Obituaries

Lota Applewhite Greer died on March 13 at Alexian Village. She was born at Erlanger Hospital

in Chattanooga, TN on December 15, 1926. She was the daughter of Steve and Nina

Applewhite, the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. O.H. Parnell of Chattanooga, TN and Dr. and

Mrs. S. M. Applewhite of San Antonio, TX. Lota was named for her grandmother, Lota Parnell,

an exceptional woman known for her beautiful rock gardens, her hospitality, and her

graciousness.

Lota lived in Texas all her young life until her junior year in high school when her father was

transferred to Ogden, UT. She graduated the following year with 609 in her class. After the

sudden death of her father, she, her mother, and her brother moved to Chattanooga to be near

her grandparents.

Lota married Thomas A. Greer, Jr. in 1945. He was serving in the U.S. Navy and after two

months was sent to the South Pacific for the remainder of the year. Upon returning, her

husband entered Cumberland Law School in Lebanon where they lived and where she resumed

her studies until he graduated. They then returned to Dunlap, TN where he began his law

practice. They raised three wonderful sons, Stephen Thomas, Patrick Roddy, and Michael

Spencer. All three participated in the band and played baseball, basketball, and football, which

gave rise to the parents attending the boys' games on Thursday night, on Friday night, and

again on Saturday where the oldest played for Tennessee Tech.

Lota was a member of the Dunlap First Baptist Church, joining in 1945, where for many years

she sang in the choir, led the GA's, and served on various committees.

Lota, with the help of a friend, started the Valley Garden Club which celebrated its 50th

anniversary in 2010. She was a board member of the Friends of the Library, a board member of

the Southeast Tennessee Regional Arts Council, a proud member of the Daughters of the

American Revolution/Moccasin Bend Chapter, and a member of Colonial Dames/Proudhomme

Fort Chapter. She was also a member of the First Families of Tennessee.

Lota was owner and broker of Sequatchie Real Estate and worked in the sale of real estate for

many years.

She was always interested in art since her early teenage years and became an accomplished

painter in oil and pastels. Her little studio was considered a part of heaven for her. Her paintings

were on exhibit for several years in Chattanooga, Dunlap, and at Alexian Village where she lived

the last 10 years of her life. She was also interested in genealogy and spent many years

researching her family.

Lota is predeceased by her parents; the love of her life, husband Thomas A. Greer, Jr; her

wonderful son, Stephen Thomas, an attorney who died on August 6, 2019.

She leaves behind two wonderful sons, Dr. Patrick (Becky) Greer of Winchester, TN and Dr.

Michael (Vallerie) Greer of Chattanooga, TN.; her daughter-in-law, Susan Greer; ten

grandchildren, Jessica Matukewicz, Elizabeth Adams, Thomas R. Greer, Rachel Domitzioli,

Patrick Greer, Hamilton Greer, Michael Greer, Dr. Zack Greer, Dr. Steve Greer, and John

Greer; 23 Great-grandchildren. She leaves behind several nephews, Jimmy Thompson, Brien

and Chip Applewhite, Wed Greer, and one niece, Lynn Rogers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sequatchie County Public Library Foundation, 227

Cherry St., Dunlap TN 37327, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Erlanger Children's

Hospital.

A private graveside service at Rankin Cemetery in Dunlap, TN will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. Arrangements by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Rd, Dunlap, TN 37327.