Lemuel “Robert” Beene, 83, went to be with the Lord on March 23. He is preceded in death by his father, George Patton Beene and mother, Anna Lee Walker Beene, of Jasper, and his brother George Patton Beene, Jr. (Cotton) and his wife, Barbara of Little Rock, AR.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Frances; his loving sister, Anne Brown of Nashville, TN, dear brother-in-law, Tim Miller (Julie) and other family members: son, Thomas Patton Beene of Nashville, TN; daughter, Jennifer Smith (Jamie) of Marigold, MS; stepson, Richard King (Rochelle) of San Antonio, TX and stepdaughter, Michelle Barker (Christopher) of Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren, Victoria Joyner (Francis) and Gabriella Barker; William and Andrew King; and Sarah Bennett, Jim and Carty Smith. Great grandchildren, Benjamin, Silas and Everett Chance. Nieces and Nephews, Lindsey Alley (Nick) with new special grandniece Everley, and Rachel Alshareef (Harith); Thompson Brown (Angie) and Noel Geer (Richard); and Charles Beene (Melissa), Betsy Fryer (Granville) and Carol Moore (Jon), along with a host of great-nieces and nephews.
Robert attended the University of Tennessee and graduated from Tennessee Tech University. He was a Professional Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor. During his lifetime, he worked for Tennessee Aeronautics, retired from TVA, served 10 years as the County Engineer for McMinn County, and in his later years he was associated with Bicentennial Volunteers, Inc.’s National Emergency Assistance, working with FEMA for 15 years on disasters all across the country. In his professional career, among so many other things, he designed interstates and airports and managed construction on TVA’s dam reservations and recreation areas. Due to his intelligence, creativity, and dedication, his work was impeccable.
Robert was a member of First Baptist Church, Athens, Tennessee. He was previously in the Athens Rotary Club as well as being a Gideon. He was proud of being an Eagle Scout and that his grandson, Jim, followed in his footsteps to become one also. In his last years, he was a part of Rock Steady Boxing and he thought of the group and his coaches as family, particularly his special friend Dina Dell. His motto was Never Give Up and he fought to the end.
Robert was a kind, generous man, with a dry wit—he made friends wherever he worked and travelled. He was a man of character and integrity, and he was greatly loved by many. He will surely be missed and can never be replaced.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST (1:00 to 3:00 CST) and 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. EST (4:00 to 7:00 p.m. CST) on Friday, April 5, at the Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. EST (1:00 p.m. CST) Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Bean-Roulston Cemetery in South Pittsburg, with his nephew, Charles Beene conducting the service.
Memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or online at www.samaritanspurse.org. Please visit www.chattanoogavalleyviewchapel.com to share your memories of Robert.
Arrangements are by Rogers Funeral Home, 400 Laurel Ave, South Pittsburg, TN (423) 837-7176 and Valley View Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN.
The Marion Tribune – April 4, 2024
