$4.6 million ‘Howdy!’

Oreck president and CEO Tom Oreck’s purchase of Minnie Pearl’s former mansion in Nashville for $4.6 million brought back pleasant memories for Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945.

Writes Anthony:

“My wife Barbie and I had the honor of staying at the Minnie Pearl Mansion for an entire day. At that time it was owned by Dr. Scott Douglas Smith, Quorum Corporation CEO, who was managing Fairmont General Hospital. The entire week in Nashville was a very enjoyable experience.”

Tony retired as Fairmont General Hospital's food services chief in 2013. He also is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and was in the 249^th Army Band. He and Barbara have been married for 35 years.

Family members include Julie Pulice Kraley; Jesse James PuliceJesse James’ wife, Chelsie Colisino Pulice; Mark Pulice; Jamie L. Pulice; and Toni Marie Pulice Pill.

Oreck is the huge vacuum cleaner company. Oreck bought the land and mansion from Scott Douglas Smith and his wife Nan Frazer Smith.

The 7,800-square-foot mansion previously was owned by Sarah Ophelia Cannon, which was the late Grand Ole Opry comedienne Minnie Pearl’s birth name, and her husband.

Oreck is based in New Orleans but has been moving facilities to Nashville where the markets are closer and Oreck thinks the tax and workers environment are better.