Obituary of Anita Gaye Enkema

Kingsport - Anita Gaye Brown Enkema, 80, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, November 20, 2019. An exceptional, generous spirit and true friend are just some of the words that would describe Gaye. Those who knew her best, her family, would also call her infinitely loving, patient, wise, a source of inspiration and joy and the anchor of her family. She was a blessing to all who knew her and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She was also a woman of great faith, so we know that she has been freed from her earthly body and rejoicing with her Lord and Savior, being reunited with her husband of 53 years, Philip B. Enkema Sr. Gaye volunteered for Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Holston Valley Auxiliary, Tennessee Children’s Home, Cub Scouts and PTA. She also was an active member of Northeast Church of Christ. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip B. Enkema, Sr.; her parents, Charlie and Doy Eubank Brown; her brother, Cordell Brown and her sister, Beatrice Evans.

She is survived by her children, Philip (Tracy) Enkema of Drayden, MD, Becky (David) Musgrave of Chattanooga, TN, Betsy (Dennis) Shepherd of Franklin, TN and Robert (Sarah) Eenkema of Kingsport, TN; her grandchildren, Gretchen and Pieter Enkema, Aly Musgrave, Megan, Luke and Sadie Shepherd, and Heather (Nick) Woods; one great-granddaughter, Reagan Woods; her brother, Charles (Jane) Brown; her sister, Helen Gosnell and twin sister, Faye (Pat) Astor; 8 nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home.  

A funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Minister Tim Hall, Minister Clifford Dobbs and Pastor Paul Becker officiating.

A private graveside service will be held Monday at East Lawn Memorial Park

We would like to thank Dr. Michael Dew, Dr. Emily Morowski and Dr. Michael Sullivan for their excellent care of Gaye.  We would also like to thank her son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Sarah, for their devoted love and care over the last 10 years.  Also, thanks to her part-time caregiver, Emily Bingham, for her care and devotion to Gaye.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a charitable gift to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Tennessee Children’s Home, In Memory of Gaye Enkema, tennesseechildrenshome.org

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport is serving the Enkema family.