Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: Virginia Trimble Smith

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Virginia Trimble Smith

Virginia Trimble Smith

Virginia Smith, age 86, of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 3, 2014, from complications related to heart disease.

Virginia was born in April 1927 in Kingsport, Tenn., the daughter of William and Edith Taylor Trimble. Virginia graduated from Sullivan High School in Kingsport in 1945, and was married to Ernest Hayden Smith (now deceased) from Shouns, Tenn. She moved to Oak Ridge later that year and worked for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission until the arrival of her first child in 1953.

Virginia was an avid reader and book collector. She loved big band music and swing dancing, and was often nostalgic for Oak Ridge in the early days after the war. She also loved growing vegetables and flowers in her home garden, and cooking for family and friends. Virginia enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach, and visited 25 states during her lifetime. She was a kind and generous mother and very devoted to her four children, even during her long struggle with debilitating arthritis in late adulthood. [Read more…]

Obituary: James Richard DiStefano

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James Richard DiStefano

James Richard DiStefano

James Richard DiStefano, age 78, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Dec. 30, 2013.

Known as Jim to his many friends, he was born on Oct. 27, 1935, in Alexandria, La. He graduated from Menard High School and continued on to receive a bachelor of science degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

While working at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he completed his master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Tennessee. The thesis he submitted to UT described experimental work at ORNL on the corrosion of refractory metals by lithium.

He played a leading role in the development of a modified 9Cr-1Mo steel for use in liquid metal reactors that was subsequently qualified for other high-temperature energy applications (boilers and piping) and remains one of ORNL’s technology transfer success stories. He had a distinguished 42-year career at ORNL in the Metals and Ceramics Division, including leading the Corrosion Science and Technology Group for a number of years. [Read more…]

Obituary: Novella Hatmaker

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Novella Hatmaker, “Ms. Billy B,” age 66, of Clinton, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013, at her residence.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and enjoyed being around her family. Novella enjoyed life itself. She would do anything for anyone; she loved everyone and never met a stranger. She loved flowers. Novella was of the Baptist faith.

Novella was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman and Mary Vickery; brothers, William “Bill” Vickery; and sisters, Betty Ruth Bumgardner, Dortha Jean Crawford, and Violet Faye Barison. [Read more…]

Obituary: Susanna Marie Schorn

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Susanna Marie Schorn, 42, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at her home in New Market, Ala.

Susanna graduated from Oak Ridge High School, where she played clarinet in the band and was selected for All State Band all three years. She also played violin in the Knoxville Youth Orchestra.

Susanna was an avid snow skier and water skier, having competed in water ski tournaments while in college. She had multiple cats and dogs, which she rescued. [Read more…]

Obituary: Mary Ruth Murphy

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Ruth Murphy

Ruth Murphy

Mary Ruth Murphy, age 80, of Clinton, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, at home surrounded by her family.

Ruth was raised in Andersonville and graduated from Norris High School. She met her husband Bob when she was a telephone operator at Southern Bell.

She retired to be a full-time mother and touched many lives through her work with PTA, sports leagues, scouts, and her community. Ruth’s favorite place was her garden, and she was an avid sports fan. [Read more…]

Obituary: James Roger Tate ‘Papa Tate’

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James Roger Tate "Papa Tate"

James Roger Tate “Papa Tate”

James Roger Tate, or “Papa Tate,” of Oliver Springs, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013.

He was a band member and graduate of Central High School. Roger attended the University of Tennessee, graduating with degrees in both business management and music education. He played clarinet and performed with the Pride of the Southland marching band.

After college, he served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the Seabees as well as a musician in the Navy Band.

Roger was a well-renowned music educator, establishing the Norwood Junior High School Jaguar Band in 1968, where he served as band director until 1987. Mr. Tate believed that children should learn to be driven and competitive at an early age. Teaching his students the value of hard work and a military style discipline, he entered his bands into high school-level competitions, where they won first place in street show competitions for nearly two decades. [Read more…]

Obituary: Robin Lynn Burress

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Robin Lynn Burress, age 50, passed away at her home in Coalfield on Dec. 21, 2013.

A longtime resident of Coalfield and formerly of Lake City, Robin was a member of Briceville Church of God, and loved spending time with her grandchildren and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Douglas and Anna Lou Sharp Bray; brother, Larry Bray; and sister, Kathy Bray. [Read more…]

Obituary: Sanford Ray Tinker Sr.

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Sanford Ray Tinker Sr., age 68, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at his home.

Ray was born Nov. 15, 1945, in the Upper Camp of Windrock Mountain. He was a lifelong resident of Oliver Springs.

Ray entered into the United States Army and served his country as a combat infantryman in the 199th light infantry division during the Vietnam War. While serving, he received several medals, citations, and ribbons, including a Medal of Valor with a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart for injuries sustained, and a Vietnam Service with several campaign medals.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a painter in the building business. He previously worked as a coal miner. [Read more…]

Obituary: Wilson Jules ‘Mel’ Melancon Jr.

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Wilson Jules "Mel" Melancon Jr.

Wilson Jules “Mel” Melancon Jr.

Wilson Jules “Mel” Melancon Jr., age 77, of Oak Ridge, passed away Dec. 15, 2013, at the Methodist Medical Center.

He was born in Houma, La., on Feb. 14, 1936.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson Jules Melancon Sr. and Laura Augusta Rodrigue, and siblings, Jennie (Hattie) Lombas, Helen (Flo) Christensen, Laura Mae Lombas, Berkley Joseph Melancon, Curtis Paul Melancon Sr., Raymond Charles Melancon Sr., and Gladys Marie Melancon.

He is survived by his wife, Estella Melancon of Westwego, La.; his son, Brett Melancon and wife Beth; and three grandchildren, Blake, Bradley, and Ashley Melancon of Knoxville. He is also survived by his siblings, Ruddy Aude Melancon and Patricia (Patsy) Louise Benson of Louisiana. [Read more…]

Obituary: O.M. ‘Pee Wee’ Vermillion

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O.M. "Pee Wee" Vermillion

O.M. “Pee Wee” Vermillion

On Dec. 17, 2013, Otis Marvin Vermillion, age 84, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Laverne Vermillion, had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in the afternoon, and he was then called home to Heaven in the early evening hours.

He was a devoted husband, loving father, and amazing grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family and life and lived it to the fullest.

O.M. “Pee Wee” was employed at the Y-12 plant for 38 years. He was an avid pilot and motorcyclist. As a longtime member of Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, he served the Lord in many capacities over the years. [Read more…]

Obituary: Lynda Mosley

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Lynda Jean Mosley, age 68, of Clinton, took her last breath in this body and her next breath in her new body on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

She enjoyed listening to and singing gospel music, and Lynda, when asked, was always willing to pray over food at the dinner table. She was a member at Beechfork Holiness Church in Wartburg, Tenn. She won numerous certificates and trophies of accomplishments from Emory Valley Center in Oak Ridge.

Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Susie Mosley, and brothers, Garry Lin Mosley, and Charles “Butch” Mosley Jr. [Read more…]

Obituary: Gwen Ann Hacker

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Gwen Ann Hacker, age 50, a resident of Harriman, and formerly of Oliver Springs and Kingston, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at her home.

Gwen was born July 4, 1963, in Madisonville, Ky. She has lived in Tennessee since 1976.

Before her disability, she was employed as a electrician at Clark Electrical. She was also previously employed from local labor union # 818, in Knoxville.

She was a artist who especially enjoyed oil painting and sketching. [Read more…]