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- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 76, 185.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 8B, 31 Jan 2012.
Smoky Mountain Homeplace
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 7 Dec 1999.
Gladys Myrtle (Norris) Denton, 94, died Sunday afternoon, December 5, at her home on Yellow Springs Road after several years of declining health.
Born December 17, 1904, she was a daughter and the last surviving child of James Bennett and Effie (Lillard) Norris. Her siblings were Hugh, Arden, and Bernard Norris and Mary Zula (Norris) Shults. The Norris home stood on the Bogard Road.
As a youngster, she received her education at the old Wilson and Bogard Schools. It was during this time that she acquired the nickname “Priss” and in later years, she was known to her family lovingly as “Mom Priss.”
In 1924, she married Jefferson Caywood Denton, who preceded her in death in 1950. Although theirs was a May-December match, they enjoyed many years together and lavished their love and attention on their many nieces and nephews.
After the Dentons had no children of their own, they adopted a niece. Following Mr. Denton’s death, a nephew, the late Dave Shults, came to live with Mrs. Denton and her daughter.
As long as Mrs. Denton’s health permitted, she continued to oversee the operations of the Denton farm, a fertile tract of land whose ownership by the Dentons dates to the earliest days of this county.
She was known throughout the community as a gracious hostess and a superb cook. Through the years, hundreds of people graced her dinner table. Included in these guests was the late Gov. Frank Clement, who was running for his first term as Tennessee’s governor at the time.
Mrs. Denton especially enjoyed raising and sharing many beautiful flowers. She was also an expert quilter who designed her own patterns. Many of her creations were displayed at the Newport-Cocke County Museum in the early 1980s. It brought great sorrow to her when many of these quilts were lost to a fire which consumed the old Denton home in January, 1990.
A faithful member of Jenkins Chapel United Methodist Church, she supported it with her attendance and generosity for many years. When frail health prevented her from attending services, she enjoyed the visits of those who came to her home.
Mrs. Denton is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Howard and Evelyn Hawk of the home; and nieces, Mrs. Jack (Miriam) Keener, Cosby; Mrs. Dean (Mary) Henry, Chattanooga; Mrs. Kermit (Eula) Cooper and Mrs. Alvin (Maggie) Suttles, Kingsport, and Mrs. Ernest (Beulah) Wilds, Knoxville.
Surviving nephews include Duke and Don Shults, Cosby; James Shults, Abilene, Texas; Jack Duane Norris, Parrottsville; and Warren Denton, Newport.
Many great-nieces and great-nephews and their families also survive. During the last few years, Mrs. Denton received the tender love and care from the staff of House Call Home Health Care and from Juanita Bradley, a special friend. Other special friends include the families of Lawrence and Glennie Stinnett, Bob and Polly Murrell, Warren and Marilyn Bryant, Eugene and Brenda Arrowood, Kaye Jinks, and Janet Davis.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Manes Funeral Home. Funeral services, under the direction of Mrs. Denton’s great-nephew, Steve Shults, will follow. He will be assisted by Rev. Howard Hawk.
Music for the service will be provided by Mrs. Denton’s great-niece, Kay (Keener) O’Neil.
Interment will follow on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Jenkins Chapel Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eugene Arrowood, Warren Bryant, Tim Keller, Joe Lindsey, Duay O’Neil, and Bill Titus.
Manes Funeral Home is in charge.
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