Cynthia Jo Runnion

Cynthia Jo Runnion, known as "Cindie", age 52, died on August 22, 2010, at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Knoxville, after a brief illness. Cindie lived in Newport all her life. She was a graduate of East Tennessee State University, with bachelor and master's degrees in education. Her parents were Jim and Jo (Sykes) Runnion, who died in 2005 and 2009, respectively. Grandparents were Charles S. Sr. and Maye (Burnett) Runnion of Newport, and Clovis and Eula (Osborne) Sykes of Virginia. She is also pre-deceased by uncle Charles S Runnion Jr., uncle Frank Sykes, and 1st cousin Carl ("Chip") McNabb Runnion. She is survived by her sister Vicki Maye Runnion of Louisville KY; aunt Beth McNabb Runnion of Newport; aunt and uncle Alma and Allen Rakes of Raleigh NC; 1st cousin Trey (and Joan) Runnion of Kansas City MO; 1st cousins Philip Rakes (and Kim) of La Crosse WI and Steve Rakes of Raleigh NC; and a wealth of friends, including "adopted sister" Debbie Black of Knoxville, and lifelong friends Tandy Painter Lyles, Jorja Painter Williamson and James Allen Painter, Susie Teague and Debbie Teague Barclay. She worked for Cocke County Schools for her entire career, primarily as a 3rd grade teacher at Edgemont. Teaching was one of her great passions in life. She served on the School Improvement Team, and as a supervisor for several student teachers. She enlisted the help of friends and family in saving receipts from Food City and box tops to purchase educational materials for her classroom, including several extra computers. She was excited each fall to meet the new students assigned to her classroom, and she loved encountering former students out in the community and hearing about their lives. She was diligent about communicating with the parents of her students, and many of her earlier students later requested that their own children be assigned to her classroom. She was a lifelong and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Newport, where she served as deacon, Sunday School teacher for youth and adults. At various times she sang in the choir, chaired the Scholarship Committee, and most recently was serving on the Evangelism Committee. Over the years, she also volunteered with the Dead Pigeon River Council, Newport Theater Guild, and Smoky Mountain Hospice. She was generous in her support of many not-for-profit service organizations, including Compassion International, The Heifer Project, American Bible Society, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, The Leukemia Society, First Priority Launch Ministries, several animal rescue groups, and others. She was an avid reader, and a collector of movies old and new. She loved music, and enjoyed attending concerts and musicals. She maintained regular correspondence with an extensive list of friends, often sending handcrafted greeting cards for special occasions. She enjoyed traveling, and one of the great joys of her life was her 2007 adventure in Ireland with a small circle of close friends. She loved animals, and cherished a succession of beloved dogs. She considered her family and friends to be her greatest treasure, and lived her life accordingly. The family will receive friends from 2:00-6:00 pm at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 24th, with a service at 7:30pm, Dr. Rich Lloyd officiating. Burial will be 11:00 am Wednesday morning August 25, 2010 in Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to First Baptist Church, 261 E Broadway, any of the charities mentioned above, or any child-serving or animal rescue group of the donor's choice.

Cynthia Jo Runnion

March 8, 1958 - August 22, 2010