Meet Julie Singletary, a lifetime resident of Knoxville. She’s worked as a leader in the retail business for years. But her true passion is to work as a missionary and spends her spare time doing so. And if you’re within earshot of Julie, you’re probably going to hear her singing!

“Be kind to one another. You never know what someone’s going through.”

What inspired you or lead you to your current career?

I’ve been in retail for twenty-six years now. This is just the next step on the ladder, I guess. 

How long have you worked here? 

Believe it or not, just since July the 1st.

What is your favorite restaurant in Knoxville, and what do you love there?

That would have to be Longhorn Steakhouse. Yes, Longhorn is just the best. And what do I love there….They actually have this double-decker hamburger that’s prime rib and hamburger on there. That is my favorite.

How long have you lived in Knoxville?

All of my life

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Knoxville?

I met John Michael Montgomery one time back in the day. He came to one of the grand openings at Walmart. That was pretty neat.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?

That would be Tanzania, Africa. I go on mission trips there every other year and that’s where my heart is.

What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?

Favorite movie is really gonna show my age because it’s Dirty Dancing. It has always been my favorite. 

What advice would you give a crowd of people?

To be kind to one another. You never know what someone’s going through.

What is something on your bucket list?

To travel all across the US. I’ve only been in the eastern hemisphere of the US so I’m ready to go out west somewhere.

What is your favorite music/3 bands you would like to see? (alive or dead)

My favorite music is Christian radio and The Isaacs are my all-time favorite. They’re a southern bluegrass group.

What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Knoxville?

That is a tough one. I think the zoo. They’ve got a really good zoo here. My kids have grown up loving the zoo.

Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Knoxville would you have lunch?

Hmm, anyone alive…that would be….actually, believe it or not,  I think it would have to be Reese Witherspoon because she’s just one of my all-time favorite actresses. And where? Tupelo Honey. That just seems right… that little place right there on Market Square. They have all kinds of eccentric cakes and sandwiches and stuff.

What is your favorite thing or something unique about Knoxville?

The World’s Fair Park, being able to go up on the Sunsphere, and just the park itself that they’ve got.

Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?

Hopefully as a district level manager here in the store or doing full-time missions in another foreign country.

Even for friends and family, what is something interesting people don’t know about you?

Some do but some don’t. I love to sing all of the time. I might not can carry a tune in the bucket but boy I do. I love to sing all of the time! Hahaha!

What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

I think about going home when this life here on earth is gonna be over. Going home to me is going home to Jesus and being in heaven.

Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of Knoxville?

I have a dear friend who is a store manager for Gabes. I think she’d be very good with this. 

If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?

Who would I choose…years ago it would have been Patrick Swayze all of the way. But of course he’s not here. So now it would have to be The Rock. 

If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?                                  Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?

Housekeeper! She states with NO hesitation.

As a wellness coach I am always interested in what people value and what gives them peace and wellness in their life.  If you could pick one thing that is essential to your wellness what would it be?

A personal relationship with Jesus is essential for our spiritual wellness.

Julie~Thank you so much for chatting with us and being one of the Faces of Knoxville! Blessings ~ Bridget