Ina C. Bates Smith-age 74 of Maynardville took her heavenly flight Tuesday, February 2, 2021 with family by her side. She was saved at an early age at Warwick’s Chapel Baptist Church. Ina will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, very proud great-grandmother and a wonderful sister to her family that loved her very much. Preceded in death by husband of 28 years, John Smith; former husband, Ralph Tharp; parents, Earl and Opal Bates; brother, Clifton Bates; nephew, Shannon Bates.

Earl J. “E.J.” Smith-age 58 of Maynardville, world’s 1st Flip-Flop Clogger and well-known Funeral Director passed away Monday, February 1, 2021 at his home after a 16-year battle with ITP. He traveled many miles to fight this disease and touched many lives through this battle. He was a devoted funeral director of Ailor Mortuary, Byrds Mortuary and Cooke-Campbell Mortuary in Maynardville and a monument salesman for Reece Monument Company where he met many friends and touched so many families. E. J. was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Tater Valley, a former Union County Commissioner.

Betty Jo (Johnson) Frye-age 71 of Washburn passed away Saturday morning, January 30, 2021 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Central View American Christian Church. She had a passion for farming and her cattle. Preceded in death by parents, Hollis and Rachel (West) Johnson; grandson, Jason Taylor Brown; great-grandson, Brayden William Frye; son-in-law, Michael Jason Brown.

Joseph “Joe” Rush – age 61 of Washburn, passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021. He was a member of Nave Hill Baptist Church.

He is preceded in death by father, Wayburn Rush; and brother, Larry Rush. Joe is survived by mother, Bloma Rush; daughter, Lacey Rush; grandchildren, Laney, Kayla and Allen Rush; brother, Jesse A. (Betty) Rush; nephews, Dustin and David Rush; and several cousins.

JULY 16, 1942 – JANUARY 24, 2021
Harold Adams, age 77, of Tazewell TN, was born July 16, 1942 and passed away on January 24, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Velma Adams

Harold is survived by his wife Carol Adams. Son Anthony Adams and wife Marlena. Grandchildren Nathan Adams, Madison Adams, Aaron Adams, Anthony Adams Jr., and Drake Adams. Sister Wilma Cardwell and husband Bob. As well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

James Allen Buckner-age 85 of Maynardville passed away Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at his home. He was born August 4, 1935 the son of the late Troy and Ruby (Cox) Buckner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Susie Cooke Henderson; infant brother, Harold Buckner. He was a lifelong resident of Union County. Allen was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church. He worked at Dempster Brothers for 33 years until the plant closed. At that time, he began driving trucks delivering mobile homes across the U.S.A.

Retha Anderson-age 75 of Luttrell passed away suddenly Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at her home. She was a member of Luttrell Baptist Church. Former employee of Standard Knitting Mills. Preceded in death by parents, Roe Buck and Nancy Anderson; brothers, Frank and Roy Anderson; sisters, Mary Scott and Dorothy Province.

Survivors: sister-in-law, Georgia Anderson; brothers-in-law, Robert Province and Junior Scott. Several nieces and nephews.

Michael “Mick” Gunyon, 70 of Maynardville, Tennessee went home to be with the Lord January 24, 2021, at The University of Tennessee Medical Hospital in Knoxville, TN surrounded by his wife, children, and friends.
Mick was born on August 1, 1950 in Frankfort, IN, He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Helen Gunyon.

Brenda Kaye (Perry) Dellinger-age 51 of Blaine went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Willow Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Luttrell. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Herbert and Nellie Perry; Robert and Mae Nicley.

Melba June Lawson-age 86 of Luttrell went home Saturday, January 23, 2021. She was a member of Mountain View Church of God of the Union Assembly, Luttrell. Melba was a retired employee of Sports Belle in Knoxville. Preceded in death by mother, Nola Wallace Hill; great-grandson, Diego Lucas; sister, Beverly Lawson; very special friend, Sonny McBee.

Robert Taylor-age 79 of Sharps Chapel succumbed after a short course of failed treatment to stage IV metastatic melanoma Friday, January 22, 2021 at his home.

Janice Fay Wyrick-age 68 of Luttrell passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. She was of the Baptist faith and was a retired employee of Levi Strauss & Company. Preceded in death by parents, Estel and Jaunita Kitts; grandson, Tyler Julian; son-in-law, Danny C. Clapp; brother-in-law, Larry Hensley; parents-in-law, Calday and Mildred Wyrick.

Willda R. Hobby-age 82 of Mascot passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 at North Knoxville Medical Center. She was the oldest member and the pianist for Highland Springs Baptist Church and she loved to go to church and worship the Lord. Preceded in death by Husband, James B. Hobby; son, Mark Kevin Hobby.

LaVerne Douglas Helton, age 59 of Maynardville passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021. A member of Shepard of the Hills Baptist Church. She loved her church and teaching the children and being a positive influence in their life. LaVerne enjoyed fishing and camping and loving on her animals and spent much of her time crocheting “gifts” for many ministries and nursing home residents. She is survived by her husband of 39 years Marvin Glenn Helton Sr.; parents William and Yvonne Douglas; children Marvin Glenn Helton Jr.

John Marvin Paul-age 78 of LaFollette passed away Saturday morning, January 16, 2021 at Turkey Creek Medical Center. He was a member of Fundamental Missionary Baptist Church, LaFollette and was a retired automobile mechanic. He loved to work on classic cars and was an avid fisherman. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. John was one of 15 children of which nine have preceded him in death along with his parents, Lawrence and Edith (Collins) Paul; wife, Laura (Rutherford) Paul; granddaughter, Laura Ellen.

Wade Nicely-age 84 of Washburn, born May 15, 1936 went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 16, 2021 at his home. He was a lifetime member and a deacon for 51 years of Pennington Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by wife, Jean Nicely; grandson, Casey Buckner; parents, Tim and Ava Nicely; brothers, Denver and Cleo Nicely, Leland (Lett) and Ruby Nicely, Lon Nicely, Curt and June Nicely, Cecil Nicely; sisters, Naomi Nicely, Katie Lee and Ralph Hundley.

Phyllis Leonard Turner- age 85 of Knoxville passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville. She was born June 13, 1935 to the late Garland and Gladys Leonard.
Graveside service will be Monday, January 18, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Narrow Ridge Cemetery.
Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary.

Kern Elkins, age 68, of Andersonville, TN, passed away on January 13th, 2021. Kern and his twin sister Fern were born in Knoxville, TN on February 8, 1952 to Luther Burl and Rena Elkins. After graduating from Halls High School, Kern met and later married the love of his life, Charlotte. Kern and Charlotte were best friends and were proudly married for more than 46 years. Kern was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He would light up when any of his of grandchildren were around or mentioned.

Velma Jean (Ellison) Lynch-age 90 of Sharps Chapel passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Claiborne Medical Center. She was a longtime member of Blue Springs Baptist Church. Preceded in death by husband, Herbert Lynch; daughter, Sharon Dyke; granddaughter, Marnie Graham; sister, Eileen Rockstead.

Survivors: daughter, Cassandra Kay Tolliver and husband, A. C.; son-in-law, Warren Dyke; three grandchildren, Todd Dyke and wife, Rena; Trevor Dyke; McKinley Tolliver; nephew, Ronald Greer.

Jessie F. Lovitt-age 85 of Clinton passed away Wednesday morning, January 13, 2021 at her home. She was born June 1, 1935 in Pineville, Kentucky. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Preceded in death by husband, James Lovitt.
Survivors: daughter, Leslie Lovitt of Clinton; sons, Mathew Lovitt and wife, Hazel of Sevierville; Rickie Lovitt and wife, Kimberly of Greenville, Michigan. Four granddaughters, Maggie Temple, Jessica Ottinger, Sara Lovitt, Serina Struth. Several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.