Vernon M. Teems, 82 Ringgold
Vernon M. Teems, of Ringgold, Ga., founder and president of Teems Electric Company, Inc., died Saturday, Oct. 29, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Family members announced the cause of death was heart failure, following a period of decline. He was 82.
Mr. Teems was born Nov. 16, 1933. In his early years, he helped with the construction of the Edney Building in downtown Chattanooga, now the hub of the city’s Innovation District.
He was a graduate of Kirkman Technical High School and became a journeyman electrician through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The company was founded in 1961 and later became a signatory member of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The company has had four major expansions over the past decades and remains family held.
A child during the Great Depression, Mr. Teems became an avid collector of Southern farm implements and enjoyed hunting wild turkey in Georgia with friends and family members.
He was an active, longtime member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in his hometown of Ringgold, serving as a deacon and occasionally as a choral director. An oftenquoted and favorite passage of scripture he referenced was Psalm 133: 1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” He was also a member of the Quitman Lodge.
His wife of 64 years, Christine Peters Teems, was also a partner in his business.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Cloriece Patty Teems, John Leonard Teems and his sisters, Joan Teems and Loma Teems Hullender.
Survivors include: His wife, Christine; children, Deborah (John) Petticord of Chattanooga, Valerie Lawson, Miles N. (Donna) Teems and Mark W. (Tammy) Teems all of Ringgold; grandchildren, Phillip Teems, Natalie (William) Atwell, Christy Lawson (Stephen) Carter, Katie Lawson (Thomas) Crocker, Aaron Petticord, Joanna (Brian) Chan, Garrett (Meagan) Teems and Katelyn (William) Fassnacht and 14 greatgrandchildren; siblings, Walen M. (Glenda) Teems of Athens, Tenn., and Wilma Leigh and Brenda (Tommy) Robertson, both of Ringgold.
Visitation: Monday, Oct. 31, from 5-7 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 5-7 p.m. and from 11 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at Wallis-Stewart Chapel of Wilson Funeral Home, Boynton Drive, in Ringgold.
Funeral service: Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. with Rev. Michael Kirby officiating.
Burial: Anderson Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers: Phillip Teems, William Atwell, Stephen Carter, Thomas Crocker, Aaron Petticord, Brian Chan, Garrett Teems, William Fassnacht and Charles Crandall.
An online guestbook available at wilsonfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements: Wilson Funeral Home Wallis-Stewart Chapel Ringgold.