Charlene Cekis Stoika, 64, of Pigeon Forge, TN, and formerly of Athens, TN, and Sully, died Apr. 14, 2017, at Pigeon Forge Care and Rehab Center. Funeral services were held Apr. 18 at Ziegler Funeral Home in Athens, TN. Burial followed in McMinn Memory Gardens.
A native of Chicago, IL, and longtime resident of McMinn County, TN, she was a daughter of the late George and Emily Toupal Cekis and was preceded in death by a brother Robert Cekis. She was a CNA/LPN and worked many years with local health care facilities. She was a volunteer for the Hiwassee River Rail Adventure, a member of the Athens Community Chorus, and attended East Athens Baptist Church, where she was also a member of the church choir.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Charity Lee (Dave) McClain of Tulsa, OK, and Dawn Joy (Keith) Hodges of Hermitage, TN; two sons and daughters-in-law: Brian (Misti) Stoika of Seymour, TN, and Tim (Cushie) Stoika of Etowah, TN; one granddaughter, Lydia McClain; and seven grandsons: Gabriel McClain, Caleb, Riley, Dylan, Ryan, Zeke, and Eli Stoika; and her former husband of 34 years, David Stoika.
Charlene lived with her family in Sully from 1977-81 and was a major founder and first president of the
L-S PTA.
