Peggy Jo Root

Root, Ms. Peggy Jo, age 82, of Knoxville, passed away February 5, 2015 from colon cancer. She was the daughter of Elsie Marie and John Plymouth Kidd. As a young woman she worked at Baptist Hospital in the business office. She married James Allen Root in January 1955. James “Jim” was in the Air Force which took him and Peggy to England, Alaska, Wyoming and Texas. Peggy and Jim gave birth to James David in Fort Worth, Texas and later gave birth to Tanya Jo in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1971 and the family settled in Knoxville, Tennessee. Peggy worked at The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Food Services and at Morrill Hall as a housing clerk. After her retirement from UTK she worked at Hillcrest Nursing Home taking care of various resident needs. She was an active member of Mount Olive Church on Maryville Pike. She volunteered for many years with the Special Friends. She loved to go bowling, go on hayrides and celebrate holidays with this special group. She was an active member of Kay Senior Group. She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Allen Root; brothers, Jack Arthur Kidd (Sue), Allen Leon Kidd (Jewell); mother, Elsie Marie Kidd; and father, John Plymouth Kidd. She is survived by her son, James “David” Root (Robin) and her daughter, Tanya Jo Ramsey (Bill). She leaves behind 8 grandchildren, Allison Yang, Aaron Root, Andrew Root, Kaitlyn Yates (James), Kamryn Olivier, Jaime Christopher (John), Wendy Byrd (Brandon), and Zachary Ramsey. She was blessed with 5 great-grandchildren, Jamie Elaine Yang, Aiden McKinley Christopher, Lily McKenna Christopher, Anna Michelle Byrd, and Katie Erin Byrd. She is survived by special niece, Donna Rochat; special great-great nieces, Sierra Marie Patty, Mackenna Faye Patty; and special great-great nephew, Tristin Patty. Special thanks to Dr. Buck Allum, Amedysis Hospice, Dr. Tom Thompson and devoted caregiver, Carolyn Thacker. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 9, 2015 from 5:00-7:00pm at Mount Olive Baptist Church (2500 Maryville Pike) with funeral service to follow at 7:00pm. There will be a graveside service on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 11:00am at Mount Olive Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to the following: East TN Children’s Hospital at ETCH.com to donate online; Carson Newman University, P.O. Box 529, Jefferson City, TN 37760; University of the Cumberlands, 6191 College Station Dr., Williamsburg, KY 40769; and Kay Senior Center, 900 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com.