Mrs. Florence Markland Presson, 89, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014, at the residence of her daughter in Aiken, S.C.
A native of the Fish Springs Community of Carter County, she was the daughter of the late Landon and Arminta Rainbolt Markland.
Florence earned a BS degree from Steed College. She had worked as a legal secretary for George Dugger Sr. and retired from East Tennessee Undergarment as an office manager.
Florence was a member of First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton and was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club serving as corresponding secretary, chairman of the nominating committee and 1st vice-president. In 1984 she received the “Woman of the Year” award from the Business and Professional Women’s Club.
She was a former director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce and had served as vice-president for community development and vice-president for organizational development. In 1984 she received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the Chamber of Commerce. Florence was a former member of the ARM Board of Directors. She had received the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Service to Community.
Florence was an avid bowler. She was a member and former treasurer of the Tennessee Women’s Bowling Association and was elected to Tennessee Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame. She was also a devout fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William H. “Bill” Presson, on July 13, 2002; a grandson, Jimmy Presson; three sisters, Blanche Cash, Edith Nave and Pauline McMaster; and two brothers, L.J. Markland and Ed Markland.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Kenneth Carden, Aiken, S.C.; a son and daughter-in-law, James H. “Jim” and Lisa Presson, Raleigh, N.C.; a grandson, Will Presson, Raleigh, N.C.; two granddaughters, Kimberly C. Hadley, Columbia, S.C., and Kasey C. Wagner, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and five great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mrs. Presson will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, July 28, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services with Rev. Ray Amos officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12:30 until 2 p.m., prior to the funeral service. Graveside services and interment will follow the funeral service at Monte Vista Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Will Presson, James McMaster, David McMaster, Lee Murray, Randy Lovegrove, Casey Shatley, Rick Laws and Woody Laws. Honorary pallbearers will be Brent Dugger, Richard Dugger, Paul Mottern, Alan Greenburg, Scott Greenburg, Dr. Robert Schubert and Dr. Chris Sholes. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Memorial Fund of First United Methodist Church, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643. 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 Presson family. Office (423) 543-5544.