Violet Iris Sevigny

Friendsville native Violet Iris Thompson Sevigny, born July 13, 1928, passed away April 9, 2014. She was a member of Maryville First Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School for many years. She was a teacher, beginning her career teaching grades 1-4 in a one-room school at Middlesettlements while still in college! She taught math and Spanish at Porter and Friendsville High Schools. She also taught in Texas and Alabama. She especially enjoyed teaching the higher mathematics courses. Additionally, she worked for IBM and on the Saturn mission tracking programs for Boeing. She was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Delia Thompson, her adopted son Robert Sevigny, and her sister Joan Ellis Gibson. She is survived by her husband of 45 years René Sevigny, sisters Tot Covington and Tykey Truett, and several nieces and nephews. Iris loved to learn new skills. She received her pilot's license in her late 30s and learned to throw the javelin after she was 70. She and René traveled extensively, visiting exotic sites around the world, including Europe, Australia, and South America. She had visited nearly every state in the U.S. She loved poetry and co-founded the Tennessee chapter of the Almost Dead Poets Society. Cremation will be handled by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service. A memorial service is scheduled for 7:00PM April 21 at Maryville First Baptist Church with Rev. Rich Carnes officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Violet Iris Sevigny please visit our Sympathy Store.