Mrs. Edna Von Cannon Potter, Roan Mountain, Tenn., went to meet her beloved husband in heaven on Friday, October 23, 2015, from the Roan Highlands Nursing Center following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Janie Miller Von Cannon. She was proud to be a graduate of East Tennessee State University and the many things her education enabled her to accomplish in her community. Edna Von Cannon Potter taught in the Carter County School System for 42 years. Upon her retirement, she was teaching fourth grade at Cloudland Elementary School in Roan Mountain, Tenn. Edna married her husband, James W. Potter, who was a high school principal for 44 years. They resided in Roan Mountain, Tenn., and were happily married for 63 years before Mr. Potter went home to be with the Lord in 2002.
The Potters were active in the Roan Mountain Naturalists Rally and Wildflower Tours since their inception 46 years ago. The Potters took part in the first organized meeting to plan the annual event with Fred Behrend, a noted and beloved naturalist from Elizabethton, Tenn. During the 2003 Fall Roan Mountain Naturalist’s Rally, an award of excellence was developed by the Friends of Roan Mountain. The James and Edna Potter Conservation Award was created to honor those who support, in the highest standards, the mission of the Friends group. This award was created to honor their work and those who follow in their footsteps. Edna received the honor of being selected as “Tennessee’s Conservation Educator of the Year” in 1976 and was overjoyed when she was also selected “Teacher of the Year.” She was also a member of the Roan Mountain Garden Club.
The Potters organized the “Miss Watauga Valley” pageant, a preliminary to the “Miss Tennessee” pageant. In June of 1996 the Potters received recognition at the Miss Tennessee Pageant for having over 50 years of pageant service. In addition, Edna worked from the very beginning with the “Miss Rhododendron” pageant in Roan Mountain. Edna was also very active in her church as a member of the Elk Park Christian Church. She served as secretary, treasurer and historian of the Mountain Christian Churches Annual Convention for a number of years.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Potter was preceded in death by a brother, Denver Von Cannon.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and David Williams, Surgoinsville, Tenn.; three granddaughters, Judith Ann Williams, Surgoinsville, Tenn., Robin Vess and husband Josh, Dandridge, Tenn., and Sonya Williams, Knoxville, Tenn.; a great-granddaughter, Skylar Vess, Dandridge, Tenn.; and two sisters, Bonnie Prince and Ann Griffith, both of Bluff City, Tenn. Several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Gladys Winters, Elk Park, N.C., also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Edna Von Cannon Potter will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Dr. Robert Wetzel, Mr. Palma Bennett, Mr. Gerald Holly and Mr. Grant Foster, ministers, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Faye Mayberry. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the funeral service. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Ted Hughes, Dallas Williams, W.O. Hampton, Farrell Ollis and her church family. Everyone will meet at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Elk Park Christian Church, 220 Old Mill Road, Elk Park, NC 28622. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Potter family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.