Reba Carolean Chisam, age 81 of Alcoa, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Blount Memorial Hospital.
She was born at home April 15, 1936, in McMinn County and had a happy childhood with wonderful loving parents, two sisters and one brother. She completed 13 years of school and on June 3, 1956 she married Fred Chisam and moved from Athens, TN to Tullahoma, TN, where they lived for 15 years. While in Tullahoma, two beautiful daughters were born, Cindy and Rickye, two gifts from God. She worked with her daughters in Sunday School, Bible School, Brownies and Girl Scouts. In 1970 she moved to Knoxville. She worked at J.C. Penney in accounting for 4 years and at TVA in accounts payable for 12 years. but had to take disability because of rheumatoid arthritis. She moved from Knoxville to Alcoa in 1992. She volunteered at the Food Connection for 2 years.
She was a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church where she attended Sunday School, was a member of a Circle and the Geneva Group. She really enjoyed working with the Bartlett Adult Fellowship. She loved to read daily devotions, books and loved to be with her grandchildren, Bryce Solomon, Abbye Ward, Blair Baker and great granddaughter, Payton. She loved her little friends and companion dogs, Suzie Q and then Lucy. She and Suzie Q like to walk together.
People said Reba had more grace and compassion than anyone they had ever met. She was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, nana and friend. She will be missed so much, especially her beautiful smile.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Florence Whitaker Watson, sister Jo and brother, Rondal.
She leaves behind daughters, Cindy and her husband Bucky of Knoxville and grandson, Bryce Solomon, Rickye and her husband Joe of Woodstock, GA and granddaughter, Blair Baker; granddaughter, Abbye and husband Seth Ward and great-granddaughter, Payton Ward; sister, Joyce King of South Carolina.
A memorial service will be at 2:30 pm Friday, August 4, 2017, at New Providence Presbyterian Church with Rev. Stan Rushing officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 5, 2017. from 11:30am-1:30 pm at Smith Funeral Home in Athens with a graveside to follow at 2:00 pm at McMinn Memory Gardens with Rev. Don Ferguson and Rev. Andy Ferguson officiating.
The family suggests memorial be made to New Providence Presbyterian Church, 703 W. Browadway, Maryville, TN 37801 or In Touch Ministries, 3836 Dekalb Tech Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30340.