Margie Ison
I just watched a rebroadcast of a story about Margie Ison. If you don't know who Margie is, then you haven't been around Knoxville long.
Margie was a television phenomenon. She did the weather here at WATE and at WBIR for 33 years. She didn't have a weather degree, but in those days that didn't seem to matter. Margie had a greater gift. She had the ability to speak directly into the hearts of each and every person who watched her weathercasts; and people loved her for it.
For decades, Margie was the dominant figure in Knoxville television. And you knew that to be true because all you had to say was "Margie" and everyone knew who you were talking about.
I first met Margie back in 1978. It was before I was ever in TV. I was with friends at a local dinner theater and we happened to get in line right behind her and her husband, Jim.
Margie wouldn't remember the moment, but I do. She was friendly and most of all, genuine. And I think that is what people liked about her most.
A couple of years later, I went to work at WBIR and over the years, became good friends with Margie. By the time I came to work here at WATE, Margie had returned here as well, to her Knoxville television roots.
And I can truly say that in all those years, she never changed. She was as genuine a person as the lady I first met in a dinner theater line almost thirty years ago.
Earlier this year, WVLT did a story about Margie. I'm glad WBIR did the same. She's a class lady and she should always be remembered as one of the greats of Knoxville television.
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Does anyone know if Margie
Does anyone know if Margie used to live in South Carolina - or did her broadcast reach that far? I remember watching her on television as a child. We all loved Margie (still do)! Everyone we knew had umbrellas that read: "Margie said it would!"
Margie said it would--and,
Margie said it would--and, more often than not, it did.
She was a class act, and it was a treat to work with her for three years long ago. I miss the weather watchers. Thanks for the post, Geno.
The thing I remember about
The thing I remember about her is that she went to Syracuse with one of those ESPN "we don't like Tennessee" guys but I don't remember which one it was...I always liked her and wish her well...
I was just explaining
I was just explaining yesterday to a friend of mine (whom is 10 years younger than me) about Margie Ison. He couldn't believe that a local weather forecaster could ever be so popular. He wanted to know exactly what the draw to her was. It was a little hard to express the exact reasons but as you mentioned her great personality and being "genuine" went a long way with viewers. Margie is also a very attractive lady which didn't hurt matters either! As a young man growing up in Knoxville, there wasn't even a question about who you were going to tune in to for the weather because if Margie said it would, it would!
I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING
I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT MARGIE ISON IN YEARS. I ALWAYS LOVED HER AS I WAS GROWING UP, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT SHE WAS STILL IN THE TENNESSEE AREA. HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER AND HOW SHE IS DOING?
LINDA ADKINS
I guess what sticks in my
I guess what sticks in my mind the most about Margie was her never ceasing energy and pep, as well as her infamous wink at the end of each weather report and her words of wisdom "If you see someone without a smile, make sure to give them one of yours." I also remember me and my Dad meeting her in person one time when she visited the NHC Nursing Home on Broadway in orth Knoxville, and how she was every bit as charming, graceful & caring in person as on the air. Margie definitely was then, is now, and no doubt always will be an enduring icon of Knoxville weather. Miss ya Margie and hope that wherever you are now you are still smiling as always!
I remeber her fondly. We
I remeber her fondly. We use to get drunk together on sharps ridge. She could hold her beer very well.
That's my grandma! She is
That's my grandma! She is still smiling and ever so beautiful living in the Knoxville area. When i was a child she used to rock me to sleep singing "You are my Sunshine." My father is a Marine and i followed in his footsteps. So, it is not uncommon for us to be seperated. She ends every phone conversation with "Do you know how much i love you?" "How much!" I reply. Then she says "Deeper that the ocean and higher than the sky!" What a talented woman she is. May Knoxville never forget that wink and that smile: )
Margie Ison
As a young man growing up in