Della Mae Justis

November 10, 1910 - April 1, 2006

Obituary Della Mae Justis died April 1, 2006 at her home at Morning Pointe in Greeneville. Born on November 10, 1910, she was the daughter of the deceased Mollie Carter Justis and John Rush Justis of the Ottway community. Her three brothers, Charles W. Justis, George Rush Justis, and Donald Justis preceded Della in death. Miss Justis was a native of Greene County, living most of her life in Ottway. A life long member of the Ottway United Methodist Church, Della was the pianist and teacher for the church school for many years. Her education began in Ottway. Miss Justis graduated from Greeneville High School, attended Milligan College, and later graduated from Tusculum College. She remembered often to her loved ones her memorable times playing basketball at Milligan, acting in plays, and serving as a leader of her class. Following in the footsteps of her father, John Rush, Della had a passion for teaching children. Forty of the forty four years she taught were spent in the same classroom at her beloved Ottway Elementary School. At the Ottway High School, Della coached the girls' basketball team for several years. One of her fondest recollections was her Ottway's girls' team representing Greene County in the State Basketball Tournament. Della also loved sponsoring the 4-H Club for many years. Miss Justis was recognized locally and statewide for her exemplary teaching abilities. She belonged to Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary teacher sorority for 25 years, was honored as an Outstanding Teacher of Tennessee, and received the Greeneville Chamber of Commerce Award for the "Outstanding Teacher in Greene County" in 1961. Also, in 1991, Della was acknowledged for her dedicated community service. Miss Justis is survived by her devoted nieces, Charlyne Justis Easterly of Morristown, TN and her husband, David; Darby Justis Reed of Roswell, GA and her husband, Bill: Vicki Del Justis Luhowiak of Signal Mountain, TN and her husband, Mike. Della was greatly treasured by her great nieces and nephews. They are David Thomas Easterly of Charlotte, NC; Charles K. Reed of Roswell, GA; Chardel Reed Ehrhardt of Alpharetta, GA; Lindsay Luhowiak Chard and Rush Luhowiak of Charleston, SC. Miss Justis's great- great nieces and nephews are Caroline and Kylie Reed of Roswell, GA: Reed and Kirk Ehrhardt of Alpharetta, GA; and Camille and Reinhold Easterly of Charlotte, NC. Pallbearers for Miss Justis's funeral will include some of her former students and fellow church members. They will be Donnie Solomon, Johnny Collins, Chuckie Casteel Kenneth Weems, Owen Lynch, Tim Gaby, Chris Thompson, Burdette Thompson, Lynn Dearstone, and David Casteel. Honorary pallbearers will include her nephews, Hugh Sayler, Nick Kidwell, Charles Lintz, Ralph Johnston, and Joseph Johnson, all of her former students and all members of the Ottway United Methodist Church, and the Caregivers of Morning Pointe Assisted Living. Miss Del dearly loved and cherished her church, her family, her community, her school, and her students. She will always be remembered for her great enthusiasm and love of life, her sensibility and wisdom, her grand sense of humor, and her understanding and acceptance of all. Doughty Stevens Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements. Rev. Donna Waddell will be conducting the service at the Ottway Methodist Church, 12 pm on Tuesday, April 4th,2006. The body will lie in state one hour prior to services. Graveside services will follow in GreeneLawn Memory Gardens. Family will receive friends from 5 till 8 pm, Monday, April 3rd, 2006 at Doughty Steven Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Ottway Methodist Church Building Fund or to the Della Justis Scholarship Fund. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Della Mae Justis, please visit our floral store.