From the Cleveland [Tennessee] Daily Banner newspaper, Obituaries section, dated Monday, August 5, 1991:
Mrs. Clara Rymer
Mrs. Clara LaDoskey Gee Rymer, widow of the late S. Bradford Rymer, Sr., died Saturday morning at the family residence on North Ocoee Street in Cleveland. She was 106 years of age at the time of her death and the matriarch of one of the leading industrial families in the United States.
She was the daughter of the late Dr. James M. Gee and Harriet Emeline Childress Gee of Polk County, Tennessee. She married S. Bradford Rymer, Sr. on July 22, 1902 and homesteaded near Thomas, Oklahoma for approximately 18 months. In 1904 the Rymers returned to Tennessee and settled in Cleveland. She resided at 620 North Ocoee Street from March 1919 until her death.
Mrs. Rymer and her husband established Dixie Foundry in 1916, which eventually became Magic Chef, Inc., with headquarters in Cleveland. Mrs. Rymer served on the Board of Directors of Magic Chef for many years and until 1986 as an honorary member of the Board. In 1986 Magic Chef was merged into the Maytag Corporation. It now operates as an autonomous division of that corporation.
Mrs. Rymer's interest centered around her family, her home and garden, her Church and the Community. She was a member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church. Active in civic and social activities, Mrs. Rymer was a life-long member of the Cleveland Garden Club. The garden club honored Mrs. Rymer for her service with a life membership at the eleventh annual flower show here.
Mrs. Rymer and her husband, S. Bradford Rymer, Sr., were patrons of the Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee, and expressed their interest through continuing financial support. Their contribution made possible the construction of Rymer Hall, which served as the student center and dining facility for the College.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Mrs. Harry "Ruth" Dethero and Mrs. Lester "Zola" Graf, and by two sons, LeRoy Rymer and Marvin Rymer.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Roberta Balfe of Miami, Florida; two sons, S. Bradford Rymer, Jr., and Robert Rymer, both of Cleveland; 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock at the Broad Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ron Ingram and Dr. Horace Barker officiating. Interment will be in Fort Hill Cemetery with grandsons, John Dethero, David Dethero, Kenneth Keyes, LeRoy Rymer, Jr., Hoyle Rymer, Ramsey Dethero, Joseph Rymer, Robert Rymer, Jr., Boyd Dethero and Bradford Rymer the third serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the residence at 620 North Ocoee Stree Monday afternoon from 5 until 7 o'clock. The family requests that flowers be omitted and contributions be made to the Holston United Methodist Church Home for Children in Greenville, Tenn., to Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee, the Boy's Club of Cleveland, or to any other charitable or religious institution of their choice. North Chapel of Buckner-Rush Funeral Homes has charge of arrangements.
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