In late July, our community lost one of its longtime and most beloved leaders. To some, she was a heroine. To many, she was a friend, a mentor, a shoulder, and a leader. But to my friend and colleague, Commissioner Joe Cutchins, she was Mom. Sadie Bell Fogg Cutchins spent nearly 85 years on walking this Earth, and she certainly packed a lot into them.
Moving from humble beginnings in Warren County, at 17 she married Joseph B. F. Cutchins, Sr. and moved to Franklinton, where he was a well respected businessman. (Of course, as Commissioner Cutchins shared at her funeral services, his uncles – her brothers – always referred to his dad as ‘that bald headed man that stole Sadie.’) Together, they built one of the most venerable establishments in Franklinton history – what is now Cutchins Funeral Home. They also began a journey that would lead them both to becoming two of Franklinton’s most prominent citizens.
Charitable, giving, and most of all, loving, Mrs. Cutchins made great strides in not only bridging divides in our community, but in our region, as well. She was the first African American member of the Franklinton City Schools Board of Education (when we were a separate school system). She reached across our community to foster conversation and understanding, to build the bridges that would help unite Franklinton as one. But most of all, as so strongly evidenced by her homegoing services, she was the matriarch of a family that loved her. For that, and so much more, she will be truly missed.
Godspeed, thy faithful servant.
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