Trixie Venerable

On Oct. 10th, God took Trixie Rupert Clark Venerable to be with her parents, Henry and Jewell Collins Rupert. Trixie was 89. She belonged to Chuckey United Methodist Church.

Trixie was born Feb. 12, 1937, in Greene County. She graduated from Chuckey High School in 1955 and went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Tennessee State University. In 1959, she began teaching at Chuckey Elementary School. She later transferred to Chuckey-Doak High School, where she taught freshman English. In 1985, she moved to the Greene County Schools central office as a supervisor. There, her dear friend the late Judy Phillips mentored her and helped her in every way she could to ensure Greene County provided a quality education for all students.

Like Phillips, Trixie received the Supervisor of the Year and Administrator of the Year awards. During this time, she also received the Delta Kappa Gamma scholarship for 30 hours beyond the master’s degree, which she completed at East Tennessee State University.

Trixie was a caring teacher who supported students both academically and personally. When Trixie retired, Dr. Paul Fox wrote, “But never will I forget what you’ve taught me about caring.” He also wrote that “Mrs. Clark had tough love.”

Fox also wrote: “I’ve been blessed with time to walk life’s paths with you, but, when recalling the past, the times were too few. You’ve touched my life and others you’ve met along our way from the beginning of your journey and continuing today.”

Trixie was preceded in death by her parents; her dear friend Judy Phillips; her sister Wanda Rupert Ferguson; her son R.D. Venerable; a grandson, Nathan Venerable; and a granddaughter, Katlin Burger.

She is survived by her fifth-grade sweetheart and husband, Robert J. Venerable; her brother and sister-in-law, Buster and June Rupert; Larry and Gail Landers, whom she referred to as her son and daughter; her son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Elaine Venerable; a daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Kevin Burger; LuAnne Slagle Spurrell, Suzanne Slagle Richey and Laura Slagle Cain, the children of her high school friend the late Mary Jo Slagle; granddaughters Danielle Venerable and Kelsey Burger; granddaughter-in-law Megan Venerable; great-grandchildren Nolan and Maylee Venerable; special cousins Ann Collins Rohr and Marlen James Collins; and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Jeffers Funeral Chapel at Afton from 11 am- 1 pm and 3 pm -5 pm with the funeral to follow at 5 pm with Paul Fox officiating. Entombment will follow in Graceland Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Marlen Jean Collins, David Johnson, Kevin Burger, Bernie Faye, Danny Venerable, Steve Balew, Bunker Handley and Larry Landers.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. William Scott and all of her health care providers.

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to Greene LEAF, the Foundation for Greene County Schools (P.O. Box 1253, Greeneville, TN 37743, or online at greeneleaf.org).