Columbia bridge dedicated to Jean Corley Harlan for legacy of agriculture
Local drivers might have noticed a new moniker on the state Highway 50 West bridge, or Williamsport Pike, honoring the late Jean Corley Harlan for her lifetime contributions to the agricultural industry in Maury County and Tennessee.
The bridge, which covers Green Lick Creek will now be known as the Jean Corley Harlan Bridge.
Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, formally dedicated the bridge in her honor before dozens of family members on July 7.
At the dedication ceremony, son Al Harlan told a crowd of family members and friends gathered on the bridge about his memories of the farm being next to the creek.
"My mom lived out here for about 63 years," he said. "She walked across that bridge a lot."
He told about an incident of flooding decades ago that left some of the herd stranded.
"We had a massive flood, which flooded Green Lick Creek," Al Harlan said. "We had cattle on that side of it [the opposite side of the creek], and we had to get the help of the Tennessee Highway Patrol to shut that road down, so we could get the herd back over here across that bridge and over to the barn to be milked.
"This bridge has meant a lot to us."
Harlan thanked the state legislature and Maury County Commission for approving the naming of the bridge.
"This is the best part of the job," Cepicky said. "Not only to represent your constituents but to represent true Tennesseans. Ms. Harlan was a true Tennessean."
Ms. Harlan passed away on May 24, 2019.
Ms. Harlan was born to Nixon and Rebecca Corley on Sept. 30 1929 and raised on a family farm in Wilson County, where they raised sheep, cattle and row crops and also operated a dairy. Her uncle Homer Hancock was the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture when she was a child.
She attended The University of Tennessee Knoxville, receiving a degree in home economics in 1951.
Afterwards, Ms. Harlan moved to Columbia to start a job with the UT Agriculture Extension Service, where she administered the 4-H program for four years during the program's heyday,, becoming well known in the ag community.
A large number of students participated in the program, and she gave presentations monthly at each county school.
In 1954, she married Edward Harlan. The couple went on to build a legacy of agricultural excellence through their large farming operation where they operated a diary and raised hogs, sheep, horses, beef cattle, row crops and tobacco.
"She always helped work the farm, feed the livestock, feed the farm, feed the farm help (which as many farm wife can tell you, is no small task) and always canned and froze fruits and vegetables," a Maury County bridge proclamation says from former County Mayor Andy Ogles Office.
"She was one who could always be counted on to do more than her part in any group or organization in which she was associated with."
A turning point in her life occurred when her husband died unexpectedly at the age of 46 on June 30, 1975, leaving a large active farm, including the dairy, many debts on land and equipment and small children to raise.
"When many would have sold the farm and given up, and some encouraged her to do so, Jean rose to the challenge," the proclamation says.
During the time of hardship, her oldest son Ed took on major responsibilities of running the farm with the rest of the family. Through cooperation and perseverance, the family continued to build the farm operation, pursue a good education and become successful adults.
She also remained active in the Maury County Farm Bureau women, West End Baptist Church and the Cosmopolitan Book Club all of her life.
Jean Corley Harlan's four children include Ed, Al, Gayle and Patrick along with seven grandchildren.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Jean Corley Harlan honored by bridge for leaving legacy of agriculture
