots but also navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, and other support personnel.
Created in 1941 after President Roosevelt promised Black flying units to secure African American votes, the 99th Pursuit Squadron began with 33 pilots. Despite facing racial discrimination, these servicemen remained determined to serve their country. As Lieutenant Colonel William H. Holloman III said, “I really didn’t care whether it was a segregated unit or non-segregated. I wanted to fly.”
From 1941-1946, over 1,000 airmen graduated from Tuskegee and flew 1,578 missions. They destroyed 400 enemy aircraft and maintained the lowest loss record of all fighter escort groups. Their exceptional performance made them highly sought after by Allied bomber units.
The Tuskegee Airmen’s success directly contributed to the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948 through Executive Order 9981. Their achievements proved that merit, not race, should determine military service opportunities.
In 2007, Congress honored the surviving Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing their “unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.” Their legacy demonstrates how courage and determination can break barriers and create lasting change.
Conclusion
This fish fry may sound like a simple gathering of friends, fellow Rotarians and acquaintances — It represents more than just a fundraiser—it’s a living testament to Carolyn’s belief that we are all called to serve. Every dollar raised, every story shared about the Tuskegee Airmen, and every moment of community fellowship honors both the heroes who fought for our freedom and the woman who dedicated her life to serving others.
The Wings of Freedom Fish Fry embodies Carolyn’s vision of bringing people together for a greater purpose. It celebrates the courage and determination of the Tuskegee Airmen while continuing the vital work of supporting local nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable neighbors. In many ways, this event is Carolyn’s legacy in action—honoring heroes, building community, and changing lives.
“Carolyn was such a special person and the community was lucky to have her as a part of it,” Jeff Hollingshead, President of SRM Concrete.
A Call to Service
As we prepare for this year’s Wings of Freedom Fish Fry, we do so carrying forward Carolyn’s unwavering belief in the power of service. Her life reminds us that true leadership isn’t about titles or recognition—it’s about showing up, rolling up your sleeves, and making a difference in whatever way you can.
Carolyn Peebles may no longer be with us physically, but her spirit lives on in every meal served at the Nourish Food Bank she helped create, in every child who benefits from the programs she supported, and in every person inspired by her example of selfless service. The Wings of Freedom Fish Fry on September 13 offers each of us an opportunity to honor both the Tuskegee Airmen and Carolyn’s memory by continuing the work she held so dear.
Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-28, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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