Cecilia DeFoe Bales

June 30, 1930 - September 22, 2020

Cecilia Defoe Bales, 90, of Maryville, Tennessee, died on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 following a battle with dementia. She was most recently a patient in skilled care at NHC Farragut. She was loved and well-cared for at this facility. She was born June 30,1930, in Friendsville, Tennessee. She graduated from Everett High School in 1948. She attended Carson Newman College for 2 years and lived at Lincoln Memorial University for 2 years after marrying her husband, Robert Wayne Bales. They were later based at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina during the Korean War. She loved antiques, quilting, gardening, cooking and alumni activities for Carson-Newman College. Cecilia was the oldest child of Cecil and Gladys DeFoe of Maryville, Tennessee. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Maryville since 1992. Cecilia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Wayne Bales in 2000 and her grandson, Riley Bales West in 2003. She is survived by her two daughters, Tammy West (James) of Spartanburg, South Carolina and Sandy Tracy (Jerry) of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is survived by one grandchild, Clara Ruth West of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Additionally, she is survived by four siblings, Bettye Erb of Hermitage, Tennessee, Dokie Bowman (Ron) of Maryville, Tennessee, Allen R. “Bud” DeFoe (Erika) of Knoxville, Tennessee and Margie Andrews of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. A Family Committal for immediate family will be conducted on Friday by the Reverend Charles Ballard. The family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences can be mailed to 2340 Round Tree Road, Knoxville, Tennessee 37923 in ℅ Sandy Tracy. “God hath not promised skies, always blue, flower-strewn pathways, all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labour, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.” Annie Johnson Flint, Evangelical Publishers. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com