Anna Lorene Staten Thacker

I was at the bedside of my mother on Friday morning, September 10th around 7:30 a.m. when her spirit went back to the Lord who gave it. She left an amazing legacy of faith and perseverance which will live in this life as a testimony to her family and friends and as a light to show us the way to Heaven. Mother was a lover of Jesus and a student of the Word of God which she quoted quite frequently in general conversation. Her inspiration and encouragement will truly be missed but we will treasure our memories of her until our faith becomes sight and we are reunited one day in eternity.

Mother was born on October 10, 1921 to John and Lena Smith Staten and lived most of her life in the Kingsport area. She was a faithful member of Pleasant View Baptist Church for 58 years after accepting Jesus as her Savior in 1952. She loved the Joy Sunday School Class and the church choir and sung soprano on the front row. She worked at East Tennessee Mills in Johnson City until her retirement in 1986.

Family who preceded her in death were her parents, her brother Wayne C. Staten, twin infant brothers James and John, one nephew, Randy Johnson and her husband of 63 years, Frank M. Thacker.

Those who are left to miss her are: myself, her only child, Sheila (Thacker) Sproles and my husband, Steve of Kingsport, her grandson Chad of Jonesborough, her granddaughter, Amy Davis and husband, Spencer of Andrews, NC; her granddaughter April Plemons and husband Stephen of Kingston, TN and six beautiful great-granddaughters: Isabella King, Gabriella King, Alani Davis, Knox (Lorene) Davis, Kyndal Plemons and Harper Plemons; two sisters, Pauline Johnson of Lynchburg, VA (formerly of Kingsport), and Ruth Richardson of Rogersville, one special niece, Patsy (Jim) Sanders of Lynchburg, VA and a special nephew Terry (Lora) Johnson of Jonesborough, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visiting hours will be at Pleasant View Baptist Church on Monday evening, September 13th from 5-7 p.m. which will be followed by a celebration of her life at 7:00 p.m. officiated by her pastor, Rev. Wayne Baker and dear friend and deacon, N. R. Canipe. Burial will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dewey Bailey, N. R. Canipe, Carl Stapleton, Johnny Gordon, George Carroll and Winfred Thomas. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the graveside by 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Please visit us at www.eastlawnkingsport.com to place a condolence to the Thacker Family.

East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Thacker Family.