Opal Thomas Gott

Opal Thomas Gott, age 96, formerly of Kingsport, TN, passed away March 6, 2025. She had been living with her daughter, Patti Bush, and son-in-law, Andy Bush, in Sevierville, TN for the past eight years.

Opal was born February 15, 1929 in Dryden, VA to Ross and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Thomas. She attended Lincoln Memorial University and graduated from East Tennessee State University. Opal taught school in Sullivan County for 36 years, serving at Bell Ridge, Fort Robinson, and Gravely Elementary Schools.

She was a 67-year member of Ketron Memorial Methodist Church and an associate member of Gatlinburg First United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Lynn Gott, her parents, her siblings, William Thomas, Nell Whitten, and Kenneth Thomas.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Ann Brown (Rusty), Patti Lynn Bush (Andy), her brother, Edward Thomas (Rebecca), two grandchildren, Andy Brown (Samantha), Holly Christensen, three great-grandchildren, Dixie, Ethan, Jackson, and several nieces and nephews.

Opal enjoyed art projects. For instance, she handcrafted three dulcimers. She was a gardener and liked to show the roses, azaleas, clove pinks and rhododendrons at her Kingsport home.

A graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery Garden of Devotion Wednesday, March 12, at 1:00 PM EDT, 700 Truxton Drive, Kingsport, TN.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ketron Memorial Methodist Church at 301 Virgil Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37665 or Gatlinburg First United Methodist Church at 742 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738.

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport is in charge of arrangements. The family thanks the University of Tennessee Hospice and Chad Correll at Hamlett-Dobson.