Mary Elizabeth (Waddell) Disney, 85, began her eternal life on November 4th, 2015. She was born to the late Claude and Maggie Jones Waddell in the Rains Grove Community of Norris Lake. When Norris Dam was being constructed, the family relocated to Robertsville, TN, and again to Caryville when their farm was needed for the building of Oak Ridge during WWII. She was, above all, a devoted wife to her late husband of 43 years, Clyde Disney, and a loving mother and grandmother. Some of her greatest pleasures in life included watching UT sports, especially Lady Vols basketball, visiting with friends, and enjoying old-fashioned country cooking. Mary was known for her caring, loving spirit. Rarely could anyone leave Mary's home without some type of gift or treat. She was often seen running errands for relatives and friends or driving them to appointments and events. As a teenager, Mary worked alongside her father in the family coal business. Mary was always anxious to help any way she could, even driving the company coal trucks. Later, Mary attended business college. As a newlywed, Clyde's construction controller job led them to move to places like New Orleans, Dallas, Mobile, and Virginia Beach. When they decided to start their family, Mary and Clyde moved back home to their family farm just north of Lake City. In 1955 Clyde opened an accounting practice in Clinton, TN. Mary worked in the practice as time allowed as they raised their two children. Mary loved working with young people and taught Sunday School, Training Union, and Bible School, and she was active in the women's ministry while she attended Longfield Baptist Church. After her husband's death, Mary moved to Clinton, where she joined New Salem Baptist Church. There Mary made many new loving and supportive friendships. Mary loved to garden, was known to have a green thumb, and could make almost anything grow. In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by husband Clyde W. Disney; brothers and sisters-in-law Harry and Christine Waddell, Fred and Lavergne Waddell; sisters and brothers-in-law Naomi and Ernest Gamble, Ruby and Kenneth McCarter; brother-in-law James Disney; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bill and Edna Mae Hatmaker; sister-in-law Vanda Lee Disney; brother-in-law Arnold Disney; brother-in-law James Webb. She is survived by daughter Debbie McDowell and her husband Ron McDowell; son Gary Disney and his wife Kim Disney; granddaughter Maggie Martin and her husband Ray Martin; grandson Nathan McDowell; grandson Grant Disney; granddaughter Hope Disney; great grandson Linus Martin; great granddaughter Veda Martin; sisters-in-law Roma Disney, Betty Disney, and Jean Webb; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. The family wishes to offer their sincere thanks to all of Mary's caregivers, including special caregiver and friend Vicki Donald, Evie Young, the staff at Meadowview Assisted Living, especially Pat Forgety and Rachel Parrott, the staff at Shannondale and her long-time physician Dr. Michael Bernard. Receiving of Friends is to be held at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City (Rocky Top) on Nov. 6th from 6-8 pm, with the funeral service taking place at 8. Burial service will be at 11 am on Nov. 7th at Norris Memorial Gardens.
Visitation Details
Friday, November 6th, 2015, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Hatmaker Funeral Home
Service Details
Friday, November 6th, 2015, 8:00pm, Hatmaker Funeral Home
Interment Details
Norris Memorial Gardens