Oak Ridge Today

Darrell Powers

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Darrell Powers

Darrell Powers

Darrell Powers, age 56, of Clinton, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center in Andersonville.

He loved fishing, car racing, and his dog, Toby. He attended Guiding Star Church.

Darrell was preceded in death by his father, J.C. Powers; daughter, Ginger Powers; and infant sister, Kathy Powers.

He is survived by his mother, Betty Powers, of Clinton; daughter Kristi Overbay and husband Toby of Jackson; stepdaughter, Lisa Nelson of Clinton; brothers, Michael Powers of Maynardville, and Randy Powers and Archie Powers, both of Clinton; and grandchildren, Haley, Aiden, and Dyllan Overbay. Darrell is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Darrell’s family received friends on Friday, Nov. 2, and funeral services followed in the chapel of Jones Mortuary with Rev. Gene Scarbrough officiating. His interment was Saturday, Nov. 3, at Foust Cemetery in Lake City.

Robert Lee Higgins

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Robert Lee Higgins

Robert Lee Higgins

Robert Lee Higgins, age 90, formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Nov. 3, at Shannondale Health Care Center in Knoxville.

Bob was born in Charlestown, Mass., on Aug. 20, 1922, to the late Westra Hutchinson and Mae Orr Higgins.

He completed his secondary education at Boston Public Latin School. Bob attended New York University in New York City and was recruited to work in Oak Ridge during World War II, where he served in the Special Engineers Detachment.

While in Oak Ridge, he met his wife of 65 years, Jane. He was employed by Union Carbide/Martin Marietta for 49 years. Bob was a charter member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where he was involved in many ministries. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Throughout the years, he enjoyed genealogy, computers, photography, boating, golfing, fishing, and flying. He was a licensed pilot and was a member of The Flying 64th, EAA, and AOPA. He was a former member of the Friendship Force, Oak Ridge 43 Club, Silver Tops, and Buckingham Community Association.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife Jane Haywood Higgins, his brother Jack Higgins, and his son-in-law Ronnie Bright.

Bob is survived by his son Alan Westra Higgins (Sara Morrison) of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter Mae Higgins-Bright of Knoxville; granddaughter Hailey Bright of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandson Devin Bright of Knoxville, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Oak Ridge with the Rev. Craig Kallio officiating. It will be followed by the interment in the church memory garden. A reception will follow in the church parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 212 N. Tulane Ave. Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

The family would like to thank the staff of Shannondale Health Care Center for their constant care and devotion.

Mamie Irene Wheeler

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Mamie Irene Wheeler, 92, formerly of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, Nov. 1, at Baptist Health Care in Lenoir City after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge where she was an active member for many years. She was a devoted wife and mother who took great pride in her home and family while also maintaining a career in credit management, working for several major retailers.

She was the daughter of the late James Bailey of Knoxville and Marie Galloway of Dayton, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jeanne Wheeler; son, Michael Wheeler; husband, J.P. Wheeler and brother, Ernest Bailey.

Mrs. Wheeler is survived by her daughter, Patricia Dail of Farragut; sisters, Ethel Elder of Titusville, Fla., and Carolyn Bailey Weseman of Knoxville; and brother, Howard Bailey of Lenoir City. She is also survived by a grandson, Shawn Dail, and great-granddaughter Ashley Dail, and several nieces and nephews.

The family received friends on Sunday, Nov. 4, at Weatherford Mortuary. A private graveside service will be held at Jacksboro Cemetery with Rev. James Buttram officiating.

The family asks that any memorials be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

Loretta Claudine Simpson

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Loretta Claudine Simpson, age 77,  passed away Monday, Oct. 29, at Golden Living Center-Windwood in Clinton.

Loretta was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Lake City.

Loretta’s family would like to thank the Windwood staff for all their hard work.

She was preceded in death by her father, Claude Spears; mother, Ella Bullock Spears; husband, Charles Edward Simpson; and sister Wilma Ann Spears.

She is survived by her brother John Patrick Spears of Lake City; sister Shirley White of Clinton; nephews Jeff White and Chris White, both of Clinton; great-nephews Tyson Baker, Trae Spears, and Patrick Spears; nieces Paula Carroll and husband Dusty and Mitzi Baker, also of Clinton; and great-nieces Kayla Baker and Stephanie Carroll.

Loretta’s family will have a memorial service at a later date.

Martha Louella Felknor Nichols

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Martha Louella Felknor Nichols

Martha Louella Felknor Nichols

Martha Louella Felknor Nichols, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Nov. 1, at Greenfield Senior Living in Oak Ridge.

Mrs. Nichols was born on Oct. 29, 1924, to Edward M. and Love H. Felknor in Morristown. She spent her early years in the Fountain City area of Knoxville and was a graduate of Knoxville’s Central High School.

She attended the University of Tennessee, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and played french horn in the University of Tennessee Marching Band. While at UT, she met her future husband, Hugh Chandler Nichols.

In 1945, they came to Oak Ridge to work in the plants. They married on Sept. 7, 1946, and remained in Oak Ridge for their lifetimes.

Mrs. Nichols was very active in the community, having served as Regent from 1953 to 1954 of the Clinch River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; as a member of the committee of the Guild of the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, which put together the calendar “Oak Ridge, The Way It Was, 1942 – 1992” as a fundraiser for the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra; and Panhellenic.

She was an avid golfer and won several tournaments at the Oak Ridge Country Club. She also enjoyed swimming at the Oak Ridge Civic Center with the group “Swimmin’ Women.”

Mrs. Nichols had an inherent talent and lifelong love for making music. She taught private piano lessons in her home for many years. She frequently played the organ at various churches in Oak Ridge for weddings and other services. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for almost 70 years.

Mrs. Nichols was preceded in death by her husband and her brothers Edward and John Felknor.

Mrs. Nichols is survived by her son Hugh Chandler Nichols Jr. and his wife Jackie of Oak Ridge; daughter, Susan N. Collins and her husband Tom of Jacksonville, Fla.; granddaughters, Jennifer N. Dokos and her husband J.R. of Houston, Texas, and Julie N. Walden and her husband Seth of Nashville; and many nieces and nephews. She recently took great delight in getting to meet her first great-grandson Reid Chandler Dokos. Above all else, Mrs. Nichols reveled in the lives of her granddaughters and left many fond memories for the family to forever cherish.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Oak Ridge.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. at Shiloh Cemetery in Pigeon Forge. The Rev. Sharon Youngs, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the First Presbyterian Church Parish Nursing Program, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

Grover Emby Stephens

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Grover Emby Stephens, age 79, of the Solway community, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born April 23, 1933, in Winfield, one of eight children born to Cal and Erna Walker Stephens.

He served his country with the U.S. Navy and retired in 1974 as a Senior CPO.

After retirement from the Navy, he began working at Martin Marietta Energy Systems and retired in 1994 from Y-12, where he was a stores keeper. He was a member of Freewill Baptist Church, enjoyed working in his yard and was an avid camper.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Edward and Charles; an infant sister and sister, Edna Carol; and by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mitchell and Gertrude Stanfill.

He is survived by his wife, Billie Stanfill Stephens, with whom he would have celebrated 56 years of marriage on Feb. 5. He is also survived by son, Timothy Stephens and his wife Renea of Ten Mile; daughter, Pamela White and husband Terry of Oak Ridge; brothers, Lawrence Stephens and wife Geneva, John Stephens, and Tom Stephens and wife Carol, all of Winfield; three grandchildren, Jeremy White and wife Crystal, and Kaitlyn and Ashton Stephens; and two great-grandchildren, Hailey and Ashlie White.

The family received friends on Friday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Tim Stephens, Jeremy White, Donald Stephens, Sam Stephens, Jim Stanfill, and Morris Stephens. Full military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

James Leo Kolling

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James Leo Kolling

James Leo Kolling

James Leo (Jim) Kolling, of Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Oct. 22, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on May 11, 1931, to Gerard William and LaVerne Jane (Craig) Kolling, who preceded him in death.

He graduated from Duquesne University and completed graduate studies at Michigan State University.

After 24 years in the Air Force, he worked for Union Carbide in Oak Ridge until he retired in 1994.

He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Ellen (Hoffmann) Kolling.

He will be sorely missed by her and their 10 children: Jim, and wife Sally, Terry Peek (Bill), Carol LeNoir (Dan), Patty Swain (Todd), Janet, Kathy Herriott (Paul), David, Laura LaGrone (Jeff), Julie Hamilton (Mike), and Sharon Kolling-Perin (Joshua); and 25 grandchildren: Sam, Joe and Sarah Kolling; Brian, Kevin and Eric Peek; Kara, Craig, Bonnie, and Mark LeNoir; Nathanael Swain; Jayme Kolling; Austin, Anna, Julia, and Lilly Herriott; Jacqueline and Rebecca Kolling; Audrey LaGrone; Madeline, Amelia, and Leah Hamilton; and Caleb, Ezra, and Judah Kolling-Perin.

He is also survived by two brothers, Jerry and Ed Kolling, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was a devoted Catholic his whole life and a dedicated parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where a Mass to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 12 p.m. led by Rev. Michael Woods. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. that morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

James H. Murray

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James H. Murray

James H. Murray

James “Jim” H. “Jake” Murray, age 64, of Oak Ridge passed away Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 20, 1947, in Fairfield Glade, Ala., to James P. and Margaret Jean Gilmore Murray, both now deceased.

Mr. Murray was of the Baptist faith and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War, where he received the Vietnam Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and was a rifle marksman.

He loved to read and watch old war movies.

He worked in security at Y-12 for 15 years, K-25 for five years, and at SAIC 14 years, retiring in 2011.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cheryl VanFleet.

He is survived by his wife Wanda Murray of Oak Ridge; niece and nephews Mindy, Michael, and Matthew; and several friends.

Funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Nellie Minga

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Nellie Minga

Nellie Minga

Nellie Minga, age 95, of Andersonville, passed away Thursday, Oct. 4, at Golden Living Center Windwood in Clinton.

Nellie was of the Baptist faith and retired from Magnet Mills many years ago. She loved working jigsaw puzzles, embroidery, and helping others.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Hattie Overton; husband, Thomas Benton; grandsons, Stan and Glenn Cox; brothers, Lee and John Overton; and sisters, Minette Foster and Myrtle Phillips.

Her survivors are son, Thomas Minga and wife Barbara of Clinton; daughters, Margie Thomas of Andersonville, and Wanda Rhea of Clinton; sisters, Mary Carter of Clinton, and Jeanne Wise of Galveston, Texas. Nellie is also survived by five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, special niece Cathy Reed, a host of other nieces and nephews, and special caregiver Patricia Foust.

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Robin Annette Hawkins

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Robin Annette Hawkins

Robin Annette Hawkins

Robin Annette Hawkins, age 53, of Lake City, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Robin was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family and friends. Robin enjoyed singing for the Lord and was a member of Faith Primitive Baptist Church in Harriman.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Seiber and brother, Joe “Little Joe” Seiber.

She is survived by her mother, Martha Seiber of Lake City; husband, Genis Hawkins of Lake City; son, Stanley Hawkins and wife Elizabeth of Lake City; daughter, Rosemary Mullins of Oliver Springs; brothers, Chuck Kesterson and wife Princess of Lake City, and Dean Seiber of Lafollette; and sisters, Beverly Bourgeois and husband Duke of Caryville, Teresa Dolin of Lake City, Joddie Spears and husband Scotty of Clinton, and Janice Thomas of Dallas, Ga. Robin also left behind five grandchildren, Dillon Hawkins, AJ Hawkins, Wade Wells, Tyler Collins, and Brittney Tinker, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Flo Rogers Mayes

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Flo Rogers Mayes

Flo Rogers Mayes

Flo Rogers Mayes, a 68-year resident of Oak Ridge, joined her husband in heaven on Monday, Oct. 8.

She was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Presley, Ga., to Elbert and Olia Presley Rogers. Mrs. Mayes maintained close ties with her family in Georgia and returned to her birthplace often during her lifetime.

She married Howard Pearce (H.P.) Mayes on July 21, 1940. The family moved to Oak Ridge in 1944, where H.P. was a heavy equipment operator for Union Carbide until his retirement in 1965.

Mrs. Mayes was a full-time wife and mother to her three children. She was an excellent seamstress and was active in the Wayside Road Sewing Circle. She and the other members made quilts and did needlework at their weekly meetings. Mrs. Mayes loved to garden and shared her plants, especially her day lilies, with her friends and neighbors.

She was a member of the Robertsville Baptist Church for many years before joining First Baptist Church in the mid-1950s. She was active with Agape Family Services, the Amazing Grace choral group, and the Keenagers. She attended Miss Baird’s Sunday School Class.

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Larry ‘Wayne’ Barger

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Larry "Wayne" Barger

Larry “Wayne” Barger

Larry “Wayne” Barger, 65, of Harriman, passed away Friday, Oct. 5, at Methodist Medical Center.

Wayne was born Feb. 13, 1947, in Harriman. He was raised and lived in the Clax Gap Community in Roane County.

He graduated from the Oliver Springs High School, Class of 1966, and following his graduation, he began employment at Charles Lee Chevrolet, which later became David Clifton Chevrolet. He continued working at the dealership for 27 years until his retirement.

He was preceded in his death by his parents, Mack and Jean Barger, and by his stepmother, Margie Lee Barger.

Wayne is survived by sons, Nickey Barger and wife Lisa and children, Nathaniel and Misty of Oakdale, Jamie Barger and stepdaughter Martina of Harriman; the mother of his sons Nickey and Jamie, Iris Lynn Carroll of Oliver Springs; a brother, Bill Barger and wife Rita of Harriman; a nephew, Stacy Barger and wife Kristie and children, Christopher, Alisa, and Bryant of Harriman; niece Gina Noll and husband Jerry of Harriman; special aunts, Elanor Edmonds and Nellie Ray of Harriman; stepbrothers, Charles Ed and J.W. Lee; and stepsister, Geraldine Pruett and husband Chuck of Nashville. He is also survived by several close friends and family members.

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