My first memory of Mrs. Tipton is slightly odd but just shows how she loved children. Mrs. Tipton was the custodian at Lanier. I don’t recall the age I was but it had to be when I was between 2nd and 4th grade. I got sick during class this particular day and ended up going to the restroom. I was the only one in the restroom until I heard her come to the door. I remember her asking if anyone was in there. Me being shy, I couldn’t speak, I just basically hid in the stall. She came on in with her cart to clean and came straight to the stall. At first, she got onto me because I didn’t answer her but she quickly changed her tone once she saw how green I was. She quickly got a paper towel, wet it, and wiped my face and forehead. She helped me up and asked if I could walk to the office. I knew I couldn’t make it and told her no. She then told me to just sit tight and I’ll go call your mom to come to get you. To that she did. She then came back and tended to me until I was okay enough to get to the office without an “issue”.
I wasn’t the only one that experienced her care. I had a special respect for her because she respected others through her caring. I remember one time at school an incident with others kids. We all know how cruel or basically how unthoughtful kids can be when they are young. This particular time the kids were making fun of her behind her back while walking down the hallway. Marie had bad hips and caused her to sway back and forth when she walked. I stood up for her and told them to stop it, she couldn’t help it. Now for me to do that, it took a lot. They stopped making fun of her and turned their attention to me. It actually made me feel good that I was then the one that was being picked on at that one time in my life.
Funny thing, we went to church with mamaw Tipton but I don’t remember her from church or Rush Strong, only Lanier. Lanier was the first time I remember an encounter with her until my older days. For some odd reason, I never put two and two together to know that the one girl at church that I was smitten over was Marie’s granddaughter. It wasn’t for a long time until I realized it, I guess maybe when I was in high school. How did I not know sooner?
I’ll have to admit; Marie was a beautiful woman. She was always dressed, perfectly matching no matter what she had on. Her soft, snow-white hair was always fixed like she was having family photos made each day. I see my wife and now know where she received her beauty, her grandmother.
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Obituary
Rosa Marie Miles Tipton, age 92 of Maryville, passed away Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Today we celebrate a life well lived. A woman who brought joy into the hearts of not just her family, but the people she met. A woman who had a wise-cracking sense of humor. A Godly woman who, even in her last year of life, still lifted her hand and praised the Lord. A woman who has left behind a legacy of lessons and love. Rose Marie Miles Tipton (October 30, 1926 – December 2, 2018).
Marie married William Tipton in 1945 and were blessed with seven children. They lived through a lifetime spanning through World War I and World War II.
Several years ago, shortly after William passed away, Marie penned her testimony to share. She wrote:
“Not many couples can say they saw all their children saved and grandchildren and all great-grandchildren that has come to age.”
Marie would share stories of her father and the man he was before he came to know Christ in his later years. Then her mother passing away when she was still in high school and how she had to quit school to raise her 7 younger siblings. She worked hard and long hours raising kids and working on a farm. Marie worked many years for the Blount County school system, after retirement she volunteered as a lunch room monitor at Lanier Elementary school and saw several of her grandkids and great-grandkids grow up in that school. People who are not even remotely kin to Marie or her family, called her Mamaw or Granny Tip. She always answered with a smile.
She was always up early and dressed with makeup on usually by 7 am. Her face always glowed and she always had a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, even after the ravages of dementia, her wit would still shine through and catches of sparkles would still be in her eyes.
She took care of others. It was her gift from God. Marie would visit the elderly and shut-ins of her community and church and bring them tapes and CD’s of church services to listen to. Marie had a heart for people. Until these last few years of dementia, she never forgot a face and a name. She stayed concerned about others, praying for each one by name as the Lord laid it on her heart.
She was a faithful member of New Providence Primitive Baptist Church since 1945 where William also served as a deacon.
Marie Tipton was a good and Godly woman that will be missed dearly. We will see her again.
Instead of flowers, donations can be given in honor or Marie Tipton to the New Providence Primitive Baptist Church SHE Club, c/o Heather Crowder 2601 Jericho Road, Maryville, TN 37803 or to Old Kagley’s Cemetery Fund, c/o Brenda Self, 2210 Tipton Loop Road, Maryville, TN 37803.
A special heartfelt thanks to Hospices services, especially our nurse Cidna.
Also a special thank you to Gail Kagley for her wonderful support and help with Marie’s care.
She’s preceded in death by: Husband, William Henry Tipton; Son, Roger Henry Tipton; Daughter-in-law, Lynn Welshan Tipton; Brother, Jimmy Miles, William (Billy) Miles, and Junior Miles; Sister, Libby Gibson; Brothers-in-law, Addie Gibson, James Lewelling, & Harold Whitehead; Father, Hubert Miles; Mother, Ella Crowder Miles; Step-mother, Betty Miles.
She is survived by her children: Darlene & Ronnie Crisp, Alberta & JT Boring, Alice & Ronnie Day, Kathy & Alex Smith, Sandy & Arnold Whitehead, & Sherry & Tony Hill; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; Brothers & Sisters, Johnny Miles, Shirley Whitehead, and Brenda Lewelling; many nieces nephews, and friends.
Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Smith Trinity Chapel. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM with Elder Tommy Boring and Bruce Whitehead officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at New Providence Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
