Edith H. Conner, 97, departed this life peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, at Baptist Healthcare Center in Lenoir City. Born in Lemon Cove, Calif. in 1912, she lived her early years in Lenoir City, but moved with her family to Oak Ridge in 1944, where she lived out the remainder of her long life.

Edith's proudest achievement was seeking a college degree in mid-life so she could become a teacher. It was a daunting goal, as few older students attended college in the 1950's, but she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee in five years. It changed her life by instilling a love for lifetime learning. She was hired into the Oak Ridge school system, where she taught first and second graders until retirement. Her main interests throughout life were both indoor and outdoor gardening, music, reading, flower arranging, being close to nature, and writing. She mastered the art of Haiku poetry and wrote daily about her life, thereby leaving a wonderful written legacy for her descendents.

Edith was preceded in death by her husband, Gene T. Conner; her parents, William Henry (Bud) Hensley and Nora Hensley of Lenoir City; by her her brother, William Henry (Bill) Hensley, Jr. of Oak Ridge; and her brother-in-law, Walter Vaughn of High Point, N.C.

She is survived by her son and his spouse, Harry G. Conner and Maxine Conner of Oak Ridge; her daughter, Trudy J. Coleman of Farragut; her sister and her spouse, Genelle Vaughn Knight and Garland Knight of High Point, N.C.; her sister-in-law, Maudell Townsend of Oak Ridge; by four grandchildren, Carol Hetzel and her spouse, David Hetzel of Oak Ridge; Kristen Tobler and her spouse, Eric Tobler of Oak Ridge; Glen Coleman and his spouse, Autumn Coleman of Powell; and Greg Coleman of Knoxville; by five great-grandchildren, Ashley Hetzel, Haley Tobler, Caroline and Hannah Tobler, and Conner Coleman; by two nieces, Brenda Janisewski of Frederick, Md. and Debbie Pride of Oak Ridge; and by two nephews, Larry Vaughn of Raleigh, N.C. and Bill Vaughn of Martinsville, Va.

The Celebration of Life service was held on Thursday, Nov. 5 at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge. Pastor John Stuart, Erin Presbyterian Church of Knoxville conducted this service. Burial followed immediately at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Charles H. Horne (retired) of Westminister Presbyterian Church of Spartenburg, S.C. conducted the graveside service. Music was provided by Patsy Clark, Edith's niece, of Lewisville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, Edith requested that any memorial donations be made to either the Tiger Woods Foundation, 121 Innovation, Suite 150, Irvine, California 92617 or the Friends of the Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764-7660.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Baptist Healthcare Center for their professional and compassionate care.