Tommye Sue McGinnis

Tommye Sue McGinnis of Powell, a true daughter of Appalachia, passed into the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, on March 15, 2024 at her home. She was born in Westbourne, Tennessee, spent her childhood in Clairfield, Tennessee, and grew up in LaFollette, Tennessee. Her adult years were spent in Knox County.

Tommye always loved school, was a proponent of education, and wanted to help others to a better life. She earned a B.S. in business education and an M.S. in supervision and instruction. Her main desire in life was to be a willing servant to others.

Preceded in death by parents, Evelyn Gray Teague and Howard Teague, sister, Jane McFarland and brother-in-law, Gerald McFarland. Survivors are husband and best friend, Gary McGinnis; daughter, Kathryn Leann Foley (Brent); those she took into her family and her heart and loved as her own; Candy McGinnis, Riley Stalsworth, Robert Lynn Boshears, William Dean McGinnis (Hope) and children, Christopher Daniel and Amanda Kristin and great grandchildren Haylen and Raine Stalsworth, Wrenly McGinnis; her "adopted" family in Tucson, Arizona, Dr. Mateja and Andre Spindler and their children, Alex Nicco, Arianna, Isabella, Tristin, and Katarina; a number of special cousins including Ida Love, Mary Sharp, and Stewart Davis; extended family, and many devoted wonderful friends and former students.

Tommye spent 30 years teaching. She began at Powell High School, then taught at Byington-Solway and Karns High, and finished her teaching career at Halls High School. Her colleagues recognized her for expertise in curriculum development, and she was presented a plaque by Knox County for writing and developing the curriculum for Advanced Computer Applications in 1993. She was selected for Knoxville Leadership for educators and received one of five awards given for Knoxville's BEST.

Tommye was active in the Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, her extended family, where she held many positions: adult Searchers Sunday school teacher, chair of Missions and Outreach, secretary of the women's missionary group (CPWM), Elder and session member, East Tennessee Presbytery Social Concerns Committee for 10 years. The Searchers Sunday School class was special to her because of her dear friends in that class. She helped with many functions and activities, including the Operation Christmas Child boxes and Mission of Hope barrels. Always the champion of the underdog, the poor, and the homeless, she ministered to the homeless with Lost Sheep Ministry for several years.

A memorial service will be held at Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Old Clinton Pike on March 23, 2024 at 2:00 pm with the Reverend Doctor Thomas Sweet officiating. Tommye's request was that you not weep for her but rejoice for a blessed life granted by a loving God. Twice God allowed her to be healed of cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 7225 Old Clinton Pike, Knoxville, TN 37921. Mynatt Funeral Home Powell Chapel is in charge of arrangements.