A native of St. George, GA and a current resident of Louisville (Knoxville), TN passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025 after a sudden illness. Valerie was a people person. She made a positive, profound impact on every life she touched. She was preceded in death by her father Y. Gene Privett whom she thanked for her sharing his sense of adventure and laughter, her paternal grandparents Yulee and Edna Privett, and maternal grandparents Heyward and Leona Minor. She is survived by her mother, Muriel Hodges, brother Kevin Privett (Kelly), sister Sheila Griffis (Gary): Beautiful nieces and nephews: Ashley Privett, Joel Combs (Brittany), Sarah-Anne Albritton (Jonathan), Gary-Nathan Griffis (Devin), Andrew-Paul Griffis (Abby), Addie-Kaye Yarbrough(Lawson), TylerClayton Griffis (Danielle). Great nieces and nephews: Callie Combs. Kenley Combs, Korie Griffis, Felicity Albritton, Adaline Griffis, June Griffis, Jeremiah Yarbrough. A Memorial Service for Valerie will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of St. George, GA. She did not want people to send flowers to her funeral – she stated, “no flowers, as I smelled them along the way”. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of her favorite charities: Mobile Meals, Wesley House, Childhelp, and Young Williams all of Knoxville, Tennessee.
