Loudon News-Herald

BLANKENSHIP, MAYFORD LEE, age 79 of Madisonville, went home to be with the Lord Thursday morning, February 9, 2023. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed. He was a member of 411 Chapel Baptist Church. He was a singer for the Lord, bluegrass musician, farmer and coon hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Johnnie Blankenship. Survivors: include his sons and daughters-in-law, Timothy Lee (Debbie) Blankenship, Gregory Alan (Evelyn Ann) Blankenship, all of Vonore; grandchildren, Dalton (Mattie), Dawson (Ivee), and Donavon, all of Loudon, Megan Lea (Ryan Cole) Patterson, of Maryville, Lucas Alan Blankenship, of Vonore; 2 great grandchildren, Bo and Bryer, of Loudon....

After a long life and a short illness, Gilbert Eblen Hartsell passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the age of 94. Preceded in death by Barbara, his wife of 70 years. He is survived by his two children, Jim and wife, Suzanne Hartsell and Jane and husband, Gary Raines; five grandchildren, Lindsey, Angela, Rebekah, Zane, and Chris; thirteen great-grandchildren. He owned and operated an accounting business in Maryville for many years, building his professional reputation on honesty and competence, and worked his farm when he wasn't behind the desk. He was a Mason, a Navy Veteran, and later in his life, a recreational pilot. He was active in both the Sky Ranch Pilots Club and the Quaker...

Datha Maxine Sirmans, (84) of Brooksville, FL passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Maxine loved cooking and baking for her family and friends, especially during the holidays. Everyone always looked forward to their special goody tray. She loved spending time with her family but most of all spoiling her grandchildren. She was a life member of the American Legion 138, Elks 708 in Tampa. Amvets 2006, VFW 8087 and Eagles 4273 in Lake County. Preceded in death by the love of her life, husband of 58 years Robert Sirmans; parents, Marion and Ruth Lively Isbill; brothers, Harold Isbill, Marion (J.R.) Isbill, sisters, Faye Lowe and Aldeen Hendrix. Survived by her...

Saundra Kay Rupp, age 72 of Lenoir City, passed away December 13, 2022 at Parkwest Hospital with her family by her side. Saundra was born on November 14, 1950 in Maryville, TN to Benjamin McKinley Griffin and Nina McClanahan who preceded her in death. She is a lifelong East Tennessee resident. She attended Everett High School and spent most her professional career working at Schlegels Automotive before retirement. In retirement she loved living close to her daughter, Malinda Kilby and working with helping the elderly. She was a very spirited lady who loved being a mother and grandmother to her 9 grandchildren. She was well known for her homemade fudge, crocheting, singing karaoke,...

Joyce Marie Tarver Walker - age 73 of Corryton passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at UT Medical Center. She was a 5th Generation resident of Corryton, TN. Before her career as a homemaker and caregiver for her family, Joyce attended Carter High School and worked at Standard Knitting Mill, Carrier, and House Mountain Market. She enjoyed working in her garden, board games, long car rides with her family, and listening to Elvis. Joyce was preceded in death by parents, Ralph and Bertie Tarver; parents-in-law, Smith and Bernice Walker; sisters, Irene (Verlin) Donehew, Pauline (L.C.) Haynes, Carolyn (Dennis) Pruett; brothers, J.C. Tarver, Alfred Tarver, Fred Tarver, Johnny Tarver;...

Rita M. Durall, fondly known as Mickey, passed away peacefully July 31, 2022, after her courageous battle with Alzheimer's. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday on June 23rd. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the only child of Magnus and Maria Schmid. She was married to Robert (Bob) Durall, in December of 1955 who after 63 years, preceded her in death in 2018. She had two daughters, Cindy (Tom, who preceded her in death) Allen, and Donna (Tim) Christol, both of Chattanooga, Grandson Jeremy Brooks (Shelly) Christol, Great Grandchildren Atticus and Moira Christol of Murfreesboro, TN. Mickey was united with Bob again in a graveside service on Friday, August 12, 2022, at Chattanooga...

Alice Faye Lear, 78, passed peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2022, at Fort Sanders Medical Center. Alice was a caring friend, a good neighbor, and beloved by her community of friends and family. She was passionate about animals, feeding and caring for the local strays in her neighborhood. Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Lear in 2019. Alice is survived by a large family that includes children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 6, 2022, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Southern Bell Events, 102 E. Broadway St., Lenoir City, TN 37771. Resthaven Funeral Home is Honored to serve the Lear family.

Wakefield Edward Gerrish, Jr of Clinton, IN passed away March 16, 2022 at the age of 90. Wakefield played basketball for the Clinton Wildcats at Clinton High School in Indiana. He went on to receive a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University while being a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Following graduation he served in the US Army in the Korean War. He then worked as a stock broker in Terre Haute, IN for 40 years. After his successful career he and his wife of 65 years, Phyllis, moved to The Villages, FL where they lived in retirement enjoying his love of golf. He most recently resided in Lenoir City, TN. He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Wakefield and Ruth...

Sandra Faye (Lamb) Cooper, age 74 of Lenoir City, TN passed away on February 9, 2022 surrounded by family. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sandra worked as a Legal Secretary for 25 years before starting her own business. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her delight was her grandchildren. Sandra was preceded in death by her loving husband of 44 years, Richard Allen Cooper and her parents, Clyde and Polly Anne Lamb. Sandra is survived by sons, Richard Cooper (Melissa) and Jacob Cooper (Casey); grandchildren, Emma, Charlotte, and Hudson Cooper all of Loudon, TN; brother and sisters, Barbara Ward of Knoxville, TN, Pat Lamb of Houston, TX, and...

Mrs. Polly Ann (Gentry) Bostic, age 78, of Braselton, Georgia, passed away peacefully, Monday, January 31, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family. Visitation will be held from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Memorial Park Funeral Home East Braselton Chapel in Braselton. Her cremains will be interred at Loudon Memorial Gardens in Lenoir City, Tennessee at a later date. Mrs. Bostic was born January 14, 1944 in Lenoir City, Tennessee. She was the daughter of the late Lat Reagan Gentry and Myrtle Jane (Moore) Gentry. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Bostic. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Debby Bostic of Monroe, Georgia;...

William "Jason" Shown, age 41, of Loudon, TN passed away January 30, 2022 in Quintana Roo, Mexico. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Kingston, TN. Jason was a loving son, brother, and uncle. He loved his mom "More than peanut butter and jelly". He was a Journeyman Pipefitter and avid traveler, traveling to several different countries. Preceded in death by papaw and mamaw, Rev. Frank and Nola Shown; step father, Sonny Alexander; uncle and aunt, Rev. Donald and Sherry Shown. Survived by parents, Carolyn (Alexander) Ferguson and husband Dennis of Midtown, TN; brother, Jonathan Shown of Loudon, TN and very special niece, Adelyn Shown; co-worker and dearest friend (like a brother)...

Travis Burton McCollum, age 49 of Greenback went to be with our Lord and Savior on January 29, 2022. He attended Immanuel Baptist Church. He attended Greenback High School and excelled at Basketball, Football, and Baseball. He loved to hunt and fish and was passionate about the Greenback Cherokees and the Tennessee Vols. Travis never met a stranger, whether he had met you before or not, you were already a good friend to him. He would lend a helping hand to anyone that needed help, whether it was labor work, or money he would give you his last dime. He loved his family beyond measure and was so loved and adored by his daughter, Samantha McCollum, his son, Trevor McCollum, and his only...

Blair Kline, 55, of Knoxville, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on January 27, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Survivors include his wife, Katie Bell Kline; his children, Catherine, Sarah Jane and Andy Kline; parents, Lowry and Jane Waller Kline, Lookout Mountain, Tennessee; brother, Will (Jennifer) Kline and their children, Carolyn, Ellie and Will, Lookout Mountain; sister, Julie Kline (Guy) Dixon and children Adelaide, Waller and Henry, Dillwyn, Virginia; and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. Blair was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Grace Kline, Loudon, Tennessee; and Ed and Billy Waller, Philadelphia, Tennessee. Blair was devoted to his family. He loved his...

Esther Elvira Goodwin of Wilmington, Delaware entered her heavenly place of rest on Wednesday, January 12, 2022. She was born on May 29, 1938 to the late Denver and Grace Johnson. Esther was a very generous woman who always looked for ways to help others. She had an extraordinary talent for sewing and she also loved jigsaw puzzles. In addition to her loving parents, Esther is preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years; WJ "Wimpy" Goodwin, her brothers; Bill Johnson, Jack (Phyllis) Johnson, Gene Johnson, and Paul Johnson. Esther is survived by her daughter; Pamela (Gary) Goodwin Piligian, her sons; Leroy Glenn (Sherrie) Goodwin and Paul "Gene" (Kimberly) Goodwin, her...

Patrick T. Tyrrell of Lenoir City passed away on December 30, 2021. He was aged 79. He leaves behind a daughter, Christina Ditto (James) of Tampa, Florida; two grandchildren, Makenzie and Joseph Ditto; sisters, Sallie of Knoxville, Rosemary of Powder Springs, Georgia; brothers, W.C. of Knoxville and Tim of Scottsdale, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Crouch and Joe Thomas; sister-in-law Paula along with numerous nieces and nephews. Pat was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Farragut, Tennessee and served in the United States Navy. Pat will be inurned at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery. A Celebration of Pat's life will take place in the spring. In lieu of...

Doralee Klein, 89, of Loudon, TN, formerly of Calhoun, GA, passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021. She loved her husband dearly and was dedicated to her family. She was an exceptional pastor's wife and church secretary. She was an earnest prayer warrior and bible student. Doralee enjoyed being with family. Doralee was a wonderful cook and many of her recipes have been passed down throughout generations. She loved playing piano and organ. During her free time, she loved reading, which she had a passion for. Preceded in death by her parents, Wilber and Dorothy Griffith; sister, Verna Hadley. Survivors include her loving husband, age 93 married for 69 wonderful years, Alvin Klein;...

Shirley Louise Carlson (Clark), 83, died Nov. 3, 2021, in Knoxville, TN. She was born June 6, 1938, in Ainsworth, NE and was preceded in death by her parents Alva and Mayme Clark, stepmother Dorothy Solmes and siblings Paul, Wayva and Dale. Rev. Marvin Floyd Carlson, 89, died Nov. 12, 2021 in Knoxville, TN, surrounded by his loving family He was born April 6, 1932, in Winnebago County, IL. He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, by just a few days; his parents Harry and Selma Carlson (Nyquist); and brother Jerry Carlson. Marvin and Shirley Carlson wholeheartedly served Jesus by serving others together in ministry since nearly the start of their marriage June 11, 1954. They began and...

William Dennis McCarroll, known to most as Billymac, went to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 63 on Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:45 p.m., surrounded by his loving family in Lenoir City, Tennessee. God broke the mold when Billymac was born on July 19th, 1958, in Athens, Tennessee. As the youngest child of six, he had the responsibility to live up to his middle name, Dennis "the Menace", and that he did. On April 29th, 1991 he married his wife, Joanna, who he duped into thinking he was a charming individual. Duped she was, because Billymac embarrassed her daily with his boisterous love for life. Growing up in Billymac's household was never dull. He always put his family first...

Jerry Jake Squires, age 82, passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021. He was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina to Johnny and Allie Squires. Our Dad, Papa and beloved friend spent his life adoring and providing for his family and showing us all what hard work looked like. He enjoyed 50's music, watching football, golf, stock-car racing and fine dining at Cracker Barrel. He spent over 20 years in the restaurant business, owned/operated a local restaurant in Knoxville and winded down his career around the best of friends at Avalon Golf Course. Along with his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by brothers, Johnny Squires and Winston Squires; sister, Barbara (Bobbio) Plyler; and mother of...

Darell King George, Sr. age 88, went home to be with Jesus Friday, October 1, 2021. He was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He taught Sunday School and RAs at different times over the years to the youth at First Baptist Church, Loudon, TN. While serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he was assigned to the USS Sabine. He had been a master woodworking craftsman, planning wonderful patterns for his many grandfather clocks he'd built, along with many other wood projects. Collecting Indian artifacts and metal detecting were hobbies he loved over the years. He will be so missed, but he's celebrating now with his wife, and other family...

Perri Lisa Owens, age 58, of Lenoir City, passed away September 29, 2021. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Lisa is preceded in death by her father, Perry Little; mother, Ruth Matthews, and sister, Karen Bowling. She is survived by her husband, Jeffrey; daughters, Samantha Vanderpool (John Sam) and Rebecka Little (Daniel), and nieces, Angela Hunt and Melissa Odum. Cremation by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.