Oak Ridge Today

James Sewell Brown Jr.

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James Sewell Brown Jr.

James Sewell Brown Jr.

James Sewell Brown, Jr., age 82, of Oak Ridge, passed away Wednesday, May 1, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.

He was born Nov. 5, 1930, in Monterey, Tenn., the son of James Sewell Brown Sr. and Virginia Maurine Robbins Brown.

Mr. Brown served with the Tennessee National Guard for 39 years and attained the rank of major. He retired from Martin Marietta Energy Systems, where he was head of the Safety Department and worked at Y-12, K-25, and X-10.

He was a long-time member of New York Avenue Church of Christ, where he was an elder. Upon his retirement, he worked as a course ranger at Centennial Golf Course. In addition to playing golf, he enjoyed bowling, and he was an avid University of Tennessee Volunteers fan. [Read more…]

John R. Childs

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John R. Childs, 86, of Oak Ridge, passed away on April 30 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

John worked retail since 1946, concentrating mostly on men’s clothing and accessories. He was employed with Balloff’s and Samuels, but spent most of his career with J.C. Penney, from which he eventually retired. He thought highly of his co-workers and his customers and made many friends throughout the years.

He was an avid golfer, but his true passion was for the ball field. He spent 25 years with the Oak Ridge Parks and Recreation Department, umpiring many local softball and baseball games.

John is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Randy Myers of Oak Ridge; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Connie Childs of Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and David Tuck of Oak Ridge; and grandchildren, Greg Myers, Josh Myers, and Angela Childs. [Read more…]

Carl James Taylor Sr.

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Carl Taylor

Carl James Taylor Sr.

Carl James Taylor Sr., age 81, passed away Monday, April 29, at Methodist Medical Center.

James was a member of Jarnigan Chapel Baptist Church. He loved fishing, gardening, bird watching, and camping. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and loved spending time with his family.

Carl is preceded in death by his parents, John and Ethel Taylor; wife, Shirley Taylor; brothers, John Jr. and Rev. Jack Taylor; sisters, Katherine, Viola, Alma Jane, and Alice; and great-granddaughter, Jaylon. [Read more…]

David ‘Dave’ Crawford

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David "Dave" Alfred Crawford

David “Dave” Alfred Crawford

David “Dave” Crawford, age 66, of the Solway Community, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 29, at Tennova Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.

He was preceded in death by parents, Sam and Helen Crawford, and sister, Mary Crawford McFall.

He is survived by sister, Martha Corbin (Bill); brother, Sam Crawford Jr. (Sheila); sister, Nancy Crawford Fisher (Chuck); nieces and nephews, Elizabeth Snyder, Sam Crawford III, David McFall, Carrie Fisher, and Drew Fisher; and great-nieces and nephews, Samantha Snyder, Zilpha Fisher, and Shooter Crawford. [Read more…]

James Melton

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James Melton

James Melton

James Melton, age 75, of Andersonville, passed away on Friday, April 26, at Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center in Andersonville.

He was a devoted grandfather, and he loved to fish. James lived in northwest Indiana for more than 40 years before returning to Tennessee to retire.

James was always willing to lend a helping hand and was heavily involved in the Democratic Party for 30 years. He was a member of Mount Pleasant Methodist Church in Andersonville.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Zee and Reba Melton; daughter, Rebecca Kowalski; and sister, Betty Irwin. [Read more…]

Thomas Nolan

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Thomas Nolan, age 78 of Clinton, passed away on Thursday, April 25, at Methodist Medical Center. He was of the Baptist faith.

Thomas filled his life with dirt track racing, which he loved very much, and his life revolved around it, which was obvious by the trophies that he won.

Thomas was preceded in death by his mother, Mossie Nolan; sister, Edith Galeyda; and step-daughter, Marcia Hazel. [Read more…]

John William ‘Red’ Shipley Jr.

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John William "Red" Shipley

John William “Red” Shipley Jr.

John William “Red” Shipley, Jr., age 87, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 25, at his home.

Mr. Shipley was born Oct. 28, 1925, in Morristown. He lived in South Clinton for 35 years before moving to Oliver Springs in 1984.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a machinist for 33 years at the Y-12 federal plant in Oak Ridge. He served his country in the United States Army.

Mr. Shipley was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. He enjoyed working in the Mt. Pisgah Bible Print Ministry. He was also a 32 Degree Master Mason and a member of the Clinton Masonic Lodge. [Read more…]

Alicia Lynn Cotton

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Alicia Lynn Cotton

Alicia Lynn Cotton

Alicia Lynn Cotton, age 35, of Knoxville, went home to be with her Saviour on Tuesday, April 23, at her home.

She was born April 1, 1978, in Knoxville, the daughter of Roger L. and Marva Newport Cotton, both of whom survive her.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, and enjoyed reading, music, and Bible study.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Beulah and Morris Newport, and Arvil and Nancy Cotton. [Read more…]

Charles Meredith Patterson

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Charles Meredith Patterson

Charles Meredith Patterson

Charles Meredith Patterson, age 76, a resident of Clinton, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 21, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Patterson was born Oct. 31, 1936, in Anderson County. He was a lifelong resident of this area.

Charles was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. He enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a bookkeeper at A&P Retail Grocery in Oak Ridge from 1953 to 1999. His hobbies included square dancing and watching UT Athletics. [Read more…]

Thomas Blair

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Thomas Lee Blair

Thomas Lee Blair

Thomas Blair, age 60, of Oak Ridge, passed away on April 13 at his home.

Thomas was born on Aug. 3, 1952, in Oak Ridge to parents Robert and Jessie Peace Blair.

He had worked for Martin Marietta in quality control before his illness and attended Grace Covenant Church. He was a history buff and enjoyed detailing cars.

He was an Oak Ridge High School graduate, graduating in 1970, and he graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee in 1975. [Read more…]

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Efford McCreight Jr.

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Thomas Tommy Efford McCreight Jr.

Thomas “Tommy” Efford McCreight Jr.

Thomas “Tommy” Efford McCreight Jr., age 52, of Oak Ridge, died Sunday, April 14, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

He was born March 29, 1961, in Opelika, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Efford McCreight Sr., on Feb. 28, 2011 who, along with his wife, June Nickolson McCreight, were the owners of Ridge Greenhouse and Florist. Tommy was a very talented floral designer who worked in the family business for many years.

He was a member of Faith Promise Church. He enjoyed all mediums of art and loved to travel. [Read more…]

Lula Athyne ‘Granny’ Baker

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Lula Athyne "Granny" Baker

Lula Athyne “Granny” Baker

Lula Athyne “Granny” Baker, age 101, a resident of Sparta, Tenn., and formerly of Oliver Springs, passed away Friday, April 12, at the Life Care Center of Sparta.

Mrs. Baker was born on Sept. 2, 1911, in Van Buren County, Tenn.

Granny Baker was a faithful Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Spencer, Tenn. However, when her health allowed, she attended the First Baptist Church in Oliver Springs.

She was a homemaker, a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Mrs. Baker was “Granny” to all, a lady who loved her family and friends, and with a calm and gentle spirit, she inspired all who came her way. Mrs. Baker enjoyed sewing and quilting. [Read more…]