Allie Ruth Cunningham Correll

DOB – 12/08/1947

Spouse – Lanford "Lanny" Correll - 1971

Ruth is the daughter of Harold H. and Carmine Wilson Cunningham. She and her sister, Helen Cunningham McPeak, grew up on the family farm which is near the Greenvale and Norene communities in Wilson County. The family farm, established in 1808, is a recognized Century Farm.

It was like the many other family farms at that time, a "diversified" farm. This meant that farmers had several types of livestock and/or crops.  They fed their families as well as marketed what they produced for family income. The farm produced beef cattle, operated a dairy, also had sheep and goats.  Tobacco and hay were the main crops.  I am so thankful I had the opportunity to grow up on a farm.  Not only was it a wonderful place to grow up but I learned valuable life lessons. The farm activities of milking, feeding and caring for the animals, gardening, growing tobacco and harvesting hay drove her decision to major in agriculture in college.

Ruth attended schools at Greenvale and Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School where she played basketball and was a member of the 4-H Club.  She also attained a BS (1969) and a MS (1972) degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.  Her majors were Animal Science, Biological Sciences and Microbiology.

Ruth married Lanny Correll in 1971. Lanny was pursuing a career in the USAF, As a military spouse, Ruth taught secondary level science and math in North Carolina, Arkansas and Guam. After Lanny’s  retirement from the USAF, they decided to make their home in Wilson County, TN.

After returning to Wilson County, Ruth had an opportunity to work with the University of Tennessee Extension. She had never considered a career in Extension, but this opportunity turned out to lead to the career of a lifetime.  "I appreciate Jon Baker, who was the County Director for UT Extension at that time, for giving me this opportunity." This finally made her college major come to fruition

Ruth worked in several different positions while working for UT Extension. She worked in the Expanded Food and Nutrition program,  the 4-H program, and as an agricultural agent and County Director.  Someone once said, "if you enjoy what you do, you will never work a day."  That is how Ruth felt about her opportunity to work with Extension.

Ruth enjoyed the relationships built while working with the 4-H youth and their families through in-school clubs, after-school and homeschool groups and judging groups in forestry, wildlife, equine, dairy, land and livestock.  She thanks the many project group leaders who gave of their valuable time on behalf of the youth.

Ruth transitioned from youth work to adult agriculture after the retirement of Jon Baker.  She was responsible for working with all farmers, homeowners and agricultural businesses as an advisor and educator by providing research-based information and bridging the gap between the farmer/homeowner and resources and best practices.  Ruth gave leadership to the Master Beef and Small Ruminants programs as well as many other educational programs.  "It was truly my pleasure to serve." She learned early in her career that she "did not have to know the answer to every question because she was "attached" to those who do."  Ruth extends her thanks to the many Extension Specialist and other Extension Agents.

Ruth received several awards and recognition throughout her career.  "I am proud and honored for the recognition for each one. But the things I treasure most are the relationships I built with the Wilson County farmers, the Wilson County 4-H youth and their families, the agribusinesses that supported our education programs and endeavors, and the organizations I worked with such as NRCS, FSA, the Wilson County Livestock Association and the Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair.

Ruth has volunteered with the Wilson County Fair since 1993. She is a life member of the TN Agricultural Agents and Specialists and the National Agricultural Agents and Specialists.  She is a member of TN 4-H Alumni, the Wilson County Livestock Association, the TN Cattlemen’s Association and the Wilson County Farm Bureau Women

Married: Lanny Correll

Ruth is the daughter of Harold H. and Carmine Wilson Cunningham. She and her sister, Helen Cunningham McPeak, grew up on the family farm which is near the Greenvale and Norene communities in Wilson County. The family farm, established in 1808, is a recognized Century Farm. It was like the many other family farms at that time, a "diversified" farm, which meant that farmers had several types of livestock and/or crops. They fed their families as well as marketed what they produced for family income. The farm produced beef cattle, operated a dairy, also had sheep and goats. Tobacco and hay were the main crops. The farm activities of milking, feeding and caring for the animals, gardening, growing tobacco and harvesting hay drove her decision to major in agriculture in college. Ruth attended schools at Greenvale and Watertown, graduating from Watertown High School where she played basketball and was a member of the 4-H Club. She also attained a BS (1969) and a MS (1972) degrees from Middle Tennessee State University. Her majors were Animal Science, Biological Sciences and Microbiology. Ruth married Lanny Correll in 1971. Lanny was pursuing a career in the USAF. As a military spouse, Ruth taught secondary level science and math in North Carolina, Arkansas and Guam. After Lanny’s retirement from the USAF, they decided to make their home in Wilson County. After returning, Ruth had an opportunity to work with the University of Tennessee Extension. She had never considered a career in Extension, but this opportunity turned out to lead to the career of a lifetime. Ruth worked in several different positions while working for UT Extension. She worked in the Expanded Food and Nutrition program, the 4-H program, and as an agricultural agent and County Director. Ruth has volunteered with the Wilson County Fair since 1993. She is a life member of the TN Agricultural Agents and Specialists and the National Agricultural Agents and Specialists. She is a member of TN 4-H Alumni, the Wilson County Livestock Association, the TN Cattlemen’s Association and the Wilson County Farm Bureau Women.