Adah Robertson

Adah Miriam Farnor Robertson, aged 96, died in Johnson City on September 10th, 2015. ?Aunt Adah,' as she was affectionately known to her family, was born in Erwin on February 4th, 1919. The youngest daughter of R. E. and Bertha Alice Farnor (n?e Carter), she was raised in the Clear Branch community of Unicoi County. She graduated from Asheville Normal School and completed her education at East Tennessee State Teachers College. Although her formal teaching career was brief, Mrs. Robertson continued to learn and to teach throughout her long life, even teaching conversational English to native Chinese speakers. She will be remembered as an avid gardener, loving neighbor, and careful observer of creation and was very much cherished by those whom she loved. Even in her later years, her vigor for living was evident through her voracious appetite for books, as well as her own writing. One of her works best loved by the Farnor family is a monthly almanac she penned while battling breast cancer. Ultimately, she triumphed over cancer twice. Perhaps Mrs. Robertson?s greatest contribution to the community was her untiring service to the Central Baptist Church of Johnson City, teaching Sunday School to primary-aged children for decades, but most especially that institution?s ministry to the Chinese-Americans of this City. She is survived in death by three nephews, Robert Paul Farnor, Jr. and Cadez Farnor, of Erwin, and Bucky L. Farnor, of Johnson City, one niece, Phyllissa Serrano, of Catlett, Va., and several friends who were faithful to call during her stay at N. H. C. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Lee Ray Robertson. The Farnor family wishes to acknowledge both N. H. C. and Caris Hospice Service for the care and compassion shown to our dear Aunt Adah. Mrs. Robertson will be committed in a private ceremony at the Mountain Home National Cemetery. Memorials may be to the Chinese Church of the Greater Tri-Cities c/o Central Baptist Church of Johnson City?300 N Roan Street, Johnson City, Tennessee 37601.