Russell Brackins

Russell Brackins, former mayor of Erwin, died Oct. 15, 2025, at the age of 96. A lifelong resident of Erwin and a graduate of Unicoi County High School and East Tennessee State University, Brackins career in government began with the Internal Revenue Service with Brackins retiring as a senior revenue officer and instructor after a 30-year career. He also had a parallel military career, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 30 years. Brackins also served 14 years as mayor of Erwin in addition to other elected offices, including county commissioner and school board chairman.