Mr. E. Edward Foland, age 90, of Rockwood, TN died February 16, 2010 at the home of his daughter. Mr. Foland was born May 7, 1919 in Rockwood, TN to John & Ollie Hinds Foland. He will always be remembered by his many friends by being a true gentleman and by the twinkle in his blue eyes. He was affectionately known as “Papa” to many. Mr. Foland adored his family and was so proud of them. He was a member of the Rockwood United Methodist Church. Mr. Foland worked at Bilbrey Furniture Company for 20 years and also worked for the U.S. Treasury Department for 25 years. He received the highest award given for his work in U.S. Savings Bonds. Mr. Foland was a member on the board of Chamberlain Memorial Hospital for 25 years and was a city commissioner for 4 years serving as school & fire department commissioner. He was instrumental in getting the new Rockwood High School built and in getting Roane Electric Furnace located in Rockwood. He was a member of the County Court for 6 years. Mr. Foland was a member of the Rotary Club, American Legion, Jaycees and the U.T. Quarterback Club. He received outstanding man of the year award while in the Jaycees and also served as president. He helped start the Little League baseball for youth in Rockwood. Mr. Foland served in World War II in the U.S. Army in the field artillery. He served in Africa, Italy and France. Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Peavyhouse Foland; parents, John & Ollie Foland; brothers & sisters, Charlie Foland, Ada Foland, Johnnie Foland, Harold Foland, Wilker Foland, Madge Farmer & Mildred Hickey; grandson, Derrick Patterson.
Survivors include:
Daughter & son-in-law: Sunny & Jerry Meadows of Rockwood, TN
Grandchildren: Cathy Gibson & husband, James of Kingston, TN
Scott Meadows & wife, Patty of Maryville, TN
Great Grandchildren: Lindsey Isham & husband, J. R. of Wake Forest, NC
Tyler Griffin of Knoxville, TN
Rachel Fulmer of Kingston, TN
Alec Meadows of Gallatin, TN
Drew Meadows of Gallatin, TN
Raymond Meadows of Maryville, TN
Megan Loop of Maryville, TN
Great-great Grandchildren: Griffin Isham of Wake Forest, NC
Caylor Loop of Maryville, TN
Several nieces and nephews
The family will receive friends Friday, February 19, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Rockwood United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow the visitation at 8:00 p.m. with Rev. Keith Knight officiating. Graveside and interment will be held Saturday, February 20 at 11:00 a.m. in the Oak Grove Cemetery with full military honors by the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to the Rockwood United Methodist Church, 801 N. Kingston Avenue, P.O. Box 446, Rockwood, TN 37854 or to the Mary Kate Bowman Scholarship Fund, C/O Bank of America, 511 N. Gateway Avenue, Rockwood, TN 37854.
Guestbook Entries
Sunny, Jerry, and Family, Sherman and I were so sad to hear of your fathers passing. When you live away seems like you don't hear of these things until later on. God bless you and your family. I know you have many happy memories to last a lift time.
Judy & Sherman Cox (Lexington, SC)
Sunny,
I am so sorry to hear about your father. He was truly a friend & gentleman. He will be missed by all. I know GOD is & will be at your side thru this tragic time.
GOD bless,
Eddie Crabtree (Douglasville, GA)
Sunny, I just saw were your dad passed. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Linda Z.
Linda Zumstein Devine (Moss Point, MS)
Janet Pair (Rockwood, TN)
Ed was a dear friend and an asset to our community. He and Mary were companions on many JayCee trips with Fran and me. Iserved with him in community activities where he always was a gentleman and hard worker. Enjoyed golf with him also. We ill continue to think of Ed often. Our thoughts are with you all.
David Henley (Rockwood, TN)
Sunny and Jerry and family
Never saw him without a smile on his face.
jack grant (Knoxville, TN)
Remembering your family during this time.
Roger & Laurel Ward (Oneida, TN)
Sunny,
I am going to miss your daddy as he would go out the driveway and wave and smile such a sweet smile. I did not know him that many years but the one's I did were special. I should have visited more, especially after your mom passed. When I did visit he would always talk about her. He told me about sending most of his military pay back home to you and your mom. When your mom was still with him, they told me about her being a Baptist and Republican until she met your dad. She changed to a Methodist and a Democrat. They both thought that was funny. I know you are going to miss your dad everyday, the rest of your life. Steve and I are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time of loss.
Loretta Walker (Rockwood, TN)
Sunny & Jerry and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. He was such a wonderful person. I had loved him from the first time I'd met him many years ago at Bilbrey's. I had just ran into him at Cracker Barrel a few months ago and hugged him and talked with him. I'm sorry that we can't be with you but spending time with mom as she is not doing well herself. Please know how hearts and prayers are with you during this time. Please pass to all the family our sorrow.
Cheryl Wester Laxton (Kingston, TN)
Sunny and Jerry,
We have fond memories of your father and mother and we all went thru school together.God bless you both. We pray that God's Grace will surround you and His Peace will flood your heart.
John and Linda Barnes (Rockwood, TN)
Life long friend thru Jaycees and Bilbrey
Furniture ( Zenith Tv Rep. )A very good man and will be missed by many.
Boyd Sharp (Knoxville, TN)
Sunny & Jerry,
Just wanted to let you both know that I'll be "thinking about you" in the coming days & keeping you in my prayers.
Losing our parents isn't easy, & we never truly get used to not having them; we only get to a place where we can accept it better.
Love you both,
Wanda Sue Ledford (Lenoir City, TN)
Sunny & Jerry, we are thinking of you all. Ed was a wonderful man. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our prayers are with you.
Jane & Glen Long (Rockwood, TN)
Sunny & Jerry,
I am so sorry to hear about Ed. When you play golf with someone you find out a lot about their character. Ed was one of the finest and most upstanding people that I have ever been associated. I was very fortunate to have been able to enjoy his company on the golf course. He never had an unkind word to say about anyone. His smile was one that would warm your heart. He was a special person.
Jak Kranaskas (Grenesboro, NC)
Sunny and family,
Your Dad leaves such a wonderful legacy! He was such a true gentleman. Everyone who met him loved him and remembered him. He had a long and wonderful life and the love he had for your mother was one in a million. He will truly be missed!
Susan Ward Stout (Rock Hill, SC)
It was my privilege to follow Ed as Area Manager of the Savings Bonds Office in Knoxville. In the 12 years I worked in that job, there was hardly a day that passed that Ed's name was not brought up by some of his many friends in Feredal Government or the many banks and companies he visited. I count it an honor to have followed in his footsteps, but I could never fill his shoes. My deepest sympathies go out to you.
Paul Caton (Seymour, TN)
Sunny, I have nothing but fond memories of your Dad. He was one of the few relatives of my Grandfather (He died before I was born)that I knew. I think from all that I have heard over the years you Dad was maybe my Grandfather's nephew. I don't know for sure but no matter, he was a wonderful person, two things come to mind when I think of Ed. When he worked at Bilbrey's, my dad would take my brother to Bilbrey's and they would cash his check, holding back a dollar, Ed would then cash the check stub for my brother and give him the dollar. They did this for a long time. The other thing was that when my Dad died, I wondered why Ed didn't come to the funeral, he later told me that he just couldn't bear to see Dad that way, I have always remembered this and was really touched by both of these things. I called your Dad a few years ago and had a long talk with him, he was so gracious and told me about some of my grandfather's relatives, I really thought a lot of him, there are not many people around like your Dad, he was one in a million and I am so proud and happy that I knew him. I know you will miss him, it is a hard thing to go through, I have lost both of my parents, you never get over it, but you do get through it. God Bless you and your family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Pat (Hughes) Kerschieter (Knoxville, TN)
Sunny
So Sorry to hear about your dad's passing. I lost my dad this time last year. It is never easy, no matter their age. Just know that my love and prayers are with you.
Susan Golliher (Midtown, TN)
Sunny & Jerry,
Such fond memories of your lovely mother and your dear daddy...living next door to your family was a great impact on my life and I will always treasure the loving and wonderful and always happy moments. I understand your sadness and will keep you in my heart.
With LOVE, Alice Waugh
Alice Waugh (Nashville, TN)
Buddy & Jeri Fulmer
BILL &LOUISE WARNER (Rockwood, TN)
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