| Sources |
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 13 Jul 2001.
Jeffery C. Hatcher obituary
- [S110] Stevens Mortuary, http://www.stevensmortuaryinc.com, 23 Aug 2005.
James L. "Jim" Early obituary
- [S84] E-Mail, Chris Early [macvideoguy@comcast.net], 11 May 2008.
- [S142] Newspaper Article, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug 1967.
Wanda K. Amburn obituary
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 2 Jul 2011.
Dena Y. Early, age 79, concluded a full and amazing life on June 29, 2011. A one-of-a-kind lady known for her gracefulness as well as her gallant fighting spirit, Dena will forever be the rock of the Early family. Her passing leaves a void that can never be filled. Her courage was on display every day of her nearly 80 years and her remarkable iron will left a positive and enduring impression on all of those she touched. Simply put, Dena was a winner, and her battles through adversity would come to define her. Her astounding and improbable recovery from a stroke in her early 50’s secured her legacy as the toughest (and most stubborn) fighter on the block. No matter the odds, you never counted Dena out. To come back from so many difficult and tiring challenges was a testament to her extraordinary strength and unbreakable spirit. She had the insatiable desire to “keep right on going.” Without exception, Dena wrote the book on perseverance. Like her role model, the late Patricia Neal, she became a symbol of toughness and gritty determination, all hidden by the glow of a strikingly beautiful lady. Even from her earliest days in the Six Mile Community, she grew to be special. As the youngest of nine children in the Yearout family, she fought to become a scrappy guard on the Everett High basketball team all the while blossoming into an attractive, young cheerleader. She would go on to play the role of devoted wife and loving mother to perfection. Her pride in her children and grandchildren was undeniable. Dena (or DeeDee as her grandchildren referred to her) was a Mom in every sense of the word. She was the total package, despite the package being barely 5 feet tall wrapped in a spit-fire frame. Her journey through life took some incredible and sometimes strenuous turns but she never wavered (just got a little motion sickness from time-to-time). Long before computers became an everyday reality, Dena was ahead of this curve as a key punch operator for the University of Tennessee and later as an instructor for the Tennessee College of Automation. In addition, she put her business savvy to use for a number of years as the accountant and business manager for her husband’s emerging advertising firm, Jim Early & Associates. Her charming personality, direct-to-the-point style, and flare for making many friends could have served her well in the political arena, but the only office she was ever known to hold was Mayor of Hamburger Alley (otherwise known as Dock #1 in the heyday of Fox Road Marina). Likewise, her devotion to UT Athletics was the stuff of legend. There was never a more intense scene than Dena in front of the radio or television when the Vols or Lady Vols engaged in battle. Husband, kids, and family pet were known to head for the basement to avoid the wrath if things did not go well for the Big Orange. Dena’s long and incredible story has many chapters and numbers of people who played a key role. Among them: the friends and members of her church family, including New Hope Presbyterian, family physician Dr. Billy Pruett and business manager Wanda Crumley, the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, and in recent years, the incredible team and family of the Farragut NHC Rehab and NHC Place Assisted Living. Special thanks to Ms. Vivienne Akins for making the last year of Dena’s life a very good one. In addition, the family would like to thank Mr. Jessie Tucker, the official hairstylist of Dena, for his many wonderful years of service (Jessie Saves!). Preceded in death by husband, James L. (Jim) Early; parents, Elmer and Mae Yearout; brothers, Ervil Yearout and D.A. Yearout; sisters, Ruth Morton, Naomi Brewer Corda and Wanda Amburn; special friends, Peggy and Ramsey Harb. Survivors include daughter, Jama Early Wall (Bob) of Naperville, Ill.; sons, Steve Early and Chris Early, both of Knoxville; grandchildren, Jeff Ward of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jenny Ward and Ryan Wall of Naperville, Ill.; Nolan Early and Katie Early of Knoxville; brother, Wayne Yearout (Maycle); and sister, Margaret Giffin of Maryville; along with special nieces and nephews. Extended family includes Kenley Smith, Kenny Butler, and Doris Butler of Knoxville; and special life-long friend, Roberta Gourley of Maryville. Pallbearers: Peter Dunn, Brett Gregory, Chris Harb, Todd Homer, Brian King, Eric Seiber, Jeff Ward, and Rob Wilson. Those wishing to make charitable contributions may send to Autism Speaks/Ryan’s Hope in honor of Dena’s special grandson, Ryan. www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/chicago/ryanshope or memorials may be made to the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in care of the Fort Sanders Foundation, 280 Fort Sanders West Blvd., Suite 100, Knoxville, TN 37922. Online contributions are accepted at www.patneal.org. A funeral service will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at Stevens Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Dr. Albert E. Pierson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. The family and friends will meet 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at Stevens Mortuary and go in procession to Grandview Cemetery in Maryville for a graveside service and interment at 11 a.m. Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Avenue at North Broadway is serving the family of Mrs. Early. Mrs. Early’s guest book is available at www.stevensmortuaryinc.coms
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Abt 1932 - 2011 (~ 79 years)
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