William Donald “Don” Ray
William Donald “Don” Ray, 75, of Knoxville, passed away on Nov. 28 at Methodist Medical Center.
Don was born to parents Chester B. and Frankie Chadwell Ray on Sept. 26, 1937, in Norris.
He was a veteran with the Air National Guard, attended the former Fairview Baptist Church in the Solway community, was a member of Bright Hope Masonic Lodge # 557 in Knoxville, and he enjoyed woodworking as well as fishing, being a nature lover by heart.
Arnold Hayes Walls, 98, of Coalfield, went to his heavenly home on Monday, Nov. 26.
He was Morgan County’s oldest veteran and was recognized by both former Tennessee Sen. Tommy Kilby and former U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis. On Nov. 11, 2012, he was recognized with a plaque honoring him as the oldest World War II veteran in the county.
Eleanor Lewis Stephens
Eleanor Lewis Stephens, age 88, of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, Nov. 25.
Eleanor was born Nov. 5, 1924, in Fairmont, N.C., to the late Archie French and Quessie Powell Lewis.
She was of the Episcopalian Faith and a homemaker. Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband John Francis Stephens Sr., and her son and daughter-in-law Bobby Gene and Linda Stephens.
Robert Linden Walker
Robert Linden Walker, age 65, of Knoxville, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 25, at St. Mary’s Select Hospital in Knoxville, after a lengthy illness.
He was pre-deceased by his father and mother, Joyce Michael and Arietta Ramsey Walker.
He was born in Rochester, Pa., and was brought to Oak Ridge at the age of six months when his family relocated here. Bob grew up in Oak Ridge and was involved in many sport activities through his graduation from Oak Ridge High School in 1965.
Lonnie Lones Bailey
Elisabeth came to live in Oak Ridge in 1797. Some 125 years later, her great-great-great grandson, Lonnie Lones Bailey was born in the Scarboro community. Having been a fifth-generation Oak Ridger, however, didn’t define Lonnie.
Having a somewhat stoic childhood, he met and married the love of his life, Mildred Irene Gann, and together they raised three children, Constance Mae (the apple of his eye), Lonnie Willis (his name sake), and Dwight Douglas (the babe). Mildred, Connie and Willis preceded him in death. His sense of family was very strong, but this by itself didn’t define Lonnie, either.
In August 1943, on a hot humid Sunday morning on a beach in the Solomon Islands, a sniper’s target was hit. Lonnie was taken out of his foxhole and treated at an aid station. Some years later, he lost his leg as a result of the wound, but a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and various other medals couldn’t accurately describe Lonnie Bailey. He was also a 32nd degree mason.
Janice Phillips Daugherty
Janice Phillips Daugherty, age 74, a resident of Harriman, passed away Friday, Nov. 23, at the Courtyard of Oak Ridge.
Janice was born Sept. 2, 1938, in the New River Community of Anderson County.
She was a faithful Christian and a member of Beech Park Baptist Church in Oliver Springs. She was employed in the environmental services department for Sodexo at Methodist Medical Center for 20 years.
Linda Smith Thomas, 68, of Oak Ridge, passed away at Tennova Hospice in Knoxville on Nov. 23.
She was born on May 12, 1944, in Oak Ridge to parents Dwight H. and Lavada Bacon Smith.
Linda worked for the Tennessee as an eligibility counselor, and she was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Oak Ridge.
George Thomas Rice
Beloved and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, George Thomas Rice, went home to be with the Lord after a year-long battle with cancer on Friday, Nov. 23.
Left to cherish wonderful and fond memories are his wife Judy (Tipton) Rice of Oak Ridge; son George Thomas (Tommy) Rice and daughter-in-law, Christie (Slagle) Rice; and beloved granddaughters Katie and Sydney Rice of Kingston.
George was a special blessing to his brothers and sisters and is survived by his brothers Napoleon (Nip) Rice and wife Betty of Woodstock, Ga.; Charles M. Rice and wife Marita of Nashville; Robert Charles (Tony) Rice and wife Karen of Elkton, Md.; Dinnie Rice of Azle, Texas; and Kelvin Rice, Oak Ridge. He is also survived by sisters Lucille Eargle of Acworth, Ga., and Mary Nell (Rice) and husband Lyle Doman of Friendswood, Texas. George leaves a host of nieces and nephews, very special friends, and his church family who mourn his passing.
George retired after 37 years of service at Y -12. Prior to employment at Y -12, he was employed at The Oak Ridger and Joe T. Faulkner Motor Company.
Jack Russell
Jack Russell, age 93, a resident of the Blair community in Roane County, died Thursday, Nov. 22, at the Life Care Center of Morgan County.
Mr. Russell was born May 27, 1919, in Roane County. Jack was a former construction laborer for Rust Engineering, Hicks Construction at the Oak Ridge nuclear plants and the Southern Railroad.
He was a trusted member of the entire Roane and Morgan County communities. His past included being a waterboy at the old Dyllis Peach Orchard, working the quarry mine on Blair Road, and being a farmer and moonshiner (to help support his family).
Jack was of the Baptist faith and professed his salvation often in his elder years. He gave God the glory for his lengthy life and the wonderful family bestowed unto him.
Mr. Russell was a honorably discharged veteran of World War II, where he earned the rank of corporal being a cook and orderly. While enlisted, he received a medal for being a expert marksman, and he also received the American Theater Ribbon.
Mary Elizabeth Wilson Goble
Mary Elizabeth Wilson Goble, age 74, of Harriman, passed away Sunday, Nov. 18, at Park West Medical Center.
Mrs. Goble was born Aug. 13, 1938, in Oliver Springs. She moved to Ontario, Canada, in 1972 and came back to Oliver Springs in 1992.
She was a homemaker, a loving wife, and mother. Her other interests were traveling and bowling, and she loved animals.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William Carson Wilson and Sylvia Garrett Wilson; by brothers, Johnny Wilson, Bud Wilson, and Keith Wilson; and by sisters, Patsy Allen, Lila Adcock and Jackie Colston.
Mary is survived by her husband, Robert John Goble of Harriman; by a daughter, Tamara Stefanits and her husband, Brian of Dorchester, Ontario; by step-sons, Ricky Goble and his wife Laurie of St. Thomas, Ontario, Mike Goble and his wife Tara of Halifax, Nova Scotia; sisters, Carlene Hall and husband Larry of Roanoke, Va., Sally Jenkins of Petros, Jimmie Jackson of Oliver Springs; grandchildren, Tasha Stefanits and fiancée, P.J. Clippertan, and Chad Stefanits; by step-grandchildren; Alexis Goble, Megan, Matthew Goble, McKinzie Goble, Kyrie Goble and Ryan Goble; and one great-grandson.
The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs. A memorial service was held in the funeral home chapel at 6 p.m. with Dr. Billy Edmonds officiating.
Because of her great love of animals, the family requests memorial contributions be made to an animal shelter of your choice.
A guest register book is available at www.sharpfh.com.
James H. Gibson Jr.
James H. Gibson Jr., age 78, of Oak Ridge, died Monday, Nov. 19, at his home.
He was born Oct. 17, 1934, the son of James H. and Georgie Dearman Gibson.
Mr. Gibson was a 1953 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, where he played varsity baseball.
He served his country in the U.S. Army and retired from Y-12.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Little Gibson, and great-granddaughter, Abby Gibson.
He is survived by his sons, James Kenny Gibson of Atlanta, Ga., Greg Gibson of Knoxville, and James H. Gibson III of Oliver Springs; daughter, Stacie Bourff and son-in-law Glen Bourff of Oliver Springs; brother, Sid Gibson and wife Peggy of Oak Ridge; and several grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife, Peggy Justice Gibson of Oliver Springs.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park with Rev. Mark Walton officiating.
Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.
Dorothy Jean McMillin
Dorothy Jean McMillin, 83, of Knoxville, passed away on Nov. 18.
She was born on Sept. 17, 1929, in Harlan County, Ky., to parents Ishere and Ada Graham Osborne.
Dorothy was a homemaker and a member of First Christian Church of Oak Ridge, and she had been a volunteer at Parkwest Medical Center.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, James Paul McMillin; and sisters, Mildred Barker, Oda Mae Carrico, and Gladys Noel.
Her survivors include her sons, Paul L. McMillin (Johneta) and James Clark McMillin (Kathy), all of Knoxville; daughters, Iris Davenport (Clyde) of Knoxville and Linda Cole of Newport, Ore.; and five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The family received friends Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will be held in the chapel of Weatherford Mortuary on Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. with Rev. Jesse Bradshaw officiating. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.
The family requests that memorials be in the form of donations to First Christian Church Memorial Fund, 100 Gum Hollow Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
An online guest book may be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.
