Fred L. Maples

Retired T/Sgt. Fred L. Maples, 91, born Feb. 9, 1924, passed away peacefully at his home in the Rivergate Mountain Lodge in Pigeon Forge, on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, surrounded by his family who dearly loved him and he them.

He was of Baptist faith accepting Jesus as his savior at a tender age at Maples Branch Baptist Church.

Fred was drafted into the Army at 18 years old, serving as General George Patton's Corp man after the accident on Dec. 9, 1945 until the General's death near Frankfort, Germany. After nine years in the Army, Fred returned to his Sevier County home and finished high school at Pittman Center. He re-enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served 11 more years.

Fred is one of the last City of Pigeon Forge founders and original motel owners.

He was preceded in death by his parents, McKinley and Virgie McCarter Maples; sisters, Ethel Caughron, Ruby Williams, Della Whaley and Lottie Loveday; brother, Willard Maples.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; children, Darrell Foster and Dwight Foster; grandsons, Tim Foster and David Foster; great-grandchildren, Ariel and Lincoln Foster; sisters, Beulah Purkey; brother Ben (Justeen) Maples; sister-in-law, Deloris Maples; brother-in-law, Sanders Whaley; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and his precious little pet, Candi; special friends in the motel industry, Mary Lee Conner and Orval and Betty Kirk; a host of extended friends who he loved like family.

Services were held at Atchley's Smoky Mountain Chapel with Brother William Burton and Brother Travis Russell officiating, both like his own children. His precious group, The Cloud Quartet from Tazewell, provided music. He was entombed in the Chapel Mausoleum of Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens with military honors provided by American Legion Post # 104.

Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home.


This obituary was originally published in the Citizen Tribune.