Mary F. “Polly” Shope Joran-age 88 of Maynardville passed away Sunday morning, February 23, 2025, at North Knox Medical Center. She was of the Christian faith and loved by many. Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph C. Joran, Jr.; parents, Sam and Nora Shope, along with several brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Monroe and husband, Bill; grandson, Traves Walters and wife, Lebisa along with several nieces and nephews.
Cynthia L. Vandergriff-age 73 of Newport passed away Monday evening, February 10, 2025. Preceded in death by her husband, Billy Joe Vandergriff; parents, Carroll Seay and Sylvia Smith Rogers.
She is survived by her daughter, Anna Troutt (David Harrell) of Knoxville; son Jerry Vandergriff and wife, Allison of Sevierville; grandchildren, Taylor Coppock, Nicholas Minton, Tyler Dunn, Chloe Vandergriff, Noah Vandergriff, Bradley Vandergriff, Wade Vandergriff; sisters, Cathy Jones, Carolyn Northern, Coleen Fowler; brothers, Cecil Seay, Curtis Seay and several nieces and nephews.
Billy Ray Stanifer – age 84 of Corryton, went home to be with the Lord February 10, 2025. He was a member of Mountain View Church of God of the Union assembly.
Billy is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Alma Williams Stanifer; parents, George and Stella Stanifer; siblings, Patricia Bendiburg, Beatrice Finley and Barry Stanifer. He is survived by son, Bill Stanifer and his wife Rose; siblings, Phyllis Washam, Buddy Stanifer, and Brenda Cline; several grandchildren and many great- grandchildren.
Karen Jessie (Kitts) Savage-age 72 of Washburn went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 9, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Karen was saved as a child at vacation bible school and was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Tilda Kitts; brothers, Richard and Carlie Kitts and a host of in laws.
Milton Fletcher Kelly, III – age 74, of Maynardville, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, M.F. and Davina Kelly. He is survived by his wife Denise Kelly; sister, Patricia Kelly; daughter, Jessica Richard (Chris); son, Derek Orbesen; niece, Kambrean Kelly; nephew, Kristopher Kelly; stepchildren, Charles Corum (Juniper) and Michelle Tipton (Joshua); grand children, Kailey, Gracie, Addison, and Bjorn; cousins, Debbie Baker (Bruce), Kimberly Cerny (Chuck) and T.K. Barnett (Terry); and many extended family and friends.
Amanda Boggs – age 41 of Maynardville, passed away February 5, 2025. She was a loving mother of three whose life was devoted to giving unconditionally and making those around her feel cherished. Despite the hardships she faced, she put her faith in the Lord, creating a home of love and warmth.
She is survived by son, Preston Smith; daughters, Talor Osborne and Trinity Webb; parents, Raymond Boggs and Mary Marlene Warwick; brother, Adam Boggs and spouse Jeanna; and sister, Amy McCann and spouse Blake.
Paul Edward Hampton – age 61, passed from this life to the next at UT Hospital on February 5, 2025. He was a quiet and generous man of very few words. Paul loved his family and will be forever missed.
He is survived by beloved son, Jonathan Paul (Rilee) Hampton; grandson, Atlas Hampton; sisters, Vickie Hampton (Phyllis) and Kristi Hampton Smith; brother, Jim (Cindy) Hampton; and nieces and nephews, Heather Hampton, Billy Hampton, Jeffery Hampton, Tanner Smith, Aaliyah Smith and Jhadin Smith.
David Lynn Beeler-age 67 of Maynardville passed away Thursday morning, February 6, 2025 at the Willow Ridge Center, Maynardville. He was of the Baptist faith and was a retired carpenter. Preceded in death by father and step-mother, Olen and June Beeler; mother, Lois Maya; brother, Bobby Beeler; granddaughters, Kourtney Hunter, Jo Ann Shelton.
Dorothy May (Woolard) Davis-age 92 of Washburn passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Willow Ridge Center, Maynardville. She attended Pennington Chapel Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her husband, Glynn Davis; parents, Atticus and Rachel Woolard; grandsons, Derick Davis, Jay Carroll; seven brothers and five sisters.
Kathy Darlene Turner-age 59 of Knoxville passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, at U.T. Medical Center. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Sevier County. Preceded in death by her parents, Taylor and Elsie Long; brothers, Stevie Long and wife, Janie Long, Amos Long and wife, Ida Long; nephews, Ricky Hickman, Alvin Gilliam.
Marcella Sharp-age 76 of Sharps Chapel passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at her home. She was a member of Taylor’s Grove Baptist Church and a retired employee of Sharps Chapel School. She is reunited with her loving husband, William David Sharp, also preceded in death by parents, Arbra and Lucy (Cook) Eastridge; brothers, Infant Lonnie, Bill, Fred, Clyde, Pete, Doyle Eastridge and Walter Cook; sister, Betty Jo Eastridge.
Jessie Lynn Richardson, Sr.-age 54 of Andersonville, born February 20, 1970, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, February 1, 2025, at his home. Jessie is preceded in death by his parents, ER and Mary (Anderson) Richardson; brothers, Eddie and Bud Richardson.
Michael Hatfield – age 59, passed away January 22, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was born in Tazewell.
Michael is preceded in death by his mother, Lucy Hatfield; and grandmother, Maggie Hatfield. He is survived by children, Toby (Bethany) Hatfield, Michael Joseph Hatfield and Casie (Hatfield) Morgan; grandchildren, Aleseah and Phoenix Hatfield, Grayson and Jude Hatfield, and Jaxson and Willow Morgan; and sister, Terida Hatfield.
Lambert Edgar Atkins –78 of Washburn, passed away on January 29, 2025 at home surrounded by family and friends. He was a beloved husband, dad, papaw, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was saved at an early age and was of Baptist faith. Lambert worked hard all his life, retiring from Roadway Trucking, but was always a farmer. He possessed the “greenest of thumbs” with an ability to grow most anything from tobacco in the early years to support his family, all types of flowers and vegetables, and his prized blackberries in retirement.
Kyle Henry Lay – age 94 of Maynardville, born June 5th 1930, passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Kyle was a lover of family, dancing and bluegrass music. He was gentle and kind; humble and modest. Kyle was an EOD specialist during the Korean War serving his country with honor. Kyle has been reunited with his son, Kyle Wayne; his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Reverend Louise Baker Taffer McMahan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on January 27th, 2025 at the age of 79. She was the cherished spouse of Reverend Gordon McMahan and is survived by her children, daughters: Sophia Taffer (Randy Harris), Betty Taffer (Tim Cupp), Pamela Baker Taffer (Lee Helton), and her son Merle Herbert Taffer Jr, from her previous marriage to Merle Herbert Taffer Sr.
Margie Leonard-age 96 of Corryton passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025, surrounded by her family at home. She was saved at a young age, was a member of New Friendship Baptist Church and last attended regularly, Luttrell Missionary Baptist Church. Margie was proceeded in death by her husband of 62 years, Theodore Leonard, Sr.; son, William H. (Bill) Leonard; grandson, Teddy Leonard; sisters, Juanita Kitts, Louise Muncey, Opal Adams, Ruby Deprow; grandson-in-law, Chris Phillips; daughter-in-law, Mildred Leonard.
Sheila Jane (Sherritze) Best-age 70 of Morristown passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System. She was born November 26, 1954, in Sharps Chapel, Tennessee. She attended Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Sharps Chapel. She loved to sing and play the piano with her family, The Sherritze Family Singers. Sheila was a graduate of Horace Maynard High School, Class of 1972 and was a retired employee of Belk’s of Morristown.
Jerry Allen “Slug” Smith - age 75 of Maynardville, passed away at his home on Saturday, January 25, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He worked as a diesel mechanic for 35 years at Atlas Copco in Knoxville and Nashville and later was a beloved bus driver of bus 16. He was known by many as “Slug”.
Marty Ray Hunter – age 35 of Maynardville Tennessee passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 25 2025. Marty had a love for music and also loved to joke around with friends and family. He was a great person to be around. Proceeded in death by his father, Earl Ray Hunter; sisters, Darlene Muncey, Shirley Miller; son, Matthew Ray Hunter; nephew, Allen Ray.