Midge Theodore

Mildred (“Midge”) Alice Theodore, 96, passed away in her sleep after a brief illness on May 17, 2026. Midge grew up in Chattanooga and surrounding areas and settled in Ooltewah in 1960 with her husband George and their three children who were raised at the foot of White Oak Mountain as happy free-range children.

Midge was devoted to her husband, George, an electrical engineer at TVA, and her three sons Philip, Michael, and Stuart. She was a tireless worker who was deeply involved in the community where she touched many lives working with the youth program at Ooltewah Baptist Church and the Cub Scouts. Midge was an artist who excelled in pottery, weaving, sewing, upholstery, china painting, basket weaving, and most of all, quilting. In the 1990s, Midge returned to her childhood church, Tyner Methodist, where she helped plan senior activities, made and donated baby quilts to a local women’s shelter, and donated handmade quilts, baskets and her famous peanut brittle to Tyner’s annual fundraiser called the Low Country Boil.

Through the County Home Extension Office she taught hundreds of women how to sew, upholster, make baskets, and preserve food. She also was involved in local politics and volunteered many years at her local polling station.

Midge’s abundant love and her inexhaustible commitment to giving to others was forged during the hard times of the Great Depression and World War II. She was born in Chattanooga in 1929 to the late Franklin and Alice Pierce, who preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her husband, George Theodore; her son, Michael Theodore; siblings, Frank Pierce, Helen Miller, Jim Pierce, Evelyn “Moppy” Ray and Bob Pierce.

She is survived by her sons, Phil Theodore (Brooke) and Stuart Theodore; grandchildren, Christina Engebretson and Daniel Theodore; several nieces and nephews including, Allison MacRae; and her former daughter-in- law Beth Lanier.

Midge was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend to all who were fortunate enough to encounter her.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 pm on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ashwood Square Retirement Community, 7683 Shallowford Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421. A private graveside service will be held at Tyner Cemetery.

Please share your thoughts and memories at: www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com.

Arrangements are under the care of the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.