Irene Routt
Irene “Red” Cranfield Penney Routt, 93, of the Hixson/ Soddy Daisy area, died on Monday, October 5, 2015.
She was born in Decherd, Tn., and as a child, her family moved to Middle Valley, where she spent most of her adult life. She was a graduate of Hixson High School and McKenzie Business College. The highlight of her life was being secretary to Olan Mills II and secretary at Chattem Drug Company.
She volunteered at the Discovery Shop, Northside Neighborhood Thrift Store and Memorial Hospital. She also worked with the youth at Hixson First Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher. Many residents of the Hamilton County Nursing Home benefited from her generosity through donations of clothing. She was a benefactor to an Indian Reservation in Arizona and made a mission trip to Mexico distributing clothing. Many will remember her as “Red” at the flea markets where she sold and bought clothes to give to those less fortunate.
She was regular at Hardee’s Restaurant on gospel nights where she loved to dance. May she now dance on the clouds.
She was preceded in death by her son, Ronnie Penney; sister, Elena Hixson and brothers, Earl “Buck” and Andy Cranfield and her husband, Francis H. “Rigger” Routt.
Irene is survived several nieces, nephews and her special friend and love, Leroy Stocklin.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
At Mrs. Routt’s request, memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
Irene Routt