Lottie Agnes Spain

Lottie Agnes McIntyre Spain, Age 93, born December 18, 1926, passed away peacefully in her home on May 21, 2020. She was a graduate of Science Hill High School. She worked retail at Parks-Belk, Pic’n Pay Shoe Store, and was a manager of Emery 5 & 10, where she gave many girls their first job. She was a longtime member of Sinking Creek Baptist Church.

She had a kind spirit, always doing for others, being available to the friends of her children and being a good neighbor to the young and old alike. Her hobbies were cooking, crocheting (she made up her own patterns, winning ribbons at the Appalachian Fair) and gardening (for which she had a “green thumb”, evident in her flower and vegetable gardens through the years).
She had a fun spirit, using lots of funny sayings and quotes with those who called by phone or who entered her door. On her good days she was sharp as tack with her witty sense of humor. If asked, “How are you?”, she would reply, “I’m fine as a fiddle but not to be played!” As her vision and health deteriorated, she found great joy and comfort in singing songs of her faith in God. She really enjoyed the CD collection “Precious Memories” by Alan Jackson, hymns sung like she remembered.

Lottie was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Wm. (Bill) Spain; her parents, Thomas and Geneva Carathers McIntyre; her sisters Frances McIntyre, Georgia Hinnant King, Clara Viola Rose, Diana Lee McIntyre; her brothers Thomas William McIntyre, Jr., Melvin Ray McIntyre, James Lawrence McIntyre and Robert Hugh McIntyre.

Survivors include children Melinda (Marche “Woody”) Parker of Nashville, Larry “Smiley” (Brenda) Spain of Cookeville, Debbie (Bill) Pealer of Bristol, Steve (Belinda Baffa) Spain of Kingsport, Karen (Jeff) Pratt of Knoxville and Gail Spain Darbutt (David) of Salisbury, North Carolina. Surviving sisters include Mary Bowman Thrasher of Lithonia, Georgia and Barbara Ellen Stewart of Johnson City. Many nieces and nephews. Beloved sisters-in-law include Brenda (Ron) Hubbard of Johnson City and Robbie McIntyre of Monroe, Georgia. Lottie, also known as “Nana” to her 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, leaves them with many memories and loads of love.

Lottie was lovingly cared for by her children and several special caregivers through the years. The family wishes to thank Debbie Garrison and “Annie get your gun” Annie Davis Clawson. Also, thanks to the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Hospice Care, to Dr. Amy Proffit and the staff of First Choice Medicine and to the Kroger Pharmacy staff on Sunset Drive. Thanks to all the great neighbors through the years. It takes a village to lovingly care for an elderly person who can be kept at home as Lottie wished.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family wishes to thank you for thoughts, love and prayers as we will be having a private graveside service led by Chaplain Steven Spell.