Kathleen "Teena" Greer King

Kathleen “Teena” Greer King, age 92, of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. A beloved “Grand Nan,” “Nana,” mother, wife, sister, friend and community leader, Teena lived her life boldly—most often surrounded by the many beautiful places she called home, with the people she loved, doing the things she loved most, and, most importantly, living life her way. Teena was born in Loudon, TN on Sept. 15, 1932. Many summers of her youth were spent at Camp Nakanawa in Mayland, TN—a cherished tradition she passed down to her daughters and granddaughters. She graduated from Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C., before earning a B.S. in Home Economics from the University of Tennessee, where she was a proud member of Chi Omega Fraternity. After graduation Teena married Howard King and moved to Clarksville, Tennessee. She embraced numerous leadership roles in the community, including serving as a Trustee of the Austin Peay State University (APSU) Foundation, Advisor to the Sigma Kappa Chapter of Chi Omega at APSU, Board of Directors of the local UT Alumni Association, and member of the Vestry Board at Trinity Episcopal Church. She was also active in the President’s Club and Governor’s Club at APSU and Development Council and Century Club at UT. Teena enjoyed an active lifestyle filled with tennis, golf and bridge. Her golf game, honed over years of practice in Clarksville, Hilton Head, S.C., and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fla.—the places she called home for much of the year throughout her adult life—earned her at least two “Hole in One” honors, though the legality of one remains questionable. She also collected several Ladies Club Championship trophies. The matriarch (“boss”) of her large family, Teena reveled in bringing everyone together, whether under one roof or several, to observe holidays, vacation, or any occasion that called for the extended family to celebrate as only the Greer, King & Carey families can. Many of these gatherings took place on Pawleys Island, S.C., a vacation destination Teena and her family have enjoyed since 1959. Teena’s indomitable presence and energy left an impression on all who knew her. She lived life large and well, leaving a legacy as vibrant as she was—and just as she intended. Teena was preceded in death by her parents, James Carmichael and Bess Williams Greer; her husband, James Howard King; her brother, John Greer; her sister, Betty Greer Carey; and her granddaughter, Janie B. Sharp. She is survived by her children Jane King Sharp (Bailey); Mary Bess King; and James “Jim” King (Bunny); her grandchildren, Mary Bailey Oakes (Stuart), Kathleen Sharp, Margaret Rothermel (Will), Cal Davis (Hannah), Nick Davis, Greer Stevenson, Bart Stevenson, Will Peay (Sally), Matt Peay (Tiffany); and her seven great-grandsons. A private graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 5th followed by receiving of friends at 2:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall, Clarksville, Tenn. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 19th at 3:00pm at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, Knoxville, TN with a receiving of friends to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Camp Nakanawa; 1084 Camp Nakanawa Road; Crossville, TN 38571; campnakanawa.org/support-camp-nakanawa/ or Trinity Episcopal Church, 317 Franklin Street; Clarksville, TN 37040.

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Kathleen "Teena" Greer King

September 15, 1932 - November 24, 2024