Last Monday, my wife took the boys down to Tennessee in hopes of visiting her aunt Debbie.  Debbie had been ill for quite awhile, after having been diagnosed with sclerodema.  Kelly had a ton going on leading up to her trip, including having a playgroup at the house with a dozen other moms and kids, but she felt compelled to go, despite the hectic schedule incurred.

Kelly got to see her aunt Debbie for about 5 minutes on Tuesday.  Wednesday, Debbie had a heart attack and was hospitalized.  Thanksgiving day, the doctors were talking about releasing her, but then she had a series of additional heart attacks, leading to her quick passing.  We got the news of her passing while we were eating Thanksgiving dinner.

Debbie Petree
Debbie Petree, age 56 of Maryville, went to be face to face with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 22, 2007. She was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her son, Jordan Petree and her father, Newell Manning Standridge. Survivors include her husband, Jack Petree; son, Jacob Petree of Maryville; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Heath Brown of Covington, GA; 2 grandchildren, Garrett and Kenzie Jean; mother, Doris Standridge; brothers and sisters, Dottie Standridge, Newell Standridge Jr., Timmy Standridge, Jan Ingram, Donna Stephens, Denise Jarnigan, Dawn Haynes, several nieces & nephews. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 25, 2007 at Fairview United Methodist Church. Memorial Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Dr. Jerry Russell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation, Att: Donations, 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105, Danvens, MA 01923, www.scleroderma.org or any charity of your choice. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville handling arrangements, 865-983-1000, www.smithmortuary.com

Dr. Jerry Russell stated during the service that he went to see Debbie about a week before her passing.  He anticipated going to encourage Debbie about what she was facing.  He spoke with her for a couple of hours and left feeling Debbie had encouraged him.  Debbie's faith was unbreakable!

Debbie was a terrific person, all the way around.  She will be missed dearly.  And if you don't know anything about sclerodema, read up, it's an awful disease.