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** LOVED HER CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN **
Ellen Marie Phillips Holtsclaw, 83, of Roan Mountain, was peacefully called home on February 8, 2021.
Ellen was born on January 27, 1938 in Knoxville, Tenn. She attended Bell House School, Park Junior High School and East High School. She was a Freewill Baptist who loved the Lord and gospel music.
She was married to the love of her life, Murriel Holtsclaw, on September 1, 1956 by Rev. George Williams in Clinton, Tenn.
A past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 230, Ellen was a former member of the Boundless Love gospel trio, a Sunday School teacher and Kindergarten aide. She retired in 2000 after serving Cloudland Elementary School for 26-½ years as its Cafeteria Manager.
While she excelled in the workplace, her family remembers her as a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She cherished time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, actively supporting their academic and athletic endeavors, hobbies and activities.
Whether it was sharing valuable afternoons, summer vacation, learning from her in the kitchen, or inheriting her keen ability to be genuinely kind and caring in all aspects of life, her family knew within her was an unconditional love.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Arietta Arrowood Phillips Fields; father, Avery Deadrick Phillips; stepfather, John Wesley Fields; brother, John Wesley Fields Jr.; sister, Marilyn Anne; and a daughter, Janet Marie Holtsclaw.
Survivors include her husband, of the home; brothers, Charles Howard Fields (Claudia) and Earl Fields of Knoxville; children, Ricky Holtsclaw, Michael Holtsclaw and Kenneth Holtsclaw of Roan Mountain; grandchildren, Wes Holtsclaw, Ashlee McKeehan, Carey Lynn Holtsclaw, Sarah Moore (Ryan) and Macala Caraway; and great-grandchildren, Aubrey Pike, Sophia Moore, Rhett Moore and Dallas Bell.
The family will honor the life of Ellen Marie Holtsclaw beginning with visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Tetrick Rhododendron Chapel, 8460 US-19E, Roan Mountain, Tenn. A memorial service under the direction of Rev. Randy English with music provided by Sherry Tilson will directly follow beginning at 7 p.m. A graveside service will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Holtsclaw Cemetery in Roan Mountain. Those attending should arrive by 10:50 a.m. Active pallbearers will be Wes Holtsclaw, Tom Smith, Gary Smith, Dale Carnett, Roger Harrald, Cletis Holtsclaw and Scott Mays. Honorary pallbearers are Cecil Largent, Rhett Moore, John Henson, Ed Skeans, George Skeans, Doug Merryman and each of the former teachers, employees and students of Cloudland Elementary during Ellen’s time of work. Ellen and her family would like to thank Dr. Wes Hanson and the staff of the Roan Mountain Medical Center, the staff of Johnson City Medical Center, Amedisys Homehealth, especially her nurse Melissa Ellis, her hospice nurses and her caregiver Sarah Moore for all of the care and love given to her. Our staff is committed to taking care of our guests and families that we serve. Please understand we will be following the State’s COVID guidelines. We also ask all guests and family members attending visitations and funerals to please bring and wear a mask. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, is honored to serve the Holtsclaw family. Office: (423) 772-3928. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.