Rosa Marie Tipton

Rosa Marie Tipton, age 92 of Maryville, passed away Sunday, December 2, 2018. Today we celebrate a life well lived. A woman who brought joy into the hearts of not just her family, but the people she met. A woman who had a wise-cracking sense of humor. A Godly woman who, even in her last year of life, still lifted her hand and praised the Lord. A woman who has left behind a legacy of lessons and love. Rose Marie Miles Tipton (October 30, 1926 – December 2, 2018). Marie married William Tipton in 1945 and were blessed with seven children. They lived through a lifetime spanning through World War I and World War II. Several years ago, shortly after William passed away, Marie penned her testimony to share. She wrote: “Not many couples can say they saw all their children saved and grandchildren and all great-grandchildren that has come to age.” Marie would share stories of her father and the man he was before he came to know Christ in his later years. Then her mother passing away when she was still in high school and how she had to quit school to raise her 7 younger siblings. She worked hard and long hours raising kids and working on a farm. Marie worked many years for the Blount County school system, after retirement she volunteered as a lunch room monitor at Lanier Elementary school and saw several of her grandkids and great-grandkids grow up in that school. People who are not even remotely kin to Marie or her family, called her Mamaw or Granny Tip. She always answered with a smile. She was always up early and dressed with makeup on usually by 7 am. Her face always glowed and she always had a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, even after the ravages of dementia, her wit would still shine through and catches of sparkles would still be in her eyes. She took care of others. It was her gift from God. Marie would visit the elderly and shut-ins of her community and church and bring them tapes and CD’s of church services to listen to. Marie had a heart for people. Until these last few years of dementia, she never forgot a face and a name. She stayed concerned about others, praying for each one by name as the Lord laid it on her heart. She was a faithful member of New Providence Primitive Baptist Church since 1945 where William also served as a deacon. Marie Tipton was a good and Godly woman that will be missed dearly. We will see her again. Instead of flowers, donations can be given in honor or Marie Tipton to the New Providence Primitive Baptist Church SHE Club, c/o Heather Crowder 2601 Jericho Road, Maryville, TN 37803 or to Old Kagley’s Cemetery Fund, c/o Brenda Self, 2210 Tipton Loop Road, Maryville, TN 37803. A special heartfelt thanks to Hospices services, especially our nurse Cidna. Also a special thank you to Gail Kagley for her wonderful support and help with Marie’s care. She’s preceded in death by: Husband, William Henry Tipton; Son, Roger Henry Tipton; Daughter-in-law, Lynn Welshan Tipton; Brother, Jimmy Miles, William (Billy) Miles, and Junior Miles; Sister, Libby Gibson; Brothers-in-law, Addie Gibson, James Lewelling, & Harold Whitehead; Father, Hubert Miles; Mother, Ella Crowder Miles; Step-mother, Betty Miles. She is survived by her children: Darlene & Ronnie Crisp, Alberta & JT Boring, Alice & Ronnie Day, Kathy & Alex Smith, Sandy & Arnold Whitehead, & Sherry & Tony Hill; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; Brothers & Sisters, Johnny Miles, Shirley Whitehead, and Brenda Lewelling; many nieces nephews, and friends. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM with Elder Tommy Boring and Bruce Whitehead officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at New Providence Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rosa Marie Tipton please visit our Sympathy Store.