Obituary: Virginia Christenbery McFadden

Virginia Christenbery McFadden, born on May 9, 1918 in Knoxville, the daughter of Dr. William Frederick “W.F.” and Rosamond Lee Clark Christenbery, passed away at Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville on April 13, Palm Sunday, at the age of 95.

Virginia is a descendant of the Christenbery family that lived in the Wheat community in Oak Ridge before the creation of the Manhattan Project. Many of her relatives are buried outside the George Jones Memorial Church, known locally as “the Wheat Church.”

Virginia was a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and was pursuing a master’s degree in home economics when she met her husband, William Steele McFadden. After a two-week courtship, they began their 70-year marriage, which ended in March of 2010 when he passed away at age 97. She helped him grow a family construction business and served as his accountant, partner, cheerleader, member of his building crew, rental property agent, and mother of four children.

They were active members in Fountain City Presbyterian Church for many years where she sang in the choir and occasionally played the music for services.

Throughout her life, she gave her children an example of fidelity, Christian faith, self-reliance, and fiscal responsibility. Virginia was an avid hat lover, ballroom dancer, and music enthusiast.

She was predeceased by her husband, and her “son-in-love” (she abhorred the term “in-law”), Dr. Robert E. Dougherty ,who passed away in 2003.

She is survived by her four children, Virginia Dougherty of Knoxville, Pamela McFadden of LaFollette, Rosamond and her husband Perry Powell of Atlanta, Ga., and Dr. Fred McFadden and his wife Susan of Columbia, S.C. Virginia was a proud grandmother of eight, Robert Dougherty II and his wife Julie, Virginia Bayne and her husband Stuart, Angela McFadden, Devin Powell, Laura Powell, Christopher McFadden and his wife Jenny, Matthew McFadden and his wife Grace, and Michael McFadden and his wife Masha. In her later years, Virginia also enjoyed visiting with her five great-grandchildren, twins, Robert E. Dougherty III (Trey) and Evelyn Mae Dougherty (Evie), Rebecca Bayne, and Francis Adele (Frankie), and Dexter Wallace (Dex) McFadden.

The family would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Steven B. Masters and his staff, for their medical expertise, dedicated care, and Christian compassion for over 20 years. Sincere thanks go also to her neighbors, especially Elmer and Sheila Sharp, Mike, Carlene, and Matthew LeCompte. Their visits, pies, care, and kindness brought her and her husband a sense of community and security, as well as joy in their twilight years and assisted in enabling them to stay in their home as long as possible. In addition, appreciation is extended to the members of Fountain City Presbyterian Church who brought communion to Virginia and Steele’s home, prayed with them, and helped them retain their sense of belonging in the community of Christ. To her exceptional caregivers who include the following: Emma McMillan, Ellen Brock, Anita Gudger and the staff of Tennova Residential Hospice, you helped make the end of her life a peaceful one. We are so grateful for your patience, kindness, care, and compassion.

The family will receive friends from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at Fountain City Presbyterian Church, 500 Hotel Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918. The funeral service will begin at 3:30 p.m., with Rev. Max Reddick and Rev. Darryl Baker officiating. Interment will follow in Lynnhurst Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered at www.lynnhurstchapel.com.

Contributions may be made to Fountain City Presbyterian Church, 500 Hotel Ave. Knoxville, TN 37918.