Obituary: Merilee ‘Mimi’ Whalen Parnell

Merilee “Mimi” Whalen Parnell, age 52, a resident of New Market, Tennessee, passed away Monday, July 14, 2014, at her home.

Mimi was born April 16, 1962, in Oak Ridge. She grew up in Oliver Springs and continued to live here until after her high school graduation, in 1980. She later lived in Ohio, South Carolina, and most recently, she moved to New Market.

She was employed as a medical coder and she enjoyed pencil art, photography, and music.

Mimi was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Young Whalen and Ruby Hazel Hill Whalen; by sisters, Lisa Gail Whalen and Nancy Jo “Jodi” Chavers; and by a brother, Lenny Whalen.

She is survived by a daughter, Courtney Wright and husband Daine of Knoxville; by a son, Tristan Lollar of Knoxville; by a grandson, Samuel Wright of Knoxville; by sisters, Sherry Cox and husband Danny of Harriman, and Barbara Goad and husband Eddie of Oak Ridge; and by brothers, Alfred “Ted” Whalen and wife Judy of Loxley, Alabama, David “Bud” Whalen and wife Betty of Sunbright, and Paul Whalen and wife Rose of Knoxville.

She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Faye Whalen of Oak Ridge, and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and special friends, including a lifelong friend, Pam Epperly of Oliver Springs.

The family received friends Saturday, July 19, 2014, between 12 and 2 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Ralph Wilson and Pastor Garvan Walls officiating. Burial and graveside services will follow at the Oliver Springs Cemetery.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Parnell family, and an online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.