Jacqulene “Jackie” Griffitts, 78, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Dec. 24 at Parkwest Medical Center.
She was born on June 3, 1934, in Tinsley, Ky., to parents Dan and Lela Mae Brock Gambrel, and retired from Pic-Air as a machinist.
William Arthur Bell Jr.
William Arthur Bell Jr.
William Arthur Bell Jr., age 96, of Oak Ridge, passed away Saturday, Dec. 22, at Blount Memorial Medical Center in Maryville.
He was born Nov. 24, 1916 in Powell Station, the son of Nola (Hibbs) and William Arthur Bell Sr.
We were blessed to be at the side of our father and hero, holding his hand, at the end. His very labored breathing stopped, his eyes opened very wide staring straight up towards heaven, and his heart stopped. He was at peace and his suffering gone. He had fought the good fight, and it was done.
Tammy Waddle Bean Vann
Tammy Waddle Bean Vann
Tammy Waddle Bean Vann, age 53, of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, at her residence.
Tammy was born February 24, 1959, in Oak Ridge to the late James “Jim” R. Waddle Sr. and Chris Holt Waddle.
Clarence ‘Gene’ Kelley
Clarence Eugene Kelley
Clarence “Gene” Kelley, age 65, of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center in Andersonville.
Gene was a true outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on cars, and playing with his grandchildren. His home and heart were open to all children, especially his own. It was normal for Gene’s home to be full with his five kids and all of their friends.
Gene was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1966–1971. He was an auto mechanic for Goodyear and also worked for Pinkerton Security as a security guard deputy sheriff.
Tracy Anne Ashburn
Tracy Anne Ashburn
Tracy Anne Ashburn, age 49, of the Mossy Grove Community, died Monday, Dec. 17, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
She was born March 20, 1963, in Knoxville, the daughter of Richard Lewis and Carolyn Anne Heard Mynatt, who survive her.
Mrs. Ashburn worked for 17 years as a merchandizing clerk with Kroger. She grew up in the Highland View Church of Christ and was a 1981 graduate of Oak Ridge High School.
Mrs. Ashburn enjoyed photography and crafting, especially with dried flowers and materials, which she collected herself. She loved animals, the outdoors and nature’s bounty.
Edward Harold ‘Gordo’ Gordon
Edward Harold “Gordo” Gordon
Edward Harold “Gordo” Gordon, age 81, of Oak Ridge passed away Saturday, Dec. 8, with his loving wife of 46 years, Dorothy “Dot,” by his side.
Ed was born April 29, 1931, in Grainger County to the late Arthur and Mary Wyatt Gordon.
He was of the Protestant faith and a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving as an in-flight engineer traveling worldwide.
Ed was discharged from the service in Auburn, Calif., after 11 years of service, and it was at that time he started a lifelong career as a professional golf instructor. This was one of the passions of Ed’s life and he cherished all of the friendships, especially those from South Hills Golf Club here in Oak Ridge, during his life as an instructor. Ed was a member of the Elks Lodge here in Oak Ridge. He married the Love of His Life, Dorothy “Dot” Veazey, on July 1, 1966.
Edna Ruth Strickland Hester
Edna Ruth Strickland Hester, age 96, a resident of the Sugar Grove Community in Roane County, passed away Thursday, Dec. 20, at NHC of Oak Ridge.
Mrs. Hester was born on Sept. 30, 1916, in the former Wheat Community in Roane County. She grew up in Wheat, and she was one of seven students that graduated from the Wheat High School, Class of 1935.
Mrs. Hester was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church in Oliver Springs. She was of strong moral fiber, and she loved the Lord, her family, and her country. In the early years, she taught school at Orchard View, Dyllis, and Oliver Springs schools. She loved children, and she enjoyed watching their development and accomplishments.
She was a homemaker who loved her home, flower gardening, watching various sports, and traveling.
Ina Jean Poore Baldwin
Ina Jean Poore Baldwin
Ina Jean Poore Baldwin, 81, of Oak Ridge, made her entrance into Heaven on Dec. 19 at 3:30 a.m. with her family and her pastor at her side.
She was born March 24, 1931, in Benham, Ky., the daughter of Frank and Virginia Lynch Poore.
She married her sweetheart, Carson Baldwin, on June 7, 1952, in Monroe, Mich. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary with a celebration with family and friends and enjoyed a trip to Hawaii.
Mrs. Baldwin’s career was in nursing and sales.
Kelli L. Carter
Kelli L. Carter
Kelli L. Carter, age 32, of Knoxville, passed away Monday, Dec. 17.
Kelli was born Feb. 9, 1980, in Rockwood and attended Oak Ridge High School.
She was a member of Faith Promise Church. She loved her children and her family and was known for her infectious smile and loving heart.
Terry Hashbarger
Terry Hashbarger age 59, of Clinton, passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, at his mother’s home in Clinton.
He loved farming and raising cattle.
Terry was preceded in death by his father, Robert Carl Hashbarger; grandparents, Ray and Veda Hashbarger, Raymond and Thomas Grace; and Uncle Howard Hashbarger.
Lorelle Osborne Billingsley
Lorelle Osborne Billingsley
Lorelle Osborne Billingsley, 100, passed away on Dec. 12, in Oak Ridge at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ellen and Larry Reynolds, where she had lived for the past nine years.
She was born Oct. 7, 1912, in Nashville to parents James Frank Osborne and Mary Ellen Bryant Osborne.
She was the oldest member (and at 73 years the longest-standing member) of the Jackson Park Church of Christ in Nashville. She was able to attend a celebration of her 100th birthday there on Oct. 7 in conjunction with the 80th Anniversary Homecoming of the church.
Her 100th birthday was also celebrated with family and friends in Oak Ridge on Oct. 21 at the Providence House of Highland View Church of Christ.
Timothy J. Massey
Timothy J. Massey, age 49, a resident of Harriman, passed away Sunday, Dec. 16, at Methodist Medical Center.
Mr. Massey was born in Ft. Myers, Fla., on the 12th day of July, 1963. He has lived in Harriman for the past 25 years.
Tim was employed at Coors-Tek as a machine operator for the past seven years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thurmond Massey, and by a brother, Wesley Rummans.
