Florence Gaddy Troutman

Florence G. Troutman, 89, 3012 Cherokee Road, Johnson City, TN, was serenaded by angels into the arms of her Blessed Savior, Sunday, December 24, 2006. She was a resident at NHC Healthcare since May. The family expresses thanks to everyone at NHC for the goodness and kindness they showed our mother while there, also Chaplain Harold McNabb and Caris Hospice Care. She was a member of Berea Free Will Baptist Church. We want to thank our pastor, Jerry Stout, and our church family for all they have done for our mother down through the years. Mrs. Troutman was preceded in death by her husband, Carrick T. Troutman, Sr., her son, Kenneth Eugene (Bubby) Troutman, infant daughter, Mary Lee, great grandson, James Edward Hill, two brothers, General Ross Gaddy and Christopher (Lum) Gaddy; three sisters, Elsie Gaddy, Lydia Tipton and Bertha Jones; her parents, John Cator Gaddy and Sarah Ann Bowman Gaddy; step mothers, Dora Hughes and Ina Shell; two step children, James W. Troutman and Lula Harsh. She is survived by four children, Carrick Troutman, Jr., and his wife, Lori, Pewaukee, WI, Thelma Emogene Strickland, Johnson City, Patricia Fay Bennett and her husband, Robert Jack Bennett (who was more like a son), Jonesborough and Larry Wayne Troutman, Greeneville ten grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren, nine great great grandchildren and two on the way, five step grandchildren, one sister, Maude Bryant, Winchester, TN, several nieces and nephews and many, many friends. 'Her children arise up, and call her blessed: her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all'. Proverbs 31: 28-29. Mrs. Troutman and husband owned and operated several restaurants and grocery stores. She was an employee at Veterans Affairs Administration in the Dietetics Dept. for twenty-six years. She was the last charter member that helped organize Central free Will Baptist Church (now known as Heritage Baptist Church). She was instrumental in organizing and supporting several churches, Keenburg Free Will Baptist, Milligan Free Will Baptist, Berea Free Will Baptist and Heritage Free Will Baptist also many other churches and people in need. She also supported the Free Will Baptist Missions Bus and Ministries. She was active in all her church duties, Sunday school teacher, secretary and treasurer, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary and sang in the church choir until illness forced her to quit. Funeral services will be held at 8 PM Thursday, December 28, 2006, from the Morris-baker Funeral Home South Chapel. Reverend Jerry Stout and Reverend D.C. Byrd will officiate. Music will be provided by Chaplain Harold McNabb and Donna Sue Casteel. The family will receive friends from 6 PM until service time and at any time at the residence. Burial services will be held at 10 Am Friday, December 29, 2006 at Roselawn Memory Gardens. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bobby Bennett, Shannon Bennett, Larry Hill, Gregory Hill, Rusty Stover, Larry Stover, Troy Gaddy, Chad Burgess and Glenn Parris. In lieu of flowers, she requested donations be made to the Berea Free Will Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Rusty Wilson, 2415 Sinking Creek Road, Johnson City, TN 37604. 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith' Timothy 4:7. 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them' Rev. 14 1-3.