A life is not important except in the impact it has on other people" -Jackie Robinson

Our Mother, Phyllis Davis Groover of Clinton, Tennessee, has impacted thousands of lives in the Clinton community since 1963, when she and family moved from Oak Ridge. She died peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. Her riches were family, friends and philanthropy. She adored her family, especially her eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mother graduated from Lenoir City High School and was active with many clubs. She played snare drum in the marching band and was named Captain and MVP for the Pantherette girls basketball team her Senior year. She was a graduate of Andrew Jackson Business University with a degree in Secretarial Science. While working full time for Anderson County Schools until her death, she managed to expend countless hours coaching, mentoring and assisting a myriad of youth through the Clinton Optimist Club. In the 50 plus years she served the Optimist Club, she was the first woman to be inducted, Phyllis held the positions of Vice President and President in addition to coaching girls youth basketball, directing the cheerleaders for Optimist football games, organizing and assisting in the Easter egg hunt and children's Christmas party every year. She was strong willed, lively, determined and highly competitive, proving to be extremely effective in support of the causes she firmly believed in. All these qualities she passed on to her sons, daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid bowler and excellent seamstress. Fervently active in the Democratic Party, she was often sought out by numerous candidates for her support and endorsement. Phyllis was the epitome of a "Vol For Life", attending all Lady Vols home basketball games since the early 80's and always referring to Peyton Manning on a first name basis. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge. Phyllis received the honor of being the Grand Marshall for the Clinton parade in 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harley and Alberta (Keener) Davis, infant brother Curtis Davis, and sister Agnes Denton, brother-in-laws Jack Denton and Harry Plemons, nephew Mike Denton.

She is survived by husband of 65 years, Charles Groover; daughter Cathy Lawless and husband Wayne (Clinton); sons Gary and wife Sayona (Oak Ridge), Greg (Clinton), Mark and wife Melanie (Muncie, IN); grandchildren Courtney Hodge, Tyler Hodge, Mattie Shoemaker and husband Trey, Alex Lawless, Emily Lawless, Anna Groover, Nicholas Groover, and Mary Groover; and great-grandchildren Wyatt and Olivia Hodge; sisters, Betty Plemons and Janice Rogers & husband Bud.

The family will receive friends 12:30-2:00 pm, Sunday, February 22, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge with funeral services to follow. Rev. Troy Forrester officiating. Her graveside will be 11:00 am, Monday, February 23, 2015 at Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clinton Optimist Club, P.O. Box 556, Clinton, TN 37717. Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. holleygamblefh.com