Dr. Elizabeth Hay Rhea obituary
Dr. Elizabeth Hay Rhea, age 85 died Thursday, May 30, 2019 after a 17-year battle with cancer. Dr. Rhea was a native of Eagleville, TN and was preceded in death by her husband, Creighton Rhea MD who died in 2004. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Ira James Hay and Alice Pettus Hay, and a sister, Helen Joyce Hay.
Dr. Rhea is survived by her brothers, J. I. Hay and his wife Molly, of Suwanee GA., Dr. Robert Hay, and wife Dr. Carla Hay of Waukesha, WI; sisters; Carolyn Dobbins, and her husband Don, of Brentwood, Sara Ruth Robbins, and husband Ralph of Blairsville, GA.
She was known for her charitable giving, volunteer work and staunch support of Middle Tennessee State University.
To mention everything she’s done to give back to the community, including her major contributions to MTSU, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1955, is to acknowledge an endless list of accolades.
Just a few of the organizations she’s been involved with over the years include: Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation; Oakland’s Association; MTSU Blue Raider Athletic Association; Center for the Arts; Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (starting as Discovery House Museum); United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties; MTSU Foundation and Alumni boards; American Heart Association; Saint Joseph Fund; Murfreesboro Noon Rotary; ACE Learning Center; Read To Succeed; Habitat for Humanity; Alive Hospice; Hospice of Murfreesboro; St. Rose Catholic School board; Murfreesboro Symphony and Youth orchestras.
At one time, she served on 24 boards simultaneously. Dr. Rhea told The Daily News Journal in 2016 that she was honored as the Red Cross Heart of Tennessee Chapter’s “Hero of the Year” as well as being names the Rutherford Heart Ball honoree.
While Dr. Rhea's philanthropy is widespread over many decades, her life has humble beginnings.
One of six children, she knew early on she wanted to be a doctor, and she was determined to make it — even in a male-dominated profession. Countless women in the medical field still looked to her as their pioneer.
Before attending medical school, she earned her undergraduate degree from MTSU, where she was a cheerleader, yearbook editor and involved in a number of other campus organizations.
In 1958 she was one of two women to graduate from the UT School of Medicine in Memphis. She became a radiologist alongside her husband, Creighton, a radiology professor at the medical school.
Eventually, Rhea returned to medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston to learn mammography and ultrasound. In 1978 she went to work at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, where she worked until retiring in 1992.
Not long after, the Rheas returned to Rutherford County and settled in Murfreesboro. Rhea wasted no time finding ways to give back, with the encouragement and support of her husband.
The medical community she served loved her back.
The atrium of the university's Science Building, which opened in 2014, is named in their honor. The chapel at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital, its Diagnostic Imaging waiting room and Cancer Center lobby are all named in her honor.
As a tribute to Rhea's legacy of devotion, the Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation has named its most prestigious honor for her, the Dr. Liz Rhea Philanthropist of the Year Award. Rhea's smile and humor will be missed by all who knew her.
She was the recipient of the 2017 Rutherford ATHENA Award, which spotlights women who have dedicated their lives to making a better community.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alive Hospice Murfreesboro, 1629 Williams Dr, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.
Visitation will be 10:00AM Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM. Fr. Stephen Brett and Fr. John Sims Baker will officiate. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151. www.woodfinchapel.com
