Blanche Marie Patterson Clevenger

Blanche (Pete) Marie Patterson Clevenger, 95, told our pastor that she would just put her hand up and the Good Lord would take her. On Saturday, February 4th at home with her daughter, Patti, and her niece, Jeanne, by her side, that is exactly what happened. She was the third child of the late Henry Grady and Mae Lee Patterson, born on December 12, 1927, at home on West Lincoln in Alcoa. She graduated from Everett High School in 1946. She married Wallace (Wally) Walter Clevenger on March 2, 1947, in Maryville where their only child, Patricia Gale, was born in 1955. They lived in East Ridge and then Atlanta, where she worked for IRS. When they returned to East Ridge, she and Wally started their own business, Automotive Parts and Equipment Co., a NAPA store, where Blanche worked as bookkeeper and financial officer, while at the same time working at Continental Baking and then Southern Specialty Paper Corporation. After the death of Wally in 1975, she moved back to her home town and was employed by Peninsula Psychiatric Hospital until 1998.  Blanche was a crossword puzzle aficionado, often completing them in five minutes. She was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church.  Blanche was a generous giver of time and possessions to family and anyone she knew who was in need, with no expectations of reciprocation. She earned the name Pistol (by Vince) Pete because we knew where she stood, and she did not hesitate to tell us. Her pecan pie, rum cake, and fresh coconut cake were frequent requests by anyone lucky enough to taste them. Her last days were spent connecting with family and friends, old and new, to tell them good-bye and that she loved them.

She was preceded in death by her husband on June 30, 1975; parents; brothers and sisters: Clarence (Frances) Patterson, Dorothy (Ben) Mills, Sarah Alice (Marvin) Boring, Jack (Dolores) Patterson, Brother-in-law: Doug Nolan; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Floyd (Ruby) Clevenger, Charles (Lorrayne) Clevenger, Betty (Bill) Kennedy, Carol Clevenger, Howard Clevenger, and Elaine (Larry) Junkin.

Her survivors include:   daughter: Patti Clevenger and partner, Vince Ingle, Sr.; sister: Judy Nolan; sisters-in-law:  Joanne Clevenger Taylor and Totsie Patterson; her beloved niece and nephew: Jeanne Mills and Scotty Nolan; and “grandchildren”: Matthew and Krista Nolan; many nieces and nephews.

Patti appreciates Jackson Blankenbeckler and Mary of Quality Care TN for the support provided to us.  Nurse Summer, and the Amedisys staff have been a blessing to both of us in this difficult time.  Patti would like to especially thank Dr. Britton Bishop for the many years of care and love for her mom.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Smith Trinity Chapel. The Funeral Service will follow at 3:00 PM with Dr. Jerald W. Russell officiating, Pianist, Dr. Jill C. Mertz, Vocalist, Wesley Rouse. The family will have a private Interment. Pallbearers for Aunt Pete will be her nephews: Mike Boring, Jeff Mills, Danny Boring, Jeff Patterson, Tim Patterson, and Scotty Nolan.

After the services Blanche (Pete) would like everyone to gather at the Life Event Center to visit with each other and enjoy “small sandwiches and desserts.”

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Fairview Community Park Project, c/o Fairview United Methodist Church, 2508 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com