JASPER, Tenn. — With all the smiles that accompany a small-town Christmas parade, the biggest smile in last Saturday’s annual procession in Jasper had to come from grand marshal Zach Kelly.
Kelly, who served as Jasper’s city attorney for nearly 40 years, suffered a massive stroke in February and has had months of therapy.
City administrators decided to make him this year’s grand marshal to honor his years of service to the town.
“Zach was instrumental in many of the vital decisions that the [Jasper] Board of Mayor and Aldermen made, and he has helped me through many, many difficult situations,” Mayor Billy Simpson said. “He is an invaluable member of this community, and it was just wonderful to see him leading that parade.”
Kelly’s wife, Elizabeth, said his recovery has been a slow process, but it would have been impossible without the support of the Jasper community.