Alice "Kitty" Yount

Alice "Kitty" Yount. The maker of the best Swedish Tea Rings, orange iced muffins, matching mother-daughter taffeta Christmas skirts, pork chops and fried potatoes; the hostess of Cinco de Mayo Parties, monthly bridge clubs, neighborhood progressive dinners and Westwood circle swim parties; our mom, Alice Jordan “Kitty” Yount, 88, passed from this life on July 3, 2025 at Blount Memorial Hospital from complications of atrial fibrillation. Kitty was preceded in death by husband of 64 years Harold Henson “Hal” Yount in 2024, and baby sister Sue Stansbury in 2018. The morning of her death, Kitty whispered that she that she was ready to join her husband. She is survived by her son Harold Henson Jr “Buddy” Yount and wife Penny, and daughter Laura Yount and husband Jason Budde; grandchildren Morgan and Alex Yount, Anna and Caroline Budde; sister Connie and brother-in-law Richard Green; sister-in law Shirley Yount; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much. Born September 21, 1936 in Grant Town, West Virginia to Early and Ruth Hall Jordan, Kitty spent her childhood in Oak Ridge during World War II where her dad worked at K-25. The Secret City likely saved her life when she contracted rheumatic fever at age 9 and missed a year of school, only to be nursed back to health by the wonderful health system that the Atomic City offered. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1955. Kitty met Hal on a blind date arranged by friends in college, and his career with Alcoa ultimately led them to Davenport, Iowa; Pittsburgh, PA; and then back to Maryville, TN. Kitty earned her BA and then her Masters in guidance counseling from the University of Tennessee. She wore many different hats at various schools, but especially cherished her time working as a guidance counselor at The Center School and Carter High School in Knoxville. She loved her circle of friends from The Center School and kept up with them for years after retirement. Her sister Connie said she was a people magnet with a genuine concern for others and was born to be a counselor. With each move, Mom seemed to collect more and more good friends, so that by the time they returned to Maryville, their list of friends with whom they stayed in touch was pages long. She was a devoted Christmas card sender and never missed a year sending hundreds of letters to friends from year’s past. Mom and Dad loved their monthly Friday night bridge club and mom would say in her 80’s that “getting old was for the birds” as they had outlived the rest of their card group and a good amount of their closest friends. In her younger years Kitty devoted considerable time volunteering for the Johnson Group Home and New Providence Welcome Table. As a family, Kitty and Hal journeyed across Europe and the United States multiple times, and after retirement they settled into weekly dinners of Mexican fare and margaritas at Cancun’s restaurant with close friends. Kitty was especially grateful to the Smiths who continued to take her out every Sunday even after Hal’s death. They had wonderful neighbors in Westwood who checked in on them often including Laura Harrlll, the Knights, Greenacre and Carraway families. Her special caregiver and friend Tasha Downey helped her immensely after Hal’s death. Special thanks to Dr. James and Dr. Souther for over ten years of caring for such a strong- willed, opiniated patient who often did whatever she wanted and to Dr. Zimmerman, Kody, Sawyer and the SICU team for their care in her last hours. No formal services are planned but the family will gather to spread her ashes. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to New Providence Welcome Table 703 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801. Condolences may be shared through Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com