Priest, Curtis Wayne

Held Long Career With TVA And Was Longtime Santa Claus In The Southeast

  • Friday, December 4, 2020
Curtis Priest
Curtis Priest

Curtis Wayne Priest, 79, passed from this earth into eternal life at his home in Hixson, Tennessee, on November 30, 2020 after years-long battles with multiple degenerative diseases of aging and dementia.

Curtis was a happy, devoted, joyful, loving, hard-working brother, husband, father, granddaddy, and uncle who enjoyed music and singing, American History (Civil War and Old West), fishing, hunting, coaching soccer, and league bowling. He was a 34-year employee of TVA and retired from his work as a substation electrician, substation foreman, and power/substation maintenance specialist in 2002.  A graduate of Rockwood High School in 1960, He was an inspired, loving servant in the Church of Christ and spent many years as song leader, Bible class teacher, mentor and leader of young people. He was a member of the Tri-State Real Bearded Santas organization and spent many years as Santa Claus for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Polar Express and for other civic and private events throughout Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia. 

Curtis was preceded into eternal life by his mother, Frances Rebecca Derryberry, his father, Curtis Lee Priest, his oldest brother, Dean Blackburn Priest Sr., Parents-in-Law Charles Walter Strader and Grace Elizabeth Reed Strader, son-in-law Christopher Blaine Deason, brother-in-law Kenneth Douglas Strader, nephew Eric Wade Strader, his 4 adoring grandparents, and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Surviving here to grieve his passing is his "Sweet Pea" and wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Ann Strader Priest, whom he married December 2, 1961, 3 daughters, first-born daughter Susan "Bonita" Priest (and son Lyle Martin Nordby), Middle daughter Leigh Anne Priest Deason Cates (and son Brandon Lee Cates), Baby daughter Angela Dawn Priest Smith, grandchildren Erica Abigail "Abby" Smith, Charleigh Grace Smith, Trisha Lee Sutherland, Gunner Mackenzie Cates, and Lacee Dawn Elizabeth Cates. Curtis is also survived by his beloved brother and sister, Marshall Dallas Priest and Sallie Rebecca "Becky" Priest Pierce (spouse Jackie), sister-in-law Carolyn Pogue Priest, brother-in-law William Earnest "Bud" Strader (spouse Sandy), sister-in-law Pamela Jane Strader Jenkins Howard (spouse Robert Howard) and 100+ nieces, nephews and cousins who love him dearly.

Arrangements are conducted through Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343 and will be as follows: Curtis's family will receive family and friends Friday, Dec. 4, from 5-8 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m., with a service at 2 p.m. with interment immediately following the service in the Hamilton Gardens Cemetery adjacent to the funeral home.

We respectfully request that wearing masks at all times, washing hands, and all healthy CDC and funeral home safety measures be adhered to at the funeral home and cemetery without derision and with courtesy toward all.

Please share your thoughts and memories at Curtis Priest's page on Facebook, with any one of his family members on their Facebook pages, or at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.

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