Robert McClure Mink went home to be with the Lord on April 7, 2018. He was born on December 16, 1948 and grew up in the Halls community of Knox County.
He was a devout Christian having given his life to the Lord when he was a child. He was raised in the Baptist faith. One of Robert’s greatest joys was getting to share the Plan of Salvation with those he met.
Robert graduated from Halls High School in 1966. He served in the Army from 1971 to 1972 in South Korea receiving an Honorable Discharge. Robert was a member in good standing of Masonic Lodge #366.

Iva Tallent, age 87, passed away April 7, 2018. She was a member of Loveland Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents John and Mammie Clabo; sisters Ora, Birdie Kate, Lilly, and Ruby; brothers Earnest and Clarence. Survived by loving husband Roy Tallent; children Ronnie Tallent and wife Carolyn, Ginger Newman and husband Dan, and Pat Haggard and husband Ken; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00p.m. Tuesday at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel with service to follow, Rev.

Pattye Lonette Sampson-Taylor (Big Mamaw) went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at approximately 2:30a.m. at UT Hospital from complications from a recent surgery. She was a member of Dante Baptist Church. Pattye was preceded in death by parents, Mason and Lorena (Rena) Sampson, brother Kenneth Sampson, and daughter Danita Taylor-Williams.

Angela R. Nieman – born on February 12, 1969 in San Diego, California and passed away on April 3, 2018 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is preceded in death by her son, Dylin Dempsey. Angela is survived by her daughter, Keiyana Creech; sons, Jimmy Hammond and Zach Tharp; four grandchildren; parents, Pat and Bob Nieman; special friend, Bill Tharp; and sister, Melissa (Nieman) Mantooth.

Kathy Ann Bailey Blocker-age 56 of New Tazewell went home to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, April 4, 2018 at Tri-State Healthcare. She was a member of Hickory Valley Baptist Church. Preceded in death by father, Vaughn Bailey.

Survivors: husband, Michael Blocker; sons, Michael and Austin Blocker; mother, Augusta Bailey, all of New Tazewell; brother, Ricky Bailey, Maynardville; sister, Sherry Wilson and husband, Scott; nephew, Matthew Wilson, all of Heiskell; niece, Melanie Daniels, Tazewell.

Linda F. Thomas-age 70 of Maynardville went to be with the Lord in her forever home Monday, April 2, 2018 at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center following a long illness. She was a member of Ailordale Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, James and Mary Sturgeon; infant daughter, Connie; brothers, James and Ray Sturgeon; sister, Bernice Clark.

Rev. Robert L. Holmes, age 88, a mighty warrior of the Cross, slipped peacefully away in Tennova hospital with his loving family at his bedside. He was a Bishop affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) for 69 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert G. and Edith Holmes, and brother Charles Holmes.

Lena Warwick, age 82, of Powell passed away to Glory on April 2, 2018. She was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. She leaves behind daughter Denver Darlene Griffey (Steve); son David McKinley Warwick (Mary); blessed with 5 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; best friend Debbie Parrot; special nieces Connie Stubing and Shirley Bayless; true love Hobert Tudor; special caregivers Nancy Mahaffey and granddaughter Deidra McDade. She is preceded in death by parents Harvey and Geneva Mahan; 4 brothers; 1 sister (Emmie); and husband of 51 years, Emory McKinley Warwick.

Elon Asher “Noonie” Whitaker, age 82, passed away April 1, 2018. He was past president of Beaver Brook Country Club and served on the board for a number of years. He was an associate board member of The Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville and had won associate of the year on three separate occasions as well as receiving many other honors. He was a veteran at the Air National Guard and was activated for the Berlin Crisis. He worked for 38 years for the William S. Trimble company. He was an avid golfer. He was a wonderful husband, father, pappy, and friend.

Donald Ray Rimmer, age 71 of Knoxville, left to be with the Lord on Saturday March 31, 2018 after a long battle with the effects of agent orange and PTSD. He was a long-time member of BOHBC which he loved and along with his church family. He was a US Army Veteran serving from 1968-1976 mostly in Vietnam War as a helicopter door gunner. He was preceded in death by parents William L Rimmer and Anna May Lynn Rimmer, sister Glenda Clevenger and brother Robert Rimmer and Thomas Rimmer.

Lela McMahan departed this world in her sleep on Good Friday March 30, 2018 with joy in her heart. She was happy, looking forward to spending Easter with her family. She is survived by her beloved children Elijah and Isaiah; her father Jay and his partner Amber; her mother Robin and Robin’s partner Ty; and her siblings Amanda, Jay Jr., Brandon, and Casey. She was a true fighter that never gave up. No matter how high of a mountain she was trying to climb or how many times she tumbled down, she persisted. Lela’s greatest joy was her twin boys.

Geraldine “Gerri” George, age 83 of Halls passed away Friday, March 30 at home surrounded by family. Gerri was a lifelong member of Milan Baptist Church where she served 63 years as Church Musician. Gerri is preceded in death by her parents Adrian and Hazel Kirkpatrick. She is survived by loving husband of 66 years, Jack George; son, Steve George (Janet); grandson, Justin George; and great-grandchildren, Jonas and Alice George. Thanks to Tennova Hospice and Nana Pop-ins Home Services for their help and support. Family will receive friends Wednesday April 4 6:00-8:00p.m.

Jessie Lee Presley Cole-age 80 of Knoxville, formerly of Sharps Chapel, born February 19, 1938 passed away peacefully Friday, March 30, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. She was a member of Taylor’s Grove Baptist Church. Jessie was a wonderful cook and seamstress and enjoyed square dancing, but most of all, she was a jokester.

Benny Joe Cooper-age 47 of Knoxville passed away Saturday evening, March 24, 2018. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Heather LeeAnne Cooper; mother, Brenda Bowling; grandmother, Dollie D. Cooper along with several aunts and uncles. Benny was born May 11, 1970 to Clifford and Brenda Bowling.

Survivors: father, Clifford Bowling; brothers, Gary “Booger” Childress, Joseph Lee Cooper, Dustin Bowling, Keith Hartness, Gary Lynn Graves; sister, Tracy Bowling. A host of other family and friends. He will be truly missed. Gone but never forgotten.

Justin Michael Allen-age 26 of Luttrell passed away Thursday afternoon, March 29, 2018 at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center after a lingering illness. He was baptized at Little Flat Creek Baptist Church and attended Grainger High School. He worked at construction being a perfectionist at his work. He was preceded in death by grandfather, Donald Allen; uncle, Darryl Allen; aunt, Denise Malkey.

Opal Geneva Langford, age 76, of Knoxville passed away on March 29, 2018. Opal Attended New River of Life Church. She worked at Powell elementary school for 37 years. She is preceded in death by parents Cora and John Hemphill Jr., and siblings Billy, Earl, Johnny, Mae, Hazel, Imogene and also 2 great grandchildren. Opal is survived by her husband of 61 years, Benny Langford; children, Donnie (Janet) Langford, Emma (Joey) Wilson, David (Linda) Langford and 7 grand children and 5 great grandchildren and one on the way; sister Clara Miller.

Bert B. Caldwell, Jr.-age 60 of Maynardville passed away suddenly Wednesday afternoon, March 28, 2018 at his home. He was of the Baptist faith. He was a employee of Formall, Inc., Clinton, Tennessee. Preceded in death by parents, Bert B., Sr. and Bonnie Raley Caldwell.

Joyce Ann Hamilton Hill, age 80, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018. She was a school teacher for 37 years, mostly at Brickey McCloud Elementary School. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Lee Hill. She is survived by sons, David Wayne Hill (Cynthia) and Alan Lee Hill (Kelly); grandchildren, Chad, Tyler (Haley), Stephanie, Katie and Evan; great-grandchildren, Robert Lee and Oliver Mitchell. The family will receive friends at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel on Thursday, March 29th from 6-8pm. Private family inurnment.

Bryan Kennedy Montooth-age 71 of Luttrell passed away Monday, March 26, 2018 at his home. He was preceded in death by father, Ted Montooth; mother, Evelyn Montooth.

He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Mary Lee Montooth; brothers, Mike and Leslie Montooth; foster son, Chris Shannon; niece, Joni Rogers and her husband, Michael Rogers, Sr.; great-nephew, Robert Johnson; great-niece, Jazmine Rogers. Best friends, Ronnie Green, Brian Rains and Bert Rosenbaum.

Douglas Macathur “Doug” Nichols age 75 of Fountain City passed away after a long illness Saturday, March 24, 2018 with his wife Judy by his side. Member of New Beverly Baptist Church, Fountain City Lodge #757, 32nd Degree Mason and Shriners with Kerbella Temple. Veteran of The United States Navy serving during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a longtime realtor in the Knoxville area beginning his career with Volunteer Realty and retiring form Rocky Top Realty. During his real-estate career, Deborah Black, Harry Bacon, and Sonny Mullins helped build Doug’s career.