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.
Mattie “Tubby” (Welch) Coppock - age 89 of Maynardville, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025 surrounded by her family that she adored dearly. She was a longtime member of Valley Grove Baptist Church, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Everyone loved Mattie and she will be greatly missed.
David E. Kling – age 76 of Maynardville passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at his home. David was saved at the age of 15 and is of the Baptist Faith. He is a retired employee of Norfolk-Southern Railroad. He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Patricia Kling of Indiana.
Keith Lucas- age 65 of Maynardville, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
Bobby Wayne Shoffner – age 58 of Maynardville, passed away Wednesday morning, January 22, 2025 at his home. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Maynardville and was an employee of U.S.I.C. as a utility locator. He was a graduate of Horace Maynard High School Class of 1985. To know Bobby was to love him. Proceeded in death by his parents, Kenneth Wayne and Melba June (Irick) Shoffner; grandparents, Monroe Kenneth Shoffner, Anne Shoffner Malone (Mom Anne), Clayton and Opal (Raley) Irick; cousin, Kenneth Greene; aunt, Peggy Shoffner Allen.
Catherine Yuen-age 64 of New Tazewell passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Claiborne Health and Rehab Center.
She is survived by her son, Lee Yuen.
No services are planned at this time. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.
Brenda Sue Miracle-age 75 of Maynardville passed away Monday morning, January 20, 2025, at her home. She was a member of Pennington Chapel Baptist Church. Brenda loved to work in the garden and her flowers. She was a retired employee of Clayton Mobile Homes, Maynardville. Preceded in death by her parents, Ottis and Sarah England; brother-in-law, David Roberts.
Marsha Faye Sizemore-age 75 of Maynardville, formerly of Harlan, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, Tony Sizemore; parents, Ottis James Woliver and Billie Sue Woliver.
She is survived by her son, James (Kaci) Sizemore; stepdaughter, Cora (Mike) Miller; stepson, Tony Edward (Karen) Sizemore; grandsons, Todd, Austin, Matt Jacob, Austin, and Blaine; special great grandson, Jace; sisters, Carlene Ford, Lisa Brock, Debbie Woliver.
Jack D. Wyrick-age 63 of Luttrell passed away Thursday afternoon, January 16, 2025 at his home. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Corryton, Tennessee. A devoted husband, father, and pap, Jack was the rock of his family, always providing for and supporting those he loved. His tireless work ethic and dedication inspired countless lives. Jack’s true passion was building sandcastles in Panama City, where he spent countless hours crafting intricate masterpieces with his loved ones.
Carolyn Sue Nicely-age 72 of Warwick’s Chapel Road, Luttrell passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Warwick’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, James and Lorene Nicely; grandparents, Vaughn and Ocie Nicely; Eck and Flora Bailey.
Survivors; Aunts, Mary Jane Nicely, Betty Nicely; uncle, Glen Robert Nicely. Several nieces, nephews and cousins along with a host of friends.
Sandra Dmitriev – age 76 of Washburn, was born October 15, 1949 and entered into the presence of the Lord, January 11, 2025. A member of Union Baptist Church and a devoted follower of Christ, Sandra was a loving wife, devoted mother, and caring grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed Christmas and crafts, but God and family were her favorites.
Troy Clayton Oliver – age 92 of Halls, went to be with the Lord Friday, January 10, 2025 at his home. He was a member of Twinville Baptist Church and was in the class of 1951 from Horace Maynard Highschool. He is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Snodderly Oliver; son, Dennis Clayton Oliver; sisters, Raye Oliver Cooper, Ruby Oliver, Mae Oliver Turner; brothers, Charles Oliver, Leo Oliver; parents, Daniel Webster Oliver, Bertha Jane Chesney Oliver.
He is survived by his daughters, Diane Oliver, Deborah Suffridge; granddaughter, Hazel Suffridge.
James Ronald Smith- age 78, passed away Wednesday, January 8th, 2024. He was born in South Pittsburg, Tennessee on July 2, 1946, to Philip and Mildred Smith. He was raised in Roane County, Tennessee. Jim attended the Merchant Marine Academy and served in the Merchant Marines during the Vietnam conflict. Jim was an avid gardener and grew his own peppers to commercially produce his signature Hot Sauce – Tennessee Jim’s Rushy Springs Farm Chile Sauce. He opened his Etsy shop selling his hot sauce to people all over the country.
Amanda “Mandy” Rose Morrow-age 27 of Washburn, born October 23, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee to Thomas and Lisa Morrow, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 5, 2025 from complications of pneumonia at her home. Mandy was born with spina bifida. She had 40 surgeries in her short life and endured severe pain every day of her life from the age of 16. Praise God! She’s free of pain and running and dancing in Heaven! Mandy was saved and baptized in her youth and was a graduate of Union County High School, Class of 2016. She loved to preach to others about knowing Jesus to get to Heaven.
Gregory Kent Wyrick-age 59 of Maynardville went to be with the Lord, Sunday, January 5, 2025, at his home. He was of the Baptist faith and a graduate of Horace Maynard High School, Class of 1983. Preceded in death by his parents, Verlin Junior Wyrick and Betty Jo Fields Sturgeon.
Marianna Keck Ingle-age 63 of Sharps Chapel passed away suddenly Thursday, January 2, 2025 at her home. She was a former restaurant employee of Clinch View Golf Course, Bean Station and later was a caregiver. Preceded in death by parents, Loyd David and Helen (Graves) Keck; brother, Billy Ray Keck.
Survivors: husband, Craig Ingle; son, Matthew Houston; brother, Jack Keck; sister-in-law, Mary Keck. Several nieces, nephews and cousins along with a host of friends.
Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.