Wood Dale, Wood-Dale, Wood-dale, or Wooddale?

Our Union County Heritage: A Historical and Biographical Album of Union County—People, Places, Events by Kathleen George Graves and Winnie Palmer McDonald (© 1978 Josten’s) relates the following information pertaining to the establishment for Wood Dale School:

WOOD DALE—June 16, 1898, (P-350). Jackson Boruff and wife to the School Directors of District 3, for love and affection, a lot for a public school, so long as it is used for a school—if abandoned, it falls back to the Boruff heirs. (p. 180)

Union County Schoolday Memories: A Pictorial History of Union County Elementary Schools From the mid-1800’s to the 1960s by Bonnie Heiskell Peters (© 1999) contains four group pictures of students and teachers of Wooddale School on pages 321-324. The first, dated October 12, 1908, was taken by James Stapleton when Eddie A. Irick was teacher. The caption under this picture states: “A land transaction by Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Boruff executed June 6, 1898 provided land for Wooddale School.”

The first register on file at the Union County Board of Education for Wooddale School (the spelling varies depending on the documentation source) reports that the building then in use was constructed in 1900 (the register for 1935-36 records the date as 1902). The registers show that the school went back and forth from having one or two teachers—one teacher from 1932-41, two teachers from 1942-1957, then back to one teacher from 1958-61.

The school was located a short distance from the Union/Grainger County line close to Boruff Cemetery on Black Fox Road. All registers identified the post office that served the school as Liberty Hill, Tennessee, though the area now, I believe, has a Washburn address.

The caption for the first picture continues: “Joe and Iva Davis on August 25, 1936 sold additional land to the county for $500 for this school.” Joe Davis was a well-renowned teacher of the time. Ms. Peters’ book and the registers show that Joe Davis taught at Wooddale School at least 23 terms. Ms. Peters identifies him as the teacher at Wooddale in the 1917-18 photograph on p. 323 of her book. This picture is of particular interest to me, for my father Frank Mincey (b. 1914) and his oldest full sister Dusk[ey] Mincey Jones (b. 1910) are in that portrait. I have a copy of the ca. 1945 picture from Wooddale School (also found on p. 324 in Ms. Peters’ book) on my home library shelf. The teachers in that picture were Joe Davis and Ina Hendrix. Ms. Peters lists Joe Davis as having taught at these schools for the terms identified:

Wood Dale 1917-18
Cook’s Chapel 1932-33
Cave Springs 1936-37
Brock 1938-39
Rose Hill 1940-41
Wood Dale 1941-49
Nave Hill 1950-51
Wood Dale 1952-54
Wood Dale 1955-58
Rose Hill 1959-60
Wood Dale 1960-61
Brock 1961-62
Nave Hill 1962-67

The picture in Ms. Peter’s book on p. 322 (ca. 1908) identifies Mose Kitts and Eva McPhetridge (?) as the teachers at Wooddale. Other teachers identified by Ms. Peters (pp. 333-334; 336-338; 340-341; 344; 346; 350) or by registers on file at the Union County Board of Education (indicated by *) as having taught at Wood Dale were:

Eddie A, Irick 1908
Eva McPhetridge 1912
P. L. Thomas 1932-33
Joe Davis 1933-34*; 1934-35*; 1935-36*
Kathleen Bailey 1934-35
Mary Ruth McPhetridge 1936-37*
Joe Davis 1937-38*
Carl R. Nicely 1939-40
Faustine Nicely 1939-40
James I. Davis 1940-41
Clarence Nicely 1941-42*
Anna Lou Nicely 1941-42
Rosella Nicely 1942-44
Lucil[l]e Nicely 1944-45
Faustine Nicely 1944-45*
Kathleen Bailey 1945-46
Ina H. Hendrix 1945-46
Barbara Bailey 1946-47
Lucille Bailey 1947-48
Barbara Jean Ingle 1948-49
Florence Chesney 1949-51
Anna Lou Nicely 1949-50
Anna Lou Nicely 1950-51*
Joe Davis 1951-52*
Edna* Inez Thomas 1951-52
Anna Lou Dyer 1952-53*
Anna Lou Dyer 1953
Kathleen Bailey 1953-54*
Joe Davis 1954-55*
Kathleen Bailey 1954-56
Joyce Braden 1956-57
Joe Davis 1958-59*
Edna Inez Capps 1959-60
Joe Davis 1960-61*

The first register on file at the Union County Board of Education for Wood-Dale School was for school year 1932-33. Notable students of interest that term were third grader Elmer Bailey, grandfather of current Union County Mayor Jason Bailey, and fifth grader Vallie Mincey (later Mrs. J. P. Lay), my aunt, who stopped attending in November; she repeated the pattern of dropping out of school in the fall for the following two years as well.

Information reported by Mr. Thomas on his Teachers’ Annual Report/Teacher’s Record in his register state that he received his four-year State of Tennessee teaching certificate by examination on July 1, 1929. He stated he attended elementary school for twelve years, high school about two years, and attended the University of Tennessee for eighteen weeks in the summer of 1931, earning 24 credits. Mr. Thomas had seventeen years teaching experience, having taught at Wood-Dale “about 8” years. Mr. Thomas was 46 years old, had five dependents, earned $75 per month, and taught grades 1-8.

Mr. Thomas’ Teachers’ Annual Report included in the register described Wood-dale School as a one room, 900 square foot, frame building. The condition of the windows (ratio of glass to floor area 6:90) that lighted two sides of the room and the walls was listed as “fair”, while the doors, floor, painting, underpinning and foundation were described as “poor”. There was no ventilation system—the building was heated by an ordinary stove, though the condition of the flues or chimneys was “bad”. Mr. Thomas listed the repairs or improvements needed as “a new house”. Equipment consisted of 23 double patent desks, one teacher’s desk, two recitation seats, fourteen square yards of wood and slate blackboards in fair condition, two erasers, one broom, no floor brushes, two waste baskets, one dipper, and one shovel. No precautions had been taken for the safety of furniture, equipment and supplies, and the need for a “new house” was repeated. The playground and school library were not discussed, neither per equipment, materials nor books on hand or read. The water source was a well “on ground” (on the property) with a common dipper for drinking. Toilets were not provided for either the boys or girls who attended the school situated on one-eighth of an acre.

The number of students enrolled at Wooddale varied depending on the chart consulted. Mr. Thomas’ “Progress Table—Classification of Pupils by Number of Years Attended and Progress Made” lists 22 boys and 27 girls. Only one third grade student (not identified by name) was listed as “Rapid”. Five first graders, 3 third graders, 1 fifth grader and 1 eighth grader were listed as “Normal”. The remaining 38 students were listed as “Slow”. The “Age Grade Table—Classification of Pupils by Ages and Grades” reported that the oldest student enrolled was a sixth-grade boy who was 17 years old. The oldest girl enrolled was a sixth grader who was fourteen years old. The “Record of Promotion and Retardation at End of Year” report lists that out of a total yearly enrollment of 49, 22 were dropped from the rolls, while 31 students were promoted to the next grade. In first grade, 1 boy and 2 girls failed who had been in the grade one year; in eighth grade, there were 2 boys and 1 girl in this category. One first grade girl failed who had been in that grade two years, and 2 boys and 3 girls failed first grade that had been in that grade over two years. The attendance rate was reported as 81% for boys and 82% for girls.

Mr. Davis’ register for 1933-34 indicates that my grandfather James Lafayette (Fate) Mincey’s youngest child Fleetie (Mrs. Lester B. “Jack” Thomas) was enrolled in third grade for that term. She appears to have stopped attending in mid-October of that year, and stopped attending even earlier the following year.

The information included in the “Teacher’s Annual Report—Teacher’s Record” in the 1933-34 register report Mr. Davis’ date of birth as October 30, 1896. He was himself educated at Wood Dale for 8 years, graduating in 1916. He attended Horace Maynard High School for four years, graduating in 1930. (Note that it was mentioned above that he taught at Wood Dale during the 1917-1918 term; Mr. Davis taught school before he completed high school!) He reported that he received a four-year professional State of Tennessee teacher license on September 30, 1932. Mr. Davis attended the University of Tennessee (UT) for one year and had last attended summer school for 12 weeks in 1932, also at UT. Mr. Davis had 9 years of teaching experience, 5 of them at Wood Dale. Mr. Davis was 36 years of age, married and reported two dependents. He taught grades 1-8 for eight months at a salary of $65 per month.

Mr. Davis’ register for the previous year listed no library materials at Wood Dale; this improved greatly in 1934-35 by the addition of 46 books during the year at a cost of $9.80 (cheaper than if purchased from KARM today). No books were lost during the year, though their value decreased to $8.00. No books had been secured from circulating libraries, yet 75 books were read during the year.

School year 1935-36 saw the continued enrollment of my aunt Fleetie, my cousin Bertha Jones (Mrs. John Lay), and my sister Estelle Mincey (Mrs. Buford Mullins). Cousin Bertha grew up to be a voracious reader; she gave me scores of books from the time I was 17 until a short time before her death (practically all of which I still have)—these books became a substantial part of my home library. Only Estelle completed that entire school year, attending 133 and missing 24 days. Mr. Davis reported the value of the buildings and heating plant that year as only $50.00 and the value of the grounds $10.00. His reported salary for 1935-6 decreased to $55 per month.

My aunt Fleetie, sister Estelle, brother Fred Mincey (who later served in the military, married Easter Jarvis and moved to Cincinnati), and cousins Bertha Jones and Carson and Mildred Rosenbalm were enrolled at Wood Dale in school year 1936-37. This school year introduced both a new teacher and building to Wood Dale’s students. Mary Ruth McPhetridge held a permanent Tennessee teaching certificate issued on September 12, 1936. She was both an elementary and high school graduate and had a total of 101 college credits obtained from 60 weeks of attendance at Lincoln Memorial University and 12 weeks attendance at UT (23 quarter hours were education credits). She taught grades 1-8 for 8 months, her salary $68.50 per month.

Ms. McPhetridge reported that a new school was erected on October 2, 1936 (probably the date the building opened). It was described as a one room frame building, 23 by 38 feet, 874 total square feet. Like its predecessor, it was heated with an ordinary stove and had no ventilation. It contained 2 single and 23 double patent desks. There was an “insanitary” water source and two sanitary toilets on the grounds. The school library had a total of 25 usable books valued at $10.00 total.

Ms. McPhetridge’s daily program of work indicated that the responsibility of teaching all grades and subjects each day to 55 students left neither time to waste nor a lot of time to spend working with individual students. The schedule was:

8:00-8:10 Chapel 10:55-11:05 2nd Reader 1:45-2:00 TN History (Cons’t)
8:10-8:25 Primer 11:05-11:15 3rd Reader 2:00-2:15 3rd/4th Geography
8:25-8:35 1st Reader 11:15-11:25 4th Reader 2:15-2:30 5th Geography
8:35-8:45 2nd Reader 11:25-11:35 5th Reader 2:30-2:45 7th/8th Geography
8:45-9:00 7th/8th Arithmetic 11:35-11:45 7th Reader 2:45-2:55 Recess
9:00-9:15 5th Arithmetic 11:45-12:00 8th Reader 2:55-3:10 US History
9:15-9:30 4th Arithmetic ? All Health 3:10-3:20 7th/8th Spelling
9:30-9:45 3rd Arithmetic 12:00-1:00 Dinner 3:20-3:30 4th Spelling
9:45-10:00 1st/2nd Arithmetic 1:00-1:15 Primer 3:30-3:40 2nd/3rd Spelling
10:00-10:15 Number Class 1:15-1:25 1st Reader 3:40-3:50 1st Spelling
10:15-10:30 Recess 1:25-1:35 2nd Reader 3:50-4:00 Primer Spelling
10:45-10:55 Primer 1:35-1:45 3rd Reader

Note that this schedule for a full eight-hour teaching day included no duty-free lunch, no breaks for class transition, and no teacher planning time. Perhaps “All Health” was taught in conjunction with the dinner hour. This schedule puts to shame current teacher complaints of too many students with neither enough planning time nor enough materials/supplies to adequately teach their students! All this with no air conditioning, technology, cafeteria or cooks, fellow teachers with which to collaborate. The teacher would have been required to serve as janitor and build fires in winter to heat the building with an “ordinary stove” (or ensure that older students completed these tasks). One can be assured that there were unruly students and disgruntled parents as well, but alas, there was no place to file a grievance. Those were the “good old days” for sure.
Mr. Joe Davis returned to Wood Dale for school year 1937-38. His roll this year included my sister Estelle and cousins Bertha Jones and Myrtle Rosenbalm. On his “Teacher’s Record”, Mr. Davis stated he had received 16 credits for high school graduation. His teaching license was renewed on July 1, 1937 per the following qualifications from UT:

Year # Weeks Attended # College Credits Education Credits (# Quarter Hours in
Professional Subjects)
1929 12 15 6
1930 6 3
1931 12 12 3
1932 12 9 3
1937 6 6 3

Mr. Davis also received 6 quarter hours of college credit in 1932 from extension or correspondence courses. He was specifically prepared to teach upper elementary grades. Mr. Davis now had 14 years teaching experience received at 7 locations.

The area of school property increased from one-eighth or one-fourth acre (depending upon specific register consulted) to 2 acres due to Mr. and Mrs. Davis selling additional land for the school as noted above. The new school building and additional land increased the value of the buildings and heating plant (ordinary stove with “window board” ventilation) to $1,600 and $600 for the grounds. The school library continued to have 25 usable books valued at $10.00. The total number of students had decreased slightly to 49.

The 1937-38 register contained a “Record of Eighth Grade Certificates”. Three students, one boy and two girls, ages either 13 or 14, averages for the year either 90 or 92, proudly graduated from Wood Dale School on March 25, 1938.

I was unable to locate a register for Wood Dale School for 1938-1939. Carl R. Nicely was the teacher for Wood Dale School for 1939-40. My brother Fred and sister Estelle were enrolled that year. The writing in this register is particularly difficult to read as entries were written in pencil and the paper is deteriorating. There are two students, a boy and a girl, whose parent is identified only as “Mrs. Turner. Also, dates of birth are not recorded in this register and the teacher did not sign the affidavit as to the register’s accuracy. The only information Mr. Nicely recorded on his own “Teacher’s Record” was his “Series B” certificate number and its date of issue. He lists the name of the institution he attended as “State Teacher _” (an illegible mark for the blank space) from 1936-38 where he received 96 total college credits, all of which were education credits (assuming these were not unduplicated numbers). Mr. Nicely listed the net enrollment as either 22 or 23 (dependent upon which report is cited) and the total enrollment on the “Teachers’ Annual Report” as 40—of these, 13 were dropped from the rolls; 18 were promoted to the next grade; 16 failed who had been in the grade one year, 7 in the grade for 2 years, and 3 who had been in the grade over two years. The length of the school term was 160 days, 157 which were actually taught (excluding holidays). The oldest student was a third-grade boy who was 16 years old. There were no eighth-grade students in 1939-40, and no substitute teachers are listed for the year.

In this article I have shared information about Wood Dale School from 1900 through the depression years to 1940 as related in Our Union County Heritage: A Historical and Biographical Album of Union County—People, Places, Events by Kathleen George Graves and Winnie Palmer McDonald (© 1978 Josten’s); Ms. Bonnie Heiskell Peter’s book Union County Schoolday Memories: A Pictorial History of Union County Elementary Schools From the mid-1800’s to the 1960s; and available school registers on file at the Union County Board of Education. I will continue this discussion through the decade of the 1940s in the next edition.

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Veterans Menu April 1

American Legion Post 212

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greeting guests at the 10th Birthday

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Mayor addresses Commission

Mayor Jason Bailey reads the updated information on several grants, both active and potential, during the February Union County Commission Meeting

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Suzanne Stelling, author of Woodbine Chronicles.

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Mayor Bailey addresses UCBPA member meeting

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The first Home Demonstration Agent in Tennessee

Sealing contest at the Tennessee State Fair, 1912. Moore is on the far right.

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Team Haase

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The Journey Home

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Our springtime church reunion: The good and the bad

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Glad tidings

2 Corinthians 4-7 is actually a continuation of Paul’s expression of true love to the Church at Corinth. The Apostle is serving the Corinthians by sacrificing his worldly fame to tell the whole truth of the Gospel. As many commentators before me have already said the message of the Cross of Christ is a paradox. Jesus told the brothers James and John in the presence of their Mother that Greatness in Heaven is obtained via becoming a servant. Jesus ushered in his Kingdom, by becoming a servant obedient to a death of crucifixion. God’s love for the world is his good news.

Sycamore is easy to identify in winter

Sycamore is easy to identify in winter by its bleached
white upper limbs and multi-colored bark.

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The leaves of sycamore are large, and as broad as they are long, with a big-toothed edge. The leaf also has a fuzzy underside that can be a source of respiratory irritation. The fruit forms in the fall as a cluster of seeds forming a perfect brown ball about an inch or two in diameter, hanging from a long stem and persisting into winter.

R is for Ride

It’s a good thing my mom is brave because she’s the one who taught me how to drive.
It’s funny how different my mom and I are. For instance, driving came natural to her. Before she had her driver’s license, she was driving trucks and tractors across Papaw’s farm. Sometimes when Mamaw Girdle/Myrtle wanted an ice cream, she would give my then-12-year-old mother money for one. My mom would hop on the tractor and drive up to the store and buy her ice cream.

Lemon and Honey Salmon

Salmon likes to be sweetened. Honey will do just that. Try this easy recipe. Place salmon filet on 7- x 10-inch rimmed baking pan. Drizzle olive oil over salmon. Season with salt and pepper. Place lemon slices end to end on filet. Drizzle with honey. Bake in preheated 450 F oven for 15 minutes or less. Do not overcook salmon.

About my love of animals

A girl and her donkey friends

I have mentioned in a previous article about my love for animals and listed some of the animals that I love. I thought this month I would expand on that and tell you a little more about them and why I love them. I will start with my absolute favorite animal.
My favorite animal on the planet is the bettong. Have you ever heard of this animal? I had not heard of it until I saw it on an episode of the Rachael Ray show.

The Last Hunt

By Robert Wyrick
To the best of my recollection, it was the winter of 1953 when my cousin Ralph came up from his home in Loyston to my place in Hickory Valley to spend a few days to help my daddy in his radio repair shop.
Now, as my luck would have it, Ralph brought along Old Rattler, his blue tick hunting dog. At the time, Rattler was known far and wide as the best possum dog to ever roam the hills of Union County.

Union County Public Speaking Contest

James Whitley- Front row in the middle.

The Union County 4-H Public Speaking Contest allows youths to highlight their exceptional presentation abilities in a supportive environment. Youth learn from professionals as well as their fellow 4-H members.
On February 6th, 2024, 4-H member grades 4-8 gathered at Horace Maynard Middle School for the annual County Public Speaking contest.

History of Southern Gospel, Part II

Part of the basis of Southern Gospel were traditional postbellum shape note singing schools. At that time, shape note singing was most popular among rural singers. According to James Goff, Jr in his book “Close Harmony: History of Southern Gospel”, itinerant singing school instructors organized shape singing local, regional, and even national singing conventions and local quartets sung the latest gospel hymns.

Chiropractic care and stress

Managing the stress in your life — and most of us have it to one degree or another — is essential to keeping a healthy lifestyle.

Stress comes from many directions and makes itself known in a variety of ways. It might show up as a headache, tight muscles, nausea or back pain. It’s generally caused by outside factors, some obvious, like fretting over financial problems, and others not so much, maybe even planning for a joyous occasion like an impending wedding.

Spider in the Copier

The oddest things seem to happen to me. Most of them are funny or weird, but there
was one that was downright creepy.
I used to work in an office that had a tall copier. Actually, it was a scanner, copier, and
printer. Every day, I used it many times and in all three capacities. While I was waiting on it to finish the job, I would often look out the back door since it wasn’t far from the copier.

The Angels of God

I once received an email from a friend which said, “No true Southern boy would ever say, “Here’s an episode of Hee Haw that we haven’t seen.” I’m sure that’s true, though a truly Southern boy would have said, “. . . that we ain’t seen.”
I noted that bluegrass banjo player and cast member of Hee Haw Roni Stoneman passed away this past Thursday, February 22, 2024.

Pork chop suey

We made this dish often in the 1950’s. We had just come out of WWII with all the shortages that occur during wartime. It was time to try something new, like pizza or chop suey. In Dutch oven, brown meat in hot oil. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Drain off excess oil. Place meat in 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Combine sprouts onion, green pepper and rice. Add to pan. Gradually add milk and soy sauce to soup, stirring until smooth.

Planting Balled Trees

Taking the trouble to plant a tree right greatly improves its chances to survive and grow into a handsome tree.

Back in the day planting balled trees or trees grown in buckets was pretty straightforward: Dig a hole wider and deeper than the root ball, mix peat moss or other soil amendment with the soil and plant the tree. But some research has resulted in more stringent guidelines for urban trees. The new recommendations assure that roots have a chance to grow into the surrounding soil and produce healthy branches, foliage, and roots. Here’s an overview.

Union county veterans wall

It stands up on a hill behind the high school and overlooking Wilson Park. Many have seen it from a distance, but not too many people stop by. In different parts of the US, some of the walls honoring and remembering Veterans are made of black granite or marble. The concrete Union County Veterans Wall was first painted black to represent the bleakness, the abyss some veterans feel when returning to civilian life and there is a touch of red along the top to represent the blood that was shed during conflicts.

Events

Union County Board of Education

The Union County Board of Education will conduct a budget workshop on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Union County High School.
The next regular workshop and meeting of the Union County Board of Education will be on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Union County High School. The workshop will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the meeting immediately to follow.

Spring Tour With Museum Mike!

"Come by the Lenoir Museum at 1:00pm on Saturday's throughout the spring for a tour with Museum Mike! These tours will occur on a weekly basis. These tours are completely free, but please consider registering and donating to the Museum! 100% of your donation stays in our Lenoir Museum and is used for programs, interpretive displays, and other improvements. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Lost Creek Reunion is June 9

Lost Creek Church

Anyone with ancestors who attended Lost Creek Church or have ancestors buried in Lost Creek Cemetery may want to mark June 9, 2024, on the calendar. Fred Gibson and members of the Union County Cemetery Association will hold a reunion at the new Union County Forestry Building at the entrance to Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area.

Alder Springs Anniversary

Alder Springs Missionary Baptist Church

Alder Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 708 Hickory Star Rd. Maynardville TN, will celebrate it's 175 the Anniversary on Sunday, April 7,2024. The celebration will be during the 11:00 an worship service with lunch to follow. If you know of any former pastors or their relatives, we would love to hear from them so we can give them a special invitation for that celebration.

Easter Day Easter Egg Hunt!

With thanks to Marvin Jeffries and Thunder Road Graphics!

When - Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 @ 3:00 p.m.
Where - Wilson Park, Maynardville, TN
Who - Union County Egg Hunters Ages 1-10
What - A fun, Free Easter Egg Hunt
How - Three age divisions: 1-3, 4-6 & 7-10
Why - For the children of Union County to hunt for colorful eggs. One egg in each division will contain a prize worth $50 to spend at Walmart!

Obituary

Illah June Hill

Illah June (Smith) Hill-age 93 of Luttrell, born April 20, 1930, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Beverly Park Place. She was a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church and attended Fellowship Christian Church. Preceded in death by husband, Willis Hill; daughter, Gloria Hill.

Survivors: son, Scott (Anita) Hill; daughter, Rhonda Canada; Sister, Glenda Kirshner. Grandchildren, Justin (Carol) Hill, Tiffany (Kevin) Rustad, Jordan Hill, James Wolski; Nine great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews along with a host of friends.

Johnathan DeWayne Donahue

Johnathan DeWayne Donahue – born June 29, 1998, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Luttrell. Preceded in death by his parents, Doyle and Tracy Donahue; grandmothers, Janice Donahue, Pamela Riffey; grandfathers, Wayne Donahue, Rick Hankins.

RonnieBeeler

Ronald “Ronnie” S. Beeler-age 64 of Washburn, born March 6, 1960 went to be with the Lord Friday, March 22, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family and friends. He was a member of Central View American Christian Church and was a retired heavy-equipment mechanic. Preceded in death by his parents, Lon and Polly (Bailey) Beeler; brother, Gary Beeler.

Marilyn Sue Harrison-Baker

Marilyn Sue Harrison Baker-age 64 of Knoxville, born July 24, 1959, went to be with the Lord, January 12, 2024, of natural causes. Preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Beulah Harrison.

She is survived by her sisters, Glenda (Gary) Cooke, Connie (Jack) Ridenour along with nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.

James David Mills

James “Jim” David Mills-age 46 of Luttrell went home to be with the Lord, Monday, March 18, 2024, at his home. Preceded in death by his mother, Mary Thomas Mills; paternal and maternal grandparents; an uncle and several aunts.

Jeffery Claude Kitts

Jeffery Claude Kitts-age 60 of Maynardville, born August 14, 1963, went home to be with his Lord, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at home. He was a member of Beneath the Cross Church, Luttrell. He was a loving father, grandfather and brother who enjoyed spending time with his family and loved the great outdoors, hunting and fishing. He was loved by all and will be missed by all. He is at peace. Preceded in death by his parents, father, Claude Kitts, mother, Edna Sands Kitts.

Betty Deck

Betty Jane Deck – age 75 of Luttrell, passed away March 19, 2024 at Tennova North Medical Center. She lived in Kokomo, Indiana till her retirement from G. M. after 30 ½ years and then moved to Luttrell. Betty was of the Baptist faith.

Susan Gaye Harrell

Susan Gaye Harrell-age 62 of Knoxville passed away Friday, March 15, 2024.
Survived by daughters, Candace Brock, Sonya Butcher; sister, Donna Walker; Grandchildren, Samantha Pass, Brandon Bowling, Dylan Bowling, Braxton Butcher, Carson Butcher; great-grandchildren, Sabrina Pass, Donald Pass along with many other family members and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.

Debbie Ann "BB" Buckner

Debbie Lynch “BB” Buckner – age 59 of Washburn, formerly of Luttrell, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, William Randy and Dian Lynch; sisters. Nina Bell, Tammie “TT” Lynch; brother, William Darrell Lynch; nephews, William Cody Lynch, Joshua Reed; loving boyfriend, Gene Gibson.

Carolyn Skeen

Carolyn Grace Skeen – age 88 of Corryton, passed away peacefully at NHC Farragut Memory Care on Thursday, March 14, 2024. She was very artistic and loved to draw and work crossword puzzles. Carolyn retired from St. Paul Ins. Co. after working there for many years as a Claims Adjuster Supervisor. She was also a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Halls.

Lisa Gilbert

Lisa Gilbert-age 59 of Sharps Chapel, the best mom in the world, went to be with the Lord Monday, March 11, 2024, at North Knoxville Medical Center. She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy “Thumby” and Willie (White) Brantley; brothers, Troy and Claudia (Rowe) Brantley, Willis “Buzz” and Susie (Chumley) Brantley, David and Carolyn (Chumley) Brantley, Norman Brantley, Charlie Brantley, Arnold Brantley, Darrell Brantley all of Sharps Chapel.

Joshua Walker

Joshua Walker – age 44 of Maynardville, was called to his heavenly home on March 8th in the year of our Lord 2024. He loved his family and he enjoyed cooking for them and his friends. Josh was a gifted musician and left an unforgettable impact on everyone he met. He will be dearly missed and we will forever be grateful for the time that we were blessed to share with him.

Paul Junior Muncey

Paul Junior Muncey-age 65 of Luttrell went to be with the Lord Saturday, March 9, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family and friends after a three-year battle with cancer. He was of the Baptist faith. Worked as the maintenance man at the Cedars Apartments and Stonegate Apartments. Preceded in death by his step-son, Tony Wood; parents, Martin and Gertrude (Pratt) Muncey; siblings, Jimmy, Clifford and Sharon Muncey; Edna (Sissy) Strevel.

Delbert Turner

Delbert Turner, (77), of New Tazewell, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on March 7th, 2024. Delbert was born to Wiley and Louetta Turner, on August 19, 1946, in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Dewey McCall Raley

Dewey McCall Raley-age 91 of Corryton passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, when his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called him home with his loving family by his side. He was born September 27, 1932, in Central Peninsula, Union County Tn. He was a devoted member and deacon of Hubbs Grove Baptist Church. He was a devoted and loving husband to Bobby Helen (Wyrick) Raley for 50 yrs until her passing in 2003. He was a devoted and loving father to his four children Darrell, Debbie, Daniel, and Don.

Natasha Hope Snelson

Natasha Hope Snelson-38 of Maynardville passed away suddenly at her home Wednesday, March 6, 2024. She was her own unique person. Preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Snelson; brothers, Rick Snelson, Mike Snelson, Tommy Snelson; biological father, Lee Bussell; biological brother, Brian Bussell.

Kevin Brown

S. Kevin Brown – born June 17, 1967 in Knoxville, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the age of 56. He loved hunting, fishing and being outside and he was so passionate about his work as a brick mason.

Fredda McHaffie

Fredda “Hippie” Lynn McHaffie – age 60 0f Maynardville, passed away March 4, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was of the Baptist faith. Fredda loved life and was a very caring and generous person that would give you the shirt off her back. She never met a stranger and once she set her mind to do something she did it.

Lawrence Henry "LH" Wolfenbarger

Lawrence Henry “LH” Wolfenbarger-72 of Luttrell went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the U.T. Medical Center. He was a member of Cedar Ford Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Agnes Marie (Grisby) Wolfenbarger; great great granddaughter, Lanie Grace.

He is survived by his children, Melinda and Mike Grace, Dwight Wolfenbarger, John and Daphne Wolfenbarger; sister, Johnnie Sharp; nephew, Wesley Sharp and many cousins, grandchildren, great grandchildren and a host of friends.

Johnny Aurther Chadwick

Johnny Aurther Chadwick – age 80 of Luttrell, went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 3, 2024. Johnny was a diesel mechanic and loved to fish and drive racecars. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Brenda Joyce Chadwick; parents, Charlie and Mary Chadwick; sons, Ray Shanks and John (L.J.) Chadwick; brothers, Larry Chadwick, Chuck Chadwick and Ronnie Chadwick.

Jamie Earl Shoffner

Jamie Earl Shoffner-47 of New Tazewell went home to be one of God’s angels after being one on earth for 47 years, Thursday, February 29, 2024 at North Knoxville Medical Center. He graduated from Horace Maynard High School Class of 1998. He attended Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his loving step-father, Jerry Lee Cole; aunts and uncles, Louise Bonnie Bailey, Inez Ellen Poore, Troy Yadon, Sr., Glen Yadon, Sr., Tom Shoffner, Steve Shoffner, Wanda Shoffner Sheckles; grandparents, Roy and Belvia Yadon, Charlie and Edna Shoffner.

Dennis Wayne Kitts

Dennis Wayne Kitts-45 of Maynardville went to be with the Lord Thursday, February 29, 2024, at UT Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was saved at a young age. Preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Kitts Berkley; grandparents, Ted and Welmia Kitts, Donald and Thelma Beeler; aunts, Mary Kitts, Sandra Thomas; mother of his son, Sara Kitts.

Kennith Ronald Gibson

Kennith Ronald Gibson-45 of Tazewell, born May 16, 1978 passed away February 28, 2024. He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by his father, Kennith William Gibson; sister, Renosia Jane Noah; grandparents, William and Katherine Gibson, Curtis and Pansy Chumley; good friends, Steve Moore and Joe Burkhart.

He is survived by his mother, Diane Gibson; daughter, Lakota Gibson; son, Skylar Bishop; very special niece, Allison Noah and her father Allen Noah and other loving family members and friends.

Janice Jones

Janice Lynn (Buckner) Jones – age 80 of Maynardville, passed away peacefully and went to be with Jesus, Wednesday, February 28, 2024. She was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church and was a volunteer at Tennova North Hospital and for the Union County Election Commission. Janice loved the lake, ocean and RV’ing. Most of all she loved her husband, Rick, her children and grandchildren and spending time with them.

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