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Frankie Bayless Qualls
Oct 12, 2012
Oct. 12, 2012
Frankie Bayless Qualls, 96, of Athens, died Friday morning, Oct. 12, 2012, at Life Care Center of Athens.
She was a native of McMinn County and was a daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Hannah Jane Brock Bayless. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Herman F. Qualls, of Sept. 13, 1990; one daughter, Judith Qualls Cartwright; one grandson, James Pledge Cartwright III; and three sons-in-law, Boyd Coffie, Nick McGuire and James P. Cartwright Jr.
She was a very active member of her community, church and local philanthropic endeavors. She was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church and Athenian Chapter 159 O.E.S. for more than 80 years. She was the second nurse practitioner in the state of Tennessee, having received that degree from the University of Mississippi in 1972, and continued her work with the Overton County and McMinn County Public Health Departments for more than 45 years. Her work in Public Health Family Planning received state recognition.
Perhaps her proudest honor was to be elected Mother of the Year in 1972 and later Professional Woman of the Year in 1978. She was one of two women to have ever been awarded both of these honors by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.
Survivors include three daughters and one son-in-law, Linda Q. Coffie of Athens (twin sister of Judith Q. Cartwright, who is deceased), Jane Q. McGuire of Maryville, and Fran Q. and Wayne Harrison of Helena, Ala.; one sister, Rebecca Bayless Patrick of Morristown; nine grandchildren and their spouses, English and Craig Taylor, Cayci and Robbie Roberts, Ashlie Coffie, Trey and Chotika Coffie, Nick McGuire III, Staci and Jon Snyder, Brandon and Harmony Harrison, Chase and Nan Harrison and Tyler and Michael Venafro; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Smith Funeral & Cremation Services with the Rev. Dennie Humphreys officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at McMinn Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church (Nourish One Child), P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001; or to a charity of the giver\'s choice.
If you are unable to attend this service or visitation, sign the guest register at www.smithfuneral&cremationservicesofathens.com
Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is serving the family of Frankie Bayless Qualls.
