Thea Maria Schlier Pflanze

Thea Pflanze recently passed after a lengthy illness with her family at her side. We appreciate all of her many friends and ask that they share in our sadness and happiness. That we knew her and shared her life was a blessing. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles and her brothers Wilhelm, Werner, and Walter. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Irma and Herta; three children Charles Walter, Will, and Mary; five grandchildren: Jennifer, Rebekka, Maya, Vered, and Elinor; and two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Lara; several nieces and nephews; and devoted friend Barbara Matlock, whose patient companionship sustained and supported Thea and, by extension, the entire family in Thea's last decade with us. Thea was born in 1925 near Munich, Germany; she joined her husband Charles in East Tennessee in 1947, and loved her adopted country. Thea raised three children; taught French and German at Maryville College; was an active participant in the Blount County Girl's Club; supported origination of the Foothills Land Conservancy; St. Andrew's Church; Highland Presbyterian Church; and her favorite ladies' book club. Thea loved to cook and bake; visitors to her warm kitchen remember the aroma of baking bread, cakes and other european delicacies. She was an avid reader and letter writer, often exchanging her opinions and unique observations in distinctive hand typed letters to her friends, along with typical foreign accent marks and extra added comments penned in. She liked playing folk tunes on her zither and spoiling her beloved pets. Per her wishes, no formal service will be held. (To get around her wishes, the family is collecting stories and a scrapbook in memory of Thea, and we welcome additions from others who knew and loved her. Please direct those to memories.of.thea@gmail.com). Donations can be directed to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley (1100 Marion St. Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37921).