Lou Davis Curtis

Lou Davis Curtis, age 86 of Knoxville, passed away peacefully on Saturday November 9. 2013, at Baptist Health Care Center in Lenoir City. She was born prematurely on February 12, 1927, weighing 2- 1/2 pounds, on the family farm in Swain County, NC. The farm was taken by eminent domain several years later by the Tennessee Valley Authority for the construction of Fontana Dam. In one of life's ironic twists, Lou married a young TVA engineer, Keith Curtis, who moved to Bryson City in 1951 - she always teased "it's the only way I knew to get back at TVA."She and Keith celebrated 52 years of marriage, raised four children, enjoyed church activities and friends, visited their mountain cabin in Graham County, NC, cheered for Auburn football through thick and thin, bragged about grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and enjoyed storytelling and good jokes. Until recent years Lou was an avid reader and devoted homemaker. Preceded in death by her husband, Keith Curtis, Knoxville, TN; parents, Sam and Pearl Davis; brothers, Rufe Davis and Sam Ray Davis, all of Bryson City, NC; sister, Mary Ellen Maxwell, Robbinsville, NC. She is survived by son, Bo Curtis (Laurie) Knoxville, and daughters, Mary Lynn "Diddy" Buttram (Rees, deceased) , Knoxville; Sammie Shanks (Bob), Lenoir City, TN; Cathy Chesney (Steve), Lenoir City; special nephew, Marty Maxwell , Robbinsville, NC; Grandchildren: Luke Chesney (Elisa), Knoxville; Curtis Chesney (Katie), Greensboro, NC; Marion Corum (Kelly), Knoxville; Abbey Cupp (Chad), Knoxville; Bobby Shanks (Sarah), Louisville, KY; Adam Shanks, Louisville, KY; Alison Shanks, Tampa, FL; Will Rees (Maura), Mountain View, CA; and Chris Buttram, Winona, MN. Great-grandchildren: Ava, Millie, Evan, Cooper, Annabelle and Eliza Chesney; Gavin, Caden and Kael Cupp; Elise and Andrew Shanks; Maddie and Bridget Rees. The family would like to thank the staffs at Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Lenoir City and Baptist Health Care Center for the wonderful care given over the past few years. A private graveside service will be Monday at the Bill Wallace Memorial Garden in Greenwood Cemetery. Receiving of friends will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the Atrium at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church followed by a noon service. Rev. Kent Williams will be officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to TN Baptist Adult Homes R.A.R.E. Fund, 700 Williams Ferry Rd., Lenoir City, TN 37771,Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, Bill Wallace Heritage Program, 701 Merchant Drive, Knoxville, TN 37912