Posted: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 9:01 pm

In recognition of Black History Month, The Messenger will be presenting a series of articles focused on people who are making history today in our own community. The emphasis will be on men and women who have been elected to positions of responsibility throughout Obion County and on those whose jobs involve keeping us safe and coming to our assistance when there are problems. Specifically, the latter will include those citizens who are involved in law enforcement, firefighting and rescue efforts.
These are some of the people who make our community a place we are glad to call home.
Taleatha Nicholson of Union City has been employed at Volunteer Homecare and St. John Community Services as a certified nursing assistant for the past three years.
She is also a mother to three adult children: Christopher Nicholson of Columbus, Ohio; Brent Nicholson, who is serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; and Melissa Nicholson of Murfreesboro. She is a member of Anointed Church of the Living God in Union City, but on top of these responsibilities and areas of service, she still finds time to respond when there are disasters or medical emergencies. Ms. Nicholson is a member of the Obion County Rescue Squad, using her skills and expertise as a first responder on medical calls and to work wrecks and grassfire situations.
She is a 1978 graduate of Madisonville (Ky.) North Hopkins High School who became involved in a volunteer effort that allows her to fulfill the dream of helping others once her sons went into the military and she found herself with some extra hours on her hands.
She encourages young people to get involved in an effort similar to the one she enjoys because, she says, “We will all get old one day.”
Ms. Nicholson says her personal career goals involve “getting more into nursing” in the future.
Ricky “Chip” King of Union City has been a member of the Union City Fire Department since 1978 and was promoted to lieutenant 10 years ago.
“What I enjoy most about my job is helping people. In this job I get to make a difference. I enjoy my co-workers, also. Everybody knows a little bit of everything here.”
King is a 1974 graduate of Union City High School and he attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for two years.
He is the son of Jake and Leola King of Union City and is one of nine siblings, with four sisters and four brothers.
His children include Chad King of Nashville, whose family is rounded out by his wife Domino and their three children; and Latrease Maddox, who is 19, lives in Fulton and is a sophomore at Murray State University in Kentucky.
King enjoys bssketball officiating and has been able to use his skills on the court at middle school and high school games for 18 years.
His firefighter job in-volves working a 24-hour shift, followed by 48 hours off.
“If a person wants to impact people’s lives and be able to help people when they need assistance, then I would recommend this field,” he advises young people looking toward the future.
King adds that his only goal that has not yet been achieved is retirement, and that’s probably not too far down the line.
Stephanie (Huff) Marshall is the school resource officer, charged with helping to create a safer learning environment for students in the Union City School System.
Mrs. Marshall lives in Union City and is part of a large and supportive family that includes her parents, Willie and Sue Huff of Woodland Mills; her husband of 23 years, James Marshall; their four children, Randal Huff of Memphis and Anthony Marshall, Ashley Marshall and BJ Marshall, all of Union City; and five grandchildren, who also live in Union City.
In addition to her work with the school system, she is a minister at Anointed Church of the Living God, is vice president of Obion County Prevention Coalition, is a member of Tennessee Safety for Youth, is a Tennessee Teen Institute advisor and is involved with Students Against Destructive De-cisions. She also serves as a DARE officer.
Mrs. Marshall enjoys reading in her rare moments of spare time.
She is a 1983 graduate of Obion County Central High School and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Bethel University in McKenzie.
She has worked for the Union City Police Department for 18 years and says she has a special heart for working with youth in the school system.
Her goals for the future revolve around her interest in young people, as well, and she hopes to be involved in the juvenile system and to be in full-time ministry.
“I want young people to know that it feels good to give back to the community and youth need positive role models.” She says those are reasons young people should consider work such as she does.
“I try to keep law and order in the community, working to prevent and solve crimes, keep the peace, respond to criminal activities and emergencies. I am also a certified dispatcher.”
When school is not in session, Mrs. Marshall is often assigned the duty of patrolling the streets of her hometown.
Working as an SRO is a special calling for her, however.
“SROs are integral in facilitating a bonding mechanism between students and law enforcement officers, and providing safety and security for students in today’s changing society,” she says.
Published in The Messenger 2.5.13