Oak Ridge Today

James Leo Kolling

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James Leo Kolling

James Leo Kolling

James Leo (Jim) Kolling, of Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Oct. 22, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on May 11, 1931, to Gerard William and LaVerne Jane (Craig) Kolling, who preceded him in death.

He graduated from Duquesne University and completed graduate studies at Michigan State University.

After 24 years in the Air Force, he worked for Union Carbide in Oak Ridge until he retired in 1994.

He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Ellen (Hoffmann) Kolling.

He will be sorely missed by her and their 10 children: Jim, and wife Sally, Terry Peek (Bill), Carol LeNoir (Dan), Patty Swain (Todd), Janet, Kathy Herriott (Paul), David, Laura LaGrone (Jeff), Julie Hamilton (Mike), and Sharon Kolling-Perin (Joshua); and 25 grandchildren: Sam, Joe and Sarah Kolling; Brian, Kevin and Eric Peek; Kara, Craig, Bonnie, and Mark LeNoir; Nathanael Swain; Jayme Kolling; Austin, Anna, Julia, and Lilly Herriott; Jacqueline and Rebecca Kolling; Audrey LaGrone; Madeline, Amelia, and Leah Hamilton; and Caleb, Ezra, and Judah Kolling-Perin.

He is also survived by two brothers, Jerry and Ed Kolling, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was a devoted Catholic his whole life and a dedicated parishioner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where a Mass to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 12 p.m. led by Rev. Michael Woods. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. that morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

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

James H. Murray

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James H. Murray

James H. Murray

James “Jim” H. “Jake” Murray, age 64, of Oak Ridge passed away Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Methodist Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 20, 1947, in Fairfield Glade, Ala., to James P. and Margaret Jean Gilmore Murray, both now deceased.

Mr. Murray was of the Baptist faith and was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War, where he received the Vietnam Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and was a rifle marksman.

He loved to read and watch old war movies.

He worked in security at Y-12 for 15 years, K-25 for five years, and at SAIC 14 years, retiring in 2011.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cheryl VanFleet.

He is survived by his wife Wanda Murray of Oak Ridge; niece and nephews Mindy, Michael, and Matthew; and several friends.

Funeral service will be held Friday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Saturday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Omer Phillips West

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Omer Phillips West

Omer Phillips West

Omer Phillips West, age 81, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, at her home, while surrounded by her family and friends.

Mrs. West was born Sept. 9, 1931, in the New River Community of Anderson County. She and her family moved to Oliver Springs in 1963.

She and her husband co-owned and co-operated West Florist in Oliver Springs for 47 years before their retirement.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mrs. West was a faithful Christian and a member of the Corbin Hill Baptist Church in Coalfield.

Omer was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey Phillips and Bessie Carroll Phillips; by a son, Virgil West; by sisters, Hazel Bunch, Opal Phillips, and Edna West; by a brother, James Edward Phillips; and by her grandmother, Sallie Carroll.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Eather West of Oliver Springs; by daughters, Wanda Jenkins of Dallas, Texas, and Carolyn Roberts and husband Wayne of Oliver Springs; by sons, James West of Jasper, Ga., and Darrell West and wife Elqueta of Oliver Springs; by 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She is also survived by brothers, Elmer Phillips and wife Jewell of New River, Estel Phillips of Wartburg, and Oscar Phillips of the Beech Fork Community of Morgan County; by special family members, Brenda West and Don Bailey; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many special friends, including a very special friend, Mary Ellen Crowe.

The family received friends Wednesday, Oct. 24, between 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Kevin Ward and Pastor Mark Bass officiating.

Burial and graveside services will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

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

Anne Davies

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Beverly Anne Davies

Beverly Anne Davies

Anne Davies, age 77, of Clinton, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville from complications caused by cancer.

The daughter of James B. and Wilda H. Cunningham, Anne was born Dec. 15, 1934, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

She worked for many years as a preschool teacher with the Anderson County School system and the Head Start program. After retiring, she continued to be very active in the community. She joined the Norris Dames Red Hat Ladies, volunteered with the Norris Food Pantry, took classes through Oak Ridge Institute of Continued Learning, and tutored children at Glenwood Elementary School.

She is survived by her sister Carol Halter and her brother James Cunningham, her son Doug Davies and his wife Debbie, her daughter Beverly Leamon and her husband Scott, and her son Sean Davies and his wife Karin. Anne is also survived by her grandchildren Natasha Cortez, Heather Colandro, Laura Aslinger, Erik Davies, Alexandria Davies, Daniel Leamon, and Katelyn Leamon, and great-grandchildren Brett Stooksbury, Adam Stooksbury, and Aiden Colandro.

A memorial service will be held at the Norris Religious Fellowship Church, 23 Dogwood Rd., Norris,, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. with Dr. Keith Haverkamp officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be made to ORICL, 701 Briarcliff Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 “in memory of Anne Davies” or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Maggie Clayton Newman

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Maggie Bell Newman

Maggie Bell Newman

Maggie Clayton Newman, age 88, passed away, Sunday, Oct. 21, at her home at Courtyard Senior Living in Oak Ridge. She was a member of Heritage Fellowship Church.

Maggie was born June 17, 1924, to Ralph D. and Ellen R. Clayton in Dayton, Tenn.

In October of 1941, she married Luke Newman. Maggie and Luke moved to Clinton when Luke went to work for Tennessee Valley Authority at Bull Run Steam Plant in the spring of 1964.

Maggie was preceded in death by her husband, parents and grandson, Matthew Newman.

She is survived by her sons and their wives, Luke and Tedi Newman, Don and Nancy Newman, and David and Gail Newman; and grandchildren, Kelle Knight, Whitney Newman, Stephanie and Stephen French, Sheri and Stan Howze, Jeremy and Jamie Newman, Jennifer and Shane Johnson, and Max and Rachel Newman. Maggie is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to Kathy Taylor and the rest of Maggie’s extended family at Courtyard Senior Living and to Amedisys Hospice.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 3–5 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral will follow at 5 p.m. with the Rev. Paul Metler officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

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

Geneva Francis (Coulson) Kopp

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Geneva Francis Kopp

Geneva Francis Kopp

Geneva Francis (Coulson) Kopp was born Feb. 14, 1917, and she died Oct. 21 at her home in Oak Ridge at the age of 95.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Wendell “Joe” Kopp; Janis Kopp, who resides at home, and Joyce Kopp Rehagen of Knoxville, along with her husband Harry Rehagen; grandchildren, Michael Rehagen, and Meredith Davis and husband Brandon Davis; and great-grandsons Aaron and Austin Rehagen. She is also survived by her brothers, Roger Coulson and wife Bette of Ames, Iowa, and Richard Coulson and wife Sandra of Lakewood, Colo.

Geneva received a bachelor’s degree in home economics at Iowa State University, teaching school at Gilbert and Lamont, Iowa, preceeding her marriage. She was then a full-time housewife and homemaker until her death.

She was an accomplished seamstress, artisan with crafts, and served many years of service with the United Methodist Churches of Lenox, Iowa, and Oak Ridge, along with 18 years of volunteer services for Contact Teleministries.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge for UMCOR .

Plans for a celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

Edith Ellen Leon

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Edith Ellen Leon, 91, of Oak Ridge, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, at Golden Living Center-Windwood in Clinton.

She was born June 15, 1921, in Rafter, Tenn., to William and Lou Wilcox Gourley, both now deceased.

She was of the Baptist faith and was a homemaker—an expert seamstress and a wonderful cook. Edith was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Fred G. Leon, on Dec. 26, 1991, as well as several brothers and sisters.

Survivors include her sons and their wives, Bill Leon and wife Sharon of Shelbyville, Tenn., Mike Leon and his wife Donna of Dallas, Texas, and Chris Leon and his wife Linda of Clinton.; grandchildren, Karen Leon, Misty Leon, Alison Leon, Camden Leon, Judy Leon Ortiz, Gary Leon, and Ashley Leon; great-grandchildren, Coady Perez, Areli Ortiz, Morai Bell, and Kaley Woods; and several other relatives and friends.

Graveside services were conducted Saturday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens in Clinton with Brother Rick Miller and Mike Thompson officiating.

Douglas Ray Brannon

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Douglas Ray Brannon, age 61, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Thursday, Oct. 18, at his home.

Ray was born May 12, 1951, in Oak Ridge. He was a lifelong resident of this area.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a planner at the Y-12 federal plant in Oak Ridge for 23 years.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Ray is survived by his father, Robert “Bob” Brannon of the Dyllis Community in Roane County; by a daughter, Larrisa Walker of Oliver Springs; by a son, Dameon Brannon of Oak Ridge; by his fiancée, Carol Harris of Oak Ridge; step-father, Ronald M. Martin of Oak Ridge; and by grandchildren, Landon Walker of Oliver Springs and Brandon Massengale of Oak Ridge.

He is also survived by sisters, Katherine Sue Russell and husband Kevin of Oak Ridge, Joni Hardin and husband John of Crystal Beach, Texas, and LeAnn Martin of Oak Ridge; by brothers, Danny Brannon of Oak Ridge, and John Martin and wife Nancy of Seattle, Wash.; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends including a special friend, Kenny “Tadpole” Edmonds.

No services will be held and Sharp Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Brannon. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.

Sherri Faye Strickland

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Sherri Faye Strickland

Sherri Faye Strickland

Sherri Faye Strickland, age 49, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Oct. 16, at her home while surrounded by her family.

Sherri was born March 12, 1963, in Harriman. She was a lifelong resident of this area.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Harriman.

Before her disability, she was employed as an account manager for G.C.A. Services at Roane State Community College.

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David Lawrence Black

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David Lawrence Black

David Lawrence Black

David Lawrence Black, age 66, of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, Oct. 18, at his home.

He was born Oct. 2, 1946, in Oak Ridge, the son of Colleen and the late Clifford Black.

He had attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1964 and from the University of Tennessee in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He served in the U.S. Army in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

He worked at Reynolds Brothers in Nashville for 35 years. David was a true Vol, his blood ran orange, and he never missed a game. Proud of his Irish heritage, David wore an Irish cap and had sparkling Irish eyes.

He was preceded in death by his father Clifford Black, his brother Jeffrey Black, his niece Bibiana Angelini, and nephew, Jimmy Adams.

He is survived by his mother, Colleen Black; his sisters, Suzanne Angelini (Pete), Becky Adams, Jennifer Burman (Malcom), Tara Warner (Don), and Jane Massoumi; and his brother, Cliff Black (Nora). He is also survived by nieces and nephews Lena Adams, Michael Adams (Jen), Isabella Angelini (Derek Stewart), Joseph Angelini, Haley, Sierra, Star, and Savanna Warner, Montana and Kansas Burman, and Soraya and Mariah Massoumi. He is also survived by four great-nieces and great-nephews Kaylan Sudbury, Cooper Adams, and Ariella and Dario Stewart.

The family will receive friends Sunday, Oct. 21, from 12:30–2:30 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m. with Father Bede Aboh officiating.

A private entombment will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

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