Oak Ridge Today

Flo Rogers Mayes

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Flo Rogers Mayes

Flo Rogers Mayes

Flo Rogers Mayes, a 68-year resident of Oak Ridge, joined her husband in heaven on Monday, Oct. 8.

She was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Presley, Ga., to Elbert and Olia Presley Rogers. Mrs. Mayes maintained close ties with her family in Georgia and returned to her birthplace often during her lifetime.

She married Howard Pearce (H.P.) Mayes on July 21, 1940. The family moved to Oak Ridge in 1944, where H.P. was a heavy equipment operator for Union Carbide until his retirement in 1965.

Mrs. Mayes was a full-time wife and mother to her three children. She was an excellent seamstress and was active in the Wayside Road Sewing Circle. She and the other members made quilts and did needlework at their weekly meetings. Mrs. Mayes loved to garden and shared her plants, especially her day lilies, with her friends and neighbors.

She was a member of the Robertsville Baptist Church for many years before joining First Baptist Church in the mid-1950s. She was active with Agape Family Services, the Amazing Grace choral group, and the Keenagers. She attended Miss Baird’s Sunday School Class.

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Larry ‘Wayne’ Barger

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Larry "Wayne" Barger

Larry “Wayne” Barger

Larry “Wayne” Barger, 65, of Harriman, passed away Friday, Oct. 5, at Methodist Medical Center.

Wayne was born Feb. 13, 1947, in Harriman. He was raised and lived in the Clax Gap Community in Roane County.

He graduated from the Oliver Springs High School, Class of 1966, and following his graduation, he began employment at Charles Lee Chevrolet, which later became David Clifton Chevrolet. He continued working at the dealership for 27 years until his retirement.

He was preceded in his death by his parents, Mack and Jean Barger, and by his stepmother, Margie Lee Barger.

Wayne is survived by sons, Nickey Barger and wife Lisa and children, Nathaniel and Misty of Oakdale, Jamie Barger and stepdaughter Martina of Harriman; the mother of his sons Nickey and Jamie, Iris Lynn Carroll of Oliver Springs; a brother, Bill Barger and wife Rita of Harriman; a nephew, Stacy Barger and wife Kristie and children, Christopher, Alisa, and Bryant of Harriman; niece Gina Noll and husband Jerry of Harriman; special aunts, Elanor Edmonds and Nellie Ray of Harriman; stepbrothers, Charles Ed and J.W. Lee; and stepsister, Geraldine Pruett and husband Chuck of Nashville. He is also survived by several close friends and family members.

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Paul Ernest Vandergriff

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Paul Ernest Vandergriff

Paul Ernest Vandergriff

Paul Ernest Vandergriff, age 48, of Oak Ridge, died Monday, Oct. 8, at the home of his sister Beverly Abele in Oak Ridge.

He was born Aug. 18, 1964, in Lafollette, the son of Howard Lee and Anna Lou Goins Vandergriff.

Mr. Vandergriff was an electrician and he enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, and collecting guns.

He is survived by his sister, Beverly Abele of Oak Ridge; brother, Howard “Buck” L. Vandergriff Jr. and his wife Barbara of Jacksboro; and nephew Brandon Abele and his wife Misty of Maryville.

The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. A memorial service will follow at 8 p.m. with Rev. Johnny Dabney officiating.

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Betty Jean Sawicki

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Betty Jean Sawicki

Betty Jean Sawicki

Betty Jean Sawicki, age 86, of Oak Ridge, died Saturday, October 6, 2012 at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville.

She was born Jan. 21, 1926, in Knoxville, the daughter of Alexas M. and Osa Cox Graham.

Mrs. Sawicki was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed sewing and making dolls. Mrs. Sawicki had a great interest in and was instrumental in organizing services for the mentally retarded in Paducah, Ky., as well as in Oak Ridge.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Joseph Michael Sawicki in 2004, and by sisters, Maxine Coward, Helen Rouss, and Peggy Davis.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Joseph Sawicki; son, David Sawicki of Greeneville; daughter, Sandy Snyder and her husband Dr. Paul Snyder of Chattanooga; two grandchildren, Renee Everhart and her husband Dr. Todd Everhart of Johnson City, and Paul Snyder III and wife Jennifer of Centerville, Va.; four great-grandchildren, Daniel and Adam Everhart of Johnson City, and Toby and Lucas Snyder of Centerville, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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Willodean Rogers McNeely

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Willodean Rogers McNeely

Willodean Rogers McNeely

Our mother, Willodean Rogers McNeely, departed this life on Oct. 5 at NHC Oak Ridge.

She was born July 26, 1923, in Graves County, Ky., to Maggie and Ira Atwell Rogers. She was raised there on a farm with numerous brothers and sisters.

She met and ultimately married her high school sweetheart, Billy Joe McNeely. Their marriage lasted almost 70 years and produced two sons, Joe and his wife Patsy of Oak Ridge, and Mike and his wife Teresa of Kingston.

She also leaves three grandsons, Michael, Matthews, and Brett, and adored great-grandchildren, Harleigh, Noah, Cora, and Andrew.

She and her husband came to Oak Ridge in 1943. Willodean was a longtime member of New York Avenue Church of Christ, where she became close friends with Opal, Kathleen, and Midge.

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Sammy ‘S.H.’ Roach

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Sammy “S.H.” Roach, age 72, of Clinton, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Oct. 3, at his residence.

Sammy was a member of Charity Baptist Church in South Clinton. He loved his church family and enjoyed fishing.

Sammy was preceded in death by his parents, Nedas & Irene Roach; wife, Joyce Roach; and brothers, Albert Roach and Stanley Roach Sr.

He is survived by brothers, Bill Roach of Harriman, Lylburn Roach and wife Renee of Tampa, Fla., Gene Roach and wife Jeanie of Clinton; and sisters, Jane Duncan and husband Clarence of Jacksboro, and Jessie Stooksbury and husband Dallas of Clinton.

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Alice Phillips Ferguson

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Alice Phillips Ferguson, age 62, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Monday, Oct. 1, at her home.

Alice was born March 8, 1950, in Morgan County. She was a lifelong resident of this area.

She was a homemaker, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Mrs. Ferguson was preceded in death by her parents, James Phillips and Mamie Bunch Phillips; by brothers, Sam Junior Phillips and Terry Phillips; by a sister, Dollie Phillips Jackson; by a sister-in-law, Ivory Phillips; and by a brother-in-law, Carl Patria.

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Harvey Lee Ferguson

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Harvey Lee Ferguson, age 65, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Monday, Oct. 1, at his home.

Harvey was born Sept. 4, 1947, in Winston County, Ala. He had lived in Oliver Springs since 1970.

Before his retirement, he was employed as an electrician for Tennessee Valley Authority at the Bull Run Steam Plant for 35 years.

Harvey served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. While serving, he received several medals, commendations, ribbons, and citations.

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Ronald Allen Loy

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Ronald Allen Loy

Ronald Allen Loy

Ronald Allen Loy, age 49, a resident of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

Mr. Loy was born April 22, 1963, in Harriman.

Ronald grew up and lived in the Mays Valley Community of Roane County. He was graduated from the Oliver Springs High School (Class of 1981) and following that, he entered into the U.S. Army. After completing his military service, he moved to Oklahoma, where he continued to live until his move back to Tennessee in 1998.

While living in Oklahoma, Ron became a professional chef and continued his passion for cooking throughout his life.

He attended both the Dyllis Baptist Church and the Clax Gap Baptist Church.

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James ‘Jim’ H. Hudson

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James “Jim” H. Hudson left this earth on Sunday, Sept. 30.

He was born April 18, 1929, in Oliver Springs, the son of Eli M. and Sallie “Chiles” Hudson.

He shared 58 years of his life with his loving wife, June “Jones” Hudson.

Jim was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Jim served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was retired from Home Beneficial Life Insurance Company, where he worked more than 33 years.

Jim adored his grandchildren and loved spending time with them.

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Anita Mae Moehl

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Anita Mae Moehl

Anita Mae Moehl

Anita Mae Moehl, age 89, of Oak Ridge, passed away Monday, Oct. 1, at Briarcliff Health Care Center.

She was born Feb. 6, 1923, in Marysville, Kansas, the daughter of Clarence H. and Sophia Schuster Saathoff.

Mrs. Moehl was a charter member of Grace Lutheran Church, and she enjoyed gardening.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Moehl, on April 15, 1997.

She is survived by her son, Bill C. Moehl of Oak Ridge; daughters, Barbara Dunkin of Oak Ridge, and Debbie Eggers and husband David of Apex, N.C.; sisters, Rose Marie Waggener of Knoxville and Ida Hagaman and husband Carl of Oak Ridge; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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David Paul Beem

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David Paul Beem, age 49, of Oliver Springs, lost his courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, Sept. 29, with his loving family by his side.

He was born Oct. 3, 1962, in West Palm Beach, Fla.; lived in Titusville, Fla., for 10 years; then moved to Oliver Springs in 1975.

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