Lloyd Ellis “L.E.” Savage-age 67 of Luttrell, born April 9, 1958, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 3, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy battle with cancer. L.E. was saved at a young age. He enjoyed running heavy equipment for a living. His most favorite thing to do was spending time with his daughter working on the farm and going to Lady Vols basketball games. Preceded in death by his parents, Paris and Ina Savage; brothers, Riley, Andy, Jackie Savage; sister, Nellie Kay Chesney.

Bert Steven Davis – age 68 of Maynardville, passed away August 2, 2025 at his home. He was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by parents, Lynch and Nervie (Cook) Davis; infant son, Kody; and sister, Inell Oliver. Bert is survived by his wife of 47 years, Teresa (Loy) Davis; sisters, Argil (Paul) Buckner and Blanche; brothers, Ben and Wayne Davis; in-laws, Judy and David Rigsby, Kathy and Steve Irick; Earl, Jr. and Sharon Loy, Jeannie and Gary Moore and Renée and Mark Bills; and several nieces and nephews.

D. Marie Rhyne – age 87 of Maynardville, born September 26, 1937 to the late George and Hazel Merritt, passed away Friday, August 1, 2025. Graduate of Washburn High School (1957). Past president of both the Grainger County and Tennessee Jacettes. Past president of Union County Business and Professional Association. Past Chairman Union County Chamber of Commerce. Member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Lifelong community servant. She was most proud of her family. Preceded in death by her brothers, Von Merritt and Ronald Merritt.

Barbara A. Koscinski-age 81 of Maynardville passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 29, 2025 at the Willow Ridge Center, Maynardville. She was born January 3, 1944 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was of the Catholic faith. She is survived by her son, Robert Koscinski and other family members. No services are planned. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.

Douglas Wayne Riffey – age 65, passed away on July 30, 2025 after a tireless fight with heart failure. Doug will be forever loved for his kindness, sense of humor and lifelong service to those around him. He was the embodiment of a girl-dad and a wonderful husband, brother and friend. His faith was very important to him and was an active member of Church of Christ. Doug loved fried food, Christmas, Gunsmoke, mowing and his “jibber” dogs, in no particular order. There is not enough time to share all his strengths on the page, but his legacy will live on in those he loved.

Jimmie Dean McClure-age 94 of Maynardville passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025. She was a member of Church of God at Maynardville. She walked faithfully with Jesus every day. Her life was an unwavering testimony of grace, prayer and love. She has poured out kindness and shared wisdom rooted in scripture all while living each day with a heart surrendered to Christ. Her legacy is one of devotion, not only to her family but to God, who she has trusted her whole life. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 45 years, Rev. Charles W.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Rocky, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Rocky passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. A true outdoorsman at heart, Rocky found his greatest peace on the waters of Norris Lake, fishing rod in hand and a smile on his face. The lake was his sanctuary, where he spent countless hours embracing the calm and beauty of nature, often sharing stories and wisdom with anyone lucky enough to be beside him.

Michelle Hudson – age 44 of Powell, born on January 15, 1981 passed away July 28, 2025. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Michelle. Known for her radiant smile and warm sense of humor, Michelle was a kind and spirited soul who touched the lives of all who knew her. She was the cherished daughter of Pam and Terry Hudson and a loving sister to Shaun, Lindsay and Matthew. Her family was the center of her world, and she filled every gathering with love, laughter and unforgettable memories.

Ricky Allen Hundley, Sr.-age 68 of Knoxville, formerly of Luttrell, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2025. Preceded in death by one son, Louis Allen Mills; parents, Walter and Lenoir (Railey) Hundley; brother, Hubert Hundley.

He is survived by his children, Skyler Hundley, Gabryella Hundley, Travys Hundley, Ricky Hundley, Jr., April Hundley-Blakely and Alicia Eddwards; first cousins, Sue Hunter, Eddie Adams, Brenda Bryant, Rhonda Butler, Terry Adams and several other cousins, family members and friends.

William “Bill” Author Smiddy – 76 of Maynardville, passed away July 18, 2025 at his home with his son and wife at his side.

He is preceded in death by parents, Ada and Cleo Smiddy; and several brothers and sisters. Bill is survived by wife of 23 years, Teresa Ann Wolfenbarger Smiddy; son, William Smiddy; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Ina Carol Turner, born May 21, 1939 – age 86 of Maynardville, was welcomed into her Heavenly home Friday, July 18, 2025. Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Maynardville was her lifelong church home.

She was reunited with her husband Ranny and they are now “strollin’” the streets of gold. She is also welcomed by her parents, Willie and Mary Tharp; 3 siblings and a host of other family and friends.

Lawrence Keith Atkins of Seymour, known to family and friends as Keith, passed away on July 16, 2025, at the age of 62.

He is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence “Winnie” Atkins; maternal grandparents, Glen and Dorothy Hicks; and paternal grandparents, Lester and Gladys Atkins. Keith is survived by his mother, Judy Atkins; brothers, Kent (Donna) Atkins and Kip Atkins; nieces, Danielle, Suzanne and Kaitlin; nephew, Karson; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his dear friend, Paula Jones.

Ernest Lee Hatmaker-age 78 of Sharps Chapel went to be with the Lord, Wednesday morning, July 16, 2025, at the Willow Ridge Center. He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Sharps Chapel for over 40 years and a graduate of Horace Maynard High School, Class of 1965. He was a retired employee of Robert Shaw Controls, Knoxville. Preceded in death by his parents, Ucher Claude and Frances (Kelly) Hatmaker; several brother and sisters and their spouses.

Troy Arlan Washam, Jr. – age 65 of Knoxville, was born June 2, 1960 to Alma and Troy Washam in Luttrell, Tennessee, passed away suddenly July 12, 2025. He was a graduate of Gibbs High School and an Air Force Veteran. Troy enjoyed being on the lake in his boat fishing, golfing and UT sports of all venues. He was of the Christian faith.

Frankie Joe Wood-age 64 of Luttrell passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at his home. He was a graduate of Horace Maynard High School, Class of 1979. He was of the Baptist faith and a retired carpenter. Preceded in death by his parents, Brady and Nola (Lawson) Wood; brothers, Ronald Wood, Donald Wood, Gary Wood, Jim Wood; sister, Thelma Hill.

Sharon Tharp-age 67 of Luttrell passed away Monday, July 14, 2025, at her home. Preceded in death by her parents, Norman Dyer and Lilie Carden; brothers, Tommy Dyer, Charlie Carden; sister, Kathy Cunningham.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Coy Tharp; daughter, Carla Stephenson-McClamrock and husband, Cory McClamrock; grandchild, Austin Stephenson; daughter, Sherry Tharp; grandchild, Coy Wyatt Tharp and many brothers, sister, nieces and nephews.

Kari Mae Robertson Sturgill-age 33 of Middlesboro, KY, formerly of New Tazewell, TN, born October 5, 1991 and passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Middlesboro ARH Hospital. She was saved at Lily Grove Baptist Church at an early age. She was a graduate of Claiborne County High School, class of 2009. Preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Deneen (Wynn) Robertson; grandparents, J.R. Wynn and Elmo and Edith Robertson.

Loy Herbert Nicley – age 76 of Washburn, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025, at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center. He was a member of Powder Springs Missionary Baptist Church and a retired employee of Star Construction. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Maurine Nicley; sons, Brad Nicley, Matthew Nicley; siblings, Joyce Hurst, Leo Nicley, Mark Nicley; mother-in-law, Inez Merritt.

Carolyn Gay (Grant) Leonard-age 60 of Washburn passed away Wednesday evening, July 9, 2025 at her home after a battle with cancer. She was born July 15, 1964 in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and was a member of Pennington Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Glenn E. Grant, Sr. and Nancy Bryer Grant. Sons, Bobby Hamby; Daniel Shelton and wife, Tina; grandson, Donavon Shelton; sisters, Debbie Grant and Beth Shelton.

Joseph McGowan died on June 29, 2025, in Maynardville, TN, age 55. A native of Knoxville, Joe graduated from West High School, then served in the Navy before earning a BA in English Literature from the University of TN. He lived in Los Angeles for 25 years with his wife and family, working as a propmaster and driver in the film industry, a proud member of IATSE Local 44 and Teamsters Local 399. Joe was a poet, a world-traveler, a lover of mountains. He knew every street in Los Angeles, every dirt road in the Mojave, and every highway-exit BBQ shack in the South.