Rosella Laws Mottern, 88, of Elizabethton, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2014, at Greystone Health Care Center following an extended illness.
Mrs. Mottern was born in Oneida, Tenn., to the late Daniel M. Laws Sr. and Anna Kate Worsham Laws. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Mottern, on January 20, 1985; two brothers, Dan M. Laws Jr. and Edmund Laws; and a sister, Norma Pike.
Mrs. Mottern earned her Master’s Degree in education at Austin Peay University. She was a teacher for over 30 years both at the Tennessee Department of Education and in the Department of Defense. She was a member of the Elks Lodge and was of the Baptist faith. She was a United States Air Force Veteran and was an avid reader and enjoyed walking.
Survivors include a son, Charles E. Mottern, Johnson City; a daughter, Elizabeth Nutter, Elizabethton; three grandchildren, Weston Nutter, Jessie Nutter and Julie Nutter, all of Elizabethton; a brother, Robert C. Laws, Nashville; and a sister, Elaine McKelvey, Hillsboro, Tenn. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Mottern will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, prior to the service on Thursday. The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Charles E. Mottern, Weston Nutter and others selected from family and friends. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Northeast, 207 North Boone Street, Johnson City, TN 37601. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Mottern family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.