“Miss Roxie” Augusta Mae McClendon, age 107, passed to her heavenly home July 13, 2010 at the Renaissance Terrace, Harriman, TN. She was a resident of Victorian Square and the Eureka community of Rockwood. She was born January 30, 1903 in the Poplar Springs community of Roane County, TN. On Founder’s Day, November 6, 2007, Roane County declared her a Golden Treasure for the many contributions she had made to the community. She touched the lives of all who knew her and had the joy of her presence. She was indeed an amazing woman and lived every moment as a servant of her Lord. She prayed every evening for all the people she knew and for those she never met. Every visit with her ended in prayer.
Her two nieces, Tina Crisp, supported by her husband, Darrel Crisp and Janet Bryant were by her side at her passing, as they had been for the past five years and also her pastor, Mike Winters who had been her minister for 15 years. Their devotion has become an example for care giving.
Rockwood has indeed lost a treasure but it has gained an example of a life lived with gracious love and devotion for one’s community, family and friends.
Miss Roxie’s Roane County family history began when her grandparents, Ferdinand and Louisa Guettner immigrated to America from Germany in the mid 1800’s. They bought a 200 acre farm north of Kingston, which is still in the family. Miss Roxie was nine years of age when she, her mother and father, Charles and Mary Allen Guettner moved to Rockwood. Miss Roxie walked all the way from Kingston to Rockwood and was designated to lead the family cow. At the age of twelve she then became employed in the Rockwood Hosiery Mill and retired 37 years later. She later worked in the Brown’s Laundry.
Miss Roxie had eight brothers and sisters who preceded her in death: Ada Howard, Bonnie Lewis, Clara Howard, Willis and Henry, Ola Dean, Ruth Cunningham and Wilma McNelly.
Miss Roxie married Charlie McClendon, another saint. Together they wrote a story of devotion to life. They had three sons, Ray, Billy and Dr. Paul Ed. After the death of her husband’s sister, Kate McClendon Butler, they were also surrogate parents to the Butler triplets, Howard, Harold and Harris. All have preceded her in death.
“Miss Roxie”, as she was affectionately known, was a member of Eureka Baptist Church for over 90 years where she served as a Sunday School teacher, established the Women’s Mission Union and served as leader of the Sunbeams for many years. She was known for her love of the Lord and for her mission work and also for her hard work in her flowers, her cooking and baking.
After the passing of her husband, Charles McClendon, she established the McClendon Mission Fund in his honor. McClendon Hall at Eureka Baptist Church stands as a monument to the McClendon family.
At the age of 75, Miss Roxie began to write a column for the Rockwood Times. She became famous for her folksy descriptions of life in Eureka and was recognized for being the oldest columnist in the United States.
Miss Roxie leaves more friends than can be numbered. She leaves two daughters-in-law, Ruth McClendon of Rockwood and Dr. Mary McClendon of Georgia; granddaughters, Kay Carter of Maryville, TN, Kim Jones of Rockwood, TN and Tricia Buttick & husband, Kelly of Florida; grandsons, Bruce McClendon & Jeff Bowlin of Florida; eight great grandchildren, Carolyn Hudgens of Maryville, TN, Chris Jones & wife, Chelsea and Clinton Jones of Rockwood, Holland and Kennon Buttick, Brandon, Macky & Trey Young of Florida.
Her living nieces and nephews are: Charles Howard of Hixson, TN, Mary Dean Ferguson of Harriman, TN, Joan Gaines of Honolulu, Hawaii, Gail Dean of Tullahoma, TN, Janet Bryant, Larry McNelly and Jimmy Dean Cunningham of Rockwood, TN and Buddy McNelly of Sunbright, TN. Her family extends to many great-great nieces and nephews. There are many Guettner relatives living in the Kingston area, including Jack and Kathy Guettner, who reside on the original Guettner farm.
The family will receive friends, Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Rockwood. The funeral service will be held Saturday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Winters officiating. Burial will follow at Roane Memorial Gardens, Rockwood.
Pall bearers will be Roger O’Dell, Bill York, Ed Bilbrey, Jack Guettner, Jeff Cunningham, Darrel Crisp and Chris and Clint Jones. Honorary pall bearers are Charles Howard, Tom Scott, Maurice Grief and Virgil Rayder.
The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the McClendon Mission Fund, Eureka Baptist Church, 1510 Eureka Road, Rockwood, TN 37854 or to the Roxie Guettner McClendon Scholarship Fund, Roane State Foundation, 276 Patton Lane, Harriman, TN 37748.
The family is asking everyone to share their memories of this remarkable woman to later be compiled in a ‘Memory Book’.
Guestbook Entries
What a precious lady.Our loss ,but Heavens gain.What a true Christian lady Ms.Roxie was and has impacted many lives for His honor. She will be missed .Our thoughts and prayers are for the family -
Kim Clower (Kingston, TN)
She always blessed us when we saw her.We will never forget her.
Ken and Sue Broyles (Clinton, TN)
Miss Roxie we love you and will miss you, but know you are with Jesus now and we will see you again one day....Tina and Janet, there will never be 2 people so devoted to Miss Roxie as you and we and I am sure the whole Guettner Family appreciate the love and kindness you poored out day and night to Miss Roxie..she loved you both so very much and I know she was as much a blessing to you as you were to her...The joy she has left for us will get us through until we see her again in Heaven...
Jack and Kathy Guettner (Kingston, TN)
i didnt know this wonder lady but i do know tina and darrel crisp and another relative of hers. just from the stories darrel had told about her and reading about her, she was a wonder woman and a fine example of a Christain life. what a celebration of life she has had. i bet the angels are singing in heaven now.
tina l. lawson (Decatur, TN)
I never met Miss Roxie but I feel like I new her from listening to Tina and Darrel talk about the things she did and how she lived her life. I think she was a great christian lady and lived her life that way.
Susie Lawson (Decatur, TN)
tina,
althoug we do not know each other,mrs roxie
was such an insprition to all of us.
i worked at marshall voss healthcare in 1995
she was there almost on a daily basis visiting residets. she always had a great
smile we all could use her gracious spirit.
thank you for allowing us to pay tribute to mrs roxie.
sandra lewis (Rockwood, TN)
She was so special and I enjoyed the times that I visited with her in the home and at Victorian Square. She knew more about what was going on with folks around town than anyone else. My son Tony was the recipent of some of those cookies when he was in the military and serving in Saudi Arabia. Roxie and her whole family have a special place in our hearts.
Sandra Hamlett (Rockwood, TN)
Mrs.Roxie will be missed by us all. I was one of her sunbeams. May God bless you all at this time. Oh how she must be rejoicing, to be home with her Lord and loved ones gone before her.
Libby Parks Dawson (LaFayette, KY)
There is so much to say about such a lovely lady. ... My heartfelt condolences to her family. I'm glad I was able to visit Miss Roxie a few years ago and enjoy the sunshine of her smile one more time. She was a ray of sunshine here on earth and will now sit next to the Lord reflecting yet another ray of sunshine from heaven for those of us left behind to enjoy. Love you, Miss Roxie - always - thank you for touching my life in a very special way. Linda Gail Brown Vinson (granddaughter of Harry Brown, Sr., owner of Sanitary Laundry back in the day), Alaska.
Linda Gail Brown Vinson (Palmer, AK)
Roxie McClendon was my mother's very dear friend when they were growing up. My mother was Cecil Cook Brashear. I offer my sincere condolences to your family.
Linda Sue Brashear Goodman (Athens, TN)
My family and I moved to the community of Eureka Tenn in 1955, shortly after the death of my mother. Ms Roxie took me and my two small children, Tommy and Judy under her wing. She lovingly and sacrificially became like another mother to me. She was always Christ centered. The children and I got back in church after having been away for a long time, because of her influence and walk with the Lord. We continued to be as close as a family could be, even after moving from Eureka. She was dear and precious to me. My heart aches as if losing my mother all over again. I will never forget her kindness. Surely the streets of Heaven are sweeter now that she is there. Jean Jones Allen
Jean Jones Allen (Huntsville, AL)
Ms McClendon became "Aunt Roxie" to my brother Tommy and I. She never came to visit without bringing us a treat, and we were always welcome at her house. One of my favorite memories is going with her and "Uncle Charlie" to visit the sick. I will never forget her love and compassion. Her Christian influence remains with me today. Judy Jones Webster
Judy Jones Webster (Hartselle, AL)
God Be with this family at this sad time
Jim & Avis Norton (Helotes, TX)
I never knew her middle names were Augusta Mae. She was always just Miss Roxie to me. She and my grandmother, Lena Howard, were friends forever and I grew up loving Miss Roxie. I lost my grandmother in 1996 when she was 98 years old. They were both role models for me and a lot of other people. I hope they are able to find each other in Heaven.
Sheila Williams Lemons (Spring City, TN)
My prayers are with u all at this time. Mrs. Roxie was my Sunbeam teacher many years ago at Eureka Baptist. You could always count on Mrs. Roxie to go far and beyond whenever there was a death or a family in need, she was right there. Love and Prayers.
Libby Parks Dawson (LaFayette, KY)
Miss Roxie was a great person. She will be missed a lot.
Autumn Ryans & Angie Edmonds (Rockwood, TN)
Carol Ashley worked with Tina Crisp at ORAU. Over the years while working with Tina I have learned so much about the life of Roxie Augusta Mae McClendon. I am so sorry for the lost and my thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Carol Ashley (Knoxville, TN)
I had the honor and priviledge of caring for Miss Roxie for nearly a year as a nurse at Victorian Square Assisted Living in Rockwood. I always entered her room with a "hi, honey!" and she always countered with "well, theres's my sugarfoot." However, her words were never said without that sweet smile behind them. I had the pleasure of listening to a few of her memories, especially the one she told me of when she first met her dearly departed husband, Charlie. Now the door to her room stays closed, no wreath of flowers hang on it. There's an emptiness in the air when I walk down the hallway. Miss Roxie is dearly missed by all of us who were happy to care for her and to know her at Victorian Square.
Regina Lester (Rockwood, TN)
We have lost a special lady and heaven has gained one.
We will miss you.
Sonny and Brenda Rowe (Rockwood, TN)
She was a precious cousin and we all loved her and will miss her dearly. Her influence will be remembered always.
The Hoyt Robinette Family (Knoxville, TN)
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