Lamarse Howard "Cotton" Ivy[2] (May 15, 1930 – May 25, 2021) was an American author, educator, entertainer, and politician who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 63rd district from 1985 to 1989, as a member of the Democratic Party.
During his entertainment career he recorded four albums, joined the Country Music Association, and appeared on Hee Haw.
Ivy graduated from Decaturville High School and the University of Tennessee with a degree in agriculture education.
[7] Ivy made four albums with the booking agency Top Billing and was a member of the Country Music Association.
[4][8] While serving in the state legislature Ivy sponsored a resolution, which was presented by Governor Ned McWherter, alongside Representative John S. Tanner to honor Tandy Clinton Rice Jr. for his contributions to Nashville, entertainment, and the United Cerebral Palsy of Tennessee.
[14] On October 27, 1988, Governor McWherter announced at a rally at Decatur County Riverside High School that he would appoint Ivy to succeed A.C. Clark as Tennessee's Commissioner of Agriculture.
[24] Ivy served as Commissioner of Agriculture until Governor Don Sundquist selected Dan Wheeler to succeed him in 1995.
[26][27] In 2000, Ivy and former state Senator Roy Herron co-wrote the book Tennessee Political Humor (Some of these Jokes You Voted For.).
[30][31] The state house voted fifty-three to forty, with Ivy against, in favor of legislation requiring the mandatory usage of seat belts in 1986.