Rosa Blevins

Rosa Lee Walker Blevins, 105, of Signal Mountain, passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.She was born on Dec. 11, 1907 at Gage, Tenn., on Fredonia Mountain and was the daughter of Willis Lockhart and Samuel H. Walker. Her mother was the postmaster at Gage, Tenn., at the time of Rosies birth in 1907.She was affectionately called Rosie, by everyone who knew and loved her, including her grandchildren.Rosie was descended from Andrew Holman "A.H." and Margaret Kincaid Lockhart, who were some of the first settlers of Sequatchie County. She was also descended from John Lockhart and James Kincaid, who were veterans of the Revolutionary War. She was 15 years old when her dear great-grandfather, Robert Holman Lockhart, passed away. He was a veteran of the Civil War. To talk to Rosie, was like opening a history book and reaching across the ages. She grew up in Dunlap, Tenn., in the Coke Oven area and was proud to have helped identify many landmarks and pictures at the Coke Oven Museum.Her entire life was dedicated to taking care of her family. She and her husband always had a garden, so in her early years (through age 70), she was busy working in the garden, cooking and canning. One seldom left her house without the gift of either fresh vegetables or something she had just canned or baked. When she was no longer able to take care of a garden, she began piecing quilt tops while watching the Atlanta Braves. All of her children and grandchildren would receive a new quilt every year.Rosie's home was always the family gathering place at Thanksgiving. There were many years that she fed over 30 of us and still had leftovers to send home with you.She was a member of the Mountain Creek Church of Christ.She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Chester Ellis Blevins; as well as her daughters, Margaret Blevins Fressola and Jean Blevins Gibbs.Left to cherish her memories are her children, Douglas (Linda) Blevins, Donald (Phyllis) Blevins, Martha (Lane) Hillis and son-in-law, Ralph Fressola; grandchildren, Jolie Gibbs (Paul) Love, Sherie Blevins (Lamar) Arnold, Taylor Gibbs (Bruce) Morgan, Melanie Hillis Pruitt, Kelly Blevins (John) Baker, Wendy Fressola (Danny) Vogt, Ken (Pam) Blevins, Daniel HIllis, Geoff (Lisa) Gibbs, Julie Fressola (Clint) Akins; 18 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.The family wishes to thank Home Health Care of East Tennessee and Hospice, especially Shauna Campbell.In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Mountain Creek Church of Christ Building Fund, 985 Runyan Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37405, or Home Health Care of East Tennessee and Hospice, 5740 Uptain Road, 6300 Bldg, Ste 6300, Chattanooga, TN 37411-5512.Funeral services will be 1 p.m. today at Lane Funeral Home, Ashland Terrace with Minister Gary Massey and Paul Love officiating.Interment will follow in Chattanooga Memorial Park. Daniel Hillis, Ken Blevins, Geoff Gibbs, Adam Pruett, Lamar Arnold, John Baker and Clint Akins will serve as pallbearers. Visit www.lanefh.com to share condolences.Visitation is noon-1 p.m. today at Lane Funeral Home, Ashland Terrace, 877-3524.