Pansy Oliver Torbett

Pansy Oliver Torbett, Piney Flats, passed away at approximately 6:00 PM, on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at the NHC HealthCare. She was 104 years old. She was not expected to live more than an hour on May 23, 1903. Not only did she live, but also she experienced most of the many changes in technology during the 20th Century. She witnessed the first automobile to come through Piney Flats, and experienced the change from candle light to the electric light, the crank phone to the electronic touchtone telephone, and evolution of the airplane and the demise of the passenger train to the first person to walk on the moon. As the world changed around her she remained grounded in the Church and Community that she really loved. She loved the simple life on the family farm where she spent the most of her life. She was the daughter of the late David W. and Cordelia Smalling Oliver. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Clifford B. Torbett; one son, Ronald Torbett, Sr.; one sister, Virginia Oliver Barr. Pansy graduated from Mary Hughes Institute in 1920, and went on to Bluff City High School to finish the 12th grade. She acquired her Teaching Certificate from East Tennessee Normal School and worked as a teacher at Chinquapin Grove Elementary School until she married. She owned and operated the Piney Flats Floral Shoppe until her husband passed away in 1983. She was a faithful member of the Edgefield United Methodist Church in Piney Flats where she played the organ and piano for many years. She was active in Sunday school and other Church organizations activities. She was an avid member of the Sullivan County Home Demonstration Club and the Sullivan County Farm Bureau. Survivors include: one daughter, Joann Conner and her husband Joel, of Piney Flats; daughter-in-law, Dorothy Torbett, of Piney Flats; three granddaughters, Teresa Carter and her husband Jeff, of Piney Flats, Donna Kelly and her husband Micheal, of Oak Ridge, North Carolina and Catherine Paulk, of Johnson City; one grandson, Ronald Torbett Jr. and wife Lesa, of Piney Flats; seven great grandchildren; two nephews, Lyle and Robert Barr. The committal service for Pansy Oliver Torbett will be conducted at 11 AM Saturday, December 22, 2007 in the Edgefield United Methodist Church Cemetery. Rev. Estel Williams and Rev. Mack Houston will officiate. Family, ministers and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery by 10:45 AM. The family will receive friends at the funeral chapel from 6 to 8 PM Friday. The family wishes to thank NHC HealthCare Staff and Nurses, and the Caris HealthCare Staff for the dedication and their loving care for Mrs. Torbett during her stay at the NHC Nursing Facility. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Edgefield United Methodist Church Building Fund, 745 Pickens Bridge Road, Piney Flats Tn. 37686.