Fats Everett
Encyclopedia
Robert Ashton "Fats" Everett (February 24, 1915 – January 26, 1969) was a Democratic
Congressman
from Tennessee
from February 1, 1958 until his death.
. He was a 1936 graduate of Murray State College (now Murray State University
) and was elected to the Obion County Court (now called County Commission) that year. In 1938 he was elected Obion County Circuit Court Clerk. During World War II
, he served in the United States Army
from 1942 to 1945. After the war he was an administrative assistant to Senator
Thomas Stewart
from 1945 to 1949, and to Governor Gordon Browning
from 1950 to 1952. Afterwards, he became executive secretary of the Tennessee County Services Association.
In 1958, Everett entered the contest for the Eighth Congressional District seat of Jere Cooper
, who had died in office. He won the special election and served the balance of Cooper's term and five subsequent ones, dying in the first month of his seventh term. Like the voters of his district, he was predominantly a conservative
, largely reflecting the views of his party's Southern
wing.
Everett died in Nashville, Tennessee
. He is buried at East View Cemetery in Union City.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Congressman
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
from February 1, 1958 until his death.
Biography
Everett was a native of Obion County, Tennessee, being born on a farm near Union CityUnion City, Tennessee
Union City is a city in Obion County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,876 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Obion County. The name comes from its location at the union of two railroads, one running roughly east-west and the other roughly north-south...
. He was a 1936 graduate of Murray State College (now Murray State University
Murray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
) and was elected to the Obion County Court (now called County Commission) that year. In 1938 he was elected Obion County Circuit Court Clerk. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1942 to 1945. After the war he was an administrative assistant to Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Thomas Stewart
Tom Stewart
Arthur Thomas Stewart , more commonly known as Tom Stewart, was a Democratic United States Senator from Tennessee from 1939 to 1949.-Early life and education:...
from 1945 to 1949, and to Governor Gordon Browning
Gordon Browning
Gordon Weaver Browning was an American politician who represented Tennessee in the United States Congress and was later Governor of Tennessee from 1937 to 1939 and again from 1949 to 1953.-Biography:...
from 1950 to 1952. Afterwards, he became executive secretary of the Tennessee County Services Association.
In 1958, Everett entered the contest for the Eighth Congressional District seat of Jere Cooper
Jere Cooper
Jere Cooper was a Democratic United States Representative from Tennessee.-Biography:Cooper was born on a farm near Dyersburg, Dyer County, Tennessee...
, who had died in office. He won the special election and served the balance of Cooper's term and five subsequent ones, dying in the first month of his seventh term. Like the voters of his district, he was predominantly a conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
, largely reflecting the views of his party's Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
wing.
Everett died in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. He is buried at East View Cemetery in Union City.