Kermit Wilson Whitten

Kermit Wilson Whitten, of Alcoa, TN, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2012 at Kindred Healthcare, Maryville, TN. He was an Air Force Veteran of World War II and Korea, serving as a chaplain's assistant. A graduate of Union University Jackson, TN, he was the first to graduate with a degree in music education. He retired from a teaching and coaching career of 20 years in the Knoxville City school system. He was a minister of music for many years in Sumpter, SC, Nashville, TN and several churches in Blount County, including Alcoa First Baptist, Salem Baptist, Calvary Baptist, West Maryville Baptist, and Alcoa-Way Baptist Church. He was a member of East Maryville Baptist Church. He was active in the Senior Olympics in tennis, track, and basketball, and at one time was ranked 96th in the nation in his age group in tennis. He sang in the Maryville-Alcoa College-Community Choir for several years, and was the director of the Gingham Gang Band. Preceded in death by: Parents, George & Ollie Arilla Howell Whitten; Wife of 54 years, Mattie Pearl McLeary Whitten; Brothers, Howard and Lavern; Sisters, Pearl, Lily May, Louise, Lorene, and Geneva. Survivors include: Daughters & Sons-in-law, Margaret Ann & Leon Williams, Doris Ruth & Bob Martin; Stepson, Jim Fryar & wife Linda; Granddaughters, Rebecca (Jeff) Auble of Oak Ridge and Melissa (Harlon) Alford of Maryville, 6 great-grandchildren, David & Kaycee Auble, Morgan & Emily Fipps, Maggie and Matthew Alford; Sisters-in-law, Jenny Jones of IL and Katherine Whitten of Bethel Springs, TN; numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM, Friday, November 2, 2012 at Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. Bob Lawson and Rev. Keith Johnson officiating. Interment will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 3, 2012 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Gideons International, Blount County South Camp, PO Box 4035, Maryville, TN 37802. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Friday, November 2, 2012 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithMaryville.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kermit Wilson Whitten please visit our Sympathy Store.