March 24, 1959-August 14, 2017

 

Maria Teresa “Tesa” Nauman, 58, of Gatlinburg, Tenn., passed away on Monday, August 14, 2017.

 

She was an accomplished writer and photographer. Tesa also had a passion for music and the arts and was an avid animal lover.

Tesa was a graduate of Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, and went on to earn an associate’s degree in fine arts from Cumberland University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1994.

She was a former reporter for The Mountain Press of Gatlinburg, as well as SevierCountyNews.com, and contributed freelance copy and photos to other venues, including to Farm World, covering Tennessee from 2007-16.

She loved photography, and conducted a class throughout Sevier County at various resorts for three years, teaching area visitors how to improve their shutterbug skills, and also had her photographs exhibited in a 2010 gallery at the Anna Porter Public Library.

Tesa is survived by her grandmother, Zenaida Laramore;

uncle, Charles E. Alexander Jr.; cousins, Chuck and Chris Alexander; and many other cousins, loved ones, a family of friends and her precious cat, Thingie.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, with the celebration of life service to follow at 7 p.m. in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home in Sevierville, Tenn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Pets Without Parents, 901 Mize Lane, Sevierville, TN 37862 (either generally or designated to construction of its new “Cat Adoption Zone” facility – call 865-286-9411 for details); or to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.atchleyfuneralhome.com