Burkett L. Witt

Burkett L. Witt, the longtime former and first black mayor of Athens, died Aug. 11, 2023, at the age of 97. Witt spent more than 30 years on the Athens City Council after being first elected to office in 1971 as the city’s first black councilman. In 1983, he was elected mayor by his fellow councilmembers. He served as mayor for four years and then resumed his seat on the council, holding it for another 33 years. Witt’s niece, Frances Witt-McMahan, has followed in his footsteps and served on the Athens City Council since 2020. In addition to his role on the council. Witt worked in the food industry for decades at Tennessee Wesleyan University and also owned his own restaurant and catering service. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in public services from Tennessee Wesleyan, and the university plans to name a room in his honor at the new campus center for his contributions to the school, Athens, and McMinn County.