Mildred Virginia Ousley Lynch

Mildred Virginia Ousley Lynch age 94 died peacefully in Knoxville on July 2, 2022. Mildred was born on January 10, 1928 in Sharps Chapel Tennessee. She taught high school math after attending Maryville College and The University of Tennessee. Mildred met her husband Ted who grew up in Claiborne County. They married on July 15, 1948 after Ted returned from the Bikini Atoll where he had installed lead shielding to protect the cameras that filmed the atomic bomb tests being conducted there in 1946. Ted’s profession took him all over the country and they lived in 25 states until they settled in Knoxville. Mildred took a position at Sterchi department store selling furniture where she won the award for being the top salesperson. Soon she became a full-time homemaker raising her two children. She was known to be an excellent cook; her pies were legendary. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her beautiful home filled with period antiques and draperies she had made. Mildred was a very active member of Concord United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She excelled in many areas outside the home. She served as president of The Knoxville Women’s Republican club and the PTA. The Volunteer Republican Women’s Club named her Woman of The Year in 1983. In addition to growing award-winning roses, she became a nationally recognized lifetime rose judge. Another one of her passions was Bridge. As an expert bridge player she continued to win on a regular basis into her 90s. She was proud of her family heritage serving as Regent of the Reverend Phillip Ausmus Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and could trace her heritage to several first families in Tennessee. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband William Theodore Lynch; parents Mossie Edith Needham Ousley and Charles Lafayette Ousley; brother Witt Ousley; sisters Eva Graves, Ruby Johnson and Nelle Roach; nephew Edwin Graves; niece Nelle Johnson She is survived by her children Pat Lynch and Penny Lynch (James Kimbro Maguire) ; grandchildren Bryan Lynch (Kristi), Matt Lynch and Eric Lynch; great-grandchildren Will Lynch, Austin Lynch and Wyatt Lynch, nephews Mark Roach, Mike Roach (Debbie) Jeff Roach (Charlsie), John Roach (Elaine) and Gary Johnson; niece Elaine Zoeller (Joe). Her family is grateful to the fine physicians who cared for her including Robert Alley, Pierce Alexander, Steve Sterling, Steve Reed, Barry Michelson and James Miller. A funeral service will be held at Concord United Methodist Church at 5pm on Saturday July 9th with the family receiving friends afterward. A graveside service will be held at the Ousley-Graves Cemetery in Sharps Chapel, TN on Sunday July 10th at 3pm. Arrangements by Rose Funeral & Cremation-Mann. Online Condolences may be extended at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Mildred Virginia Ousley Lynch

July 2, 2022