Wood to serve as grand marshal of Sparta Christmas Parade

A woman who has spent 40 years in broadcast media and journalism will serve as grand marshal of the 2025 Sparta Rotary Club Christmas Parade, which begins at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 13.

Kim Swindell Wood, the daughter of Tom and Treva Swindell and wife of Woody Phillips, began her life in the city of Sparta, in a community lovingly known as “Swindell Hill,” which was adjacent to the old high school, on East Bronson Street. It was there that she learned the importance of family and community.

Time quickly passed and, in 1985, she began a journey into a career that would bring her extreme joy and provide an unbreakable tie with her friends and neighbors. Wood, a lifelong resident of Sparta, met the man with whom she would spend the next three decades of her life - Woody Phillips (Phillip Wood). It was through his guidance that she embarked on an adventure in the world of radio - an adventure that would open doors to the hearts of those who surrounded her every day.

“I could never have dreamed of such a great career that I was able to share with my husband,” said Wood. “He reinforced what I already knew - that our job was to serve the community and to love the people that we met along the way.”

While working in the Cookeville radio market, Wood became homesick for Sparta. She missed seeing the faces of all the people she loved. Wood was offered an opportunity to work at The Expositor, which she immediately accepted. The rest is history. For the past 25-plus years, Wood has continued her media career of keeping the people informed, whether it be hard-hitting news or human-interest stories.

“I have always been driven to succeed and to excel in my careers, but I was able to thrive because of the encouragement and love of my husband,” Wood said. “He believed that I could literally move a mountain if I had chosen to do so, and his faith in me is what keeps me inspired in every aspect of my life.”

Wood continued, “I am very humbled and grateful for the honor of serving as the grand marshal of this year’s Christmas parade. My roots run deep in the Sparta community. Everywhere I look I see pieces of my childhood - the buildings that my dad helped construct and so much more. The voices of my childhood memories echo in my heart every day as I walk outside. Then, in 1985, God brought to me a person that would teach me how to give back to my community. Although he passed away almost 12 years ago, Woody still gives me strength each day to continue to serve others.”

Mark the calendar for the annual Sparta Rotary Christmas Parade, beginning at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 13, 2025. Parade entries will assemble at White County High School. The parade route will begin on Allen Drive, turn right on Polk Street, left on Hampton Drive, and then left on Bockman Way.