Mrs. Eulah B. “Sweetie” Mottern, 92, of Watauga, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at her residence following an extended illness.
A native of Carter County, she was the daughter of the late James Bradley and Ruth Kate Watkins Shepherd.
“Sweetie” was a librarian for 19 years with the Carter County School System and retired after 12 years with the Sullivan County School System at Bluff City Middle School. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Sycamore Chapter 163 for 50 years; was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War; and a member of the Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association.
Mrs. Mottern was a member of Brick Christian Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William E. “Sonny” Mottern; three sisters, Sallie Kate Thompson, Billie Jo Haws and Grace Pearl Shepherd; and a brother, Frank Shepherd.
Survivors include a son, Sonnie Bill Mottern and wife Shelby, Bluff City, Tenn.; a daughter, Ruth Lewis, Watauga; four grandchildren, Michelle Mottern of Florida, Eddie Lewis of Florida, Brad Mottern and wife Tonya, Johnson City, and Carrie Brandt and husband Vernon, Bluff City; five great-grandchildren, Taylor Mottern, Blaise Kessler, Lukas Kessler, Piper Kessler and Rayanna Brandt; a great-great-granddaughter, Taylor Thurman; and a great-great-great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Thurman. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Mottern will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, September 19, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services with Dr. Don Marshall and Mr. Ernie Depew, ministers, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Mr. Scott Reynolds. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from noon until 1 p.m. Friday, prior to the funeral service, or at the residence at anytime. Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday, September 19, in the Mountain Home National Cemetery with Mr. Wayne Mottern, minister, officiating. Active pallbearers will be Joe David Mottern, Tim Mottern, Stanley Mottern, Jimmy Ensor, John Watkins, Brad Haws and Darrell Haws. Honorary pallbearers will be Kagley Mottern, Henry Watkins, American Ex-Prisoners of War – East Tennessee Chapter and the deacons and elders of Brick Christian Church. The family would like to express a special thank-you to Dr. Kim Neilson and Amedysis Hospice for the loving care given to Mrs. Mottern. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the William E. “Sonny” and Eulah B. “Sweetie” Mottern Scholarship Fund, Immanuel School of Religion, 1 Walker Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 or to the Brick Christian Church, 815 Watauga Road, Watauga, TN 37694. Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com.
Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the Mottern family. Office (423) 543-5544.