This marker pays tribute to Dr. Luther Lee Friddell, born November 13, 1877, at Thomas Roark’s home on the river. He was the child of John and Lizzie Cross Friddell and great grandson of John W. and Margaret Gross Roark. Dr. Friddell practiced medicine for 45 years, alleviating the physical suffering of more than two generations in Birchwood, TN, and the surrounding area. It was said Dr. Friddell, “would take chickens or eggs or anything he could get and would never fret when told there was no money to pay him.”
In 1899, he married Mista Coppinger, and they had five children. He died on July 20, 1950, and is buried in the Chattanooga Memorial Park Cemetery. Located on Highway 60 in downtown Birchwood, the historical marker was placed about .2 miles north of the Dr. Friddell home place and 200 yards south of where his office stood.
Darwin Lane and David C. Roark wrote the text and arranged to purchase the marker for the R-CA. In 2004, Tommye McCallie Roark allowed it to be installed on her property, and Harold Roark assisted with the installation.
