Samuel Elmer Bettis, PE

Samuel Bettis, age 79, died Monday, July 4, 2016 at his home following a months’ long battle with cancer. He was born in Cleveland, Tennessee to Walter and Eloise Quisenberry Bettis. A graduate of Charleston High School, Charleston, Tennessee he attended Carson Newman College earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics followed by a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee Knoxville Campus. Sam began his career in the paper industry at Westvaco Paper Products in Covington, Virginia. He moved back to Charleston in 1960 to work in the Bowater Paper Corporation Mill Engineering Department. For 42 years he planned and managed projects ranging from a few hundred dollars to multimillion dollar projects. He enjoyed working with other Bowater North America mills whether it was a week or a few months. He made many lifelong friends working with engineering companies and suppliers doing work at Bowater locations. He has been a member of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry since 1962. Sam enjoyed good food and kept an updated list of restaurants worthy of planning and timing your travel around. Many were discovered on his frequent business and pleasure trips. Bettis was proud to be a native of Bradley County and felt it was important to give back to his community. When his daughters entered school he became active in the Parent Teachers Association. He maintained an interest in Carson Newman University and the University of Tennessee serving as president of the Bradley County UT Alumni Association in the 1970s. He later served as a member of the Cleveland State Foundation Board. He served as a member of the Bradley Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees for just over a quarter century serving several terms as Board Chairman. He was a member of the Tennessee Hospital Association Board of Trustees organization and helped in the organization of hospital board trustees in the Southern Region. Sam has represented Bradley County as a board member of the regional water supplier, Hiwassee Utility District, for many years. Sam was an active member of Charleston First Baptist Church for many years. Covington Baptist Church, Covington, Virginia became a part of his life during his time at Westvaco and he attended Westfort Baptist Church, Thunder Bay, Ontario while on work assignment at the Bowater Mill there. In 2001 he became a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church where he has served in the deacon rotation, taught a men’s Sunday School Class, been a member of the Sanctuary Choir, and served on committees. Being interested in anything mechanical fueled his interested in automobiles. He enjoyed restoring cars and driving them. He has been a member of the Antique Automobile Association of America for over 50 years and helped to organize Cherokee Region, the local chapter. His father and grandfathers were furniture builders and passed the skill to him. He built most of the furniture for his home ranging from a high boy with the traditional carving and legs to simple shelves and storage cabinets. If you happened to mention a building project of any kind you were likely to find a sketch with some pertinent suggestions coming your way. “Just suggestions, mind you”. Researching some of the furniture family members had built led him to researching family ties and seeking out relatives and ancestors to create a large amount of information which he freely shared. The digital camera enticed him to become interested in photography. He traveled often and had the pictures to prove it. He enjoyed growing a vegetable garden. His philosophy was to grow enough to share with the bugs and rabbits and a few weeds were to be expected. Said he did a life full of weeding in his Dad’s garden. Heirloom plants became his favorite gardening choice. Sam was preceded in death by many dearly loved family members including his parents. He was married to Patsy Lewis Bettis for just over 56 years. Was the father of Amanda Bettis Graves of Athens, Tennessee who is married to Benjamin B. Graves and Malissa Bettis Blackwell of Knoxville, Tennessee who is married to James A. Blackwell, Jr. His four grandsons, Nicholas Blackwell and wife Victoria, Benjamin (Ben) Graves and wife Brittany, Samuel Travis Blackwell, and Samuel Graves were a joy to him. With great joy great grandson, Bryndley Kent Graves, was welcomed to the family Easter Sunday, 2016. He is also survived by two brothers, Glenn Bettis and wife Janice of Dandridge Tennessee and Dan Bettis and wife Rhonda of Blountville, Tennessee along with nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive friends and family Wednesday, July 6, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home, Cleveland, Tennessee. There will be visitation at North Cleveland Baptist Church, 2815 North Ocoee Street, Cleveland, Tennessee on Thursday, July 7, 2016 from 5:00-5:45PM followed by the funeral at 6:00PM. Pastor and friend Dr. Jay McCluskey will conduct the gathering. Burial will follow at setting of the sun, Sunset Memorial Gardens, Cleveland, Tennessee. Honorary Pallbearers are the members of Sam’s Men’s Sunday School Class and the Deacons, active and inactive, of North Cleveland Baptist Church. Brothers, grandsons and sons-in law will serve as active Pallbearers. In lieu of flowers the family suggests gifts to Faith for the Future, North Cleveland Baptist Church or the Bettis Family Scholarship, Cleveland State Community College. If you own an old car it would honor Sam if you drove it to his memorial service.