Erma E. Pesterfield

Erma Everett Pesterfield, a descendent of the Revolutionary War soldier Robert Everett, was born to Robert Frank and Nellie Williams Everett, on October 12, 191 0. She was a sibling of Earl, Earnest, Raymond, Frances, and twins Max and Maxie. Erma was reared on Sevierville Road on the farm adjacent to the current Asbury Acres Retirement Center. She was educated at the Chandler School, Everett High School, Maryville College, and East Tennessee State Teacher's College, now known as East Tennessee State University. On February 10, 1933, she married Edgar Lee (Ed) Pesterfield, an ALCOA employee. Two sons were born into this family - Dwain and David. Throughout her life, Erma was a children's educator. For many years, she taught in various Blount County Schools. In 1950, she founded Tom Thumb Schoolette, a private nursery and kindergarten - a forerunner to today's public kindergartens. She operated this school until 1974, when she joined her late husband in retirement. She was also active in Christian education at First United Methodist Church in Maryville - a teacher for many years in the nursery department and later Children's Coordinator. Erma was a charter member of the Mu chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional teachers sorority, and continued this membership until now. In 1979, she received the Distinguished Member Award at First United Methodist Church, where she has been a member for over 60 years. She was an active member of the Belle Henry Young Sunday School Class, the United Methodist Women, and Circle 5 of the United Methodist Women, and served as a member of the Hostess Committee for almost 30 years. She was a truly gracious southern lady who enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law Dwain and Jane Pesterfield and David and Betty Jo Pesterfield, by her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Jennifer and Shane Geren, and her grandsons Brad and Brent Pesterfield, her sister and brother-in-law Sam and Maxie Blevens. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Funeral services will be 7:30 P.M. Monday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Darris Doyal and Rev. Sterling Turner officiating. The interment will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday in Grandview Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorials to Maryville First United Methodist Church Organ Fund 804 Montvale Station Rd. Maryville, 37803 or to Monte Vista Baptist Church 1735 Old Niles Ferry Rd. Maryville, TN 37803. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, TN, 982-6812, www.mccammonammonsclick.com