Irene Routt

Irene "Red" Cranfield Penney Routt, 93, of Hixson/Soddy-Daisy area, passed away on Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. She was born in Decherd, Tenn., and as a child, her family moved to Middle Valley, where she spent most of her adult life. She was a graduate of Hixson High School and McKenzie Business College. The highlight of her life was being secretary to Olan Mills II and secretary at Chattem Drug Company. She volunteered at the Discovery Shop, Northside Neighborhood Thrift Store and Memorial Hospital. She also worked with the youth at Hixson First Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher. Many residents of the Hamilton County Nursing Home benefited from her generosity through donations of clothing. She was a benefactor to an Indian Reservation in Arizona and made a mission trip to Mexico distributing clothing. Many will remember her as "Red" at the flea markets where she sold and bought clothes to give to those less fortunate. She was regular at Hardees Restaurant on gospel nights where she loved to dance. May she now dance on the clouds. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronnie Penney; sister, Elena Hixson; and brothers, Earl "Buck" and Andy Cranfield and her husband, Francis H. "Rigger" Routt. Irene is survived by her special friend and love, Leroy Stocklin; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. At Mrs. Routts request, memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com. Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.