Ralph Max Teffeteller

Ralph Max Teffeteller passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on May 28, 2009. He had been in declining health for several years. He was born in the Chilhowee View Community on November 14, 1926 to Lamar Gamble and Ethel Evelyn Burchfield Teffeteller. His loving parents set an excellent example for Ralph. He grew up in the home they built and joined Peck's Chapel at a young age. He remained a member there his entire life. He graduated from Everett High School in the middle of World War II and joined the Navy as an Electrician. He served aboard the USS Alvin C. Cockrell DE-366 in the Pacific Theatre. After the war, he started to work at ALCOA. That same year, he met the love of his life, Elsie Amilea Pollard, but he called her Polly. They were soon married and started their own family. Ralph worked graveyard shift for many years. He made himself available to stay with his daughters after school while Polly worked. He taught his daughters many things. He taught them to sew, to cook, to fish, to garden, and to love life and people. He was a good man and a credit to his upbringing. He helped many people throughout his life by the use of his skills as an electrician, cabinet maker, and shade-tree mechanic. He didn't charge for most of his services; if people paid, that was OK and if they didn't, well, that was OK too. After his daughters were grown, he would change shifts with men at ALCOA who had small children so those men could enjoy Christmas with their families. He retired from ALCOA after 40 years of dedicated service. He and Polly traveled all around the world together. They took their grandchildren on extended camping trips throughout the Western US and on shorter trips to the Gulf Coast beginning when each grandchild was two years old, and continuing until Polly's health halted the excursions. Preceded in death by his beloved Polly; loving parents, Lamar & Ethel Teffeteller; infant brother, Arnold. Survivors include: Daughters, Cynthia Lynn "Cindy" Davidson of Maryville and Janet Lea Housewright & husband Ken of Soddy Daisy, TN; Grandchildren, Blayne Davidson and Patricia Wood both of Maryville, Ashley H. Burns of Las Vegas, NV, Taylor & Justin Housewright of Graysville, TN; Great-Grandchildren, Connor and Duncan Davidson and Rebecca Wood all of Maryville; Sister & Brother-in-law, Evelyn & Richard Hill of Kingsport, TN; Brother & Sister-in-law, Gordon & Elaine Teffeteller of Valdosta, GA; many nieces and nephews and his life-long friend James Roberts. Family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Monday, June 1, 2009 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Funeral service will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Peck's Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Tony Brown officiating. The body will lie in state for 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ralph Max Teffeteller please visit our Sympathy Store.