Antoinette T. Wolverton

Antoinette T. Wolverton, Kingsport, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Indian Path Medical Center from complications following emergency abdominal surgery.

She was born in Elizabethton, TN, and she moved with her family to Kingsport at an early age. She graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and then moved to East Tennessee State University where she completed her junior year. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Kingsport.

Antoinette worked at the Kingsport Public Library and helped organize the University Library prior to its opening. She enjoyed reading, painting, gardening, singing, and being an enthusiastic Elvis Presley fan. Antoinette became an avid Elvis fan after attending his first concert after he got out of the U.S. Army in 1960. She was interviewed some years later about that Elvis performance in Memphis by Joe Espisito, Elvis's former road manager, when he called her from California. She was thrilled to find that her remembrances about the concert were included in Mr. Espisito's book. She also submitted artwork and a bust of Elvis for display in the Elvis Remembrance in August exhibitions, and she belonged to several Elvis fan clubs.

In addition to her parents, David B. Testerman and Helen H. Testerman, Antoinette was preceded in death by her grandparents, Chauncy Craig Hacker, M.D. and Judge Marie Hacker of Elizabethton, TN; brother-in-law, Dr. C.J. Gordon Blackford; and special friends, Buffy, Beau, and Puff.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Larry E. Wolverton; son, Brian Keith Wolverton of the home; daughter, Laura A. Smith (Bryon); granddaughters, Brianna Beamish, Kayce Smith, and Kayla Parker of Elizabethton, TN; sister, Mary Alice Testerman Blackford of Nashville, TN; nephew, Charles Blackford (Neda) and their children Elizabeth and Victoria of Houston, TX; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm on Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.

The service will be at 1 pm on Saturday with Pastor Mitch Whisnant officiating. Burial will follow at Happy Valley Cemetery in Elizabethton, TN.

The family is extremely grateful for the outstanding care given to Antoinette by the caring professionals at Indian Path Medical Center. They especially want to thank Dr. Thomas and his surgery team, the ICU staff and direct care RNs, the compassionate staff of the 4th floor Med-Surg unit, and Hospice Staff. Dr. Campbell and surgical internist Deborah Rogers were always of great comfort to the family, and, for that, will always be remembered.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan County Humane Society, 2141 Idle Hour Rd., Kingsport, TN 37660, or to the Elvis Presley Trauma Center, 977 Jefferson Ave., Memphis, TN 38103.

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