Tommie Joyce Hitch DeLozier

Tommie Joyce Hitch DeLozier, 86, of Maryville, died June 29, 2011 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on January 10, 1925, and was a life-long resident of Maryville. She graduated from Everett High School and attended Maryville College, graduating with high honors from Carson-Newman College. Tommie Joyce married Arthur Garland DeLozier after college, and at the time of Garland’s death in October of 2010, they had been married for 64 years. She taught Spanish at Alcoa High School for one year, after which she was a homemaker and mother. Tommie Joyce was a lifetime member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, where her grandfather, the late Rev. J.R. Dykes, was once pastor. She was very active in church work through the years, including Sword Drill, WMU, jail ministry, church librarian, and Bible study teacher, along with the Gideons Auxiliary. She loved doing volunteer work, including being a “Pink Lady�? at Blount Memorial Hospital, and with Contact Helpline. Tommie battled and beat ovarian cancer, and at the time of her death was in her 28th year as a cancer survivor. One event which she and Garland loved to participate was Relay For Life. “Dobber�? as she was affectionately known by her grandchildren, loved keeping up with the activities and lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and instilled in them many family values and traditions. She was blessed with a razor sharp wit and intelligence. She had a listening ear, and many family and friends went to her seeking sound advice and wisdom. Tommie had a keen sense of humor, even during her last days. Her wisdom, kind heart and sincere love and concern for others will be missed by us all. She was preceded in death by her husband, A. Garland DeLozier; parents, L.C. (Tom) and Rebecca Elford Dykes Hitch; sister, Judy Shamblin; and son-in-law Frederick H. Forster. Survivors include her daughter Carolyn DeLozier Forster of Maryville; son Arthur Michael DeLozier and wife Ann Wolfe DeLozier of Maryville; and daughter Debora DeLozier Franklin and husband David A. Franklin of Mount Juliet, TN. Grandchildren include Joy Forster Carver, Andy DeLozier, Melissa DeLozier all of Maryville; Rebecca Forster, Washington, DC; Marshall Franklin, Knoxville; and Sarah Franklin Kremer, Mount Juliet, TN. She is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Drew and Caroline Carver; McKenzie, Jake and Addie Kremer; and McKenna, Abigail and Faith Franklin. The family wishes to express their gratitude to devoted caregivers Vicki Bryant and Joey Collins. A worship service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church with Raymond Burnett officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at the church cemetery, followed by the receiving of friends from 3:00 until 4:00 in the Family Life Center at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Mount Lebanon Baptist Church: 3508 Wildwood Road, Maryville, Tennessee 37804. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Tommie Joyce Hitch DeLozier please visit our Sympathy Store.