Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: Bonnie Lee Bell Griffin

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Bonnie Lee Griffin

Bonnie Lee Griffin

Bonnie Lee Bell Griffin, age 93, a 65-year resident of Oak Ridge, passed away of natural causes, Friday, January 30. She had been living with her youngest son, Ed Griffin and his wife Roberta Crowe in Huntsville, Alabama, for the past four years until recent medical issues required a move to Bailey Manor in Fayetteville, Tennessee.

Bonnie was born December 18, 1921, in Sandoval, Illinois, to John Bell of Haverigg, England, and Rilla Mae McVeigh of Clay County, Illinois. She was the youngest of five children; her brother John Harold, and sisters Alice Margret, Gertrude Mae, and Mary Oleta all preceded her in death.

Bonnie left her parents home in Flora, Illinois, to attend McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, in 1941, where she earned a teaching certificate and met her future husband, Paul M. Griffin. She had a diversity of interests in college including the Literary Society, the Theater Group, The Women’s Athletic Group, and the Women’s Basketball team. In her sophomore year, Bonnie was elected the football homecoming queen. [Read more…]

Obituary: Nels Kenneth ‘Ken’ Bernander

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Ken Bernander

Ken Bernander

Nels Kenneth “Ken” Bernander, 93, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Saturday, February 3, at Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center.

He was born to parents Rudolf and Roberta Bernander on December 17, 1921, in Money, Mississippi.

Ken graduated from Mississippi State University in 1942, receiving his degree in chemical engineering. He worked at the Y-12 Facility from 1944-1985, holding various positions. From 1968-1985, he was division superintendent over Product Certification.

After his retirement, he served as a consultant with Martin Marietta. [Read more…]

Obituary: Janna Kay Songer

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Janna Kay Songer

Janna Kay Songer

Mrs. Janna Kay Songer, age 35, of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, February 1, at Methodist Medical Center.

Janna was a Christian and a devoted member of Lifehouse Church in Oak Ridge, where her husband Jeremy is pastor.

She had worked for several years as an eligibility counselor for the Tennessee Department of Human Services, studying at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen Rerden Sullivan. [Read more…]

Obituary: James Walter Hunter

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James Walter Hunter, age 44, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Sunday, February 1, at Methodist Medical Center.

Walter was born October 23, 1970, in Harriman. He was a lifelong resident of this area.

Walter enjoyed tinkering with things, fishing, and outdoor activities. [Read more…]

Obituary: Donald Horace ‘Butch’ Woullard Jr.

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Donald Horace "Butch" Woullard Jr.

Donald Horace “Butch” Woullard Jr.

Donald Horace “Butch” Woullard Jr., age 54, of Maryville, passed away at home Sunday, January 25.

Butch was born in Oak Ridge and attended school at Linden Elementary, Robertsville Junior High School, and Oak Ridge High School.

He was the son of the late Donald H. Woullard Sr., of Maryville and Dorothy McGaha Bernander, of Oak Ridge.

Butch was a loving and devoted father. [Read more…]

Obituary: Gilbert Allen Kelly

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Gilbert Allen Kelly

Gilbert Allen Kelly

Gilbert Allen Kelly, 85, of Oak Ridge, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 30.

He was born to parents Earl and Margie Carver Kelly on December 7, 1929, in Rabun County, Georgia.

Gilbert served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. He then became a carpenter with Martin Marietta Energy Systems. He also was a member of the Carpenters Local #50, where he actually taught his trade to others. [Read more…]

Obituary: Franklin ‘Tommy’ Lee Murphy

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Franklin "Tommy" Lee Murphy

Franklin “Tommy” Lee Murphy

Franklin “Tommy” Lee Murphy, age 72, of Oak Ridge, passed away Tuesday, January 27, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born October 13, 1942, in Winfield, Tennessee, the son of Nora Wilson Murphy and Ned Edward Murphy.

Mr. Murphy served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era. He trained for a career with the railroad in Minnesota and retired from Burlington Northern, Santa Fe in Spokane, Washington. After retirement, he and his wife, Pat, relocated to Oak Ridge in 2006.

He enjoyed woodworking, auto mechanics, fishing, and computers. [Read more…]

Obituary: Aaron Trey Gunter

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Aaron Trey Gunter

Aaron Trey Gunter

Aaron Trey Gunter, age 17, a resident of the Stephens community in Morgan County, passed away Monday, January 26, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Aaron was born November 3, 1997, in LaFollette. He has lived in this area all of his life.

Aaron was a student at Central High School in Wartburg. He additionally attended the Morgan County Career and Technical Center, where he was a welding student and enthusiast. He formerly attended the Coalfield School.

Aaron loved life, and especially spending time with his family and friends.  [Read more…]

Obituary: Wilma Geraldine Allison

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Wilma Geraldine Allison, age 81, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Monday, January 26, at her home while surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Allison was born March 6, 1933, in Oliver Springs. She was a lifelong resident of this area.

Wilma was a homemaker, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also an avid pet lover.  [Read more…]

Obituary: Lawrence Vincent Annunziata, Sr.

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Lawrence Vincent "Vinnie" Annunziata Sr.

Lawrence Vincent “Vinnie” Annunziata Sr.

Lawrence Vincent Annunziata, Sr., lovingly known to all as “Vinnie,” passed away Saturday, January 24.

Vinnie was a devoted husband and best friend to his wife of almost 51 years, Vivian.

His greatest love besides his wife were his five grandchildren Jessica, Erica, Sophia, Olivia, Michael Gabriel, and his only child Lawrence Jr. and his wife Cindy, all of Oak Ridge. He is also survived by his beloved brother Joe Warren Annunziata, lovingly known to him as “Bo,” and his sweet wife Laura of Long Island, NY; and dear sisters, Anita, Rosemarie, and Teresa. [Read more…]

Obituary: Billy Joe Attkisson

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Billy Joe Attkisson

Billy Joe Attkisson

Billy Joe Attkisson, age 83, of Oak Ridge, passed away Tuesday, January 27, at Methodist Medical Center. He was affectionately known as Catman.

He was born December 10, 1931, in Lawrence County, Tennessee, the middle child of Clyde Dixon Attkisson and Louise Elizabeth Holt Attkisson.

Mr. Attkisson served with the U.S. Army from 1952-1954.

He retired in 1987 from the City of Oak Ridge, working as a supervisor in the utilities division. [Read more…]

Obituary: Georgia Alyce Griffin

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Georgia Alyce Griffin

Georgia Alyce Griffin

On Monday, January 19, God reclaimed the spirit of Georgia Alyce Griffin, while a patient at Roane Medical Center, in Harriman. She only surrendered her body in death—for her soul will live forever. Her passion for the spiritual development of the youth was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.

Born in Oliver Springs, on April 2, 1929, she was the seventh of eight children of the late Walter Joe Griffin and Laura Anna Crozier Griffin.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Alfred and Marzel Griffin; and three sisters, Pauline Griffin Woods, Samretta Griffin Boulware Fritz, and Catheline Griffin Lide. [Read more…]