Emily Mahan Faust

Emily Mahan Faust, (Mrs. Hugh D. Faust, Jr.), age 96, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, February 11, 2010, surrounded by her loving family and precious caretakers. Emily was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Hugh D. Faust, Jr. and her sister Cynthia Ford Kerr. She is survived by her children: Hugh D. Faust, ? and wife Kathy Yett, Edgar M. Faust and wife Lynn Frierson Faust, Cynthia Faust Foster and husband Lewis C. Foster, Jr. Grandchildren: Emily Faust Wheeler and husband Wayne Wheeler, Christin Foster Myers and husband Dr. Beau Myers, Luke Foster, Caroline Foster, Will Faust and wife Melissa, Hugh Davidson Faust and Ted Mahan Faust; great-grandchildren: Hugh, David and Seth Wheeler and Chilton Myers. The family wishes to thank Emily’s loving caretakers Willie Eaton, Dawn Dixson, Diane McCallie, Joan Snead, Audria McFarland, Linda Wallace and Ann Mostella. Emily grew up in Knoxville, the daughter of Edgar C. Mahan and Emily Miller Mahan, first on Washington Ave., then on Lyons View Pike. She began school in a one room school house where Lonas Firehall now stands, graduated from Knoxville High School, attended Gulf Park College and the University of Tennessee, then followed her dream to the New York School of Theatre at Carnegie Hall, New York City. In 1937 she opened her own drama studio, The Emily Mahan School of Drama; her students included actress Patricia Neal, opera singer Mary Costa and actress/teacher Carol Mayo Jenkins. Emily, with her lifelong love of theatre, was instrumental in the founding of the Carousel and Clarence Brown Theatres of UT and served as a founding and lifetime member of the Opening Night Club Board for the University’s theatre program. The Emily Mahan Faust Fellowship, which continues to be given annually to promising young graduate level theatre students at UT, was first established as a birthday present in her honor by her husband Hugh. In 1938, Emily married Hugh D. Faust, Jr. who was a University of Tennessee assistant football coach under General Robert Neyland. They raised 3 children, Hugh, Edgar and Cynthia, during their 60 years of marriage. Emily was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Knoxville actively involved in all areas of her church life. She loved the University of Tennessee and remained actively involved in several UT departments, in her sorority AO? and attended sporting events into her 90s. She was an original member of the Board of Visitors at the College of Liberal Arts. Among her many community activities, Emily helped establish the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and the Rooftop Therapy Garden, the Baptist Hospital Auxiliary as well as participating on numerous boards and volunteer activities. She loved her family, her church, the University of Tennessee, the theatre and the family cabin at Elkmont. In short, Emily simply loved life. Among her many lifetime achievements, Emily was the first recipient (with husband Hugh) of UT’s Volunteer of the Year Award, The First Lady of Knoxville, the AO? International Rose Award and AO? Community Service Award, The Junior League Award for Outstanding Sustainer, YWCA Tribute to Women in the Arts Division and most recently, the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center’s Community Caring Award. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emily Mahan Faust Graduate Fellowship, Department of Theatre, 206 McClung Tower, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 or to the charity of your choice.

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Emily Mahan Faust

July 17, 1913 - February 11, 2010