Louise Bertha Harkness

Hitch, Louise Harkness (90) of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Louise lived a full and fun life with her husband, Joe, for 66 years until he passed away nearly one year ago. She retired from AT&T. After retirement, Louise spent many years helping others with Joe through volunteer work. She volunteered for over 50 years with American Red Cross. Louise also volunteered at the Knoxville Police Department, Knox County Sheriff's Department, and other local organizations and events. She served as Co-President (with Joe) of the Parent Teacher Counselor Association at the Tennessee School for the Deaf. To all who knew her, Louise was energetic, giving, helpful, patriotic, funny, and feisty. In her final years, Alzheimer's disease took her away from her friends and family; however, her sweet spirit and sense of humor beat the disease that her body couldn't. These were recognizable to the end. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Hitch, and her favorite son-in-law, Gerald Nelson. She is survived by daughter, Kathleen Nelson; sons, Joe Jr. (John), Brian (Denise), Tim; grandchildren, Andrew (Missy), Brian II, Wesley; great grandchild, Seamus; sister-in-law, Maxine Hitch. Special thanks to Kathy, Diane, Melissa and other caregivers. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the American Red Cross Disaster Services at the Knoxville TN Chapter. Family will receive friends Saturday, March 16th from 2-4pm with funeral service at 4pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home on Adair Dr. Entombment will take place Sunday, March 17th at 1pm at Lynnhurst Cemetery

Louise married (?) Smith about 1945.

Louise next married Joe Edward Hitch Sr., son of Joe Roy Hitch and Lena Mae Long, on 17 May 1952 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.¹ (Joe Edward Hitch Sr. was born on 16 Nov 1928 in Maryville, Blount Co., TN ¹ and died on 30 Mar 2018 in Knoxville, Knox Co., TN.)