If you are tempted to say you’re too old to do …, remember Mary Lou Whitten Auxier of Oak Ridge. Mrs. Auxier died June 8, 2024, at age 91, and a celebration of her life is planned for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29, at First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge. Look at her achievements:
- Married 55 years to Leonard G. Whitten Jr., raised two daughters
- Married 11 years to John Auxier
- Enrolled at the University of Tennessee in her forties
- Graduated with high honors in accounting at age 46
- Became a certified public accountant (CPA)
- Worked in increasing areas of responsibility at ORNL for 20 years, retiring from Lockheed Martin as business manager for reindustrialization
- After retirement, she continued to work part-time with the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee
She also gave back to the community:
- 1997 chair of the Lockheed Martin United Way Campaign
- Recognized in 2017 for 30 years of service to Rotary and as the third woman worldwide to become a member of the Rotary Heritage and History International Fellowship
- Named a Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow
- Longtime member of First United Methodist Church
- Founded the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge in 2010 with husband John Auxier.
Her wish was for any memorials to be made to the Free Medical Clinic, 116 E. Division Road, Oak Ridge TN 37830 or online.