Mrs. Betty Bennett Jiles, 74, of Rockwood, died Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at the Bridge at Rockwood. She was born June 21, 1935 in Decherd, TN to Oscar and Vera Starnes Bennett. She was a teacher at Rockwood High School for 42 years from 1955 until her retirement in 1997. She was a loyal Rockwood Tigers and Tennessee Vols fan. She was a member of Rockwood United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rusty Jiles and sister, Louise Walls.
Survivors include:
Daughters: Jena Roddy and husband, Brad of Murfreesboro, TN
Jill Everhart and husband, Eric of Rockwood, TN
Grandchildren: Jax Roddy of Murfreesboro, TN
Eli Everhart of Rockwood, TN
Sister: Alene Elliott of Decatur, AL
The family will be receiving friends Thursday February 4, 2010 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Evans Mortuary. Funeral service will be Friday February 5, 11:00 a.m. at Rockwood United Methodist Church with Rev. Keith Knight officiating. Interment will follow at Roane Memorial Gardens, Rockwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rockwood United Methodist Church, 801 N Kingston Ave., Rockwood, TN 37854 or Rockwood High School, 512 W Rockwood St., Rockwood, TN 37854.
Guestbook Entries
Ms Betty was on of the first young teachers in Rockwood High I ever saw. All the teachers at Rockwood had been there ever since I could remember and we had never had a young teacher out of college before. I always knew her as Ms Bennet. She will be missed.
Linda Zumstein Devine (Moss Point, MS)
Jenna, Jill, et al. Were it not for Ms. Jiles, I'm certain my ability as a professional would be greatly diminished. While I am deeply sorry for your loss, I am most grateful for the time your mom devoted to education, including my own. You should be very proud; I am. She was a special, special lady.
John E. Owings (Knoxville, TN)
I knew your mother first as Miss Bennett, she and your dad wasn't married when I had her for typing. but they were dateing, they were vary much in love. I know they are together again. And your mother is happy now. She missed your dad so vary much.
Martha Neal Davenport (Rockwood, TN)
From Chester and Virginia Taylor of Merrill, Michigan. We both had "Miss. Bennit in general business class. We both really enjoyed having her as a teacher and we made contact with her through the class reunions in later year. Really sorry to get the news that she has passed away. We started a scholarship fund in 1993 in Merrill. We will be making a donation in her name to the scholarship fund for the year 2010. We would like to send the family members a copy of the news article when it is published soon after graduation. Could someone in the family let us know where to send them please. Thanks, Chester and Virginia
Chester & Virginia Taylor (Merrill, MI)
My prayers are with you--your Mother was a favorite teacher of mine during the mid 60's. She sponsored the cheerleaders and other clubs during that time always promoting our school and being an encourager to us. I remember her meeting your Father and how excited we were about their "dating"! Later years we would meet she and some of her friends at the Cracker Barrel when we visited family and passed through on the way to Nashville. She was especially kind friend of my father, Earl Treadway. I know that your many memories will comfort you through this difficult time.
Judy Treadway Howard (Johnson City, TN)
She was a great teacher and I really loved and respected her. She will be missed.
Carla Perkins (Knoxville, TN)
Mrs. Jiles was a great woman and will be missed. She always said, "Life is Good!" We shared many memories with her and she will never be forgotten. We love you!!
Krista Treadway (Rockwood, TN)
Mrs. Jiles, you will be sadly missed. The students that missed out on having you for typing/accounting after the class of 1993, sure do not realise what they missed. Those of us that graduated RHS with your typing class "under our belt" are blessed even more so. Thank you for all the class learning as well as the real world learning.
Tina Givens Eaton (Spring City, TN)
I was certainly sorry to hear about Mrs. Jiles's recent death. I'll always remember her as a friendly and supportive teacher when I was part of the Rockwood High School staff during 1989-1995. She remained in touch with me after I left Rockwood (usually at Christmas) and even visited me at my current school one day.
Robbie Wilson (Coalfield, TN)
Jill and Eric,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Betty. She was such a good person that I admired very much. She was a true Rockwood Tiger and that's just one of the many things that made her who she was. She will truly be missed.
Jerry Walker (Kingston, TN)
Jill and Family... I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom...I drove a lot of ball trips and your Mom and Dad was there to cheer you and the Tigers on for the win...Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
John L. and Cricket Lewis (Harriman, TN)
Mrs. Jiles will be sorely missed by all of her former students as we remember her as Miss Bennett. My the family find comfort in the pages of the Holy Bible.
Cindy Brown Maynor (Rockwood, TN)
I have fond memories of Mrs. Jiles as my teacher. I Remember her always being at sporting events cheering for her Tigers. Find comfort in the Lord. PHIL 4:13
Julian(woot)Anders (Rockwood, TN)
Mrs. Jiles touched the lives of so many and her sustaining support and influence is still felt in our lives today. She was a wonderful woman full of life and love for her community and her family. May you feel the Lord's great love and comfort for your family now and in the many years to come.
Anita, Joe and Bryan Moore (Rockwood, TN)
I will never forget my time with Mrs. Jiles at RHS. I loved the accounting and typing classes with her. It is something that I have always said that I enjoyed in my high school days. I credit her for my enjoyment of these subjects and the reason I studied business management at RSCC. Thanks Mrs. Jiles.
Stephen and Lori Johnson (Rockwood, TN)
Rhonda Whittenberg (Readyville, TN)
She will always be Miss Bennett to me. What a wonderful teacher. She had a huge impact on a lot of young lives.
Martha Cato Yokley (Nashville, TN)
You will be missed by your family and friends.
Larry Lewis (Crossville, TN)
Pam Foster,Kerrie Smith,Windy Foster
You will be sadly missed by your fellow students. My condolenceto the family.
Charlotte McCulley Tolliver (Morristown, TN)
Brad and I were very sorry to hear about Mrs. Jiles passing. We laughed as we both shared memories about her from High School. She called everyone "rookies", taught us how to type, and occasionally we would "hang loose". I dont remember ever going to a sporting event where Mrs. Jiles wasnt there. She was a great teacher and truly a great lady. She will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers go to the family.
Brad and Tara Thompson (Spring Hill, TN)
Roberta Wagner
I'm so sorry to hear about Mrs. Jiles passing. She was my typing teacher in high school. I will miss running into her and having our little talks. To me she was a great friend and teacher. She will be greatly missed...
Enza Cofer (Rockwood, TN)
I was sorry to hear of your loss. Mrs. Jiles was a great teacher and very nice caring person. Kathy Thomas Gibson (Class of 1970)
Kathy Gibson (Cleveland, TN)
Ms. Bennett/Jiles: Noma "Powers" O'Brien from Chicago here, graduate of 1963. You were such an inspiration to me. I will never forget the Kennedy/Nixon debate you encouraged in your Civics class and you appointed me head of the debate for Kennedy (you were also for Kennedy but you were very cool about it). Orville Proffit was head of the debate for Nixon. We won!!! God Speed. I have thought of you over the years and will miss you in spirit.
Noma Powers O'Brien (Des Plaines, IL)
Leann Sutton Lamance
Cathy Meadows Gibson (Kingston, TN)
Thank you for always being there for me, im where im at now because you beleived in me. I will always love you and miss you!
Tammy Treadway (Rockwood, TN)
I remember the days when I was in Mrs. Sue Patton's typing class and she, Dawn Hood and Betty Jiles would conven in her office. They seemed like they had so much fun together. I have really missed these three over the years, but I remember the good times they had together. Betty, you will be missed and most of all you will be remembered by the many students you taught through the years.
Pat (Hughes) Kerschieter (Knoxville, TN)
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