Sylvia Deloris “Dee” West of Chattanooga, TN passed away Thursday, October 30th, peacefully in her home. In 1979, along with Gloria Sutton and her husband, Earle West, Dee opened the Gloria Sutton Insurance Agency which later became the Agency Insurance Group of Chattanooga where she served as president until her retirement. Dee was most known and admired for her true passion as an artist. She expressed her deeply sensitive nature through her paintings and drawings, which continue to be sought after by all who knew her. She was a member of the very first class of local artists to receive an art certification degree offered by Hunter Museum of Art and in 1974 became a founding member of the In-Town Gallery at the Read House (in a time when there were few opportunities for Chattanooga artists to exhibit their work locally). It is still open today in NorthShore. Her family cherishes her paintings and believe they are the truest expression of her private, tender spirit.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Edward Earle West, who had devoted himself to her care, and her two children, Forrest Earle (& Deanna) West and Tracy August West (& Jeff) James; her grandchildren, Christopher Forrest West, Lee Ernest West, and Evan Jeffrey James; and her great grandchildren, including Kayla Marie West, Christopher Forrest West, Brendan Lee West and Benjamin Forrest West. As a young child, Dee lost her parents, Ernest and Leota Pennington of Lookout Mountain, and was preceded in death by her sister, Eloise Dodson. She is also survived by her sister, Ima Faye Shook, and many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom loved and admired her kind, generous heart and loyalty to family.
A funeral will be held on Saturday, November 2nd, at 1:00pm at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Visitation with family is Saturday morning from 11am-1pm.
As another option for remembering Dee, donations can be sent (in memory of Dee West) to The Heart of cabi Foundation, which is devoted to supporting and empowering women around the world overcoming obstacles and poverty. Online: http://www.cabionline.com/foundation/donate/. Or by mail to: Cabi Foundation, attn: Amy Taylor, 21750 Arnold Center Rd, Carson, CA 90810
Arrangements are held by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
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