Jo Sykes Runnion

Jo Sykes Runnion, age 80, died on February 26th at her home following a long illness. Jo grew up in southwestern Virginia. She was a graduate of Columbia Bible College in Columbia, SC, and the School of Nursing of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She was honored by the School of Nursing and the Center for Historic Nursing Inquiry at UVA for compiling a newsletter for her classmates every year for over 50 years, and for inspiring a record attendance of 28 of her 36 classmates at their 45th homecoming. Her classmates are still close to this day. Jo worked for Bristol Memorial Hospital in Bristol, TN as Pediatric Supervisor and later as acting Director of Nursing. She taught at Virginia Intermont College School of Nursing for several years. After marrying Newport native James B. Runnion, they moved to Newport to raise their family. She worked for 16 years as the first School Nurse for Cocke County Schools, where she was known for her organization skills, sense of humor, and passion for child and family health. Jo was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for over 50 years. She was also involved in many health-related activities, including teaching classes for American Red Cross and volunteering with the American Cancer Society, and was a member of the Tenasse Club for many years. She was appreciated for her masterful story-telling, her hospitality at the family campsite at Douglas Lake, her patience in teaching dozens of people to water-ski, her practical faith, her awe-inspiring organizational abilities, and her determination not to complain about the harder parts of her life. She "adopted" the University of TN along with her husband Jim, and enjoyed 35 years of traveling with friends to UT football games near and far. Her husband of 52 years, James B. Runnion, died in 2005. She is also pre-deceased by her brother Frank Sykes, parents, Clovis and Eula Osborne Sykes, parents-in-law, Charles S. Sr. and Maye Burnett Runnion, brother-in-law, Charles S. Runnion, Jr,nephew Chip McNabb Runnion, and special friend Maxine Painter. She is survived by her daughters Vicki Maye Runnion of Louisville, KY, and Cindie Jo Runnion of Newport, sister and brother-in-law, Alma and Allen Rakes of Raleigh, NC, nephews, Philip Rakes (and Kim) of La Crosse, WI, and Steve Rakes of Raleigh, NC sister-in-law, Beth McNabb Runnion, of Newport, nephew Trey Runnion (and Joan) of Kansas City, MO, and "adopted daughter" Debbie Black of Knoxville. She is also survived by her special friends Elza and Irene Painter, Dean Lillard, Dean and Carolyn Williams, of Newport, Thelma and Jim Brandon of Waterloo, Il, Betty Noell of Columbia, S.C., and Jo Garett of Smithfield, VA. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 pm, Sunday, March 1, 2009 at First Baptist Church, with the service to follow at 3:00 pm, Dr. Rich Lloyd will officiate. A private committal service will be at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 261 E. Broadway, Newport, TN 37821 or Smoky Mountain Hospice, 222 Heritage Blvd, Newport, TN 37821. The family wants to express their profound gratitude to Irene Painter and Kay Hawk, her superb and loving caregivers, who made it possible for her to stay at home during her lengthy illness and to Smoky Mountain Hospice.

Jo Sykes Runnion

December 28, 1928 - February 26, 2009