Tennessee Valley Authority Retirees Association

This is significant!

Big news for our region! ⚡
The TVA Board just approved keeping the Kingston and Cumberland Fossil Plants running longer than originally planned.
TVA’s coal fleet and the employees who operate it work year-round to deliver reliable power to communities across the region, supporting homes, businesses, and American energy dominance.🇺🇸
👉 More details here: http://tva.me/WyB550YcUzl

TVA Retirement System has approved a COLA of 2.5 % for 2026. You will see the increase in your January statement.

TVARA is sad to announce the passing of Reba Whitson. She served TVARA faithfully for many years. She will be missed. Rest in Peace dear friend.

The annual TVA Retiree Appreciation Picnic is Friday September 12.
Go to
TVA.com/retireelunch to register.
Hope to see you there.

Please fill out this form

Save the date for the TVA Retiree Appreciation Luncheon in Chattanooga on Friday September 13, 2024. You MUST register to attend. Doors open at 10:30 am and lunch and programming begins at 11:30 am. Register at https://forms.office.com/.g/.0fAvNyB0mx
or call 865-632-3318.
Can't wait to see you there!

Welcome new followers!

The Social Security Announced a 3.2% raise in benefits for 2024 on October 12.

Maurice Msarsa had passed away.
Please see the post from his son Steve.

Hello all, Steve Msarsa here... people are asking about services, memorials, etc... the short answer, dad didn't want anything upon his passing... so, we will honor his wishes... later this year, we will have a small private ceremony to spread his ashes around the home property he called his "paradise"... thanks again for all the kind messages, we appreciate it... we're trying to adjust to this new life without him...
for those who are interested, here's the obituary mom and I crafted for him...
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On Monday October 2, 2023 at 4:01 pm, Maurice George Msarsa joined the angels in Heaven. A tower of strength and fortitude balanced with kindness and compassion throughout his life, he set an example few could match.
Born in Jaffa, Palestine on September 1, 1933, Maurice was born into a loving, successful and respected family. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Victoria and George. The family had a beautiful home in the Upper Bakka area of Jerusalem. Their neighborhood was one of diversity with a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
Maurice's childhood in Jerusalem was filled with fun and adventure. But his world was turned upside down when his native home of Palestine was attacked from within in May of 1948. He lost his younger brother Henry to illness in the midst of fighting around Jerusalem.
Then his family were evacuated from their home by the British Army as guerilla forces moved into Jerusalem intent on killing any and all that remained. In a matter of hours, his family were refugees, cast out from their home with all their possessions lost forever.
Fortunately, his family was able to resettle in Jerusalem after a few months of uncertainty. Then, sadly, Maurice’s father passed away suddenly. He, his mother Victoria and 2 siblings Madeline and Victor carried on in the face of tragedy. Maurice began attending Friend’s Boys School in Ramallah shortly thereafter.
Upon graduation, Maurice embarked for the United States. He arrived in the Summer of 1951 and entered the College of Engineering at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville that Fall Semester.
In 1954, he met his future wife (and love of his life) Johnnie Silvey. They had a brief long-distance romance as he returned to the Middle East in 1956 as a part of President Truman’s Point IV Program. He was the Chief Engineer and Foreman for the Tran-Jordanian Highway that spanned the country of Jordan.
In 1959, Maurice and Johnnie married. They had their son Steve in September of 1959.
Maurice worked for a Knoxville-based engineering company in the early 1960s and contributed designs to what would become Interstate 40. He joined the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1963. Maurice worked in a variety of managerial positions at TVA, including the Project Planning Division, Water Control Planning, Mapping Services and Resource Services.
Maurice also began studying Karate in 1964. It was a lifelong love and commitment for him. He gave more than 200 demonstrations, along with his wife Johnnie and son Steve, around the country. He was eventually awarded the rank of 9th degree black belt, and was ordained a Grand Master of Isshinryu Karate.
He was subsequently recognized and inducted in numerous karate and martial arts halls of fame around the world, and is regarded as one of the most formidable and knowledgeable senseis in the world. He was also instrumental in the formation of one of the Knoxville-area’s most successful Dojos, the Karate 5.
Maurice was well-known for his kindness and compassion. He was always donating his time and money to various causes. And, he took it upon himself to feed the stray animals that often wandered onto their property. He set an example of selflessness and charity every day of his life.
Once Maurice retired from TVA, he focused on fostering his natural creative abilities. A phenomenal harmonica player, Maurice next mastered the piano. Then, he decided to take his many life experiences and apply them to writing novels.
Under the pseudonym of “Morris George”, Maurice published 8 novels and a set of short stories. He also authored 4 screen play adaptations of his books.
Ultimately, Maurice’s life revolved around family. And doing things that made him happy, with his wife Johnnie by his side. He became a veritable superstar around Knoxville, where he was known and greeted by managers and staff at the many restaurants he frequented regularly.
Whether it was Friday at Chesapeakes for gumbo, weekdays at Copper Cellar West for french onion soup or an early evening meal at Louis’ for a Ribeye with spaghetti and onion rings, Maurice embraced the good things in life. Always smiling, always ready to give a hug to anyone who knew and loved him.
He was also a huge fan of the sports teams of his alma mater, The University of Tennessee. He and his son Steve, who resides in Raleigh, NC, would spend every UT sporting event on the phone, watching and cheering together, whether it was football, basketball or baseball.
Maurice and Johnnie lived in the home they purchased in South Knoxville in 1963. He took great pride in their home, and designed additions and landscaping around the property. He called it his “paradise”. It was only fitting he spent his last days in the sunroom he designed overlooking the environment he skillfully and lovingly crafted.
Maurice is preceded in passing by his parents George and Victoria; his siblings Henry, Victor and Madeline; his dogs Pepe, Barney and Andy. He leaves his wife of 65 years Johnnie; his son Steve; daughter-in-law Lisa Msarsa; granddaughter Lana Msarsa; nephew George Msarsa; in-laws Harold and Evelyn Silvey; nephew Mark Silvey; and many close, important friends including David and Sharen DeBusk; Willie and Linda Wilson; Greta and Sam Dajani; Issam and Mary Akley.
Maurice requested that there be no service, no memorial. So, the family will honor his wishes. In lieu of donations to a specific charity, the family asks that you carry out acts of kindness and charity each day with Maurice in mind. That will be the ultimate tribute to him, to simply bring more goodness to this troubled world.