Nellie A. Knox Farris, 83, of Athens, died Wednesday, May 18, 2010, at Athens Regional Medical Center.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Ruel and Lissie Marie Miller Knox, and was preceded in death by two brothers, George Knox and Virgile Andrew Knox; and one sister, Sue Knox Bohannon. She was a member of Fairview Baptist Church and was a former employee of Athens Community Hospital and Cook's Box Company.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, John T. "J.T." Farris of Athens; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Ray and Cathy Knox of Niota, Walter Knox of Cleveland, and Alton and Amanda Knox of Niota; two sisters, Geneva Axley and Blanche Neil, both of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Fairview Baptist Church with the Rev. Jack Scallions officiating. The body will lie in-state from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Knox, Eddie Farris, Joe Farris, Tommy Bohannon, John Devine and Frank Carden.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.