Daisy Catherine Blanton
Daisy Catherine Blanton passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at age 79.
Born in Atlanta on September 10, 1943, to Milton and Pauline Blanton, Daisy was a resident of Lookout Mountain, Ga., from 1971 to 2022. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in mathematics and worked as a systems analyst (computer programmer) initially for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and then for the Tennessee Valley Authority until retirement.
Daisy’s adventurous spirit blossomed into a passion for the outdoors after moving to the Chattanooga region. She loved hiking, camping, land conservation, and any activity that involved being outside. A long-time member of the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club, she began whitewater canoeing in the 70s, ultimately hiking and canoeing in the national and state parks throughout the Southeast and the United States.
Known as the “Mother of Cycling” in Chattanooga, Daisy was tireless in her passion and commitment to recreational cycling. Throughout the 1980s, Daisy commuted by bike between her home atop Lookout Mountain and her job in downtown Chattanooga. She completed innumerable bike tours throughout the United States and the world and was a member of the Chattanooga Bicycle Club (CBC) since 1992. An inaugural member of the CBC’s Cycling Hall of Fame, she was known for her tireless service to the club and the cause – always willing to help, volunteer, and encourage new cyclists. She could be found at weekly rides on her recumbent trike until the end—on one occasion, she was so impatient to get back to biking after an illness, she put her oxygen tank in her bike basket to go for a ride. Her love of biking will live on in the many cyclists who knew her.
In addition to her outdoor enthusiasm, Daisy was as kind of a soul as one will meet – eager to provide friends old and new unconditional love and support in whatever way she could. She touched the lives of many with her consistency, devotion, and kindness. She loved her routines and could be found almost daily eating with friends on the porch of Purple Daisy. She always remembered to bring home some barbeque for her dog.
Daisy was preceded in death by her parents, Milton W. and Pauline S. Blanton, her husband, Hugh L. Worthy, her brother, James S. Blanton, and her beloved pets, Jewel (dog) and Princess (cat).
She is survived by her two children, Jon B. Fullerton and Catherine A. Fullerton of Belmont, MA, and her two grandchildren Sophie L. Fullerton and Violet E. Hancock.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HamiltonHumane.com) or the Lookout Mountain Conservancy (lookoutmountainconservancy.org).
A Celebration of Life for Daisy will be held in August, location to be determined.
Condolences may be shared at www.lane-southcrestchapel.com
Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, Rossville.