Prominent Oneida Businesswoman Passes At 101

Oneida, TN (201-03-08) A prominent Oneida businesswoman best known for her charitable nature and love of butterflies passed away on Tuesday. March 8, 2011. She was 101.

Bromma Lane Parnell Johnson Pemberton Linville, 101, of Oneida passed away Tuesday morning at the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville. Known as “Miss Bromma”, Linville was best known for her business savvy and years of work and service at First National Bank of Oneida. In her later years, Linville was recognized for her charitable works, especially her love for the Children’s Center of the Cumberlands and the Boys and Girls Club of Scott County.

In 1929, Linville, at the age of 20, had already graduated from Knoxville Business College; however, jobs were scarce because of the recent stock market crash and other economic factors that left thousands of people out of work in East Tennessee and nationwide. Despite her degree, Linville began working as a soda fountain clerk at a local pharmacy. Soon however, she landed a job that would last a lifetime, becoming an employee of First National Bank of Oneida. While she originally through the job would be temporary, she stayed at the bank more than 50 years, eventually becoming the bank’s first female Senior Vice President. In retirement, Linville stayed active, putting her time, talent and resources into a variety of charitable organizations.

In addition to her business prowess, Linville was also known for her love of butterflies, which always adorned her clothing. Aside from its symbolic meaning in her life with its religious connotation, she always adhered to the adage that “if a butterfly lands on your shoulder, it will bring you good luck”. Thus, she never took any chances, wearing a butterfly pin on her left shoulder every day. She reportedly had more than 500 in her collection. She was also known for her love of the color pink

In 2010, at the age of 100, Linville shared her life experiences with everyone through her memoirs; a book titled, “A Butterfly on Her Shoulder”.

Linville was born in Oliver Springs and graduated from Oliver Springs High School; however, she spent most of her adult life in Scott County. At the time of her passing, Linville was still a member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank, along with standing membership in the Oneida Founder’s Society of the University of Tennessee; the Development Board of the U.T. Institute of Agriculture; Board of Directors of the Children’s Center of the Cumberlands; Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church; Fort Sanders Foundation Council; The 1863 Society of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, the Fifty Year Club of the Tennessee Banker’s Association; Memorials Chairperson of Scott County Chapter of the American Cancer Society; and an honorary member of the Kiwanis Club.

During her lifetime, Linville had been awarded: 1) an Honorary Doctor of Law Degree from Cumberland College; and 2) an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from Roane State Community College; and had been named a Kentucky Colonel and was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame in 2005.

Funeral services for Ms. Linville will be held Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Oneida. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, Ms. Linville asked that donations be made to: The Children’s Center of the Cumberlands; P.O. Box 4314; Oneida, TN 37841; Boys and Girls Club of Scott County; c/o Marsha Creekmore; 17025 Alberta Street, Oneida; Scott County Women’s Shelter; P.O. Box 5402; Oneida, TN 37841.