Thelma Ruth Waddle

Died: Nov. 18, 2012

Thelma Ruth Tweed Waddle, 72, of Limestone, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday at the Johnson City Medical Center after many years of declining health.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

Her greatest accomplishment in this life was that she was a wonderful mother to her children and an adoring grandmother to her grandchildren, who knew her as "Nanny."

She loved spending time with all of her family, but it was her grandchildren who brought the most joy to her world.

Being a homemaker was her most important job, but she was also worked as a seamstress and telemarketer.

She loved to laugh and have a good time with her family. Even in sickness, she tried to enjoy every minute of life.

She fought for many years to stay healthy, and she was overjoyed when she received a kidney transplant in 2001.

Her faith in the Lord and the prayers of loved ones and friends kept her going. She attended Lighthouse Baptist Church in Jonesborough, and before her illness, she was a Sunday School teacher for several years at New Salem Baptist Church in Limestone.

Survivors include her husband of 54 years: Larry G. Waddle, of the home; her four children and their spouses: Teena and Tony Broyles of Limestone, Robby and Teresa Waddle and Toby and Natalie Waddle, all of Telford, and Kristi Waddle of Chuckey; her four granddaughters: Brandy Matthews and husband, Dave, of Telford, Whitney Tisdale and husband, T.J., of Italy, Anna Waddle, and Emma Waddle; her two grandsons: Travis and Ashley Broyles of Limestone, and Hunter Waddle of Telford; her sisters: Shirley Wilhoit, and husband, C.L., Lora Davis, and Betty Head and husband, Steve; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Eugene and Lena Tweed; her sisters: Vyrtle Lee Mongold, Pearl Nichols, Wanda Tweed, Ina Henry, and Iris Patterson; her brothers: Glenn Tweed, Dennis Tweed, and R.L. Tweed; her mother-in-law and father-in-law: Robert "Bob" and Dulcie Waddle; and a sister-in-law: Deanna Waddle.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service, Afton Chapel, with a celebration of life following at 8 p.m. The Rev. Garry Edwards will officiate.

Family and friends will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Afton Chapel to go in procession to Hermon United Methodist Church Cemetery for an 11 a.m. committal service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hermon UM Church Cemetery Fund, Bobby Byrd, 1207 107 Cutoff, Afton, TN 37616.