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Tennie (Holden) Arwood of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Monday. September 2, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home at the age of 100. Tennie was born March 19, 1924 in Avery County, N.C., to the late Calvin E. and Temple (Hughes) Holden. In addition to her parents, Tennie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Arwood; her stepmother, Nanny Holden; three brothers, Lon Holden, Creed Holden and Norman Holden; three sisters, Mariann Holden; Blanche Holden and Norine Honeycutt; and her traveling buddies, Beulah and Emma.

Tennie had the biggest heart and truly enjoyed helping others. She never gave birth to a child but raised many children. She was a member of Valley Forge Christian Church since 1953 and retired from North American Rayon Corporation. She liked working in her flowers and gardening but most of all, Tennie loved her family and making special memories with them.

Those left to cherish and remember Tennie include her sisters, Josephine Jarrett, Christine Carrico, Mattie Lou McKinney, Eula Jarrett and Grace Stafford, and her stepson, Ray (Glenda) Arwood. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews, cousins, and many other family members that will miss her also survive.

A service to celebrate Tennie’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 8, in the Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from noon until 2 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service.  

The graveside service will follow at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Simerly, Ray Arwood and Lynn Laws.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations in memory of Tennie to the Valley Forge Christian Church Building Fund, 114 V F Christian Church Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. A special thanks to Tennie’s niece, Myra Ann Davis, for her care and love shown to Tennie during her illness. Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.

Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the Arwood family. Office Phone: (423) 542-2232.