Gov Ned McWherter
1930-2011
Former Gov Ned McWherter passed away yesterday, April 4. He was at the center of power in Tennessee for more than two decades, first as speaker of the House of Representatives for 14 years and then as a two-term governor from 1987 to 1995.
Ever folksy, Mr. McWherter often joked during his campaign that he would need just four vanilla wafers and a cup of coffee to be ready to start work as chief executive. Friends said that kind of talk was central to his appeal and was genuine.
He was probably one of the greatest leaders in Tennessee History. As governor, Mr. McWherter lived in Nashville but remained true to his rural roots with what he called his "95-County Jobs Plan," which aimed to stimulate economic development beyond just the state's biggest cities. Mr. McWherter also pushed through a sweeping education reform package that equalized state funding for schools & raised graduation standards.
He sent a recipe for my cookbook “Country Goodness Recipes of Tennessee Celebrities.” From Palmersville, is mother owned & operated a small restaurant in Union City. His son Mike said his father’s fondest memories were helping his mother in the restaurant when he was growing up. She served this cake Lucille McWherter’s Cold Oven Pound Cake at the restaurant.
Our sympathy and prayers go to his family.
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