Mary Heaton Wilhoit

Mary Heaton Watts Wilhoit, 79, of Chattanooga died on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family.  

Mary, a descendent of early settlers of Ooltewah, was born June 8, 1940, the only child of the late W. Jackson Watts and Nanalee Bunch Watts of Ooltewah. Mary was educated in Ooltewah schools where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband Tom Wilhoit.

She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a BS in Home Economics. She taught in various local schools and retired from her position at Howard High School on June 8, 1996.

She was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Chief John Ross Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Family and Consumer Sciences organizations, and was a Tennessee Aquarium Volunteer Emeritus.

Mary and her husband Tom enjoyed years of boating on the Tennessee River, traveling, and scuba diving in the Caribbean.

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Harry Thomas Wilhoit, Jr.; daughter, Jacquelynn Lee Wilhoit Bishop, and son Michael Thomas Wilhoit. Grandsons; Cory Thomas Wilhoit, Jonathan Lee Bishop, and Stephen Ira Bishop. Also surviving are her Bunch, Heaton, and Watts family cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 18, 2019 in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Debbie Stokes officiating. Burial will follow at 12:30 PM in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 8645 East Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421 (christchurchchatt.org).

Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family.

The family will receive friends 4-7 PM on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.