Elizabeth "Libby" Tipton Golden

Maurine Elizabeth “Libby” Tipton Golden, 89, of Cleveland, passed away Friday, June 16, 2017.  She was born January 23, 1928 in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Libby grew up in Bradley County where she graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1945.  She attended Milligan College and the University of Chattanooga and graduated with a BS Degree.  She taught 8th grade at Oak Grove School in Cleveland prior moving to Arizona in 1961 where she taught journalism and English at Globe High School.  After returning to Cleveland in 1969 she worked for the Cleveland Daily Banner for many years.

She worked as Editor for the Morning Sun Newspaper while it was Cleveland’s second daily newspaper.  After retirement she began working at the Cleveland Public Library where she assisted people with their genealogy research in the historic branch and later in the reference department in the main branch.  She worked until the age of 83.

She was an avid “Red Hatter” as the Queen Mother of the local red hat group, the Scarlett O’Hattas.  Her passions were reading, genealogy research, learning folk crafts and spending time with her friends many of whom she had known since grade school.

Due to her extensive knowledge and love for Bradley County she was serving as the Bradley County Historian.  She also served on the Fort Hill Cemetery Board and the Bradley County Archival Committee.  She was past president of the Tipton Family Association.

Libby was preceded in death by her husband, Charles John Golden; her eldest son, Douglas Kelly Golden; parents, Sharon Campbell Tipton and Maurine C. Browne Tipton; her beloved sister, Rebecca Ann Tipton Goins; and son-in-law, Charles Perleberg.

Survivors include her loving children, Laura Rebecca Golden, DVM of Dade City, FL, Charles Franklin Golden of Cleveland, Maurine Ellen Golden Adams of Cleveland, Stephen Andrew Golden (Tracey) of Houston, TX, Beth Golden Brooks (Marc) of Phoenix, AZ, Sharon Ruth Golden of Phoenix, AZ and Susan Nina Golden Wooden (Harold “Noonie”) of East Ridge; 11 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren.

 A celebration of Libby’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery.

Her family will receive friends from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library, 795 Church Street NE, Cleveland TN  37311.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Golden family guest book at www.fikefh.com.