Grace Irene Wallace Anthony

Grace Irene Wallace Anthony, beloved mother, teacher and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 14, 2007, two weeks before her 97th birthday. Grace was born January 31, 1910, the eighth of ten children born to Mary and Sumner Wallace. After graduation from Maryville High School, she attended Maryville College. Grace began her teaching career at Cold Springs School while completing requirements for a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee. During a career that spanned 45 years, she also taught at Brick Mill, Rush Strong, Alcoa Elementary, Everett Elementary, Eagleton Elementary, Fort Craig Elementary and Bungalow Elementary. She was one of the first public school kindergarten educators in Blount County. Her work allowed her to enrich the lives of hundreds of children. Grace and John William Anthony were married for 65 years before his death in 2001. She is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Mary Ann and Richard Leatherwood of Boca Grande, FL; Sue and Joe Dawson of Maryville; and Janie and Ernie Wickham of Clarksville, TN as well as sister-in-law Mary Yarnell Wallace of Maryville. Other survivors include grandchildren: Katherine Brakman and husband Eric of Richmond, VA; David Dawson and wife Jennifer of Maryville, Caroline Dawson of Maryville, Johnny Wickham of Los Angeles, CA and Tanner Wickham of Clarksville. Grace is also survived by two beloved great-granddaughters, Stella and Nora Brakman of Richmond, VA. Grace was a member of First United Methodist Church in Maryville for 86 years where she was active in the Women’s Society of Christian Service and Circle. She was a long time member of Delta Kappa Gamma teachers’ sorority and of Chilhowee Club. She enjoyed the fellowship of a number of bridge clubs and continued to play into her 90s. She and her husband enjoyed ballroom and square dancing. Grace was preceded in death by her parents as well as brothers, Hugh, Tom, Clyde, John, Roy and Clarence Wallace, sisters Helen Wallace, Lois Wallace Lewis and Margaret Wallace Roberts and granddaughter Suzanne Whitney Leatherwood. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 16 at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery. McCammon-Ammons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Maryville. Www.mccammonammonsclick.com