Oak Ridge Today

Nellie Minga

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Nellie Minga

Nellie Minga

Nellie Minga, age 95, of Andersonville, passed away Thursday, Oct. 4, at Golden Living Center Windwood in Clinton.

Nellie was of the Baptist faith and retired from Magnet Mills many years ago. She loved working jigsaw puzzles, embroidery, and helping others.

Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Hattie Overton; husband, Thomas Benton; grandsons, Stan and Glenn Cox; brothers, Lee and John Overton; and sisters, Minette Foster and Myrtle Phillips.

Her survivors are son, Thomas Minga and wife Barbara of Clinton; daughters, Margie Thomas of Andersonville, and Wanda Rhea of Clinton; sisters, Mary Carter of Clinton, and Jeanne Wise of Galveston, Texas. Nellie is also survived by five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, special niece Cathy Reed, a host of other nieces and nephews, and special caregiver Patricia Foust.

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Robin Annette Hawkins

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Robin Annette Hawkins

Robin Annette Hawkins

Robin Annette Hawkins, age 53, of Lake City, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Robin was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family and friends. Robin enjoyed singing for the Lord and was a member of Faith Primitive Baptist Church in Harriman.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Seiber and brother, Joe “Little Joe” Seiber.

She is survived by her mother, Martha Seiber of Lake City; husband, Genis Hawkins of Lake City; son, Stanley Hawkins and wife Elizabeth of Lake City; daughter, Rosemary Mullins of Oliver Springs; brothers, Chuck Kesterson and wife Princess of Lake City, and Dean Seiber of Lafollette; and sisters, Beverly Bourgeois and husband Duke of Caryville, Teresa Dolin of Lake City, Joddie Spears and husband Scotty of Clinton, and Janice Thomas of Dallas, Ga. Robin also left behind five grandchildren, Dillon Hawkins, AJ Hawkins, Wade Wells, Tyler Collins, and Brittney Tinker, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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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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