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A lot of people have helped make
Maples Motor Inn. A seventh-generation Sevier Countian who grew up
poor, Leroy Maples was a brickmason
and eighth-grade teacher and coach before buying and operating
the old Pigeon River Court in the
1960's. He and Sue were the office staff, head housekeeper,
maintenance and landscaper with some
help from a few maids and their kids. In 1971 they bought
land at the present location along
with Russell Maples, Leroy's father, and in 1972 thirty-unit
Maples Motor Inn opened. In 1982 the
back building was finished just in time for the World's Fair
Energy Expo in Knoxville. In 1990
the king-bedrooms were constructed to connect the two buildings.
Constant renovation kept the
property looking good, and in 1995 the suites and jacuzzi rooms were
added.
In 2007, Sue, Jack and Joe had the
Gallery meeting room built. This space houses the paintings of
Mendy Maples, Jack and Joe's sister
who died in 2006. Leroy passed away in December of 2006.
Joe Maples, co-owner since 1995,
passed away Aug. 31, 2013. Joe was a familiar sight in his wheelchair,
often followed by his chubby kitty "Tabby." A true inspiration, he
survived 18 years as a legally-blind paraplegic. His book of short
stories and poetry "The Invisible Mirror" is available for sale in the
office. He is missed by all who knew him. Tabby remains with us,
loudly greeting guests in the office. Her meows are an invitation for
you to pet her. She also loves to be talked to, and will sometimes
grudgingly pose for photos.
Jack Maples followed his Dad into
the field of education, but is now retired from teaching and helps his
lovely wife Robin manage the inn. Together they have over sixty years
experience in the hospitality industry. Their kids Milly and Jackson
grew up at the motel, and represent the third generation of ownership.
But the most important people who
have helped make Maples Motor Inn are people like you! Not only because
of their
friendship and loyalty through the
years, but because they make the atmosphere what it is here. Folks just
seem to
be in a good mood on vacation, and
it's contagious. And because most of our guests are like you, we don't
have many
complaints about noisy neighbors,
parking problems, drunks, wild teenagers and trash all over the place.
Instead,
we hear pleasant conversation and
see friendships being renewed just about every day.
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