Mary Gettys

Gettys, Mary Belle “Mimi”, age 76, of Philadelphia, TN formerly of Knoxville and Mayfield, KY passed away on January 29, 2015. Mary was born on March 7, 1938 in Mayfield, KY to Curtis Mayo and Helen Marie (Ladd) Holman. Mary went to UT Memphis (BS in nursing) and UT Knoxville (MS and PhD in Health Education). She was a majorette in high school and continued to twirl her baton well into her seventies bringing joy to those watching in amazement. Mary’s calling was health education. She worked mainly at Park West Hospital in Knoxville. She was very active in community outreach coordinating wellness screening and smoking cessation programs. Mary and George Gettys were married in 1985. Mary enjoyed living in the country and farming with her husband. Mary was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Loudon, TN) and was a very active member while she was able in Bible studies, teaching Sunday school or filling in wherever she was needed. She was a faithful Christian lady and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Mimi was preceded in death by her parents Curtis Mayo Holman and Helen Marie (Ladd) Holman Waters. Mary is survived by loving husband George Gettys. She is further survived by two sons: Britton “Britt” (Cindy) Hall and grandson Britt Jr. of Nampa, Idaho and Timothy “Tim” (Cindy) Hall and granddaughter Hannah of Summerfield, NC. Mary is further survived by sister Donna (Criss) Cross (Palmyra, PA) and their children, Kelly (Caleb) daughter Ryland, Kyle (Leah), and Jacey (Thomas) daughter Divine and son Zion). Mary leaves behind Aunt Wanda Burgess (Uncle Bodine – deceased) (Mayfield, KY) as well as George’s children Susan (Steve) Larson, Richard (Pat) Gettys, and Glenn (June) Gettys and her husband’s grandchildren Trent and Nathan Larson. Mary’s family would like to extend a thanks to caretaker and friend Tammy Cain and the staff at Sweetwater Nursing Center. The family will receive friends Friday, February 6, 2014 from 12-2pm in the Berry Highland Memorial Chapel with a Funeral Service to follow at 2pm. Reverend Arie van Eyk of Providence Presbyterian Church Greensboro, NC officiating. Interment will be in the Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery. Friends may leave their condolences at www.highlandmemorialknoxville.com