Barbara Sue Evars Ridenour, age 69, of Knoxville, Tennessee, went to be with The Lord September 23, 2017. She was a graduate of Fulton High School and was a devoted member of Texas Valley Baptist Church. Barbara was an amazing baker and loved Elvis. Barbara was preceded in death by: mother Mary Etta Evars (Nanny), loving husband of 38 years Homer Ridenour, and daughter Annetta Evars.
Janet D. Dyer Williams Hopson, age 77, of Corryton, passed away at her home with her loving family at her side. Preceded in death by husband Samuel Hopson; son Richard Williams; father John “Boss” Dyer; mother Edna Mae Dyer; grandsons Bradley Delph and great grandson Richard Dylan Gaddy; and son-in-law Gary Clark, Sr..
Bobby Joe McCarter, age 79 of Sevierville, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, September 23, 2017 in the Jefferson County Health and Rehab Center after a valiant battle with a long illness.
Bobby was born to J.B. McCarter and Susie (Monroe) McCarter on July 13, 1939 in Maynardville. Tennessee. He spent several years growing up in Johnson City, Tennessee. Bobby was a charter member of the First Red Bank Baptist Church.
Robert Edgar Murrell, Jr.-age 61 of Luttrell passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2017 at his home. He was preceded in death by parents, Robert E., Sr. and Martha Louverne Murrell; brothers, Chester and Gary Murrell.
Norman Hotham, Jr.-age 60 of New Tazewell, born February 20, 1957 died Monday, September 18, 2017 at Ft. Sander’s Regional Medical Center. He was a resident of New Tazewell, TN for 60 years. Preceded in death by mother, Anna Marie Runions; grandfather, Albert Runions; grandmother, Mary Etta Runions.
Robert Perry Bean, age 65, of Knoxville passed away September 22, 2017. A life-long resident of Knoxville, Bob retired from Tom’s Foods and CVS. Bob was a member of Clear Springs Baptist Church and loved his church family. He was a thirty year member of Masters Lodge #244 F&AM in Fountain City. Preceded in death by his parents, Fred Wallace Bean and Doris Ivey Bean; sister, Frances Garrett; and brother-in-law, Ray Houser.
Thomas Michael Pressley, age 73, of Corryton, went to be with the Lord September 20, 2017. Thomas was a graduate of Rule High School in 1962 and was also a graduate of Walter State Community College. He was a born again Christian and knew Jesus as his personal Savior. Thomas retired from the Knoxville Police Department with over 35 years of dedicated service. He was an active member with the Fraternal Order of Police serving with many community outreach programs including the FOP Youth Camp and the “Shop with a Cop” program.
Ralph Roberts, age 86 passed from this life into Glory peacefully surrounded by his family, Tuesday morning September 19th at 2:45 am at his home. He proudly served in the United States Air Force as a staff sergeant in the Korean war. He was retired from Tucker Steel. He loved life, to fish, and dance. He is fishing now in the Crystal river. He was a member of Valley View Baptist Church, presently attending Brandville Baptist Church.
Preceded in death by his parents, Louie and Hattie Roberts; brothers, Tom and Jessie Roberts; and his sister Geraldine McMillan.
Doris June Phillips passed away peacefully on September 21, 2017. She was employed for many years at Knox Manufacturing Company until the plant closed, and later at Slomsky's Tailor Shop. Doris was a creative and talented seamstress. She is survived by her husband, Tom Phillips; daughter and husband, Darlene Robinson McCarty and Danny McCarty; grandson and wife, great and great-great-grands Michael and Lisa Robinson, Cassidy, Katie and Skyler; brother and sister-in-law, John and Susie DeLozier.
Edwin Earl Spradlen Sr., 85 of Powell passed away September 22, 2017. He was of the Christian faith. He was a 4th degree black belt in Ishinru karate and a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a veteran of the Korean war and retired from Y-12 after 40 years of service. He was a beloved family man who loved to fish, hunt, golf, and play pool. Preceded in death by wife of 60 years Mary Rachel Spradlen and parents Buford Rufus and Era Odessa Spradlen. Survived by wife Barbara Bayless Spradlen; children Edwin Earl Spradlen Jr. (Little Eddie) and wife Teri, Connie and husband Mike Hurst, Calvin T.
Patrick J. Richmond, age 68, passed away September 18, 2017. He was a member of Saint Albert the Great Catholic Church. He was a HAM radio operator for over 50 years (W4PV). He retired from Northwest Middle School after 35 years of teaching. He was a loving husband and friend. Preceded in death by parents Frank C. and Genevieve C. Richmond and brother John Michael Richmond. Survived by wife of 29 years Diane Hankins Richmond; 5 nieces and nephews; special friends Bill and Sarah Greene and Wayne Wolfenbarger, as well as, friends whom he met through HAM radio.
Kevin King, 38, departed this life September 20, 2017. He attended Dutch Valley Baptist Church. God saw his struggles and told him to come on home where he is finally at peace. Preceded in death by grandparents William and Martha Johnson and John and Pauline King; uncles Kenneth and Bobby Johnson; niece Breanna King.
Edith Emma Williams, Age 88, of Luttrell born December 5, 1928 to Bessie and Andy Williams, entered heaven Friday, September 15, 2017. She was welcomed by Jesus, her sisters, Amanda Shoffner, Cleo Williams, Lillie Bell Dyer and Mary Lou Mallicoat; brothers, Homer Dyer, Earnest Dyer and Jesse Williams; two nephews and two nieces. What a glorious homecoming! Emma was saved at an early age at Warwick Chapel Baptist church and was a member of Luttrell Missionary Baptist Church. She was a retired employee of Standard Knitting after 45 years of service.
Linda Smith Chesher, Age 64 of Maynardville was born on January 7, 1953 and passed away after a brief illness at U.T. hospital on September 13, 2017. Linda was a member of Alder Springs Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoyed life and especially time with her grandchildren.
Sherman Widner, age 84 of Knoxville, woke up in heaven September 14, 2017. He was a member of Union Baptist Church where he took care of the HVAC system for 20 years. He was a veteran of the Korean War and an active member of IBEW 760. Sherman loved being outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, and papaw. Preceded in death by parents Bruce and Clara Widner; brother, Earl Widner; son-in-law Sammy Williams.
Janet Johnson, age 56, of Knoxville passed away September 13, 2017. Janet was deeply devoted to those she loved. She had a kind and contagious grin that easily spread to those around her. She was a hard worker and compassionate to those in need. Her heart, even while damaged from a horrible sickness, held within it beautiful memories of past times with loved ones. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Johnson; her parents, Robert and Louise Johnson; and her brother, Robert Johnson Jr. She will be greatly missed by her sons, Jerry Johnson Jr.
Mrs. Betty Ann (Hamilton) Hill-age 77 of Maynardville passed away suddenly Tuesday morning, September 12, 2017 while visiting in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a member of Hubbs Grove Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Carl and Nell (Lay) Hamilton.
Allen Ray “Al” Smith- Age 40 of Maynardville went home to be with his Heavenly Father on September 12, 2017. He was a member of The Church of God of Maynardville. Allen was the owner and operator of Al’s Wholesale Tire Company. He was an avid UT football fan.
Katherine A. Bennett, 80, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2017. She attended Unity Baptist Church on Chapman Highway. She was preceded in death by her husbands William R. Hicks and Ronald Bennett. Katherine is survived by her children Sheila Hicks, Keith Hicks, Gail Daughtery, Ricky Hicks, Doug Hicks, David Hicks, and Jeff Hicks; 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Family and Friends will meet at East Veteran’s Cemetery for a interment service Friday, September 15th at 9:30 a.m.
Paul Edwin Byerley, 86, passed away in Maynardville on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Paul grew up on a retail dairy farm, run by his parents and grandparents, on Little Valley Road in Blaine, Grainger County. He was a member of Mouth of Richland Baptist Church. After graduating from Rutledge High School, he earned a B.S. and M.S. in agricultural education from UT, then came to Union County where he worked 44 years as teacher, FFA adviser and administrator at Horace Maynard High School.