Tennga Conner

DAYTON Tennga Smith Conner, 99, passed away quietly on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 in the Knoxville home of her niece, where she had lived for the last 7 1/2 years.Born in Rabun Gap, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Dock and Maude Billingsley Smith. Tennga was a graduate of Spring City High School and received her teaching certificate from Milligan College in 1936. She taught for many years at Shady Grove School in Rhea County. Tennga served as Clerk and Master of Rhea County from 1952 until her retirement in 1981 and held various offices in the State Court Clerks Association. She had many interests including history and education and contributed extensive genealogical research to many sources. For several years, she served as an officer of the Dayton, Tenn.,Public Library Board, the Rhea County Historical and Genealogical Society and the Dayton Garden Club. Tennga was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dayton.She was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Conner, sisters, Fairy Smith, Louise Smith Watson, Pauline Smith; and brother, Dockie DuPont Smith.Survivors include her sisters, Patricia S. Rugg, of Maryville and Nancy S. Gerrald, of Knightdale, N.C.;, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews and extended family.Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20, 2013, in the chapel of Vaughn Funeral Home with Rev. Clyde Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow in Buttram Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Vaughn Funeral Home, Spring City is in charge of arrangements. www.vaughn-funeral-home.com.