Dava Jane Raulston Quarles, 71 of South Pittsburg passed away on Wednesday, April 16 peacefully with her loving family by her side.
Born on June 17, 1953, Dava was the youngest of the three daughters of Joseph Mancel Raulston, known to all as “Chick,” and his wife, the former Allie Jane Anderson, known to most as “Addie.” Dava was born into a family of love and laughter, who loved to dance and celebrate life together. Following in a family tradition of sorts, Dava married her childhood sweetheart, Michael Allen Quarles and continued their loving partnership for 48 years until her death on Wednesday, April 16.
Dava attended the public schools of South Pittsburg, graduating from South Pittsburg High School. She also received her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She taught elementary school for 34 years, first in Loudon County, Knox County and then at Richard Hardy Memorial School as well as South Pittsburg Elementary School. She also tutored students in the summer and worked for TIPS, the Tennessee Infant Parent Service. Dava loved every one of her 34 years of teaching and especially loved the fact that there wasn’t a week that went by for her or later for her daughters, without a former student sharing their love and fond memories of their time in Mrs. Quarles’s kindergarten class.
Dava was a member of the Marion County Retired Teachers Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Methodist Church and the Ladies Hope Sunday School Class. Her hobbies and interests were nearly limitless, but they included crochet and cross stitching, playing the mandolin and the piano, watercolor painting, exercising, planting wildflowers, listening to music and dancing, reading and teaching young children. She was an inveterate and highly accomplished list maker. Among her greatest joys were family vacations and spending time with her grandchildren. She always tried to look on the sunny side and find the good in any situation.
Dava was preceded in death by her parents Chick and Allie Jane Raulston, her grandparents D.C., Ava and Allie Anderson, Mancel and Hewlett Raulston, two cousins Grant and Gary Hammond and her brother-in-law Ramsey Quarles.
She is survived by her husband Mike Quarles of South Pittsburg, her children Ava Brook and David LaRoche of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as well as Bailey Jane and Walker Henley of South Pittsburg, her grandchildren Anderson and Ayla LaRoche, Charles and Hollan Henley, her sisters Lynn (and Rusty) Adcock and Jody (and Lew) Loyd, her sister-in-law Myra Quarles, her brother-in-law Brian (and Tina) Quarles, her nieces and nephews Rustan (Sarah) Adcock, Jocelyn Gill, Wilson Loyd, Brandon (Heather) Adcock, Jana (Rob) Barnett, Allyn (Jake) Rosenbloum, Dee (Kevin) Kelly, Kelly (Rex) Womack and Dara Quarles, her first cousins Marsha and Marge Raulston-Boric, Margaret Ann and Benny Rollins, Paula Sue Braden, Crockett and Debbie Hammond, Chris and Cindy Hammond, Patricia Richards, several nieces, nephews, cousins and all of her amazing friends.
A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 3 at 4 p.m. at Bean Roultson Cemetery on 7783 Sweetens Cove Rd in South Pittsburg, with Reverend Issac Blevins officiating.
Visitation will also be held on Saturday, May 3 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Rogers Funeral Home’s South Pittsburg Chapel prior to the graveside service at Bean Roulston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bean Roulston Cemetery Association, C/O Dr. John Roultson, PO Box 986, Jasper, TN 37347, or to Holly Avenue United Methodist Church Food Bank (Holly Market) P.O. Box 189 South Pittsburg, Tennessee 37380 South Pittsburg, TN 37380.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rogers Funeral Home, 400 Laurel Ave, South Pittsburg, Tennessee 37380.(423) 837-7176.
The Marion Tribune – April 24, 2025
