Oak Ridge Today

Alva Ann McCoy

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Alva Ann McCoy

Alva Ann McCoy

Alva Ann (Thompson) McCoy, of Clinton, passed away Nov. 13 following a lengthy illness.

She was born on July 26, 1933, in Watertown, Tenn., the daughter of Charles Howard and Arletta Lucretia Givens Thompson, who are both deceased.

They lived in several towns in middle Tennessee until moving to Oak Ridge in 1941. Ann entered school in Oak Ridge and graduated in 1953. She attended Knoxville Business College after high school, graduated and worked several years at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

She was a certified professional secretary. She took a few years off to have children and then worked at the Emory Valley Sheltered Workshop.

Mrs. McCoy is survived by her husband, Herbert E. McCoy Jr. He was born in Oak Hill, W.V., and they married in 1955. She is also survived by a brother, Lilliard T. Thompson of Kingston; sister, Victoria Thompson of Charlotte, N.C.; daughter Ann Marie McCoy Sheddan and her husband Sam; son, Ken McCoy and his wife Beth; grandchildren, Stephanie Sluss and husband Clifton, Michelle Sanders and husband Jeremy, Jan Kirkpatrick and husband Matt, Thomas Mullins and wife Jennifer, Kate McCoy and Ryan McCoy, and nine great-grandchildren.

Mrs. McCoy enjoyed activities with her extended family, and enjoyed traveling and hunting and collecting antiques. She is a charter member of Robertsville Baptist church and was active in the church beginning as a teen and continuing throughout her life.

She was a care-giver to several people, and was very active in the care of her aunt, her mother and her spouse during his extended illness.

The family received friends on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Robertsville Baptist Church. The funeral followed at 7:30 p.m. with Rev. Brian Scott and Rev. Tom Job officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family asks that memorials be made to Robertsville Baptist Church.

Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

Patricia Rose Smith

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Patricia Rose Smith, age 62, a resident of the Marlow Community in Anderson County, passed away Saturday, November 10, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

Patricia was born March 18, 1950, in Connersville, Ind.. She lived in Texas, Florida, and Georgia before moving to Tennessee in 1999.

She was a homemaker, a loving mother and grandmother and a member of Faith Promise Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Gray and Dorothy Manlove Gray, and by her husband, Charles E. Golden.

Mrs. Smith is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Kathryn Taylor and husband David of Oliver Springs; by a son, Charles William Golden and his companion Anthony Dyer of Knoxville, Johnny Edward Golden and wife Brandy; by eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and by her fiancee Anthony Poche of Marlow.

She is also survived by a sister Barbara Heslin and husband Roy of Tampa, Fla.; and by five nephews, one niece and 14 great-nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Wednesday, Nov. 14, between 5 and 6 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Ralph Wilson officiating.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guestbook is available at www.sharpfh.com.

Billy Rhodey

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Billy Rhodey

Billy Rhodey

Billy Rhodey, age 49, of Clinton, passed away Saturday, Nov. 10, at his home.

He moved to Indianapolis in the 1970s, worked as a welder, and then returned to Tennessee in 1996 and worked for the U.S. Department of Energy as a welder.

Billy loved NASCAR, football, and enjoyed fishing with his Uncle Charles. He was a member of Poplar Creek Baptist Church in Clinton.

Billy was preceded in death by his father, William C. Rhodey.

He is survived by his mother, Connie Hurley of Clinton; adopted mother, Velma Louise Rhodey of Clinton; son, Charles Michael Rhodey of Chattanooga; daughters, Amber Marie Rhodey of Cookeville, and Autumn Elizabeth Rhodey of Oak Ridge; brothers, Randall Gene Rhodey of Clinton, Charles Rhodey and Carolyn of Oliver Springs, Steve Rhodey and Jeanne of Clinton, and Archer Rhodey and Linda of Oak Ridge; and granddaughter, Sophia. He also leaves behind a special godmother, Kathy Vorhies and a host of other relatives and friends.

Billy’s family received friends on Monday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the chapel of Jones Mortuary. His interment and graveside service will be Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Clinton with Pastor Donnie Moore officiating.

Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.

Gladys Hicks Shipley

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Gladys Hicks Shipley

Gladys Hicks Shipley

Gladys Hicks Shipley, age 86, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, Nov. 9, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mrs. Shipley was born Feb. 10, 1926, in Hayesville, N.C.

Following her Hayesville High School graduation, she joined the Cadet Nursing Corp and served her country during World War II.

In 1947, she received a registered nursing degree from Erlanger in Chattanooga. Later in the year of 1947, she began employment with the Oak Ridge Hospital, working in the nursery until 1970. In 1970 she continued her career with the Anderson County Health Department, where she worked until retirement.

She lived in South Clinton for 33 years before moving to Oliver Springs in 1984.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. She enjoyed working in the Mt. Pisgah Bible Print Ministry.

Mrs. Shipley was preceded in death by her parents, Claude Hicks and Lizzie Auberry Hicks, and by a brother, Wayne Hicks.

She is survived by her husband, John William Shipley, Jr.; by sons, Jeffrey Thomas Shipley and Scott William Shipley of Oliver Springs; by grandchildren, Stacy Sharp and husband Bobby of Clinton, and Jason Shipley and wife Erica of Clinton; and by great-grandchildren, Jacie Shipley, Millie Shipley, and Haeven Shipley Daugherty.

She is also survived by a sister, Gaynell Lowe of Hayesville, N.C., by other extended relatives, and her Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church brothers and sisters.

The family will receive friends Monday, Nov. 12, between 5 and 7 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. The funeral will follow in the church sanctuary with pastor Garvan Walls officiating.

Burial and graveside services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.

Paul E. Miller

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Paul E. Miller

Paul E. Miller

Paul E. Miller, 81, of Oak Ridge, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Nov. 8.

He was born in Middlesboro, Ky., to parents Paul and Aileen Miller and moved to Knoxville at the age of six, where he attended Knoxville High School. He moved to Oak Ridge in 1954, where he worked for Union Carbide for 31 years before retiring in 1984.

He was a member of Central Baptist Church since 1955, where he served as a deacon for 60 years and served on different committees and especially enjoyed ministering to the elderly and home-bound. He was a member of the Adult and JJ choirs and is best remembered for calling individuals on their birthdays and singing “Happy Birthday.”

He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Faith Lodge No. 756 in Oak Ridge, where he served as master and secretary, and he als0 volunteered at MMC and the Hospitality House.

Paul enjoyed spending holidays and special occasions with his family and enjoyed traveling, hiking, and camping with his many friends.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nita Miller; three children, Debbie Miller of Smyrna, Ga., Darlene Shimkonis and husband Joe of Little River, S.C., and Mike Miller and wife Brenda of Lenoir City; brother, Warren Miller and wife Phyllis of Knoxville; four grandchildren, Brian Highers and wife Cheri of Lawrenceville, Ga., Shanda Steer and husband Tim of Acworth, Ga.; Kevin Levinsky of Spartenburg, S.C., and Michael Levinsky and wife Emily of Alpharetta, Ga.; five great-grandchildren, Caroline Steer, Charlotte Steer, Ashlyn Highers, Brendan Highers, and Beau Levinsky; step-granddaughter, Kristie Bryant and husband Carl; three step-grandsons, Tyler Bryant, Austin Bryant, and Clay Bryant; and nephew Danny Miller and his son, Charleston, Knoxville.

The family will receive friends Monday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Central Baptist Church, and the funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the church with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating.

The Masonic graveside service will be Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family requests that memorials be in the form of donations to Central Baptist Church or the Hospitality House.

An online guest book may be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.

Rudolph Bodemuller

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Rudolph Bodemuller

Rudolph Bodemuller

Rudolph Bodemuller, 95, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Nov. 7.

He was born in Louisiana on July 29, 1917, to parents Robert and Hilda Evans Bodemuller.

The Bodemullers came to Oak Ridge over 30 years ago, after Rudolph retired from the Garrett Corp. with the air research program in Phoenix, Ariz. He also retired from Allied Signal as an aeronautical engineer in 1983.

He was a member of Kern Memorial United Methodist Church.

Rudolph was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Frances Bodemuller.

His survivors include his wife, Frances Ross Bodemuller; sons, James R. Bodemuller and wife Margaret A. Bodemuller of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Robert A. Bodemuller and wife Coleen Bodemuller of Boulder, Colo.; grandchildren, Brian Bodemuller, Julie Bodemuller Skaggs, Suzanne Bodemuller Vanderhoff, Alan Ross, Heidie Ross Clark, Darcie Bodemuller, Rebecca Bodemuller, and Benjamin Bodemuller; and nine great-grandchldren.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at Kern Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Jack Sills officiating. The family will receive friends from 1–2 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Burial will take place in Boulder, Colo.

The family requests the memorials be in the form of donations to Kern Memorial United Methodist Church, Music Program, 451 E. Tennessee Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

An online guest book may be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

Gary Neal Halstead

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Gary Neal Halstead

Gary Neal Halstead

Gary Neal Halstead, 58, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Nov. 5.

He was born to parents James Joseph and Ruth Natvig Halstead in Brooklyn, N.Y., on July 18, 1954.

He had served as an officer with the New York Police Department.

His survivors include his daughters, Susan Halstead and Jo-Anne Mathier of Asheville; brother, James Joseph Halstead Jr. and wife Cathy of Brooklyn; nephew and niece, James Joseph Halstead III and Kristine Halstead Klepper; and grandchildren, Samantha, Kaylee, Jerica, and Deandra.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Weatherford Mortuary at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, with Rev. Steve Martin officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday, Nov. 11, from 3–4:30 p.m. in the chapel of Weatherford Mortuary.

An online guest book may be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.

Zora Elizabeth Shepherd Goins

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Zora Elizabeth Shepherd Goins

Zora Elizabeth Shepherd Goins

Zora Elizabeth Shepherd Goins, of Clinton, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 6.

She was born on Jan. 2, 1920, in Jellico, Ky., but she lived most of her adult life in Oak Ridge and Clinton.

Along with her beloved husband, Vincent, she spent many years fishing, hunting, and camping. She loved nature and all God’s creatures. She often commented on how she could have been a veterinarian, and she would have been a good one. She practiced on unsuspecting farm animals at a young age.

She worked for many years in the cafeteria at South Clinton Elementary, where she was loved by all. She attended South Clinton Baptist Church. Zora was well known and loved by numerous people in the Clinton community .

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is a gain.” (Phillipians 1:21)

She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Oma Cassidy Shepherd; husband, Vincent Goins; her oldest daughter, Doris Ann Ketner; brothers, Albert, Cletis, Bob, Herschell, Jim, and Jerry; and sisters, Flora, Buleah, and Lucille.

Her survivors include son, Lowell Goins; daughter, Demaris Goins Holt and husband Sonny; son-in-law, Bud Ketner; grandchildren, Brian Ketner, Larry and Glen Goins, Maria Goins Ritchie, David Courtney and Shawna Courtney Summers; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and best friend for the last 28 years, Bob Chadwick.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. The graveside service will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Garvin Walls officiating.

The family requests that memorials be in the form of donations to American Cancer Society, Women’s Cancer.

An online guest book may be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.

Bennie Louise Cloninger Sanders

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Bennie Louise Cloninger Sanders

Bennie Louise Cloninger Sanders

Bennie Louise Cloninger Sanders, 85, of Oak Ridge, passed away on Nov. 5 at Asbury Place in Maryville.

She was born to parents Benjamin A. and Louise M. Armbruster Cloninger on Aug. 10, 1927, in Chattanooga.

Bennie was a member of First United Methodist Church for 45 years, where she enjoyed volunteering as a “Hello Girl” in the earlier years.

For nearly 50 years, she was also a member of the Oak Ridge Lioness Club and the Oak Ridge Lions Club. She had served as a Pink Lady with the Methodist Medical Center and was a member and officer of the Oak Ridge Woman’s Club.

Survivors include husband, John P. Sanders Sr. of Oak Ridge; sons, John Sanders Jr. and wife Laurel of Martinsburg, W.V., and Robert Sanders and wife Donna of Forest, Va.; grandchildren, Mattea Sanders of Washington, D.C., and Corbin Sanders of Fairfax, Va.; and brother, Robert O. Cloninger and wife Arlene Rae of Falmouth, Mass., and their children, Dean and Paula.

The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. at the church with Rev. Stella Roberts officiating. Entombment will follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family requests that memorials be in the form of donations to First United Methodist, Music Program, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 or to the Oak Ridge Lions Club, PO Box 4085, Oak Ridge, TN 37831.

An online guest book may be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.

Wendell Howard Shoemaker

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Wendell Howard Shoemaker, 72 of Oak Ridge, passed away on Friday, Nov. 2, at his home on Melton Hill Lake.

Wendell worked with Jameson Shaw, who operated the most exclusive salon in Atlanta. When he returned to Knoxville, he established and opened Wendell’s Hair Fashions and Wendell’s School of Beauty.

Preceding him in death were his father, Marley Shoemaker; mother, Ruby Shoemaker Walker; and daughter, Wendy Baskin.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Sayona and Gary Groover; grandchildren, Kara Baskin and Jaima Baskin; former wife Shelby Shoemaker; and several loving family members and friends.

The family requests that memorials be in the form of donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Cancer Society, or to a charity of their choice.

The receiving of friends will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary.

An online guest book may be signed at weatherfordmortuary.com.