A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Peter Sherman and Oma White Eaton and attended Knoxville Avenue Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army/Air Force during World War II and was preceded in death by his first wife, Willie Watson Eaton; his second wife, Elizabeth Underdown Eaton; one infant daughter, Diane Eaton; two brothers, Roy and Willie Eaton; and two sisters, Lois Evans and Mae Stephens.

Survivors include his wife, Julia Ratledge Eaton of Athens; one daughter, Ruby Mae Free of Athens; four sons and one daughter-in-law, James Steve Eaton, Wayne Oliver Eaton and Eddie and Helen Eaton, all of Athens, and Charlie Eaton of Sweetwater; other children and spouses, Shirley Hein of Montrose, Pa., Carol Wattenbarger of Benton, Kitty and Danny Smalling of Madisonville, Donna Phillips of Englewood, Beth and Karl Thomas of Athens, Curtis and Nancy Hughes Jr. of Etowah and Randy and Karen Hughes of Athens; 34 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren – Chad Hughes, the youngest grandson, was his pride and joy; one brother and sister-in-law, Floyd "Mutt" and Sue Eaton of Athens; one sister, Edith Padgett of Athens; and special caregiver and grandson, Andrew Thomas.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Henry Jones and Rev. Kenny Waldrop officiating. Burial will be 2 p.m. Sunday in McMinn Memory Gardens with full military honors.

Pallbearers will be Jason Eaton, Andrew Thomas, Eddie, Charlie and Steve Eaton, Curtis and Randy Hughes, and Ryan Thomas.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service.

A native of Meigs County and resident of McMinn County most of his life, he was a son of the late Daily Grady and Mary Lillian Small Bohannon, and was preceded in death by one brother, Clifford G. Bohannon. He was a deacon and member of Clearwater Baptist Church, and was an avid farmer and retired truck driver with Porter-Warner Company.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Hazel Bohannon of Decatur; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Larry Crisp of Decatur and Dianne and Ronnie Banther of Harrison; five grandchildren, Matt Crisp, Clint Crisp, Katie Crisp, Mark Hall and Kimberly Banther; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Hoyt Bohannon and Otto and Louise Bohannon, all of Athens, and Gordon and Judy Bohannon of Dayton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Clearwater Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Bryant and the Rev. Eddie Hooker officiating. Burial will be in Idlewild Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be deacons of Clearwater Baptist Church, Mark Cobble, Steve Dake, R.B. Dake, Danny Hughes, Charles Kincaid and Jeff McDonald.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Cletis and Dessie Betty Jane MaCalester Burris, and was born March 5, 1924. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Esta Lee Carver Burris; and one son, Charles Burris.

Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Sue and Jackie Fagg of Athens and Roberta and Al Jack, all of Athens, and Shirley Burris of Maryville; one son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Linda Burris of Englewood; nine grandchildren, Karen Burris, Randy Fagg, Lisa Newnan, Mark Baker, Kim Williams, Becky Martin, Kristy Zappia, and Aaron and Sharon Watson; and 14 great-grandchildren

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Calvin Queen officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday in McMinn Memory Gardens and will conclude with a white dove release.

Pallbearers will be Bob Zappia, Chris Nolan, Al Jack, Shelby Williams, Greg Martin and Randy Fagg.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.

A daughter of the late Frank and Sally Letner, she was a member of Ten Mile Holiness Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Jones; three children, Jewell Dean, Elizabeth Mae and Daniel Ray Jones; two brothers, George and Charlie Letner; and two sisters, Alice and Mable Letner.

Survivors include seven sons and four daughters-in-law, Clarence and Marie Jones of Loudon, Leon Jones and Robert and Carolyn Jones, all of Ten Mile; George and Fannie Sue Jones of Lenoir City, Fred Jones of Florence, Ala., Lonnie Jones of Ten Mile and Glonnie and Helen Jones of Dayton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Virginia and Albert Kenneth Carter of Sweetwater and Dorothy and Ronnie Brown of Decatur; 14 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Bowers Funeral Home with the Rev. Lawrence Waller officiating. Burial will be in Roberts Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

A native of McMinn County, he was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Arnwine and Anna Bales Owen, and siblings, Ralph Owen, Roy Owen and Viola Owen Hutsell; and one half-brother, Charlie Owen. He was a 62-year member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and building chairman for the educational building. In 1989, he retired as distribution manager from Mayfield Dairy, where he was a 35-year employee. Following his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he attended Tennessee Wesleyan College. In his community, he was instrumental in organizing the Athens Jaycees, serving as president. He also served as president of the Athens Kiwanis Club, of which he was a long-time member. He served as a presidential advisor to Tennessee Wesleyan College.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Virginia Dake Owen of Athens; one son, James Alan Owen of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Bill McNabb of Columbia; a very special granddaughter, Emily Elizabeth McNabb; one brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Bertie Owen of Crossville; one half-brother, Edward Owen of Cleveland; one brother-in-law, Glen Dake of Maryville; six sisters-in-law, Barbara Owen of Columbus, Ohio, Vickie Owen of Lubbock, Texas, Mary Ruth Ellis of Athens, Alene Dake of Athens, Martha Dake Johnson of Hilton Head, S.C., and Frances Dake McDonald of Irmo, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, followed by the funeral service at 2:15 p.m. with the Rev. Don Morris and the Rev. C.D. Hagaman officiating.

A private, family burial will be held.

Active pallbearers will be his nephews, Dr. Marion Ellis, Jay Johnson, Frank Conrad, Paul Dake, Gil Dake, DeWayne Owen, David Owen and Kenny Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Thomas Mayfield, Scottie Mayfield, Carl Hutsell, Dennis Grubb, Ralph Anderson, Marion Smith, W.R. Selden, David S. "Speedy" Wade, Bill Dender and Frank Quillen.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 396, Athens, TN 37371-0396.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native of Etowah, she had lived there most of her life. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Sanford Perian, Ellen Shadden and Spence Shadden.

Survivors include two daughters, Tiffany Paige Burger and Taylor Brooke Bledsoe, both of Etowah; her father and stepmother, Rick and Penny Perian of Etowah; her mother and stepfather, Joan and David Cabrera of Cleveland; one stepbrother, Mark Riggs of Athens; one stepsister, Angie Cabrera of Georgia; and her grandparents, Tom and Ada Massingale of Etowah.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Eddie Rowland officiating. Burial will follow in Cambria Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

He was a native of McMinn County and resident of Monroe County for the past 10 years. A son of the late B. C. and Edna Holt Smith, he was of the Methodist faith and was preceded in death by his wife, Lorrine Smith.

Survivors include two sons, Mark Simonds of Kentucky and Louie Smith of Athens; two daughters, Lynn Outlaw and Lisa Terrell, both of New Port Richey, Fla.; several grandchildren; three sisters, Glenda Teague, Wanda Tallent and Geneva McBroon, all of Athens; one half-sister, Gertrude Kilpatrick of Athens; one half-brother, Charles Radford of Etowah; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will assemble at Piney Grove Cemetery at 2 p.m. Friday for graveside services with the Rev. Craig Wilcox officiating.

There will be no formal visitation.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Luther Hillard and Elmo Hicks McRae and was preceded in death by two brothers, "Chubby" Frank McRae and L.C. McRae; and three sisters, Cleo McRae, Bonita Webb and Coy Stewart.

Survivors include her husband, Earl Tudor of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Tabatha Youngs of Athens, and Ralph Youngs Jr. of Ten Mile; one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jenny Tudor of Decatur; five grandchildren, Patrick and Bobby Youngs and Jeffery, Dewayne and Leighann Tudor; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Irene and David Snyder and Darlene and Doug Goode, all of Englewood; and one brother, Olin McRae of Englewood.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Old Salem Cemetery with the Rev. Johnny Harris officiating.

Pallbearers will be Chris McRae, Chris Montooth, Charles Spurling, Michael Woodward, Isaac Perry and Frankie Lankford.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ziegler Funeral Home.

She was a member of the Decatur United Methodist Church. Born as Angiolina Gentile in Old Forge, Pa., "Ms. Angie" was raised by her foster parents, Murry and Minnie Kocher of Berwick, Pa. She loved going to her church, and was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Sorber; her biological parents, Paolo and Marianna Richaby Gentile; her foster parents, Murry and Minnie Kocher; two foster brothers, Robert and Elmer Kocher; her biological brother, George Gentile; and her biological sister, Thersa Klimuszka.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Jim Ledford of Decatur; and two grandchildren, Gina and Robert Hodge of Knoxville and Matt Ledford and fiancée, Joellen Smith.

The family is especially grateful for the caregiving of Sarah Pritchard, Kristin Hicks, Garnet Dewhirst, Linda Schultz, Amedisys Home Health, Adventa Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Support Group of Athens.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Bowers Funeral Home with the Rev. Archer Coppedge and grandson-in-law, the Rev. Robert Hodge, officiating. Burial will be in Decatur City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

He was of the Catholic faith, was formerly of New Jersey and had lived in Missouri for the past 12 years. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmom, Mary F. Bauer, formerly of New Jersey.

Survivors include his parents, Jeanne and Larry Womac of Athens; four daughters, Kiersten, Jamie, Alyssa and Breanna, all of Missouri; one sister, Kimberly Biernacki of New Jersey; his grandfather, Edward F. Bauer of New Jersey; two uncles and aunts, Ed and Sharon Bauer and John and Linda Bauer; and five cousins and five second-cousins, all of New Jersey.

A native and lifelong resident of Hamilton County, she was a daughter of the late Floyd Marion and Alice Bimboats Prince Clark and was a parishioner of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. She was a former customer service representative for Comcast in Chattanooga for more than 19 years and was preceded in death by her husband, James Dale Douglas Erwin Sr.

Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Teresa Erwin and Greg Fox of East Ridge, and Wanda Faye Erwin of Red Bank; one son and daughter-in-law, GySgt. James Dale Douglas Erwin and wife, Dennise, of Stafford, Va.; five grandchildren: Macy Winslow Paterese Erwin, Ryan Matthew Erwin, Kelsey Ann Caitlin Dempsey, James Dale Douglas Erwin III and Jenna Paige Fox; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sherry Hickman and Perry Zimmerman of Harrison, and Mariann and Jeff Taylor of Marietta, Ga.; and her fiancée, Robert Holman of Chattanooga.

Funeral Mass was 2 p.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Athens with Father Michael Cummins officiating. Burial followed in Blevins Cemetery with Father George Smith officiating.

The family received friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Some for 12-04-2004 missing

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army, and was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Sweetwater. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nettie Lorene Martin; his parents, Ples and Birdie Martin; one sister, Vernell Moses; two brothers, Jimmy and J-Will Martin; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Hattie Freeman; three sisters-in-law, Francis Harris, Drotha Freeman and Vinnie Martin; and six brothers-in-law, Otis Graham, Jim Moses, Elbert and Clifton Freeman, Virgil Cook and Fred Harris.

Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Floyd Taylor and their 20 children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Barbara and Sherel Hawkins and their five children and 11 grandchildren, and Joyce and Jack Sylvester and their five children and six grandchildren; two sons and daughters-in-law, R.V. and Phyllis Martin and their two children and two grandchildren, and Dwayne and Debbie Martin and their three children; five sisters and brothers, Marie, Robbie, Ross, Paul and Luther; 10 sisters-in-law, Cora, Euna, Birdie, Barbara, Rema, Ella May, Elsie, Jean, Robbie Jean and Jaretta; five brothers-in-law, Tom, Hobert, Athel, Lloyd and Avery; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Biereley-Hale Funeral Home with the Rev. Jim Millsaps and the Rev. Jack Sylvester officiating. Burial will follow in Eleazar Cemetery with military honors provided by Sweetwater VFW Post No. 5156.

The family received friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

A daughter of the late William Lee and Lydia Baker Harmon, she was a native of Decatur, and a resident of Etowah for most of her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Bryan; and eight brothers and sisters.

Survivors include one daughter, Linda L. Bryan of Etowah; one sister, Mary Lou Denton of Knoxville; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at McMinn Memory Gardens with the Rev. Mark Hensley officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the north chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home.

Survivors, other than her parents, include her grandparents, Allen and Vicky Webster of Englewood, Randy Smith of Etowah, and Kim Summey of Madisonville; two aunts, Whitney Webster of Englewood, and Courtney Smith of Jasper, Texas; and one uncle, Eric Summey of Madisonville.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hopewell Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Anthony Wynn officiating.

A native of Chicago, Ill., she was a daughter of the late Arthur J. and Amelia Jenssen Miene, and was preceded in death by one brother, Wilbert Miene. She was a member of the Nazarene Church and was associated with Continental Insurance Corporation of Chicago, where she was a supervisor for the accounts department until her retirement.

Survivors include one sister, Dolores L. Goodman of Oregon; one brother, Arthur H. Miene of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a special friend, Jo Ann Rutherford of Athens.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at McMinn Memory Gardens with the Rev. David Rutherford officiating.

Pallbearers will be Cary Davis, Don Self, Dr. Phil Arnold, Chris Rutherford, Wayne Rutherford, William Lane and Henry Neal.

The body will be in state at Jerry Smith Funeral Home after 2 p.m. Tuesday, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

A native of Coalton, W.Va. and a longtime resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Dennis and May Stout Scott and was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Scott Razilus; six brothers, Dan, John, Issac, Leo, George and Ed Scott; and one granddaughter, Makayla Buchanan.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, James Paul Buchanan of Athens, they had just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on Nov. 30; one daughter and son-in-law, Janie Saxman and Vick Ramsey of Sevierville; three sons and daughters-in-law, James and Betty Buchanan of Etowah, Scott and Janice Buchanan of Decatur, and Gary and Martina Buchanan of Niota; seven grandchildren and four spouses, Edwin Saxman and wife, Denise, David Saxman, Angela Buchanan Coleman and husband, Tracy, Sarah Buchanan Melson and husband, David, Samuel Buchanan, Brian Buchanan and wife, Heather, and Tammy Buchanan; and nine great-grandchildren, Sarah, Emily, Kathleen, Forrest and Christian Saxman, Kirsten, Kelsey and Nathan Coleman and Trey Melson.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Dr. Jack Scallions officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Ziegler Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native and lifelong resident of Etowah, he was a retired school teacher with 30 years of service. He was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and was a son of the late John Maynard Sr. and Cordie Ann Buttram Rutherford. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 11, a member of the Tennessee Education Association, and a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Aileen Pope and Mildred Stewart.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Graham Rutherford of Etowah; one daughter and son-in-law, Ann Marie and Eugene Byars of Kingsport; three grandchildren, Chris Torrence and Rachelle Keck, both of Knoxville, and Brad Keck of Johnson City; one special nephew, George Pope of Murfreesboro; one special niece, Marian Pope Rettke of Sumter, S.C.; and one special sister-in-law, Arlene Graham of Columbia, S.C.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles McKinney officiating.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

A lifelong resident of Meigs County, he was a son of the late Luther and Bertie Rogers Vaughn, and was a deacon at Union Grove Baptist Church for many years. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he was involved in battle on the front lines, and was a carpenter by trade. He retired from TVA and was preceded in death by one daughter, Kathy Thompson; one sister, Edna Watkins; and one brother, Kenneth Brown.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Lee "Mut" Goforth Vaughn of Decatur; one son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Debra Vaughn of Decatur; one son-in-law, Arnold Thompson of Decatur; three grandchildren, Erika Thompson Hughes and husband, Doug, Laura Vaughn and Collin Thompson; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Della Carpenter, Catherine and Woodrow Wilson and Louisa and Carl McKinney, all of Athens, and Bertha and John Thompson of Chattanooga; and four brothers and three sisters-in-law, Edd Vaughn and J.C. and Edna Vaughn, all of Athens, Jr. and June Brown of Decatur, and Roy and Laurel Vaughn of Kingston, Mass.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Lewis and the Rev. Kenneth King officiating. Burial will be 1 p.m. Thursday in Idlewild Cemetery with full military honors.

Pallbearers will be Arnold Thompson, Doug Hughes, Steven Wilson, James Green, Mike Ward, Wayne Jarvis, Collin Thompson and Donnie Brodgman.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

She was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church and was a member of the Meigs County Lions Club. She was half-owner and operator of the Delbarton Clinic along with a John Hopkins graduate, Dr. E.B. Headley, for a good number of years. She was a licensed lab and X-ray technician and was half-owner of Bowers Funeral Home, located in Pikeville, until sold, and was presently half-owner of Bowers Funeral Home in Decatur, where she was a licensed funeral director and insurance agent. She had a heart of gold and was a good wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She was preceded in death by her father, the Rev. Buddy Runyon; and one son, Scott David Bowers.

Survivors include her husband, James A. "Jim" Bowers Sr. of Decatur; one son, James Allen Bowers Jr. of Wartburg; her mother and stepfather, Ollie and Hesse Hardin of Decatur; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Brenda Runyon of Decatur, James and Patricia Runyon of Ragland, W.Va., and Arvil and Emma Runyon of Decatur; two granddaughters, Casie Taylor Bowers of Dayton, and Brittany Paris Bowers of Dunlap; one grandson, Braden Bowers of Dunlap; and several nieces and nephews and a host of brothers and sisters in churches all over the country.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Bowers Funeral Home with the Rev. Eric Gerin, the Rev. Max Redman, the Rev. Taylor Colbaugh and the Rev. Jimmy Maynard officiating. Burial will follow in Decatur City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Herman Thompson, Wayne Brown, Chuck Lillard, Danny Smith, Mike Long and Willard Plank.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

He was born in Cleveland on Sept. 19, 1919, and the family moved to Maryville in November 1919, when the first Proffitt’s Department Store was opened on the corner of Main Street (now Broadway) and Brick Hill (now Cusick Street). He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Sherer Proffitt, who is the mother of his children; his parents, David Wilson and Lillian Gray Webb Proffitt; and two brothers, Harwell Webb Proffitt and Richard Neil Proffitt.

He was educated in the Maryville City School System, attending East Side Grammar School, Maryville Junior High School and Maryville High School, and he attended Maryville College for three years and transferred to the University of Tennessee in order to take business courses. He graduated from U.T. with a bachelor’s degree in economics and, while in the U.S. Army for three years during World War II, he also attended Washington and Lee University and Susquehanna University. While stationed at Camp Pickett, Va., he was in charge of entertainment for our troops returning from battle.

He is a 63-year member of the Maryville Kiwanis Club, has been a member of New Providence Presbyterian Church since 1927 and was an ordained elder and an ordained deacon.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Janet Schaffer Proffitt; three daughters and one son-in-law, Sherry Bonham of Maryville, Penny Piper of Walland, and Mary Gray and Hugh Hunter of Birmingham, Ala.; one son and daughter-in-law, John W. "Woody" Jr. and Janie Proffitt of Townsend; six grandchildren, Amy Gray Piper of Charlottesville, Va., Jackie Osterhaus and husband, David, of Sterling, Ill., John Webb Hunter of Murfreesboro, Grayson Hugh Hunter of Birmingham, Ala., Richard Woodfin Proffitt and wife, Misty, of Louisville, and Melissa Jayne Proffitt of Townsend; four great-grandchildren, Adam and Kristyn Gray Osterhaus of Sterling, Ill., and Derek and Sean Proffitt of Maryville; and one sister, Mary Lillian Proffitt Lyle.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at New Providence Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Emily J. Anderson and the Rev. Dr. Philip Bembower officiating.

The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Providence Presbyterian Church, 703 W. Broadway, Maryville, TN 37801.

A native of Champaign, Ill., he was a son of the late Fred Elmo and Minnie Snyder Kahler, and was preceded in death by his wife, Veda Mae Albert, in 1972; one sister, Sylvia Etchison; and twin brothers, Floyd "Pete" and Lloyd Earl Kahler. He was a member of Argenta United Methodist Church in Decatur, Ill., and was a U.S. Army infantry sergeant during World War II and served in the Philippine Island chain. He was associated with Mississippi Valley Structural Steel Company, where he worked in both the fabrication line and warehouse until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Lucille Melton Raker; one daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis Marie and Ron Clayton of Athens; one stepdaughter, Davie Sue Raker of Dupo, Ill.; one stepson, Rod Raker of Conneaut, Ohio; one brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Betty Kahler of Decatur, Ill.; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Madge Vance of Salem, Ore., and Alice and Clyde Hobbs and Mary and Don Bullock, all of Decatur, Ill.; one granddaughter, Jody Fisher of Athens; three step-grandchildren, David, Ravella and Corbett Raker, all of Ohio; and one great-grandson, Gage Fisher of Athens.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Ill. Burial will follow with military honors by the Macon County Honor Guard in Point Pleasant Cemetery in Long Creek, Ill.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

A native of Cumberland, Md., he was a former resident of Cleveland and a resident of McMinn County for the past two years. He was a son of the late Carl and Lola Henry Rogers, and was retired from Kelly-Springfield Tire Company. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served in the U.S. Navy, and was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorna Patton Rogers; and his long-time companion, Doris Frye Williams.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathy Rogers of Cumberland, Md., and Dianne Bibeau of Phoenix, Ariz.; two stepdaughters, Susan Peglow and Sandra Kyker, both of Niota; two stepsons, Ed Williams of Niota, and Danny Williams of Decatur; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Pastor Jan Munch officiating. Burial will be in Grantsville Cemetery in Grantsville, Md.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.

A native of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Roe D. and Rachel McMinn Yarber, and was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Charles Yarber. She graduated from Riceville School and was an avid animal lover and gardener and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was associated with Cherokee Photo Finishers, Fox Photo and Crown Bremson for more than 30 years until her retirement.

Survivors include one niece, Kathy Yarber of Seligman, Ariz.; one nephew, Mike Yarber of Seymour; one cousin, Jack Yarber of Erwin; and a special friend, Connie Yarber of Athens.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Monday at McMinn Memory Gardens with the Rev. Ralph Swafford officiating.

The body will be in state at Jerry Smith Funeral Home after 11 a.m. Monday, where the family will receive friends from noon to 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the McMinn Regional Humane Society, P.O. Box 849, Athens, TN 37371-0849.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

She lived in Trenton, Ga., for most of her life and had lived in Athens and Chattanooga for the last several years. She retired from the Trenton Telephone Company in the 1980s and was a member of Christway Community Church in Ooltewah. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, and was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Charles W. Gray; one daughter, Joan Gray Burnett; and her childhood sweetheart and husband for five years, Raymond M. Neville.

Her beautiful smile will be lovingly missed by her two daughters, Carol Martin of Chattanooga, and Evelyn Stone and her favorite son-in-law, Mike Stone, of Athens; five grandchildren and three spouses, Kathy and Sean Grinslade of Hailey, Idaho, Dawn Martin of Trenton, Ga., Melanie and Steve Lee of Jefferson City, Brent Burnett of Athens, and Jennifer and Philip Carlson of Chattanooga; nine great-grandchildren, Brandon and Paxton Grinslade, Bray, Brittney and Ethan Martin, Aaron and Alexa Lee and Katelyn and Abbie Carlson; and four brothers, William R. "Bill," James H. "Bud," Maurice R. "Bob" and John Tatum, all of Trenton, Ga.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Monday in the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Lake Hills Memorial Gardens in Trenton, Ga.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christway Community Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 746, Ooltewah, TN 37363; to Christ Community Church, P.O. Box 1034, Athens, TN 37371-1034; or to Adventa Hospice, 5959 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

A native of Monroe County and a resident of McMinn County for most of his life, he was a son of the late John David and Glennie Lee Jack Martin. He was of the Baptist faith, was a former employee of Hammer-Johnson and the City of Athens and had served in the National Guard. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Martha Gibson; two brothers, Albert T. and Buddy Martin; and one sister, Bessie King.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo Webb Martin of Athens; six sons and two daughters-in-law, Spec. Billy and Kim Martin of Etowah, Johnny Martin, Ricky Martin and Raymond and Marcy Martin, all of Athens, and Lester Martin and Charles Martin, both of Cleveland; four daughters and three sons-in-law, Joyce Morgan and Wanda and Kenneth Baxter, all of Athens, Alice and Don Baxter of Riceville, and Minnie and Dave Jeffers of Cleveland; three sisters, Mary Saffles, Ida Mowery and Pauline Harris, all of Athens; 29 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Scott Cardin and the Rev. Roy Hogan officiating. Burial followed in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers were Billy Martin, Raymond Martin, Ricky Martin, Johnny Martin. Bobby Baxter and Caleb Martin.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

A native of Cleveland and longtime resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Joe and Rose Ann Dalton Elkins, and was a member of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church No. 2. She loved quilting, gardening, cooking and witnessing for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Bright; one son, Gene Bright; five sisters; and five brothers.

Survivors include four daughters and three sons-in-law, Maggie and Gary Roberts, Linda and Ross Morrow and Dean and Nelson Lowe, all of Riceville, and Virginia Mitchell of Athens; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Harrison and Opel Bright and Calvin and Carolyn Bright, all of Riceville, and Gary and Teresa Bright and adopted son, Russell Mahery, all of Athens; 33 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Rosa Lee and Johnny Hennessee and Mary Hope, all of Athens, and Emma Lou Vincent of Decatur; and the staff and a host of friends at NHC Health Care of Athens.

A Celebration of Life was 11 a.m. Sunday at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church No. 2 with the Rev. Gary King, the Rev. J.J. Christman, the Rev. Scott Morrow and speaker, David Lowe, officiating. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Ronnie, Ricky, Keith and Bret Bright, Roger Roberts, Scott Morrow, David and Gene Lowe and Greg Bohannon.

The family received friends from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Ziegler Funeral Home.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Jesse Creed Withrow. He was a member of Cedar Springs United Methodist Church in Athens, VFW Post No. 5146 and Teamsters Local No. 515. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a former reserve deputy for the McMinn County Sheriff’s Department, having served as captain under former sheriff D.T. Nation, and also was a truck driver with Superior Carriers.

Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Diana McDonald Withrow of Riceville; his mother, Gertrude Jones Withrow of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Chris Million of Decatur; one son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Missy Withrow of Athens; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Charlotte Campbell and Nancy and L.C. Smith, all of Athens; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Danny and Edna Withrow and Jack and Tootsie Withrow, all of Riceville; four grandchildren, Darcy Million, Joshua Withrow and Brittney and Teaha Moore; a special sister-in-law whom he helped raise, Pam West of Athens; two special friends, Johnny Curtis and Larry Malone, both of Athens; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Ensminger and the Rev. Ben Roberson officiating. Burial will follow in Sullins Cemetery with full military honors.

Pallbearers will be Steve Frisbie, Joe Miller, Scott Curtis, Barry Green, Randy Tallent and Larry Voles. Honorary pallbearers will be Bud Hicks and Gene Pilkey.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

A native of Sweetwater, she had also lived in Athens and, in her later years, moved to Knoxville. She was an administrator with TVA, where she retired at age 67, and, upon her retirement, she became a very active member of the Friendship Force in Knoxville for 20 years. She was also a member of the Fontinalis, a community service group in Fountain City, and was a member of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City in Knoxville for 41 years, having taught Sunday school. She was very active in the Grace Sunday School Class and was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert R. Dixon; her parents, Leroy and Linnie McAmis Sprinkle; one brother, William Sprinkle; and one sister, Julia Anderson.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Gail and John Pesterfield of Cleveland; one son and daughter-in-law, J. Reed and Lena Dixon of Sweetwater; one sister, Dorothy McSpadden of Knoxville; five grandchildren, Jennifer Dixon of Knoxville, Lisa Dixon of Arlington, Va., Cpt. John Dixon, U.S. Army, of Columbia, S.C., Chris Pesterfield of Chattanooga, and Kelly Pesterfield Colbert of College Station, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Will and Sam Pesterfield, both of Chattanooga; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Monday at Grissom Funeral Home with Dr. Calvin Metcalf officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Born in 1915 in Miami, Okla., she was a valued member of Englewood for more than 80 years. You need not look far to see her influence in this town or witness her legacy. She taught fourth grade at Englewood School for more than 47 years, served on the Englewood Homecoming Committee and was one of the persons integral in the building of the Englewood Textile Museum. She was a long-time member of Englewood United Methodist Church and was a beloved teacher to hundreds of McMinn Countians. She was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and the University of Tennessee, and was preceded in death by one brother, Henry "Bud" Cochran; one niece, Heather Melinda Cochran; and her parents, Henry Ruel and Tommie Marian Rhodes Cochran, all who resided in Englewood.

Survivors include one nephew, Bill Cochran and his wife, Joan, of Pigeon Forge; three nieces, Marian Nicole Cochran and Michelle Lea Cochran, both of Nashville, and Tracy Simpkiss of Englewood; one sister-in-law, Imogene Webb Cochran of Englewood; and several cousins.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Bordwine Funeral Home.

Graveside services were 11 a.m. Monday at the Cochran’s Cemetery in Englewood with the Rev. David Graybeal officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Englewood School, P.O. Box 47, Englewood, TN 37329. Memorials made on behalf of Ms. Cochran will be used for the accelerated reading program.

A native and resident of McMinn County for most of her life, she was a daughter of the late William Harvey and Carrie Moore McDonald. She was retired from BellSouth Telephone Company after 31 years of service, was a member of Pioneers of America and was a member of Clearwater Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Leslie "Les" Torbett, on April 11, 1995; one brother, Clarence McDonald, on Dec. 27, 1986; and one sister, Lillian Hicks.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Sharon Torbett of Athens; two brothers and sisters-in-law, the Rev. Cecil and Wanda McDonald of Athens, and Ronald Harvey and Barbara McDonald of Etowah; one sister and brother-in-law, Ailene Nathan Howell of Hoover, Ala.; one granddaughter and husband, Angela Torbett and Joe Everhart; one step-grandson, Chris Sewell; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Clearwater Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Bill Torbett, Terry Torbett, Carl Brannon, Chris Sewell, Wayne Norwood and Danny McDonald.

The body will lie in state at the church from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday. The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Curtis Cornell Brackett. He was a former employee of Melvin Martin Heating and Air and was a member of East Niota Baptist Church.

Survivors include his mother, Aldean Davis Brackett of Athens; two daughters, Jennifer Matoy of Niota, and Heather Roberts of Decatur; one brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Melita Brackett of Niota; one sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Lamar Ellison of Etowah; a special friend, Chucky Small of Sweetwater; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Melvin Haney officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in Foster Cemetery in Niota.

Pallbearers will be Jim Davis, Jerry Davis, Stan Davis, Steve Davis, Lamar Ellison, Tavis Brackett, Jason Roberts and Doug Wheaton.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native of Connersville, Ind., and a resident of Etowah for the past nine years, he was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church in Connersville, Ind. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Survivors include two daughters, Misty Watson and Amber Watson, both of Morristown, Ind.; two sons, Brandon Watson of Greenfield, Ind., and David Watson of Connersville, Ind.; two grandchildren, Alex and Ethan Watson; his parents, Ruel and Mattie Watson of Etowah; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Sue and Joe McMurray of Athens, and Mary Jo Watson of Etowah; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Bill Watson and Dick and Kate Watson, all of Etowah; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Tuesday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Dr. Gerald Atkins officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Wednesday and proceed to Mars Hill Cemetery for the 11 a.m. burial, which will conclude with the White Dove Liberation Ceremony.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Etowah Baptist Church Building Fund.

Born in McMinn County on Sept. 20, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Walter Franklin and Sarah Ann Brown Jones, and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommie Taylor Green; one infant son, Sim Green Jr.; one sister, Addie Mae Jones; three brothers, Dewey, Muncy and Arthur Jones; and one grandson, Ronnie McKee.

"Sis" was a gifted gardener and found joy in all varieties of plants throughout her life. She was especially fond of the flowering plants she grew on and around her porch in the summers and the African violets, which bloomed continually on her kitchen window sill. More than growing the plants, "Sis" enjoyed sharing them and always offered cuttings or transplants to admirers. She was also a talented seamstress and, although this skill grew out of the need to clothe three daughters through young adulthood, it continued as a pleasant hobby well into her later years. Long after her eyesight prevented her from sewing a fine hem, she continued to produce quilts for her grandchildren.

In addition to these and many other domestic abilities, "Sis" was a formidable checkers player. Many unsuspecting family members and friends were drawn into a friendly game with the kindly grandmother only to be carefully studied for a few moves and then soundly and repeatedly whipped.

Cleo will be sorely missed by her family, including two brothers and one sister-in-law, Walter F. "Dub" Jones of Calhoun, and Dee Witt and Nena Mae Jones of Nashville; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Grace Ann and Gene Fugate of Calhoun, and Mildred and Curtis Hammonds and Lora Lunsford, all of Cleveland; six grandchildren, Tommy Ray and Steve Fugate, Johnny McKee, Marla Hammonds and Denise and Michael D. Lunsford; 10 great-grandchildren, Taylor Fugate, Michael Wayne Lunsford, Corey Talbert, Katie McKee, Trip, Addie and Chance Brewer, Amanda and David Fugate and Rhonda Crutchfield; several great-great-grandchildren; and one special niece, Sue Moses.

The family invites all who knew "Sis" to celebrate her life at noon Thursday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Dean Fugate and the Rev. Ronnie Keasley officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Ziegler Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native and resident of Walton, N.Y., for 75 years before moving to Athens, he was a son of the late Anthony and Mary Guerra Cucciarre, and was a member of Ascension Life Fellowship Church of Athens. He was a member of the American Legion and had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was in the New York National Guard for a total of 34 years and was associated with Scott Machine Development Corporation in Walton, N.Y., as a paint engineer for 26 years until his retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Meres Cucciarre of Athens; one daughter, Julie MacDonald of Hilltown, Pa.; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Joseph M. and Cindy Cucciarre of Cleveland, John A. Cucciarre of Sellersville, Pa., James E. "Jim Bob" and Robin Cucciarre of Athens, and Jeff and JoAnn Cucciarre of Souderton, Pa.; five granddaughters, Angela, April and Jessie Cucciarre, Angela Price and Anna Cucciarre; four grandsons, Dustin, Austyn, Alex and Jackie Joe Cucciarre; one sister, Ruth Cucciarre of DeWitt, N.Y.; and two brothers, Francis Cucciarre of Walton, N.Y., and Benjamin Cucciarre of Syracuse, N.Y.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Jerry Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Darrell Simbeck officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at McMinn Memory Gardens with full military honors.

Pallbearers will be Mike Elkins, Anthony Barnes, Will Meres and Jeff, Jim Bob and John Cucciarre.

The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Odis and Essie Mae Starkey Brown, and attended Niota United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by one son, Ronnie Brown; and one sister, Sue Simonds.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Jeanette Stephens Brown of Niota; one son, Billy Gene Brown of Niota; two granddaughters, Jennifer and Jessica Brown; two sisters, Lillie Swafford and Stella Vance, both of Athens; and one brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Nellie Brown of Cleveland.

Funeral services will be noon Wednesday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Ensminger and Paul Brakebill officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens. Fellowship will follow the burial at the Niota United Methodist Church fellowship hall.

Pallbearers will be John Gibson, David Cockrum, David Vance, Casey Smith, James Ed Brown and Gary Brown.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

He was a member of Reed Springs Baptist Church and was retired from Yale Security in Lenoir City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest F. and Nellie Lane Henderson; his wife, Peggy Raby Henderson; and one brother, Richard Henderson.

Survivors include one daughter and son in-law, Pam and Bryan Snow of Loudon; one sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Jerry Wilson of Maryville; two brothers and one sister in-law, Lincoln Henderson of Tellico Plains, and James and Charlotte Henderson of Maryville; and a dear friend, Terry Hill of Philadelphia.

Funeral services will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of McGill-Karnes Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Jackson officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Reed Springs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Billye Snow Memorial Genealogy Fund, c/o First National Bank, 817 Mulberry St., Loudon, TN 37774, to support the Genealogy Room of the Loudon Public Library.

McGill-Karnes Funeral Home of Loudon is in charge of arrangements

A native of Dandridge and a longtime resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Walter and Tina "Tiny" Miller Hyde and was a member of Pond Hill Baptist Church, where he was a longtime Sunday school teacher. He retired from Vulcan Materials in Chattanooga after 34 years of service and was preceded in death by five brothers, Taylor, Arnold, Charlie, James and W.K. Hyde; and many friends.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Delphia Richeson Hyde of Niota; one son, Kenny C. Hyde of Niota; one sister-in-law, Ardell Pressley of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Pond Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Virgil Turbyfill, the Rev. Claude Irons and the Rev. Randy Maddox officiating. The body will lie in state for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Foster Cemetery and will conclude with a white dove release.

Pallbearers will be Bobby Hyde, Bill Irons, Frankie Richeson, Hurshul Richesin, Johnny Seymore and Lowell Webb. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Men’s Sunday School Class of Pond Hill Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

A native of Polk County, and a longtime resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Fredrick Dyke and Martha Catherine Dunn Higgins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Blair "Dana" Webb Higgins.

He was a member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served in several official capacities including Board of Trustees, Administrative Board and Scholarship Committee.

He was a graduate of Polk County High School, Tennessee Wesleyan College and Tulane University College of Law in New Orleans, La., with a Juris Doctorate degree. He was also President of the Law School Student Body.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 through 1946 aboard the USS South Dakota and the USS Bunker Hill, where he qualified as Officer of the Deck underway in a war zone. He also served as Commanding Officer of USS LSM 67 and all naval activity serving in the Pacific Fleet. He received 11 Battle Stars, one Bronze Star and an Oak Leaf Cluster.

He later returned to Tennessee and attended Cumberland University Law School for one year as a refresher course before taking the Bar Exam. He was a well known Athens attorney practicing law since 1946 and was a senior member of the law firm, Higgins, Biddle, Chester & Trew, Attorneys at Law.

He served as City Attorney for the City of Athens for 50 years, was a member of the Board of Trustees at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees at Tennessee Wesleyan College.

He was inducted into Tennessee Wesleyan’s Hall of Fame and recognized for his long and faithful service to this college by bestowing an Honorary Degree in 1985.

He served as a Colonel on the staff of former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander; served as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Tennessee Wesleyan College; was a member of the Board of Directors of Plastic Industries, Niota Textile Company, Inc., First National Bank and Trust Company, McMinn County Rescue Squad, and was a member of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and United Methodist Holston Conference Foundation, Inc.

He was one of the organizers of the Athens Area Council for the Arts; was one of the organizers and owners of Madison Park Shopping Center; and was a member of the Kiwanis Club for more than 50 years.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Jane Webb and Robert Elliott of Georgetown, Ky.; one son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth D. and Cathy Prescott Higgins of Riceville; two granddaughters and one spouse, Lloyd Elliott and Richard Clark of Knoxville, and Holly Elizabeth Higgins of Riceville; one grandson and spouse, James Kenneth and Jennifer Elliott of Lexington, Ky.; and two great-grandchildren, Addison Blair Clark and Riley Webb Elliott.

A memorial service will be 3:30 p.m. Monday at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Hubble officiating. A private burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery with grandsons and nephews serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Monday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Higgins Memorial Scholarship Fund, Tennessee Wesleyan College, P.O. Box 40, Athens, TN 37371-0040, or to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371-0001.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

A native of Smith County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Robert E. Lee Davidson and Nancy Guy Davidson and was preceded in death by her husband, Graham Chapman, on Dec. 13, 1986; and one daughter, Louise Clark. She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Athens and was a resident of Athens since 1986, having moved here from Maryland.

Survivors include one daughter, Nancy Morris of Athens; one sister, Martha Dincan of Virginia; one brother, John Davidson of Maryland; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Athens with Minister Ted Lewis officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Leonard and Josie Vincent Swafford and was preceded in death by one infant brother, Ernie Swafford. He was a member of Lower Spring Creek United Methodist Church, where he was a trustee and held other offices.

Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Ruby Chambers Swafford of Athens; one daughter, Faye Key of Cleveland; one son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Betty Swafford of Athens; one sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Harold Turner of Athens; three grandchildren and spouses, Cindy and Jeff Swafford of Cleveland, Karen and Mark Agee of Florida, and Danny and Brenda Swafford of Cleveland; and four special great-grandchildren, Katie, Jodi, Bre’Ann and Marcus.

Funeral services will be 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Burlingham officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Lower Spring Creek Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Danny Swafford, Jeff Swafford, Mark Agee, Ronnie Chamber, Clifford Swafford and Walter Barham. Honorary pallbearers will be Rush Guthrie, David Chambers, Neal Walker, Bobby Trotter and Joe Rayburn.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lower Spring Creek Cemetery Fund, c/o Betty Trotter, 108 County Road 51, Riceville, TN 37370.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native and former resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Charlie Bryan and Minnie Millsaps Hafley, and was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Hafley, Lester Hafley and Fred Hafley. A resident of Ohio since 1979, he was the pastor of Minerva Church of God and was a former employee of Carver Chair Company.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Jean McGahhey Hafley of Minerva, Ohio; one daughter and son-in-law, Janice H. and Mike Davis of Rossville, Ga.; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Daniel Wayne and Paula Hafley of Ohio, Donald Preston and Sharon Hafley of Knoxville, and Ricky Hafley of Rossville, Ga.; one sister, Paul "Pauline" Bradford of Niota; two brothers, the Rev. Olen Hafley of Sweetwater, and Charles Glenn Hafley of Cleveland; and his mother-in-law, Ailyne Fillers McGahhey Miller of Athens.

She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Sweetwater, and was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Janetta Anderson; her husband, Cleo "C.H." Hughes; one infant daughter, Mary Jo Hughes; and one brother, Lester Anderson.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Doris and Ronnie Slack of Harriman; one son and daughter-in-law, Doyle and Linda Hughes of Sweetwater; three grandsons and two wives, Chris and Linda Hughes, Chad and Christy Hughes and David Slack; one granddaughter and husband, Dawn and Russell Jenkins; two great-grandchildren, Caleb Hughes and Rebecca Carter; two sisters, Virla Foster of Cleveland, and Ruth Anderson of Niota; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Anderson of Niota; and several nieces and nephews.

The body was at Kyker Funeral Home, where the family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday followed by funeral services at 8 p.m. in the chapel with the Rev. Larry Orr and the Rev. Bill Dawson officiating. Burial was 2 p.m. Monday in the Beulah Chapel Church Cemetery.

Kyker Funeral Home of Sweetwater was in charge of arrangements

A native of Polk County and a resident of Etowah for the past 50 years, he was a son of the late Carl and Fannie Walden Bryan. He was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Bryan; one granddaughter, Amanda Bryan; and three brothers, Henry, Roy and Lloyd "Creepy" Bryan.

Survivors include four sons and two daughters-in-law, Ricky C. and Tammy Bryan of Etowah, Mike Bryan of Cleveland, and Carl Bryan and Jerry and Sherry Bryan, all of Etowah; eight grandchildren; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Helen Ross and Hazel and Wayne Quinn, all of Etowah; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Ed and Dean Bryan of Etowah, and Elmer Bryan of Benton; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bucky and Nancy Parrott of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Monday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Eli Eslick officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in Green Hill Cemetery with full military rites.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

A native and lifelong resident of Etowah, he was retired from Johns Manville after 12 years of service. He had worked at Oak Ridge and at several car dealerships.

He attended Etowah City and Etowah High schools, and was a son of the late S. Owen and Ethel Davis Stone. He was an active member, deacon, Sunday school director and has served on many other committees at North Etowah Baptist Church.

He was a 50-year member of Etowah Masonic Lodge No. 653 and was instrumental in starting the radio ministry of North Etowah Baptist Church, where he served for 37 years and continued to serve until his death.

He was called into active duty with the 278th Armored Infantry Battalion on Nov. 11, 1950, where he served stateside during the Korean Conflict. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jarvis, Ruben and M.L. Stone.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Eva Jean Watson Stone of Etowah; one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Margaret Ann "Midge" Stone of Turtletown; two grandsons, Travis and Trevor Stone, both of Turtletown; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Anna Mae and Herman Studdard of Etowah, and Ruth Loftis of Zephyrhills, Fla.; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Mary Stone of Etowah, Parnick and Paula Stone of Chattanooga, Ray and Hazel Stone of Delano, and Roy and Sue Stone of Etowah; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Stone of Etowah; three sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dixie and David Crockett, Wanda and Gene White and Celia and Steve Goodner, all of Etowah; and several special nieces and nephews.

A Masonic service will be 8 p.m. Tuesday at North Etowah Baptist Church followed by the funeral service officiated by Dr. Gerald Atkins. Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in Green Hill Cemetery, concluding with the White Dove Liberation Ceremony.

Pallbearers will be Bob Stone, John Studdard, Danny Stone, Chris Stone, Rex Stone, David White and Tim Loftis. Honorary pallbearers will be Travis and Trevor Stone, Todd Rich, Steven Stone, Darin Stone, Parnick Stone, Kenneth Stone, Ray and Roy Stone, Gene White, Steve Goodner, Herman Studdard, Eddie Rich, Durant Tullock, 1949 EHS classmates, fellow members of the 278th and North Etowah Baptist Church deacons.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Etowah Baptist Church Connector Building Fund or to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions.

She was a member of the Holly Springs Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Bill Brown of Decatur; her parents, Clarence and Dana Watson Belcher of Ten Mile; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jason and Jennifer Brown of Madisonville, and Jonathan and LeAnne Brown of Sweetwater; three stepsons and one stepdaughter-in-law, Jeff and Christian Brown, Jamie Brown and Joel Brown, all of Athens, Ala.; one brother, Dwain Belcher of Ten Mile; one sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Johnny McMillan of Knoxville; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services were 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Bowers Funeral Home with the Rev. Max Redman officiating. Graveside services were 11 a.m. Monday at Cottonport Cemetery.

The family received friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Meigs County Unit, P.O. Box 314, Decatur, TN 37322.

Bowers Funeral Home of Decatur was in charge of arrangements.

A native of Tellico Plains and a resident of Etowah for the past 30 years, he was a son of the late Henry Greely and Harriet Baker Harris. He was of the Baptist faith and was a widely known auto mechanic in the area for Chevrolet and Ford until he retired. He was preceded in death by one brother, Spencer Harris.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Edith Harris of Etowah; two daughters, Wilma Harris Taylor of Cleveland, and Brenda Harris Barber of Riceville; one grandson, Andy Harris of Knoxville; and one brother, Emmett Harris of Etowah.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. James Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

A native of McMinn County and an employee of Norfolk-Southern Railroad, he was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Dunn, on Jan. 5, 1981.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah Rose Dunn of Strunk Grove; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Lisa and the Rev. Jeff Jenkins of Harriman, Wendy Dunn of Philadelphia, Jennifer and Anthony Duprey Jr. of Sweetwater, and Elizabeth Dunn of Madisonville; several stepsons and stepdaughters; his mother, Mildred Yates Dunn of Athens; one sister and brother-in-law, Sara and Morry Clifton of Greenfield, Ind.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Dennis and Pat Dunn of Athens, and Ricky Dunn and Loretta Pardue of Iuka, Miss.; 10 grandchildren, Wesley, Grant, Abby and Brooke Jenkins, Hannah, Ethan and Kaden Duprey, Jacob and LillieAna Hamby, and Katherine Bredwell; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Jeff Jenkins and the Rev. Allen Richesin officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native of Athens and a longtime resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late William Ross and Otsie Rodgers Fain, and the son-in-law of the late Myrtle Winder Malone. He was the co-founder and co-owner with Jerry Fain of A&J Body Shop from 1973 to 1988, and had retired in 1986 from McMinn Motor Co. as the service manager when the late Leslie Dooley was the owner. A veteran of World War II, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, and was a member of North Athens Baptist Church, Chilhowee Rod and Gun Club and Meridian Sun Lodge No. 50 F&AM. He was preceded in death by two infant sisters; and two brothers, Bryan and Johnny Fain.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Isabell Malone Fain of Athens; one son and daughter-in-law, Larry A. and Peggy Fain of Portsmouth, Ohio; one daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and David Case of Athens; two grandsons, Jason and Adam Case of Athens; one special cousin, Jerry Fain of Athens; one brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Ollie Fain of Athens; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Irene Rodgers of Ocoee, Dorothy Wilson of Etowah and who died today, Dec. 20, 2004, Mildred and Curtis Culberson of Englewood, and Mimmie Lou and Robert Best of Tampa, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Dr. Bob Kerr officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Ronnie Lingerfelt, Jason Case, Adam Case, David Winder, Daniel Winder and Rodney Dockins.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late William Ross and Otsie Mae Rodgers Fain. She worked at Morgan Manufacturing for 25 years and was a lifelong member of New Bethel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Wilson; three brothers, Alvin Fain, who died Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, Brian Fain and Johnny Fain; and two infant sisters.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Richard Harvey of Soddy-Daisy; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Stevie Wilson and Danny and JoAnn Wilson, all of Etowah; three granddaughters, Kristie Wilson, Danielle Wilson and Whitney Harvey; two great-granddaughters, Sarah Wilson and Kaylan Wilson; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Irene Rogers of Ocoee, Mildred and Curtis Culberson of Englewood, and Minnie Lou and Robert Best of Tampa, Fla.; and one brother and sister-in-law, Edgar Lee and Ollie Fain of Athens.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Wendell Puett, the Rev. Keith Wilson and the Rev. Myrl Vaughn officiating, and will conclude with the Celebration of Life video. Burial will follow in New Bethel Cemetery and will conclude with the White Dove Liberation Ceremony.

Pallbearers will be Rick Vinyard, Matt Vinyard, Arnold Maher, Harvey Matthews, Bobby Davis and Garrett Davis.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Bethel Baptist Church.

A daughter of the late Erie and Oscar Norwood, she was a member of Maple Springs Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by three sons, Blane, Steven and Bruce Kilby; three sisters, Roxie Toomey, Thelma Fox and Betty Jo Roberts; and four brothers, Theodore, Fred, Luther and Ralph Norwood.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Wilburn Kilby; three daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Robert Rookard of Etowah, Joan and Gary Whitehead of Englewood and Deidri and Jim Shepard of Hope, Ark.; one daughter-in-law, Sandy Kilby of Tellico Plains; 16 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Marie, Darren, Tessa, Erica, Christian, Eric and Brian Kilby, Michael and Jeremy Evans, Heather Hembree, Travis, Elizabeth, Ashley, Devin and Dylan Shepard; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lucille White of Maryville and Jean Davis of California; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Rural Vale Baptist Church with the Rev. James Atkins and the Rev. Larry Walker officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home.

Born Feb. 19, 1968, in Cleveland, he was a son of Thomas and Mattie Benton. He was a faithful member of Bible Way Church and was a Bible teacher. He was also a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church’s Wednesday night Bible study. He loved to minister in song at various churches in the area. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Thomas and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Arthur Benton; and several uncles and cousins.

Survivors include one sister and brother-in-law, Natalie Benton and Henry Keys of Kansas City, Mo.; one niece, Christian Benton of Kansas City, Mo.; aunts and spouses, Anna and Eddie Dancy of Chattanooga, Doris Simmons of Oklahoma City, Okla., Shelby and Avery Johnson, Marie and Alvin Phillips, Mamie and Paul Perkins, Carolyn Young and Betty Shelby, all of Cleveland, Phyllis and Reid Campbell of Knoxville, Faye Green of Charleston, and Cora and James Bailey of Cleveland; two uncles and one spouse, Robert and Bridgett Thomas of Cleveland, and Charles Benton of Chattanooga; and a host of cousins and friends.

The body will be in state at Patton Funeral Home after 9 a.m. Wednesday, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Cleveland with the Rev. Edward S. Robinson officiating and Superintendent Charles Allen, of Bible Way Church, serving as eulogist. Visitation at the church will begin at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

She was a member of Pisgah Baptist Church for more than 50 years and was active in her church. "Squibb" led a life of dedication and devotion to her family and her church and was a person whom everyone counted on, and she was always there for them. She was rewarded rightly with the undying love of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Her lifelong commitment to her faith will reward her hereafter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Kate Sharp Browning; her husband, Earl Norton; eight brothers; and three sisters.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Sammy and Sherry Norton of Decatur; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Peggy and Carl Sturgill of Athens, Earlene and Don Roach of Kingwood, Texas, and Sharon Norton of Knoxville; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one very special sister-in-law, Mary Browning.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Pisgah Baptist Church with the Rev. Herman Jordan officiating. Burial will follow in Pisgah Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bowers Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II, and was preceded in death by his first wife, Juanita Cope; his parents, James and Carsie Cope; one son, James Douglas Cope; and one brother, Junior Cope.

Survivors include his wife, Charlotte Cope of Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada; one son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Barb Cope of Augusta, Ga.; two daughters and sons-in-law, LuAnn and Darrell Varner and Jenny and Keith Shoemaker, all of Calhoun; one sister, Gladys Gates of Cleveland; and several nieces, nephews and very special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Chestuee Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Eddie Hooker and the Rev. Larry Young officiating.

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements

A native of McMinn County and a member of Woodward Avenue Church of God, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth Earl and Willie Mae Lively Harris Sr., and was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ed and Viola Harris; and her maternal grandparents, Clyde and Beatrice Lively.

Survivors include one daughter, Angela Stephens Kennedy of Athens; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Greg Stephens of Suffolk, Va., and Chad and April Stephens of Athens; one sister and brother-in-law, Tammie and Jimmy Thompson of Etowah; one brother and sister-in-law, Kent and Glenis Harris of Decatur; three grandchildren, Gabriella Stephens, Brianna Cash and Raven Cash; two special aunts, Alice Jo Lively Faulk of Bay Minette, Ala., and Goldie Hacker of Athens; two uncles, Clyde Lively Jr. of Bay Minette, Ala., and John Lively of Athens; two nieces and one spouse, Tabatha and John Vercher of Englewood, and Amber Harris of Decatur; and several other extended family members.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Fritts, the Rev. Edwin Lipsey and the Rev. Joe Crockett officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 9 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home and proceed to Green Hill Cemetery for the 10 a.m. graveside services, which will conclude with a white dove release provided by the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Stephens, Jim Gilliam, Wade Hockman, Rob Wilson, John Gentry, Coy Sharp and Bill Gentry Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be James Sparks and Bill Curtis.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woods Memorial Nursing Home Van Fund, 886 Hwy. 411 N., Etowah, TN 37331.

If you are unable to attend the services, view and sign the family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements

A native of Riceville, she had been a resident of Chattanooga for more than 40 years. She was a member of Woodland Park Baptist Church, had attended Tremont Baptist Church and was a graduate of Calhoun High School. She had been a caregiver for many years and was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Mary Etta Brogdon Gee; five brothers, Walter Gee, Henry Gee, William Gee, Felix Gee and Joe Gee; and four sisters, Dollie Haney, Florence Bettis, Mattie Lena Klaus and Gladys Monroe.

Survivors include one sister, Mildred Tellez of California; one special niece, Becky Gee of California; her very dear friends, Virginia Grissom, Mae Moody and Bessie Freeman; and several special friends and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at the Coulter Chapel of Lane Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Highlander officiating. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Born Jan. 7, 1965, in Washington, D.C., he was a son of George Venton and Cleo Barnes Hickman. He attended Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, Fla., graduating at the tender age of 15. He went on to attend technical school, where he learned his trade as an electrician. He served an LDS mission from 1985 to 1987 to the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Mission. He and his widowed mother relocated to Etowah shortly after his mission. There they resided for 14 years.

On Nov. 21, 2003, after a lifetime of searching, he was sealed for time and eternity to his beloved angel Greta in the Atlanta LDS Temple. They have resided in Etowah and Athens and later relocated to Bountiful, Utah, in June 2004. He loved Bountiful and felt very at home there.

He will be sadly missed by both his friends and family and he loved to learn new things. He had knowledge on many topics and he truly took the admonition to increase his intelligence to heart. Learning was fun for him and he tried to pass this love of learning on to his little family.

He was greatly loved by all who knew him and he had the ability to love others unconditionally and to see beyond the outer person into their heart. He will be greatly missed.

He loved the Lord and strived the best he could to become like Him in his countenance. He also had a great sense of humor and often brought joy to those who knew him.

He had kind eyes and a loving heart and we, his family, will greatly miss him. We long for the day in which we will be reunited as an eternal family.

He leaves behind his wife, Greta, and stepdaughter, Somerset; his mother, Cleo Hickman of Lakeland, Fla.; and one sister and brother-in-law, Starlee and Alan Dickey of Lakeland, Fla.

He was a devoted husband, loving father, thoughtful son and kind brother.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Porter Lane 2nd Ward Chapel in Centerville, Utah. There will be a viewing from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the services under the direction of Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary.

The online guest book is at www.russonmortuary.com

Born June 10, 1921, in Etowah to the late Charlie and Katie Henegar, she was of the Christian faith and was a faithful member of St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. She served on the Usher Board and the Women’s Auxiliary Board.

In her earlier years, she was a faithful Sunday school member, serving in the Pastor’s Aid Club, on the Beautifying Committee, the Hospitality Committee and the "Godly Women Ministry" for more than 43 years until her health failed her. She retired from the Kellman Company with more than 30 years of service.

She possessed a Godly and quiet spirit, was fashionable and a lady of beauty on the outside as well as the inside. She loved working in her yard and had a great sense of humor. She treasured her great-grandchildren dearly and will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Austin Wood; and two sons, William and Michael Wood.

Survivors include four grandchildren, Alethea Leonard of Dallas, Texas, Michael Wood of Virginia, Edwinna Amos of Nashville, and Leslie Wood of Tampa, Fla.; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters, LeeAmer Dunn, Catherine Moore and Lucy Edmond, all of Cleveland; two sisters-in-law, Agnes Henegar and Velma Wood, both of Cleveland; a devoted niece, Naomi Bobbie Moore; a host of other nieces, nephews, family and friends; and three special friends from the "Godly Women Ministry" affectionately called the "Golden Girls," Zella Walker, Ella Langham and Catherine Lowe.

The body may be viewed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Patton Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America.

Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Rhonda Westfield officiating and the Rev. Mitchell M. Walker performing the eulogy.

Born Sept. 20, 1924, he was a native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, and was a son of the late Frank and Pansey Stiles Price. He was a retired brickmason, a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was preceded in death by one grandson, Paul Bryant "Bear" Price, on April 17, 2004; and one brother, Don Price.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Ruby Robeson Price of Athens; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Ronald G. "Butch" (currently stationed at Camp Caldwell in Iraq) and Peggy K. Price, Joe A. Price and Jeffrey R. and Joanie G. Price, all of Athens; one daughter, Rebecca "Bunny" Keller of Sweetwater; two half-sisters, Gwen Byars of Knoxville, and Pat Evans of Texas; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and a large extended family.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Mark Howell officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be David Price, Bryan Frisbee, Joe Roberts, Kenny Guffey, Gary Mason and Eddie Mason.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Athens Family Readiness Group, 1/278, c/o Donna Cagle, 1912 Ingleside Ave., Athens, TN 37303.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Charles F. and Bertie Clark Moses, and was a member of Double Springs Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and was a school teacher in the McMinn County School System for 28 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray M. Pickens; one son, Julius Pickens; three sisters, Henrietta Bivens, Effie Wall and Imogene Moses; and four brothers, Howard, Horton, Otis and Conaway Moses.

Survivors include one daughter, Marvel Jean Burris of Athens; one daughter-in-law, Dean Pickens of Athens; four granddaughters and spouses, Janet and James Slack, Kim and Lynn Wampler, Pam and Jeff Wilson and Amy and Todd Rich; two grandsons and spouses, Patrick and Vicki Burris and Michael and Linda Burris; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Alice Grace McKinney of Chattanooga, Vida Crittenden and Marie Crittenden, both of Etowah, and Neva Sue Hammonds of Athens; two brothers, Cecil Moses and Chester Moses, both of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Double Springs Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Bryan and the Rev. Kenneth Elkins officiating.

There will be no formal visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Miracle Lake Ministries, P.O. Box 327, Etowah, TN 37331.

A native of McMinn County and a resident of Etowah for most of her life, she was a daughter of the late Arvil M. and Jessie Edith Newman Armstrong. She was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Nelson; and two sisters, Arvella Williams and Edith Armstrong.

Survivors include two brothers and sisters-in-law, E.M. and Phyllis Armstrong and Dewayne and Rhea Armstrong, all of Etowah; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. David Graybeal officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home and proceed to Mars Hill Cemetery for the 10 a.m. burial, which will conclude with the White Dove Liberation Ceremony.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

He was a native of Polk County and had lived in McMinn County for the past 35 years. He was of the Baptist faith and was a veteran of World War II. A son of the late Warren and Anna Mae Bennett, he was preceded in death by one brother, Henry Hester; and one sister, Juanita Sheldon.

Survivors include two children and spouses, Sandra and Glen Corn of Chatsworth, Ga., and Tracey and Darla Hester of Athens; his twin brother, Ralph Hester of Athens; two sisters, Betty Stone of Benton, and Bessie Park of Tampa, Fla.; four grandchildren, T.J. Corn, Nikki Hester, Jeremy Hester and Melissa Hester; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Benton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.

She was the oldest of five children born to the late Willie Montgomery and Nellie Ensminger Snyder. Her father was a blacksmith and her mother was a homemaker until she died at the age of 29 during a typhoid epidemic. Although only seven years old, she helped her father raise her younger siblings.

All the family agreed that although their mother could not hear or see well, she remained alert, interested in all around her, even in temperament and joyful in nature, even into the final months of her life.

She was a member of Niota United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the Woman’s Society, and was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Graden Large, at age 59 in 1956; three brothers, George, Charlie and Fred Snyder; and one sister, Willie Mae Snyder Hutsell.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Robert G. and Helen Ward Large of Knoxville; three daughters and one son-in-law, Melba Catherine and John E. "Bud" Wilson, Nellie Marie Large and Lillie Mae Large, all of Niota; one granddaughter, Diane Wilson Wolfe of Niota; one great-granddaughter, Rhonda Wolfe Walker of Knoxville; special friends and caregivers, Flora Walker, Wilma Raley and Brenda Wilson; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Ensminger and the Rev. Mike Farmer officiating. Burial followed in Niota Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Gordon Miller, Charles Sparks, Joe Snyder, Bill Snyder, Bob Wallace, Bob Hutsell and Gil Morgan. Honorary pallbearers were Rex Moses, Hubert Mathews, W.C. Hutsell and Ross Amos.

The family received friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Niota United Methodist Church, 2 W. Main St., Niota, TN 37826.

A lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was owner and operator of the Williams Hardware and Auto Store for 58 years. He was a son of the late Nelson Roan and Bertha Flewellen Williams, and was a member of the Englewood United Methodist Church. He also was a former Mayor of Englewood and fire chief. He served on the McMinn County Election Commission and was on the Economic and Industrial Committee of McMinn County. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy as a bomber pilot. He was preceded in death by hir first wife, Billie Carol Williams; two sisters, Louise Williams and Hazel Richeson; and one brother, Curtis Williams.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Freeman Williams of Englewood, one daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Mike Alverson of Summerville, S.C.; one stepson, Terry Martin of Athens; one grandson, Derek Alverson; and several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. No formal visitation will be held.

A native of McMinn County, he was a son of the late John and Mary Clayton Bowlin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna Mae Key Bowlin, on July 27, 2003; two sisters, Nora Painter and Lou Ella Giles; and two brothers, the Rev. Troy Bowlin and James Bowlin. He was a well-known carpenter and barber and was a member of Wildwood Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-laws, Mary Lynn and Troy Slack of Englewood, and Kay and Jackie Lyles of Cleveland; one son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Martin and Kathy Bowlin of Athens; seven grandchildren, Terri McNelley and husband, Jeff, Dickie Slack and wife, Jamie, Melinda King and husband, Tim, Tracy Lyles, Tina Bull and husband, Doug, Cindy Hooker and husband, Kevin, and Todd Bowlin; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Monday at Wildwood Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Vest officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Dickie Slack, Tracy Lyles, Todd Bowlin, Tim King, Jeff McNelley, Doug Bull and Kevin Hooker.

The body will be in state at the church after 5 p.m. Monday, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wildwood Baptist Church, 1045 Hwy. 39 E., Englewood, TN 37329, or to the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Building Fund, 1799 County Road 250, Niota, TN 37826.

If you are unable to attend this service or visitation, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was the daughter of the late William and Cora Hampton Gregory, and was a member of Rogers Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carlos S. Bishop; two sisters, Stella Hyde and Tiny Goins; two daughters, Barbara Bishop and Glenda Lynn; and two sons, Donald and Larry Bishop.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Gail and David Guffey of Athens, and Tammy and Fred Packett of Niota; one daughter-in-law, Rosie Bishop of Decatur; one son, Bobby Bishop of Athens; one son-in-law, Buddy Lynn of Athens; 14 grandchildren, Doug and Mary Price, Lisa and Dewey Henley, Brian and Paula Bishop, Whitney Bishop, Randy Lynn, Heather and Russell Smith, Angie Bishop, Janice Woods, Tracy Bohannon and Tennille Wilcox; 11 great-grandchildren with another due any day; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Nunley officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Valley Road Cemetery with grandsons and friends serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

She was a member of Wetmore Baptist Church, loved gardening, reading and doing for others, and had worked as a caregiver for many years with the Benton Health Department, and then as a personal caregiver for more than 10 years. She hoped to make a difference by doing for others and was a very good mother and will be missed greatly.

A daughter of the late Mack Jones and Mollie Sybil Harris Jones, she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jack Daniel Brown; one grandson, David Lynn Smith; one brother, Thomas Winfred "Tuck" Jones; and one son-in-law, Bill E. Price.

Survivors include one daughter, Vivian Brown Price of Cleveland; one son, Hoyt Danny Brown of Delano; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Jesse Mack "Benny" and Faye Jones of Gallatin, and William Floyd "Clayne" and Nancy Jones of Cross Plains; one grandson, Jimmy Brown of Delano; two granddaughters, Kathy Dianne O’Bannon of Cleveland, and Melanie Kersey of Etowah; three great-grandsons, Colten Brown of Delano, Jacob Nieding of Charleston, S.C., and Jeffrey Nieding of Seoul, Korea; one great-granddaughter, Courtney Cain; a beloved cousin, Roy D. "Ducan" Moore of Robertson County; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Rev. John Tullock and the Rev. Ed Earl officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Benton Memorial Gardens with the release of a flock of white doves concluding the service.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Brown, Greg Cain, Wayne "Salty" Widener, Jacob Nieding, Kenneth Stone and Jack Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be W.C. "Fuzz" Smith, John Tullock’s Men’s Sunday School Class at Wetmore Baptist Church, Gene Shamblin, Frank Barton, Bill Millaway and Mike Johnson.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Send a message of condolence and view the Brown family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements

A native of Aurora, Ill., he was a son of the late Harry Charles and Viola Gertrude Briggs. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict, having served 18 years in the U.S. Navy and two years in the U.S. Army. He had attended the Abundant Blessings Assembly of God and was preceded in death by one sister, Viola Briggs.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Shirley Briggs of Athens; one daughter, Cindy Richardson of Franklin, Ky.; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lillian and Ronald Dobelbower of Edwardsville, Ill.; one nephew, Ronnie Johnson of Aurora, Ill.; three grandchildren, Ashley Nicole White, Megan Richardson and Kevin Richardson; and one great-granddaughter, Adrianna White.

Funeral services will be 6:30 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Pastor Dorothy Hanson officiating. Graveside military services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the U.S. National Cemetery in Chattanooga.

Memorial contributions may be made to Abundant Blessings Assembly of God, 2613 Cardinal St., Athens, TN 37303.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native of Knox County and resident of Etowah for 50 years, she was a daughter of the late Dan and Flora Marine Whitehead. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Wells and Pearl Garner.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. Everett Kincaid of Etowah; and two nieces.

Funeral services were 10 a.m., Monday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with Chaplain Les Fauntleroy officiating. Burial followed in Green Hill Cemetery with C.A. Johnson, Roy Hemerick, David Barnes, Roger Farley, Marvin Back and Denver Stiles serving as pallbearers.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

A native of Etowah and resident there all of her life, she was a daughter of the late Dewey and Nora Poteet Cole. She was a member of Cambria Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by one brother, L.J. Cole.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Amos Harriel Culberson of Etowah; two sons and daughters-in-law, Troy and Debbie Culberson of Etowah, and Donald and Yolanda Culberson of Madisonville; four grandchildren and spouses, Brad and Derrick Culberson, Eric and Ashley Culberson and Stephanie and Mathew Vinyard; two great-grandchildren, Hannah Pierson and Emma Grace Vinyard; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Monday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Homer Belcher officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and proceed to Cambria Cemetery for the 10 a.m. burial service.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home prior to the service.

She was employed in Oak Ridge and also with Guffey Food Market in Athens for more than 30 years. She was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Athens, where she served on the deaconess board and was president of the mission department. She was very active in the Loudon District Missionary Baptist Association, where she was instrumental in helping to establish the Velma Thompson Hour. She was also a member of the Bright Light Order of the Eastern Star and was a culinary artist. She spearheaded the "Heritage Tea" every February and was one of McMinn County’s historical references, contributing many artifacts to the Athens Living Heritage Museum. She was a member of the Athens Garden Study Club and was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Ethel Melton; one son, Michael Massengill; four brothers, Henry, Albert, Stovey and Cletus Melton; and two sisters, Mary Bell Melton and Zelma Melton Smith.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, George Massengill of Athens; one daughter-in-law, Shirley Massengill of Athens; three grandchildren, Landon, Tameika and Jereel Massengill; one great-grandson, Jayden Rutledge; one brother, Raymond Melton of Flint, Mich.; one nephew, Hugh Von Melton of Etowah; one niece, Carolyn Mynatt; two sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Reha of Detroit, Mich., and Margaret Mynatt of Knoxville; two devoted friends, Mildred Walker and Lucy Williams; and many cousins.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Scaife officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Friday at the church.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Frank S. and Florence Womac Barnett, and was a member of Woodward Avenue Church of God. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude and Harrison Barnett; one stepbrother, Ondus McKenzie; and one stepsister, Syrpta McConkey.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Max and Nancy Barnett of Helen, Ga., and Rex and Peggy Barnett of Etowah; one grandson and wife, Greg and Merrie Barnett of Cartersville, Ga.; two granddaughters and their husbands, Vanessa and Ron Wilson of Flowery Branch, Ga., and Jyl and Max Gryder of Dawsonville, Ga.; seven great-grandchildren, Miller, Mason and Andy Barnett, Katheryne, Lindsey and Mallory Wilson and Michael Gryder; one stepsister, Lorraine Russell of Athens; and one sister, Tavie Slack of Athens.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Jerry Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Fritts officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodward Avenue Church of God Building Fund, 507 Woodward Ave., Athens, TN 37303.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book online at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com

She was a member of Notchey Creek Baptist Church and was employed by Kiddie College Daycare.

Survivors include her husband of 14 years, Danny Isbill; two daughters and one son-in-law, Michelle and Nick Branson of Knoxville, and Jennifer Dawson of Madisonville; her future grandson, Drew Branson; her parents, Billy and Juanita Ridenour of Sweetwater; one sister and brother-in-law, Peggy and Norman Shaw of Knoxville; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Charles and Kathy Ridenour and Henry Ridenour, all of Sweetwater; and several nieces, nephews and other family members.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Biereley-Hale Funeral Home with the Rev. Mitch Isbill and the Rev. Jerry Branson officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Haven Hill Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

He served as pastor of Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Knoxville, First Baptist Church in Sweetwater and First Baptist Church in Niota and had filled in at a number of other churches on an interim basis.

He was a graduate of Carson-Newman College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. His denominational contributions had been as a member of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, a trustee for Baptist Children’s Homes and the Harrison-Chilhowee Academy, vice president of T.B.C. and vice president of the Tennessee Baptist Pastor’s Conference.

His ministry in Sweetwater had been longer than that of any other minister in its 144 year history. He was preceded in death by one daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Bill Clody.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Ruby Shelley McCulley of Sweetwater; one son and daughter-in-law, Neil and Sandy McCulley of Nashville; one daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Kenneth Carroll of Norcross, Ga.; and six grandchildren, Andrew Clody, Patrick Clody, Ryan McCulley, Christopher McCulley, Amanda Robinson and Matthew Carroll.

The body will lie in state at First Baptist Church of Sweetwater after 1 p.m. Thursday, where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. John Holland and the Rev. Phil Holmes officiating. Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday in Sweetwater Valley Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Sweetwater.

A native of Loudon County, she was a daughter of the late William and Lucy Caldwell Colquitt. She was preceded in death by her first husband, the Rev. James E. Tilley; her second husband, Raleigh Newman; one son, Jack Edward Tilley; one grandson, Richard Tilley; and one sister, Mary Lou Randolph. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Athens.

Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ruth and Paul McGinnis of Austell, Ga.; two sons and daughters-in-law, the Rev. Clyde and Nancy Tilley of Seymour, and Paul and Ann Tilley of Athens; two granddaughters, Cherilyn Kerchner and Paula Travis; three grandsons, Rick Baumgartner, Alan Baumgartner and David Tilley; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; two sisters, Pauline Keller of Athens, and June Harvey of Reno, Nev.; one stepdaughter, Juanita Robinson of Athens; and five step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Jerry Smith Funeral Home with Dr. Clyde Tilley and Dr. Mike Womack officiating. Burial will follow in West View Cemetery in Sweetwater.

Pallbearers will be Steve Neill, Jody Travis, Jason Baumgartner, Rick Baumgartner, David Tilley, Alan Baumgartner and Carey Hicks.

The body will be in state after 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m.

If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest register book at www.jerrysmithfunerahome.com

A native of Ten Mile and a longtime resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late Carson and Sally Ellison Letner and was a member of Rockview Baptist Church. She was owner/operator of M&M Florist in Niota for more than 22 years and was preceded in death by seven sisters, Ruby Duncan, Alvie Rogers, Maxine Walden, Josie Massey, Beulah Lee Enix and infant sisters, Helen and Maggie Letner; and one brother, Johnny "Jake" Letner.

Survivors include her husband of 22 years, Paul McConkey of Niota; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy and Scotty Bales of Niota, Cindy and Jim Dexter of Athens, and Angie and Phillip Burns of Columbus, Miss.; one son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Tammy Branham of Decatur; five grandchildren, Jason Branham and spouse, Misti, Jesse Branham, Amanda Gray and spouse, Kevin, Jylann Sneed and spouse, Jeremy, and Trevor Burns; four great-grandchildren, Jordan and Aliyah Branham and Johnathan David and Charity Grace Gray; one brother and sister-in-law, Condon and Sarah Letner of Smyrna, Ga.; and three sisters, Dorothy Brisco of Monroe, Ga., Ruth Lankford of Snellville, Ga., and Katherine Mitchell of Athens.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Ratledge and the Rev. Scotty Bales officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Danny Branham, Junior Branham, Tim Branham, Jerry Lankford, Mark Black and Chris Callihan. Honorary pallbearers will be Junior Hester, Leonard "Red" Brock, Ronnie Sneed and Homer Frisbie.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

She was born in Covington, Ky. and lived there until 1976 when she moved to Chattanooga. She was a member of Chattanooga First Seventh-day Adventist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, William M. Gerrez.

Survivors include one son, William G. Gerrez of Greeneville; two daughters, Arlene Gerrez of Hendersonville, N.C., and Linda Heiselman of Riceville; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A private funeral service will be held to celebrate Hazel’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1132, Fairfax, VA 22038.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com

Heritage Funeral Home of Chattanooga is in charge of arrangements.

She was a member of Cox Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Athens, where she sang in the choir, and was employed for many years by the Thomas and Betts Company and Plastic Manufacturing Company of Athens. She also worked for Head Start as a teacher and was last employed with Grace Peek Florist before her illness kept her at home.

She graduated from J.L. Cook High School, where she was a majorette and played basketball, and was preceded in death by her father Archie Raymond Brown Sr.; two sons, Timmy and Tony McCroskey; three brothers, Donald, John and Archie R. Brown Jr.; and two sisters, Delilah Johnson and Mary Ann Fuller.

Survivors include her husband, Garland W. Johnson Sr. of Athens; one daughter, Greta McCroskey of Maryville; one son, Ben McCroskey of Athens; three grandchildren, Dante and Jada McCroskey and Trecia Thompson; three stepchildren, Garland W. Johnson Jr., Volanda Johnson and Qnella Johnson, all of Connecticut; her mother, Jannie Brown of Athens; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Harold G. Brown and James Mitchel and Norma Brown, all of Athens; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sheila and Hubert E. Armstrong of Ooltewah, and Robbie and Claude Johnson of Athens; one brother-in-law, Thomas Johnson of Harriman; one sister-in-law, Joyce Brown of Childersburg, Ala.; one aunt, Oggie Mae McDermott of Athens; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Friday at Cox Chapel A.M.E Zion Church with the Rev. Lonnie McIntire officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at the church.

A native of Brooksville, Fla., and a resident of Athens for most of her life, she was of the Baptist/Pentecostal faith and had attended North Cleveland Church of God. She was a former employee of Dominion Trout Farms in Maryville.

Survivors include her husband, John Paul Allman of Athens; one daughter, Heather Amanda Burke of Roseville, Mich.; her mother, Barbara Wattenbarger of Athens; her father and stepmother, Roy and Helen Lethco of Sweetwater; two stepchildren, Stephanie Sharlinda Allman and Kenneth Justin Allman, both of Cleveland; one brother, Randall Lethco of Madisonville; one half-sister, Brittany Lethco of Sweetwater; one very special niece, Jennifer Ann Lethco; three special friends, Becky Whitten, Joe Preece and Pearly Smith; and many loving friends.

Funeral services will be 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Oran Creasman officiating. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Christianburg Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Formerly of Etowah, he lived in Athens for the past 36 years. He was retired from J.M. Huber after 30 years of service as a plant operator and was a member of Wildwood Baptist Church in Athens. A son of the late Fred and Dewie Shaw Peel, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Peel; and one sister, Imogene Walker.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Faye Plemons Peel; one daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Dave Moore of Knoxville; two grandsons, Dylan Moore and Dawson Moore; one brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Kaye Peel of Athens; four sisters, Arietta Cantrell, Wilda Beaty, Verda Cantrell and Nettie Yarber; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Bryant officiating. Family and friends will gather at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home and proceed to McMinn Memory Gardens for the 2 p.m. burial, which will conclude with a white dove release provided by the funeral home.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

If you are unable to attend the services, view and sign the family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com

A native of North Georgia, and a resident of Athens for most of her life, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Eutie Dietz Adair and was preceded in death by one son, Scott Alan Prescott, on March 18, 2003; and one infant brother, Jerry Adair. She was a member of Athens Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, C. Dale Prescott of Athens; three daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and Steve Powers of Riceville, Debbie and John McSpadden of Athens, and Cathy and Kenny Higgins of Riceville; one daughter-in-law and spouse, Missy Prescott and Travis Herd of Niota; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin and Alene Adair of Cocoa, Fla., and Ronnie and Mary Adair of Rock Springs, Ga.; six grandchildren, Mandy Galyon, Jenny Jackson, Zane Adam Prescott, Holly Higgins, Chandler David Prescott and chosen granddaughter, Stephanie Katie Prescott; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew Galyon and Hayden Jackson.

Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Athens Church of Christ with Minister Manley Luscombe officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Zane Prescott, David Jackson, Dewayne Galyon, Jim Wilson, Lloyd Matthews and Travis Herd.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

A native of North Georgia, and a resident of Athens for most of her life, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Eutie Dietz Adair and was preceded in death by one son, Scott Alan Prescott, on March 18, 2003; and one infant brother, Jerry Adair. She was a member of Athens Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, C. Dale Prescott of Athens; three daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and Steve Powers of Riceville, Debbie and John McSpadden of Athens, and Cathy and Kenny Higgins of Riceville; one daughter-in-law and spouse, Missy Prescott and Travis Herd of Niota; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Melvin and Alene Adair of Cocoa, Fla., and Ronnie and Mary Adair of Rock Springs, Ga.; six grandchildren, Mandy Galyon, Jenny Jackson, Zane Adam Prescott, Holly Higgins, Chandler David Prescott and chosen granddaughter, Stephanie Katie Prescott; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew Galyon and Hayden Jackson.

Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Athens Church of Christ with Minister Manley Luscombe officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Zane Prescott, David Jackson, Dewayne Galyon, Jim Wilson, Lloyd Matthews and Travis Herd.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ballard and Mae Ball.

Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Connie Ball of Calhoun; one niece and her husband, April and Chad Davis of Calhoun; one very special great-nephew, Noah Davis of Calhoun; a special friend, Donald Allen of Missouri; and aunts, Geneva Arnold of Athens, and Effie Jane Rayl of Decatur.

The body is at Kyker Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Sweetwater Memorial Park.

She was a native of Athens and a former resident of Melbourne, Fla. for the last 47 years with her husband and family. She retired after 28 years from Brevard School for the Handicapped and was also retired from Breslers after 28 years. She returned to Tennessee for the past year, residing at Brookwood Nursing Center, and attended Athens Free Saints Holiness Church. She was a daughter of the late Ollie F. and Mary Virgie Hicks Phillips and was preceded in death by her husband, James Robert Masingale Sr.; one daughter, Shelia Rexine Masingale Austin; three sisters, Mamie Sue Veals, Beatrice "Bea" Coleman and Lillie Keaton; and four brothers, Ollie Phillips Jr., J.C. Phillips, Hugh B. Phillips and Ira F. Phillips.

Survivors include one son, Robbie Masingale of Decatur; one sister, Johnnie R. Hood of Decatur; one brother, Arnold D. Phillips of McKenzie; three grandsons, Robert James Masingale, Justin Donald Masingale and Josh Austin; three granddaughters, Robyn Nicole Masingale, Jamie Alison Masingale and Breanne Austin; three great-grandsons; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Hicks officiating. Burial will follow in Walnut Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.