Cotton Ivy

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Cotton Ivy

|image =

|office = Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture

|term_start = January 13, 1989

|term_end = 1995

|predecessor = A. C. Clark

|successor = Dan Wheeler

|state_house2 = Tennessee

|district2 = 63rd

|term_start2 = 1985

|term_end2 = 1989

|predecessor2 =

|successor2 = Steve McDaniel

|birth_name = Lamarse Howard Ivy

|birth_date = {{birth date|1930|05|15}}

|birth_place = Decaturville, Tennessee, U.S.

|death_date = {{death date and age|2021|05|25|1930|05|15}}

|death_place = Decaturville, Tennessee, U.S.

|spouse =

|children =

|party = Democratic

|education = University of Tennessee

|signature =

}}

Lamarse Howard "Cotton" Ivy (May 15, 1930{{spnd}}May 25, 2021) was an American author, educator, entertainer, and politician who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 63rd district from 1985 to 1989, as a member of the Democratic Party. Following his tenure in the state house he served as the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture from 1989 to 1995.

Ivy was born in Decaturville, Tennessee, and educated at Decaturville High School and the University of Tennessee. He briefly worked as a teacher for two years before becoming an entertainer. During his entertainment career he recorded four albums, joined the Country Music Association, and appeared on Hee Haw.

He entered politics in the 1980s with his election to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1984. During his tenure in the state house he attempted to become Speaker of the House and Assistant Majority Leader. In 1989, Governor Ned McWherter appointed him as the Commissioner of Agriculture, a position in which he served until 1995. He died in 2021.

Early life

Lamarse Howard Ivy was born in Decaturville, Tennessee, on May 15, 1930, to Howard Ivy. He was given the nickname Cotton due to his premature white hair. Ivy graduated from Decaturville High School and the University of Tennessee with a degree in agriculture education. He served in the United States Air Force. He married Patricia Lou Joyner, with whom he had four children, on October 26, 1949, in Corinth, Mississippi.{{Cite news |url=https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/94GA/Members/h63.htm |title=L. H. "Cotton" Ivy |work=Tennessee House of Representatives |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529202101/https://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/archives/94GA/Members/h63.htm |archive-date=May 29, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jacksonsun/obituary.aspx?n=lamarse-h-ivy-cotton&pid=198805295 |title=Lamarse H. "Cotton" Ivy obituary |date=May 25, 2021 |work=The Tennessean |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210528133113/https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jacksonsun/obituary.aspx?n=lamarse-h-ivy-cotton&pid=198805295 |archive-date=May 28, 2021}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78463752/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Miss Joyner Weds Lamarse H. Ivy |date=October 30, 1949 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529052919/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78463752/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}} Ivy worked as a teacher for two years in the 1950s.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78464708/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Decatur Teachers For 1958-59 Year Elected by Board |date=March 16, 1958 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529181544/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78464708/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=34 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78464755/the-star-press/ |title=Call Him Cotton |date=March 20, 1983 |work=The Star Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529182140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78464755/the-star-press/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was given the National 4-H Club Alumnus Award in 1986.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508129/the-jackson-sun/ |title=4-H Club honors 'Cotton' Ivy with national alumnus award |date=March 30, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529182344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508129/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Career

=Entertainment=

Ivy made four albums with the booking agency Top Billing and was a member of the Country Music Association. During his entertainment career he appeared on Hee Haw.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509515/the-leaf-chronicle/ |title=Ivy, Humorist, Lawmaker, To Speak At Gore Rally |date=August 2, 1987 |work=The Leaf-Chronicle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529182601/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509515/the-leaf-chronicle/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=25 |via=Newspapers.com}} While serving in the state legislature Ivy sponsored a resolution, which was presented by Governor Ned McWherter, alongside Representative John S. Tanner to honor Tandy Clinton Rice Jr. for his contributions to Nashville, entertainment, and the United Cerebral Palsy of Tennessee.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509215/the-tennessean/ |title=Resolution honoring Tandy Rice |date=April 18, 1987 |work=The Tennessean |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529182802/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509215/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=41 |via=Newspapers.com}}

=Tennessee House of Representatives=

Ivy ran for a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 63rd district with the Democratic nomination and defeated Republican nominee G. L. Teague, who had served in the state house in the 1970s.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465173/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Legislators ward off challengers |date=August 3, 1984 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529183023/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465173/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465168/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Wins in other House races clear-cut |date=November 7, 1984 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529183206/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465168/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465163/the-tennessean/ |title=Alexander Tells Tales, Plays Piano for GOP |date=September 26, 1984 |work=The Tennessean |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529184046/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78465163/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} He won reelection in 1986.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508834/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Incumbents carry the day |date=November 5, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529184301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508834/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} Ivy announced that he would not seek reelection in the 1988 election and was succeeded by Republican Steve McDaniel.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78510014/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Rep. 'Cotton' Ivy decides not to seek office again |date=March 24, 1988 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529184437/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78510014/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511353/kingsport-times-news/ |title=GOP picks up seat in Senate |date=November 9, 1988 |work=Kingsport Times-News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529184608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511353/kingsport-times-news/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Ivy was appointed to serve on the Education and Transportation committees in 1985.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78475768/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Area lawmakers join leadership |date=January 10, 1985 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529184914/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78475768/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}} He sought the position of Speaker of the House following the 1986 elections and wrote to other members of the state house asking for support to become Assistant Majority Leader.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78507887/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Candidates ready to start race |date=April 28, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529185109/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78507887/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508627/the-tennessean/ |title=Burnett may try to win back leadership position in House |date=September 4, 1986 |work=The Tennessean |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529185255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508627/the-tennessean/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was ranked as the eighty-third best member of the 94th General Assembly by the Nashville Banner.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508246/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Poll rates McWherter state's best legislator |date=June 11, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529185459/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508246/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1987, Ivy was appointed to serve on the Finance, Ways and Means, and Agriculture committees.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509031/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Committees |date=January 16, 1987 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529185655/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509031/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} During the 1988 presidential election he supported Senator Al Gore for the Democratic nomination.

=Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture=

On October 27, 1988, Governor McWherter announced at a rally at Decatur County Riverside High School that he would appoint Ivy to succeed A.C. Clark as Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511026/the-jackson-sun/ |title=McWherter selects 'Cotton' Ivy to lead agriculture department |date=October 28, 1988 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529185853/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511026/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/former-agriculture-commissioner-l-h-cotton-ivy-dies-at-91/ |title=Former Agriculture Commissioner L.H. "Cotton" Ivy dies at 91 |date=May 26, 2021 |work=Tennessee Lookout |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529190037/https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/former-agriculture-commissioner-l-h-cotton-ivy-dies-at-91/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021}} He was the fifth person appointed to the cabinet by McWherter.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511634/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Ivy joins Cabinet |date=January 14, 1989 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529190733/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78511634/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} During his tenure he served as secretary-treasurer for the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78513254/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Secretary-treasurer Ivy |date=March 26, 1989 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529190922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78513254/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=58 |via=Newspapers.com}} A section of Highway 641 was named in his honor in 1994.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78523537/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Highway 641 named for Cotton Ivy |date=April 16, 1994 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529191235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78523537/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} Ivy served as Commissioner of Agriculture until Governor Don Sundquist selected Dan Wheeler to succeed him in 1995.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78523694/johnson-city-press/ |title=Wheeler appointed to cabinet |date=December 7, 1994 |work=Johnson City Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529051509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78523694/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Tommy Hooper, the chair of the Tennessee Republican Party, called for Ivy to resign after Ivy insulted Republicans during a forum in Chester County, Tennessee. Jim Kennedy, McWherter's chief of staff, wrote a letter to Hopper where he stated that no complaints were lodged against Ivy and that McWherter would not dismiss Ivy.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78522316/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Demos deaf to GOP's squawks |date=April 4, 1991 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529191425/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78522316/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78522337/johnson-city-press/ |title=Heated words fire partisan feud |date=April 4, 1991 |work=Johnson City Press |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529191835/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78522337/johnson-city-press/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Later life

In 2000, Ivy and former state Senator Roy Herron co-wrote the book Tennessee Political Humor (Some of these Jokes You Voted For.). During the 2000 presidential election he served as master of ceremonies alongside Shirlene Mercer for a campaign event by Gore's presidential campaign.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78516093/the-jackson-sun/ |title='It's great to be home' |date=October 26, 2000 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529193048/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78516093/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Ivy died in Decaturville, Tennessee, on May 25, 2021.

Political positions

In 1985, Ivy was given a petition containing 1,243 signatures which opposed legislation requiring people to wear a seat belt.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476172/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Seat belt bill, opponents set for collision |date=May 2, 1985 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529193255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476172/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} He opposed legislation requiring seat belts to be worn, despite having been hospitalized after a car crash, stating that he understood "that seat belts are important" and that he wished that the "whole country would wear 'em", but that he had a phobia towards wearing a seat belt.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476314/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Ivy uses humor to push seat belts |date=February 25, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529193509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476314/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476615/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Seat belt diehard buckles up, encourages others |date=May 15, 1985 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529194051/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476615/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} The state house voted fifty-three to forty, with Ivy against, in favor of legislation requiring the mandatory usage of seat belts in 1986.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78478205/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Senate gets seat belt bill |date=March 28, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529194227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78478205/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} Ivy offered an amendment to the legislation which would have excluded pickup trucks from the legislation, but it failed by a vote of forty-five to forty-three.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78478538/the-daily-news-journal/ |title=Buckling up to be the law in Tennessee |date=March 28, 1986 |work=The Daily News Journal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529194407/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78478538/the-daily-news-journal/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1985, the state house voted sixty-three to thirty, with Ivy voting to table, to table legislation which would allow drunk drivers to continue working while serving the forty-five day sentence given to them for a second offense.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476530/the-jackson-sun/ |title=DUI bill tabled |date=May 2, 1985 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529194546/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78476530/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1986, the state house voted fifty-four to thirty-seven, with Ivy voting against, in favor of legislation that would increase the gas tax by 4¢ and the legislation was approved by the state senate by a vote of twenty-six to six.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78507444/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Road boost |date=April 18, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529194729/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78507444/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Ivy was named Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the Tennessee Forestry Association in 1987.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509714/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Outstanding Legislator of the Year |date=November 19, 1987 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529194932/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509714/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}} He voted against legislation which would have increased the salaries of state legislators.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509775/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Proposed legislature pay raise defeated, not dead |date=May 7, 1987 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529195126/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78509775/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Electoral history

{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 1984 Tennessee House of Representatives 63rd district election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Cotton Ivy

|votes = 2,041

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 2,041

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Cotton Ivy

|votes = 8,851

|percentage = 57.23%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = G. L. Teague

|votes = 6,615

|percentage = 42.77%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 15,466

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box begin no change|title = 1986 Tennessee House of Representatives 63rd district Democratic primary{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508928/the-jackson-sun/ |title=Stallings wins House position |date=August 8, 1986 |work=The Jackson Sun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210529193658/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78508928/the-jackson-sun/ |archive-date=May 29, 2021 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Cotton Ivy (incumbent)

|votes = 4,775

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 4,775

|percentage = 100.00%

}}