Elizabeth (Betty) Johnston Davidson Frierson

Elizabeth (Betty) Johnston Davidson Frierson, 95, died Oct 8, 2022 at Lifecare of Blount County with her daughter Lynn and longtime companion-helper Linda Lennon by her side. Betty was born in Knoxville Oct 27, 1926 to Lynn and Ralph A. Davidson Sr. She and her brother Bud and sister Lynn grew up in Fort Sanders during its glory days. Her baby brother Lloyd, born when Betty was 19, was and has always been a delight to the entire family. Among many childhood activities, she was a camper at Camp Margaret Townsend (now Tremont Environmental Center) in the pre-National Park days. One night a horse came into her tent and snuffled into her face, terrifying all the girls in the tent. They thought it was a bear. Another year, in a camp skit she played the bride, complete with wedding gown and long train, trying to swim in the frigid waters of the Middle Prong of the Little River at the camp. She laughingly remembered that she felt as if she would drown in the unwieldy and heavy wet gown and train, but she persevered and the water wedding was a success. During the war years, she was a coed at UT where she was belle of the ball and an academic star. Among her accomplishments, she was awarded the 1943-1947 Faculty Scholarship for the best scholastic record, Torchbearer and Mortar Board. From 1947 to 1951 she was secretary to the UT Board of Trustees. Her typing and shorthand skills were legendary. In later years, though they tried valiantly, her two children never did figure out how to decode her Christmas lists written in shorthand! In her 70s and 80s as the computer age dawned, she tackled computers, word processing and email and became equally adept. One night at a party in the late 1940s, she spied the handsome WWII Air Force pilot Laurance across the room. February 10, 1950, she married Laurance W. Frierson II at the First Presbyterian Church in uptown Knoxville. In the 1950s, she became a full-time mother for son Allen P. Frierson and daughter Lynn Russell Frierson (Faust). Her children were her pride and joy and she always fully supported their passions and interests. When son Allen was three, he announced he wanted to be a pilot and astronaut. These parents nurtured his dream with tiny astronaut suits, model planes and books on flight. Allen became an Air Force top gun fighter pilot and test pilot. When daughter Lynn announced as a 4-year-old that she wanted to “be like Popeye” and gulp spinach from a can and “be really strong”, Betty bought a little yellow rain coat and put Lynn out in the front yard where she could pour spinach “down her throat like Popeye”. Though Betty always looked beautiful and stylish and kept an immaculate house, she looked the other way for years when Lynn filled her room with frogs, snakes, snails, parakeets, hamsters, turtles etc. She was a great mom who allowed her children to follow their dreams. Betty also stayed very involved in civic organizations like the Junior League and school PTA and as a Sunday School teacher. Husband Laurance was a correspondent banker and they enjoyed traveling to the many meetings and conferences all over the country. In 1973, Laurance died unexpectedly of a heart attack while at a banking convention in Washington DC. Betty was widowed at age 47, the same year her son left for the Air Force and her daughter sailed away for three years around the world. Instead of giving up, she entered the world of banking from 1976 to 1991 working at United American Bank, First Tennessee Bank and Bank of East Tennessee in business development and personal relations. She experienced the dazzling Jake Butcher years and the 1982 World’s Fair where she guided VIPs, foreign guests and dignitaries on special World’s Fair tours. Throughout the years, she served on numerous community boards and fundraisers in Knoxville: United Way, Junior Achievement, the Dulin Art Gallery, YWCA and others and was a lifetime member of the Chamber of Commerce. She also dove deep into the family genealogy as a hobby back before this passion became easier with the internet. Quite a sleuth, she discovered that through ancestor and Knoxville settler General James White, she continued the line as a designated First Families of Tennessee and could trace her relatives back to the 1600s and earlier in England and Scotland. Ancestor James White also helped establish the First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville in 1792 and Betty represented the 9th generation of Davidson/Johnstons to be members. Her 6 grandsons began to arrive in the 1980s, three to her son Allen and three to her daughter Lynn. She immensely enjoyed and was so very proud of each grandson. At the time of her death, she was also blessed by 6 great-grandchildren, with a 7th due in January 2023. Even in her final days, too weak to talk, she would smile brightly when a great-grandbaby climbed on her bed. Several years ago, she bought a number of soft sweet stuffed animals to give her future great-grandbabies. They picked a soft toy with each visit to her bedside. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Ralph Davidson Sr., her brother Bud (Ralph A. Jr.) Davidson, her sister Lynn Davidson, her son Allen P. Frierson and special friend George McAfee. She is survived by her brother Lloyd Davidson of Honduras, daughter Lynn Frierson Faust (Edgar), grandsons Will (Melissa), Hugh (Kristen) and Ted (Mackenzie) Faust; Allen’s sons Laurance, Nate and March Frierson; great grandchildren Edgar John and Martha Mae Faust (Will) , Nora Lynn Faust (Ted), and Lloyd Morgan and twins Emory Mahan and Annie Elizabeth Faust (Hugh); beloved nieces and nephew Jean, Anne and Andy (Ann) Davidson; friends John and Martha Kern Niceley. Her capable angel Linda Lennon has been by her side for the past 17 years at her home and at Lifecare and throughout the pandemic. The family appreciates the loving care also that Lifecare of Blount County has provided Betty for almost 4 years. Receiving of friends will be held November 4, 2022 from 12 pm to 2 pm at Rose Mann’s Heritage Chapel 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. Graveside services, officiated by her niece Rev. Jean L. Davidson, will follow at 3 pm at Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the United Way of Greater Knoxville, or First Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice. UWGK.org/give-help/ or 1301 Hannah Ave. Knoxville, TN 37932; or FPCKnox.org or 620 State Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

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Elizabeth (Betty) Johnston Davidson Frierson

October 27, 1926 - October 8, 2022