Oswell Stanton Sexton August 27, 2001
Oswell Stanton Sexton, age 93, of Madisonville, formerly of Scott County, Cohutta, Ga. and currently of Homewood at Deane Hill in Knoxville, with his children in attendance at St. Mary's Medical Center on Monday, August 27, 2001, went to his final eternal home.
He was a farmer, educator, church and civic leader. He was born in the Paint Rock community of Scott County on March 21, 1908, the eighth child of Caswell and Rachel (Cecil) Sexton. He was a retired school teacher at the secondary and elementary school levels serving the school systems in Scott and Monroe County and Whitfield County, Georgia, intially as a grades 1-8, one - room class teacher at Tunnell Hill School in Scott County at age 18, with only a high school degree.
He eventually obtained a bachelor of science degree from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute ( now Tennessee Technical University) in 1937 and a master's of science degree from the University of Tennessee in supervision and administration in 1951. He served 44 total years in teaching, coaching, and administration and was a former principal at Robbins and Huntsville in Scott County, Madisonville and Cohutta. He had a natural ability for recognizing potential in the individual student, urging and exhorting each to continue their education and skills development.
Perhaps his most long-lasting influence was in his Christian walk. He was a prayer warrior along with his wife of 68 years, Rema (Jeffers) Sexton. Their lives were indeed blessed by the communities they served and expecially the churches in which they worshipped and fellowshipped. He served as an adult Sunday School teacher, deacon and choir member. He served his communities in numerous ways throughout his life, both in civic work and educational associations, and for many years as an active member of the Eastern Star. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and a charter councilman for the town of Cohutta. He was a past recipient of the East Tennessee Senior Citizens Award.
Preceded in death by wife, Rema Sexton, sisters, Latonia Sexton, Elie Dobbs, and recently Ednie Huff, brothers, Letcher, Manford, Caleb, Maxwell and Archie.
He is survived by six children, 20 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.
Daughters and sons-in-laws- Donna Kay and Robert L. Tallent Sr. of Madisonville, Ella Rachel and Danny Williams of Cohutta.
Sons and daughters-in-laws- Dr. Oswell Sibley and Agnes Sexton of Morristown, Dr. Curtis C. and Carol Sexton of Lake City, Dr. Ray Owen and Courtney Sexton of Memphis, Dwight David and Jan Sexton of Knoxville.
Brother and sister-in-law- Malvin C. and Sadie Sexton of Helenwood.
Many nieces and nephews.
His children wish to celebrate his life with two services. The first service was 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at First Baptist Church in Madisonville. The second service will be held at White Rock Baptist Church of Huntsville, with receiving of family and friends at 1 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29. His pastor, Dr. Lon Shoopman, will conduct both services. He will be laid to rest beside his wife, Rema, at Botts Cemetery in the Annadel Community of Scott County.
Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville, will be in charge of arrangements.
"Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Cor. 2:9) To God be the glory.
Melissa, Shelley, Wade, Jenny, Ashley and Peter, grandchildren of Oswell and children of Curtis, have been shaped and molded by two prayerful men and we love them dearly.
Link to his cemetery |