By Bill Grubb
News Editor

ROGERSVILLE - It has been called "the bus shop" and the "old Raley-Vaughan place" but now the location where the Hawkins County Board of Education meets has an official name.
    At Thursday's meeting officials christened the facility the Charles A. Fuller Board Room and Training Center.  Fuller, a former BOE chairman passed away November 9, 2011.
    The facility started life as an automobile dealership but is now used as the Hawkins County School System's transportation garage and office, with the former automobile showroom used as a meeting facility.  In addition to serving the school system, the Hawkins County Commission has been meeting at the facility since 2010.
    According to current Chairman Randy Collier, the board decided to name the facility after its long-time chairman several months ago.  With family members present, the facility was formally dedicated at Thursday's board meeting.
    Fuller was first elected to the BOE in August 1996 and became chairman in September 2008, serving in that role until his death.
    Collier read from a list of the former chairman's accomplishments and noted he was a very "pro-active" board member involved in the establishment of the Navy Junior ROTC programs at Cherokee High School and Volunteer High School as well as Phases I, II and III of the school system renovation and construction projects.    
    "I came on the school board in 2002.  He (Fuller) helped me.  He brought me along and showed me the ropes," Collier added.  
    Collier noted that a chairman, or any board member, spends more on the job than just the time spent at monthly meetings.  Board members must attend training and are often asked about issues and problems at home and even when trying to shop.
    "It takes time away from our families," Collier explained.  "Charles put up with that for 17 years.  He did it because he had a love for children and a drive to see that the children were taken care of.  Charles had pride in what he did."
    Collier also said Fuller was a "friend and leader" in the community.
    "That's why were naming this building after Charles," Collier concluded.  "He always wanted the best for the students."