The dedication of the Iva Lee Nunley Memorial Bridge will be held Oct. 11 honoring a member of Payne’s Cove founding family.

The ceremony will be held Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. at the bridge over Dry Creek in Payne’s Cove. Parking will be available at 3436 Payne Cove Road, Pelham and the public is welcome to attend.

“Based on the state and local records, this is believed to be the first bridge in Grundy County officially named in honor of a woman. Although I cannot state that with absolute certainty without a complete countywide historical record, my research so far has not identified another one,” said her granddaughter Crystal Lynn Nunley.

Iva Lee Oliver Nunley was born beside this bridge in 1921. She lived and raised her family in Payne’s Cove, operated a small country store near the crossing, and remained there until her death in 1964 at only 42 years old. The Nunleys are a verified founding family of Payne’s Cove, and naming this bridge in her honor preserves an important part of our community’s history.

The ceremony will include remarks from the mayor, family memories, the unveiling of the bridge sign, and the presentation of an original song written in Iva Lee’s honor.