Kathleen Deitz

KNOXVILLE - Kathleen Whaley Deitz, age 100 of Knoxville, TN, formerly of Gatlinburg, TN, passed away Monday, September 4, 2023. Kathleen was the last of the James Harve Whaley family. She was born in the Greenbriar section of the Great Smoky Mountains before the Park was established. Her family moved to Elkmont when she was a young girl, where her father worked for the Little River Logging Company. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg and she loved to play hymns on her organ. Kathleen had a large family with 5 brothers and 3 sisters and she loved getting together with all her family and got great joy from her nieces and nephews. In her later years, when she was retired in Knoxville, she enjoyed dabbling in Real Estate and she had 9 family rental homes in Knoxville to keep her busy. She was preceded in death by: Parents: James Harve Whaley and Letha Birdie Ogle Whaley, brothers: John Leslie Whaley (Stella), Hansel “Hank” Whaley (Iva), Cpl. Holen Whaley, Benjamin Whaley (Pax), and Alvin Whaley; Sisters: Inger Whaley Allen (Ephraim Earl Maples) & (Loren Allen), Trula Whaley Bull (Amos Bogart “Bog”), Eve Whaley Henry (Herbert Horace “Buddy”), Nephews: Jerry Harvey Whaley, Amos Bogart “Bog” Bull Jr), Samuel “Sam” Henry, John Alvin Henry; Great Nephews, Brian Walden, Thomas E. Cate (Marilyn); Nephews in law: Tom Hopwood, Keith Walden, Elden Elmer, Fred Ponton. Survivors: Nieces: Martha T. Bull Elmer (Elden), Eva Carol Bull Walden (Keith), Letha Bull Hopwood (Tom), Inger Ruth Bull Ponton (Fred), Dorothy Maples Roberts (Charles T Cate Jr) & (Robert “Bobby” Roberts); Nephew: Joe Whaley; Great Nephews: Eric Elmer, Bret Hopwood, John Bull, Michael Bull; Great Nieces: Colleen “Angel” Hopwood Laughter (Steve), Kathleen Renee Walden Aiello (Francis), Melissa Bull, Susan Cate Greengold (Dan), Elizabeth A. Cate; Special Friends: George Watson, Chris Elis, and Katasha (her special Care Giver). Many thanks for all of the great care givers she had near the end of her life and the Hospice Care she received from so many wonderful people. They were all great blessings for Kathleen and her family. Graveside service and interment 1 PM Friday, September 15 in Pigeon Forge Baptist Cemetery. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com.