Pearl Lorraine (Cornette) Rhea
Pearl's life on earth came to an end on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at the age of 92. She was born to the late H.C. and Bessie Cornette on July 27, 1919, in Pennington Gap, VA. She was a Clinton resident for 66 years after her marriage to Paul E. Rhea in 1945
Pearl dedicated her life to educating generations of students in Anderson County. She was honored by being awarded the Tennessee Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award in 1984 and Anderson County Education Association Teacher of the Year in 1982. She also received the Anderson County Schools Dedicated Service Award in 1986 and was the Honorary Sergeant of Arms to the Tennessee Senate in 1972. After graduation from Hiwassee College in 1942 she taught in one-room schools in SW Virginia before moving to Clinton where she taught in public schools for 30 years. She helped found the Anderson County Adult Literacy Program and taught the visually impaired through the Adult Education Program.
Pearl was an active member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, Clinton, TN. She was an avid gardener.
Pearl is survived by her son, Jerry Dwaine Rhea and his wife Lamara Hurt Rhea of West Linn, OR, her daughter Paula Jane Rhea Jackson of Clinton, TN. Grandchildren: Kathryn Lorraine Rhea, Jerry Dwaine Rhea II and wife Ashley, all of Oregon, and Ashley Rhea Jackson of Clinton, TN. She is survived by several Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins.
She is preceded in death by parents H. C. and Bessie Cornette, husband Paul Edward Rhea, infant son Paul Edward Rhea Jr., brothers Samuel and Luke Cornette, Sisters-In-Law Ruby (Manco) Coker, and Marie (Thomas Barkstell) Brown, Nephews, Nieces, and Cousins.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, December 2, 2011 at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Clinton.