Luther Blaine Scarlett

Luther wrote his own obituary before his passing on February 28, 2021, it is below. Born on a small farm in Sevier County, TN on March 4, 1929, I was the first child of George Alfred Scarlett and Lola Mae Loveday Scarlett, Later siblings included Etta Beatrice Scarlett Lowe, Shirley Jeane Scarlett Myers, William David Scarlett and Ida Marvene (Penny) Scarlett. I attended Sevier Public Schools throughout my education. High School was a wonderful time for me, I met so many great people that would become friends for a lifetime. My greatest high school memories were playing in the marching band as the drum major and leading the band down the field and at many community events. Yearbook editor and being voted “Most Popular” are other fond memories. I spent my young Christian life at the First Baptist Church in Sevierville where I found my personal Savior at age 13. After graduation I headed for East Tennessee State University and eventually graduated in 1956 with a BS degree. My college days were interrupted by the Korean War. I served with the United States Army at Fort Leonard, located in Missouri and 19 months in Seoul Korea. The tour with the Army opened my eyes to the wonderment of travel and the beauty of California. With my degree in hand and an optimistic attitude I accepted a position with the Los Angeles County District teaching at the Fair Grove Middle School. The school vacation calendar allowed me the advantage of extensive travel all of my working life. My travels took me from Gibraltar to the Ural Mountains in Russia. One year I enjoyed a fabulous around the world tour. I retired from teaching in 1986 and couldn’t wait to get back to Tennessee. I purchased a home in Dandridge and immediately dove into reconnecting with family and old friends. There weren’t enough hours in the day to do all of the things that I wanted to do. Cooking, playing my piano, listening to music, gardening, and dinners with family and friends. It was so good to see how my siblings’ families had grown and I enjoyed being with nieces and nephews, including my special niece Davana Scarlett Greenamyer and her husband Brad and all of the very special Uncles, Aunts, cousins that I had missed while I was away. I purchased an annual season ticket for the glorious Big Orange Football season and the always awesome Lady Vols. I found a new group of wonderful friends on the Knoxville Tour Bus following the Lady Vols to away games. We traveled together for 30 seasons. Special thanks to Jack and Marie Edmundson for their enduring friendship that went beyond travel. I was amazed at Knoxville’s growth. I enjoyed the concerts at the Tennessee Theater and discovering all of the new restaurants, festivals and events in Knoxville. Although teaching was my profession, being a Foodie was my passion. I found my way to jobs that allowed me to keep my foot in the door of restaurant operations during my retirement. Cracker Barrel, Mountain Harbor Inn and the deli at Food City taught me many skills and enriched my life with all of the wonderful people that I met along the way. It has been a great life, full of supportive friends, family and acquaintances, unbelievable travel and adventure. Special thanks to Richard and Patrice Steinaway and their wonderful family for including me as a honorary member of their family. I thank each of you for being a part of my life and with that Dear Hearts, I bid you farewell. A Celebration of Luther’s life will be held at Mountain Harbor Inn on May 9, 2021 from 1-3pm. In lieu of flowers, Luther has requested sending college scholarship donations to SCHS Foundation, PO BOX 4124, Sevierville, TN 37864