Betty Jo Nipper Hicks Poats, 77, of Athens, died unexpectedly Saturday evening , June 24, 2017 at her residence.
She was a lifelong resident of McMinn County and was a daughter of the late Joe and Ofa Harrison Nipper. She was also preceded in death by her first husband Tommy Lee Hicks, and a niece Melinda Roderick.
She was a member of Spring Creek Church of Christ. She was associated with Citizens National Bank retiring after 32 years.
She is survived by her husband of 14 years, Jerry Poats of Athens; step-daughter and her husband, Vickie and Mark Dugger of Elizabethton, TN; one sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Charles Boyd of Athens; one brother and sister-in-law, J.C, Jr and Dorinda Nipper of Athens; nieces and their husbands, Tina and Danny Newman of Englewood, and Tanya and Eric Brackner of Athens; nephews, Jody Nipper, Tommy Nipper both of Athens and Tracy and Jill Nipper of Alapha, Georgia; great- nieces and nephews ,Zachary Newman, Kayla and Eli Brackner, Chelsea Nipper, Andy and Chloe Nipper and Brandon Roderick; great-great-niece and nephew, Hudson and Mollie Roderick; several aunts and uncles and cousins.
A funeral service will be conducted,7:00 pm, Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with Minister Jacob Galloway officiating. The committal service will be 11:00 am, Thursday, in McMinn Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 3:30-6:30 pm at the funeral home prior to the service.
Pallbearers will be, Jody Nipper, Tommy Nipper, Tracy Nipper, Brandon Roderick, Eric Brackner and Danny Newman.
The family suggests memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 ATTN: Memorial Dept. or Upper Spring Creek Cemetery, c/o Marshall McKinney, 174 County Road 115, Athens, TN 37303.

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