Frieda Sisson

Frieda Woods Parson Sisson, 76, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, surrounded by her family. She died from complications of Alzheimers disease. She handled the battle like she lived her life, with dignity and integrity. Frieda was born in Meigs County, but was raised in Athens and graduated from McMinn County High School in 1956. She was married to Kenneth L. Parson until his death in 1980. Their marriage was blessed with three children. Frieda was also preceded in death by her parents, J.R. and Mrytle Sink Woods; two sisters, Marie Thompson and Jewel Wright; and three brothers, Robert Woods, Marvin Woods and Burnie Woods. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Athens for many years, but was a member of the Eastanallee Baptist Church at the time of her death. Frieda had served as a volunteer for CONTACT and was a previous member of the Athens Womens Browning Circle. She will be fondly remembered as a woman of strength, tenderness and beauty. Frieda spent her career working as bookkeeper for Revco Drug Company and as a receptionist of Dr. Bill Emendorfer and Dr. Charles Bivens, where she worked, until her retirement. Frieda will be dearly missed by her loving and devoted husband, Troy Sisson, of Athens; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kim (Debo) Toomey, of Athens and Missy (Blake) Walker, of Ringgold, Ga.; one son, Kenny Parson, of Athens; she was very blessed to have five granddaughters, Holly (Nathan) Matney, of Knoxville, Heather Toomey, of Athens, Hannah Toomey, of Knoxville, and Sarah Vanderslice of Ringgold, Ga., Taylor Walker, of Chattanooga; and grandson, Tyler Walker of Memphis; she also had two great-grandsons, Landon and Riley Matney, of Knoxville; also surviving are stepdaughters, Valerie (David) Moore, of Etowah, Cindy (Jerry) Bivens, of Florida and Wade Sisson, of Lenoir City; step-grandchildren; David Jr. Moore, Josh (Amber) Moore, Jason (Kelly) Moore all of Etowah; Courtney and Wendell Marlar of Charleston; Chris, Dakota, Richard and Jessica Sisson, all of Etowah; one brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Curtis (Maxine) Woods, of Madisonville; three sisters-in-law, Helen Woods, Nelda Woods and Lib Woods and several stepgreat-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4:30-6:30 p.m. today, Jan. 28, 2014, at Smith Funeral Home. A celebration of Frieda's life will be held in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home at 7 p.m. yoday, Jan. 28, 2014 with her brother, the Rev. Curtis Woods and Rev. Oran Creasman officiating. Interment will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in McMinn Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be David Moore Jr., Josh Moore, Jason Moore, Dale Woods, David Moore and Wendell Marlar. The family suggests memorials be made to The Alzheimers Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Suite22, Chattanooga, TN 37421 in Friedas memory. If you are unable to attend this service or visitation you may sign the guest register at www.smithfuneral&cremationservicesofathens.com. Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is serving the family of Frieda Woods Parson Sisson.