| Sources |
- [S142] Newspaper Article, The Mountain Press, 6 May 2000.
Jessie Large Sims Obituary.
- [S75] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume II, 1955-1973, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 18 May 1955.
Edgar James Etherton obituary
- [S73] Rawlings Funeral Home, Book 2, 16 Feb 1976.
James WilliamEslinger obituary
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 3 Oct 2006.
Betty Jo Etherton Large
June 28, 1930 - October 03, 2006
Birthplace: Sevierville, Tennessee
Resided In: Pigeon Forge Tennessee USA
Visitation: October 06, 2006
Service: October 06, 2006
Cemetery: Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens
Betty Jo Etherton Large, a lifelong Sevier County resident and retired Sevier County educator died Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at Fort Sanders-Sevier Nursing Home. “Ms. Betty”, as she was affectionately known by thousands of her former students, was born June 28, 1930, attended Sevier County schools, graduating from Sevier County High School in 1948. She then continued her education at Lincoln Memorial University and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She taught fifth grade at Pigeon Forge Elementary School for 38 years until her retirement in 1989. She loved to travel, taking particular pride in having visited in all 50 capital cities of the United States. During her years of teaching, her travels often centered on finding items to enrich the educational experience of her students.
After retirement, she continued to support public education through active membership in the Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also a dedicated volunteer with the Sevier County Food Ministry and an active member of First Baptist Church in Gatlinburg.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Leila Etherton and brother J.W. Etherton.
She is survived by her loving family and a host of friends:
Her best friend and husband of 55 years: Eugene (Amos) Large
Son and daughter-in-law: Phil and Amy Large
Two grandchildren: Meghan (David) Rasnake, David Large
Sisters: Georgia (Joe) Freels, Margaret Etherton
Sister-in-law: Elma Etherton
Special niece: Brenda (Joe) Rudder
Special friends: Edna and Gary Kimble, Rebekah Atchison
A huge circle of relatives, friends and former students who loved her
It was often said by those who knew her, “Ms. Betty never met a stranger”. She loved life and greeted each day with joy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, c/o Cheryl Burcham, PO Box 4610, Sevierville, Tennessee 37864 or to First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg, 111 Oglewood Lane, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738.
A service to celebrate her life will be 7 PM Friday at First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg with Rev. Larry Burcham officiating. Interment will be 10 AM Saturday in Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends 5-7 PM Friday at First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home,Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 6 Oct 2006.
Large remembered as dedicated teacher, Pigeon Forge resident
By: J.J. KINDRED, Staff Writer
October 06, 2006
Retired teacher Betty Jo Etherton Large was known as a dear lady who had a superb outlook on life, said her neighbor and friend of 40 years, Gary Campbell.
"She taught for a long time, most of it in Pigeon Forge," Campbell said. "She taught everybody I know and they just loved her. She had a good personality and loved everybody. She just did so much for people."
Large, 76, a lifelong Sevier County resident who taught for 38 years, died Tuesday at Fort Sanders-Sevier Nursing Home after a battle with cancer.
Known as "Ms. Betty" by her former students, Large attended Sevier County schools, graduating from Sevier County High School. She attended Lincoln Memorial University and graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Elementary Education.
Except for a one-year stint at the County Board of Education, Large taught fifth grade at Pigeon Forge Elementary School until her retirement in 1989.
Large was known for her love of traveling, having taken pride in having visited in all 50 capital cities of the United States. She was focused on finding items to enhance her students' educational experience.
"She loved teaching and took great pride in the accomplishments of her students," Campbell said. "I always got from her that she was most proud of the students who went on to college that came from humble beginnings."
After her retirement, she was active in the Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was also a volunteer with the Sevier County Food Ministry and a member of First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg.
"She worked at the food ministry every week," Campbell said. "We'd get up trips to go places and it would be hard for her to get off from the charity work she did. She and her husband would take children to the Shriner's Hospital. She did so much for so many."
Large's son, Phil, said the fact that his mother taught for so long represents her legacy.
"Students that remembered her were introduced to a lot of classic books she would read in her story hour," he said. "I've read some of the get well and sympathy cards, and they would talk about story hour."
Pigeon Forge City Manager Earlene Teaster remembered Large as a "wonderful person and outstanding lady in the community. She taught my boys. I just don't know of anyone who did not like her and didn't want their child to be a student under her. She was on our library board, and it was so apparent that she loved Pigeon Forge and wanted to be a part of it. She was always very supportive of what the city did, and will really be missed."
Besides her son, Large is survived by her husband of 55 years, Eugene (Amos) Large; daughter-in-law, Amy Large; two grandchildren, Meghan (David) Rasnake, David Large; sisters, Georgia (Joe) Freels, Margaret Etherton, sister-in-law, Elma Etherton; special niece, Brenda (Joe) Rudder; and special friends, Edna and Gary Kimble and Rebekah Atchison.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg, with the Rev. Larry Burcham officiating. Interment will be 10 a.m. Saturday in Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the church.
* jkindred@themountainpress.com
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