Carolyn Annette Wilson (Ward) Achata

Memoriam

McDonald resident, Carolyn Annette Wilson (Ward) Achata, 72, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 5, 2015, at her home after bravely fighting lymphoma for several years. Born in Big Stone Gap, VA, on October 13, 1943, Mrs. Achata chose Bradley County as her home in 1969 after living in many places all over the southeast. In addition to McDonald, she made homes in Salisbury, NC, Marietta, GA, Portland, TN, Fletcher, NC, Wytheville, VA, Miami, FL, Knoxville, TN, Collegedale, TN and Cleveland, TN. She published two books on genealogy and enjoyed canning and travel.

Mrs. Achata was a graduate of Marietta Church School in Marietta, GA (1956), Highland Academy in Portland, TN (1960), University of Miami (R.N., 1967), and University of TN, Memphis (M.S.N., 1990).

Although she worked as a nurse in hospitals in Fletcher, NC, and Hialeah Hospital in the Miami area, she found her calling in public health in the mountains of Appalachia under the tutelage of Dr. Schuller. Her public health career in the Tennessee Department of Health, Southeast Region, began in 1969, where she served 30 years, spanning 1969-2011, at the county and regional level as a public health nurse, immunization program manager, and Children's Special Services Coordinator. She also spent a number of those years in home health nursing. She shared her enthusiasm for public health with her Southern Adventist University nursing students from August, 1994, to June, 2002, and then again on a part-time basis from 2011-2015. She passionately interacted with students and taught them about the impact they could have as healthcare providers in the community. One major contribution to both nursing education and the community was her development of free Foot Care Clinics for elderly and disabled clients.

Mrs. Achata was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow M. Wilson and Naomi Dalrymple Wilson, and her sister, Darlene Wilson Becker.

Survivors include her three children: Wendi Anderson and husband, Lee, of Urbanna, VA; David Achata and wife, Amy, of San Clemente, CA; and Sonya Bullock and husband, Chris, of Kennesaw, GA; seven grandchildren: Daniel Bullock, Ana Achata, Ava Bullock, Isaac Achata, Ada Anderson, Jett Bullock, and Naomi Anderson; siblings: Kenneth Wilson and David Wilson.

Visitation will be at 9:00 am Sunday, November 15, 2015, in the main sanctuary of the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist church in Collegedale, TN. Memorial service will follow immediately at 10:00 a.m. in the same location with David Achata presiding. Interment will follow in Collegedale Memorial Gardens, followed by a potluck celebration of a life well lived back at the Collegedale Church. Pall bearers will be Kenneth Wilson, David Wilson, David Achata, Lee Anderson, Chris Bullock, and Daniel Bullock.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Achata family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com. For those who would like to send gifts, please make a donation to Collegedale Academy to their worthy student fund in Carolyn’s honor. She loved our school and wanted to bless it after she was gone. You may make donations at the following address: http://collegedaleacademy.com/index.php/alumni-site/giving-opportunities