Anna (Lin) Neblett Christenberry

Anna (Lin) Neblett Christenberry died peacefully in her sleep at home on November 3, 2017 at the age of 69. She was beloved by her family and friends and well known in the Knoxville community. She “saw good in everyone and was as beautiful on the inside as the outside. She never met a stranger.” Lin was born on February 28, 1948 in Knoxville, TN to Mr. and Mrs. James L. Neblett. She was the oldest of four children. She grew up in Sequoyah Hills and graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville where she met her husband Henry (Chris) Edward Christenberry III. They fell in love and were married February 21, 1970 in Knoxville, TN. They had three daughters, Anna, Catherine, and Mary. Lin graduated from the University of Tennessee and was a member of the Chi Omega Fraternity, where she remained actively involved becoming alumnae president and rush chairman. She was also Queen of the 9 O’Clock Cotillion. Lin enjoyed doing volunteer work from assisting with the Dogwood Arts Festival to the Junior League to the United Way. She has been a dedicated member of St. John’s Cathedral serving in many capacities especially the Alter Guild and Flower Guild. Her passion was floral design, and she was a perennial winner in flower shows. Lin joined The Knoxville Garden Club in 1986. She was an Approved Judge in Floral Design for The Garden Club of America, and entered and judged flower shows all over the country from Philadelphia to Atlanta to Houston. She received the Garden Club of America Flower Arrangement Achievement Award in 2004 and the Van Gilder Award in 2005. Lin loved celebrating holidays with her friends and family, hosting wonderful events over the years. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and her family and friends. Lin always cherished the water and grew up at her parent’s lake house and spent many joyous times with her family at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. She is survived by her devoted husband Henry (Chris) Edward Christenberry III and her 3 daughters Anna Ottaviano and her husband Keith of Knoxville, Catherine Patterson and her husband Jason of Montclair, New Jersey, and Mary Grimm and her husband Barry of Nashville, TN. She was known as “Nana” to her 7 beautiful grandchildren, Karina Ottaviano, Jeff Ottaviano, Harrison Patterson, Vivian Patterson, Christen Grimm, Lila Grimm, and Anna Catherine Grimm. Lin is survived by her sister Marjorie (Marti) Neblett Tyler of Windsor, NC and brothers James (Chip) Leroy Neblett Jr and William (Mack) McCauley Neblett of Knoxville, TN. Following interment at Highland Memorial Cemetery, there will be a memorial service at St. John’s Cathedral at 5 pm on Monday, November 6. The family will receive friends following the service in the Great Hall of St. John’s Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Cathedral in Knoxville, TN and Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville, TN.

Tributes

Anna (Lin) Neblett Christenberry

February 28, 1948 - November 3, 2017