The mayor of a small Tennessee city has succumbed to COVID-19.

Mayor Lonnie Norman of Manchester, which is just 65 miles west of Nashville,died during early Monday morning, according to a post from the mayor’s official Facebook page. 

He died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. 

“With a deep sense of sadness and loss, we announce the passing of Mayor Lonnie Norman after being hospitalized for COVID-19 on October 1, 2020. Mayor Norman passed away in the early hours of Monday, October 12, 2020, after a valiant fight against COVID-19,” said a statement from the mayor’s account.

According to The Daily Herald, doctors admitted Norman to the hospital on Oct. 1 following the diagnosis. 

The beloved politician was the first Black mayor ever elected to preside over the city. And he served as mayor of the town located within Coffee County for a remarkable four terms, according to a statement from Norman’s family. Manchesterhasapopulation of roughly 11,000 residents. 

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Before his tenure as the city’s leader, Norman worked at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex for 40 years. He retired as a technician supervisor. 

He ventured into politics in 1984, and in 1991, Manchester residents elected Norman as mayor of the city. His service was unmatched, according to his family and friends. And his dedication to his community ensured that he never lost an election. 

The father of four was responsible for rebuilding the city’s infrastructure. The Manchester Recreation center, which houses a 10,000 sq. ft. pool and almost 70,000 sq. footage of recreational playscapes and activities, is one of his most significant accomplishments. Norman also rehabilitated local parks and bravely fought against rural hospital closures because he wanted to ensure that residents had access to good healthcare.  

According to the Manchester Times, the 79-year old mayor addressed the city’s residents during a press conference about the effects of COVID-19 in April. The safety and well-being of the city were paramount to the mayor. 

“On Thursday, Apr. 2, Governor Bill Lee announced an order amending Executive Order 22, requiring Tennesseans to stay home unless engaging in an essential activity or essential services,” Norman stated. “The key message is to ‘stay home.’ I support his decision. It’s only through community and state-wide actions that we will be able to slow the spread of the virus.”

Source: Tennessee Town’s First Black Mayor, Lonnie Norman, Dies Following Battle With COVID-19