Marlene Edwards Tidwell
Author of one of Tennessee’s official poems and Poet Laureate Emerita of Tennessee, Marlene grew up on a farm in a small town in Tennessee. Her journey of writing began as a child on the front porch as she gazed upon the beauty that surrounded her. Gathering her notebook and pen she headed to the edge of the porch where she dreamed and dared to pen the language of her heart to paper.
After finishing college, she worked as a corporate tax accountant for a large hospital corporation in Nashville. She has served as director for several non-profits, and served her community through different non-profits throughout the years.
She has had poems published in several publications. In 2021 her poem, My Beloved Tennessee, was voted by the 112th Tennessee General Assembly as one of the official state poems of Tennessee. In April of 2026, the 114th Tennessee General Assembly designated her as Poet Laureate Emerita of Tennessee for her literary accomplishments. She specializes in Christian, nature, and inspirational, poetry books. Her book, The Fragrance of Life, will be published later this year.
In her book, Nature Sings, she captures the beauty and essence of nature, and a wide array of subjects through the expression of vivid images. Mundane scenes that the casual observer fails to recognize blossom with life through her printed words on paper.
She enjoys writing, public speaking, serving her community and traveling. She is a wife, mother and grandmother and resides with her husband in Tennessee.
