Anne R. Mathis

Anne R. Mathis, age 69, of LaFollette, left us on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Anne was born in Kingsport, Tenn., on June 24, 1943, daughter of the late Samuel P. and Bertha Elizabeth Buchannan Woodruff. She was a graduate of the Tennessee Preparatory School and attended Vanderbilt University and Tennessee Tech, where she met her husband Garland. They were married in 1961.

Anne was a member of the LaFollette Baptist Church and was a charter member of the Women Morticians of America. Anne was a licensed funeral director and had worked in the funeral service industry since 1973. She was also a member of the Girl Scouts of America, B.P.W., loved music and the Tennessee Vols.

In addition to her parents, Anne is preceded in death by her foster parents Hugh and Rosalie Felts, daughter Maschelle Smith, son-in-law Harry Grinderslev, and three brothers.

She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years Garland Mathis of LaFollette; daughter Sonya Grinderslev of Speedwell; son-in-law George Smith; grandchildren, Joshua Hugh, Misty Dawn, Kevin Lynn, Jacob Michael, and Jay D. Garland; great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Morgan, Breanna, Christian, Destiny, and Layne; brother Peter Felts and his wife Betty of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Rachel Felts Durfee of Oak Ridge, and Sharon Miller of Elkton, Md.; and several nieces and nephews.

The celebration of Anne’s life will be held Saturday, March 2, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Ronny Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home.