| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 250.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 7 Jun 2008.
Benefit for David and Dean Shults set for June 14
Author: Kathy Hemsworth
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
NEWPORT--A benefit set for Saturday, June 14, at the National Guard Armory will help a couple who have been known for helping others in need.
David and Dean Shults are known for their generosity. Dean operated Ribbons and Roses until her recent cancer diagnosis.
Dean said she had been sick since January with what started as flu-like symptoms.
She said this year, her business saw the biggest Valentine's Day ever, and after working a long day she was screaming in pain.
In April, she ended up in the emergency room (ER) with fluid in her lungs. Doctors at the ER believed she had a blood clot in her lung.
After drawing two liters of fluid off her lungs, doctors learned she had ovarian cancer.
She underwent surgery where doctors removed as much of the cancer as possible. Fluid has been drawn off Dean's lungs three more times.
"I do have cancer cells in my lungs, but it is not attached to the ovarian cancer," she explained. "But because I do have those cells, it is considered to be stage 4."
She explained when she goes for cancer treatments she is given half of a treatment one week and then returns the next week for the rest of the treatment.
She said each trip costs $1,300, which must be paid in advance.
Dean has no medical insurance. The couple explained David is a veteran and can get medical help through the Veterans Administration, but Dean has no medical coverage. She had applied for medical insurance, but was told it would cost $875 per month and require a one-year waiting period.
The couple had been waiting until after David's 60th birthday in July, when they will get medical insurance through the National Guard, where David served 25 years.
"But I got sick before we got his military insurance, and I couldn't wait," Dean explained.
She explained after her first treatment she suffered what she described as "flu-like symptoms but 50 times worse."
"They gave me medicine for sickness, and I feel very sick, but I don't actually get sick," she added. "It is hard for me to eat enough to keep my blood count up."
She said after completing her treatments doctors will check to see if her cancer is still there or what treatment plan she will need to follow next.
"I have wonderful doctors who haven't complained about waiting on their payment," she said.
She hopes the benefit can raise enough money to pay for the doctors. Payment arrangements can be made for hospital bills, she said.
Because she has not been denied health insurance, she does not qualify for TennCare or CoverTN, she said. She said she was approved for insurance, but it had a high premium and a waiting period.
"We feel like the treatments will take care of my cancer, and I plan to return to work," she said. "My biggest problem has been the fluid build-up."
She expressed her appreciation for friends and family who have brought food to the home and for all the cards she has received. She also noted numerous calls she receives.
Dean explained her church family, Bridgeport Free Will Baptist Church, stepped up and started the benefit.
"My priority right now is to get rid of my cancer," she said.
Dean and David have one son, Randy, and a granddaughter, Whitney.
The benefit set for Saturday, June 14, will begin at 3 p.m. at the National Guard Armory.
Food will be served starting at 3 p.m. and will include ham plates, as well as hamburger and hot dog plates. Carry-outs will be available.
There will be live bluegrass music from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, Barry Scott and Second Wind, and Mountain Edge. An auction will begin at 6 p.m.
For more information, or to make a donation, call (423) 623-0416 and leave a message if there is no answer.
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 17.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 29 Jan 2010.
(June 11, 1949 - January 29, 2010)
Willa “Dean” Shults, age 60, of Newport, passed away Friday, January 29, 2010 in Lakeway Regional Hospital. She was a member of Bridgeport Freewill Baptist Church. She owned and operated Ribbons and Roses Florist for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, George W. and Pearl Henry Stinnett; and her sister, Verlane Stinnett. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, David Shults; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Angie Shults; grandchildren, Whitney Shults and Daniel Wall; brothers and sisters, Susie Smith and husband Bobby of Booneville, Mississippi, J.B. Stinnett and wife Shirley, Betty Shultz and husband Jim of King William, VA, Cleo Stinnett and wife Florine, of Newport, Joyce Roberts and husband, Eldie, of Newport, George Stinnett, Jr., and wife Doris of Newport, Barbara Hudson and husband Sherman of Newport, Orville Stinnett, of Newport, Sharon Trentham and husband Larry of Parrottsville; special niece and nephew, Mark and Deanie Shults and their son Dillan; and a host of nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many other special family and friends. Funeral services will be held 8:00 pm Monday, February 1, 2010 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Hal Kirk, Rev. Tim Carson, and Rev. Adam Sanders officiating. Burial will be 11:00 am Tuesday, February 2, 2010 in Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8 pm Monday at Manes Funeral Home prior to the funeral services.
Manes Funeral Home in charge.
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