Faye Jenkins Lewis, 94, of the Claxton Community, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2020.

A daughter of the late Titus and Kate Jenkins, she was born on June 3, 1926 at her family home in McMinn County.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Sam Lewis; sister and spouse, Allie and Henry Haxo; sister, Hazel McAmis; and sister, Jo Jones.

She was a member of Double Springs Baptist Church for over 80 years.

Growing up in the Claxton Community, Faye enjoyed working with her family on the family farm. She picked cotton, worked tobacco, and helped take crops, such as the cotton, to the local Trew's General Store. When asked what she did for fun while growing up she'd always say, "everything we did growing up was fun." She enjoyed meals prepared by her mother that were cooked on the wood stove and eaten by the light of kerosene lamps. Electricity did not come to her home until the 1940s. She attended Claxton Elementary School by horse and wagon. She then went on to McMinn High School (and boarded in Athens while attending) and graduated in 1945. She received Best All-Around and Most Athletic of her class. Although Faye received an athletic scholarship to Tennessee Wesleyan College after graduation she immediately went to work at Oak Ridge, later finding out she was working on the Manhattan Project.

In 1946 Faye took a job at the first Sears Store in Athens, working for 43 ½ cents an hour. At a time when most women were not business leaders, Faye quickly rose through the ranks of Sears and not only managed, but also owned her own Sears Store in Etowah, TN. She retired from Sears after working there for 45 years.

Her greatest and most enjoyable legacy was being a wife, mother, and grandmother. Her favorite activities were gardening, cooking, bird-watching, canning, quilting, and crocheting.

Survivors include her son, Doug Lewis of the Claxton Community; two grandchildren, Sarah Philpott and her husband, Perry,  Dustin Lewis and his wife, Mary; six great-grandchildren, Titus, Sophie, Beckham, Stella Philpott, Finn and Evie Lewis; two brothers-in-law, Edd Lewis, and Bill McAmis; one sister-in-law Frances Roberts; many beloved nieces and nephews; and special friend Sue Ball.

Special thanks to Family and Faith Home Care, Dominion Senior Living, and extra special caregiver Joyce Johnson.

A graveside service will be held at Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery on June 16th at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Randy Harmon officiating.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Double Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 111 County Road 776, Athens, TN 37303.