Golden Grace Vananda

Golden Grace Vananda, age 95 of Townsend, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 3, 2021. She was a member of Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years, and taught numerous Sunday School classes. Golden worked for decades at Tuckaleechee Caverns. Her husband, Bill Vananda and his friend, Harry Myers, opened the caverns to the public in 1953. Bill bought out Myers in the early 1980’s and Bill and Golden operated the caverns until he died in 1990. Since his death, Golden and her sons, Steven and Phillip, have run the business until present. Golden continued to work there until 3 or 4 years ago. Golden loved her family with a passion! She loved to cook elaborate meals for them and would readily invite others to come eat Sunday dinner. She loved to bake and cook and sew and make beautiful quilts. She enjoyed gardening and canning. She especially loved making all kinds of jams and jelly. She was a pro at knitting and crocheting and made blankets, sweaters, and caps for each grandbaby as they were born. One of her greatest joys was when all her family was at her home, and she could interact with all of them and watch the children swim and play. Golden worked hard her whole life through but was never too busy to stop and talk or play (even in the floor!) with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, or just sit and swing with anyone who came by. We could always depend on her to “be there” and listen to whatever we wanted to talk about. She was a giver! She gave the gift of time and love. She was our much-loved Mother, Momaw and friend. We will miss her tremendously! Golden was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William E. (Bill) Vananda; sons, Ronnie and Jeffrey Vananda; daughter-in-law, Karen Napier Vananda; parents, Joe Houk and Lillian Myers; sisters, Jean Moser, Betty Sullivan, Sue Handley; brother, Edward Myers. Survived by son, Steven and wife, Anita Vananda, son, Phillip Vananda; grandchildren, Aaron and Renee Vananda, Tarah (Vananda) and Waylon Mahors, Rachel (Vananda) and Donnie Walker, Benjamin and Monica Vananda, Kyra Vananda Kauffman, Patrick and Julie Vananda, Brett and Bethany Vananda; great-grandchildren, Lydia (Vananda) and Andrew Amburn, Joseph Vananda, Gavin and Andrianna Garland, Liam and Avilynn Green, Aaliyah Vananda, Ory, Micah and Carlie Golden Grace Vananda-Walker, Silas, Rilynn and Asa Faye Vananda, Ryan and Wyatt Kauffman, Ivan and Avitt Vananda, Britton and Benson Vananda; a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church, 7322 Old Tuckaleechee Rd, Townsend, TN 37882. A Celebration of Life Service will be held for the family. Family and friends will assemble at 9:00 AM for Interment Thursday, July 8, 2021, at Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons, Aaron Vananda, Benjamin Vananda, Patrick Vananda, Brett Vananda, Gavin Garland, Ory Vananda-Walker, Ryan Kauffman, Joseph Vananda, Wyatt Kauffman, Liam Green, Ivan Vananda, Micah Vananda-Walker, Avitt Vananda. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Golden Grace Vananda please visit our Sympathy Store.