Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: Virginia Christenbery McFadden

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Virginia Christenbery McFadden

Virginia Christenbery McFadden

Virginia Christenbery McFadden, born on May 9, 1918 in Knoxville, the daughter of Dr. William Frederick “W.F.” and Rosamond Lee Clark Christenbery, passed away at Tennova Residential Hospice in Knoxville on April 13, Palm Sunday, at the age of 95.

Virginia is a descendant of the Christenbery family that lived in the Wheat community in Oak Ridge before the creation of the Manhattan Project. Many of her relatives are buried outside the George Jones Memorial Church, known locally as “the Wheat Church.”

Virginia was a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and was pursuing a master’s degree in home economics when she met her husband, William Steele McFadden. After a two-week courtship, they began their 70-year marriage, which ended in March of 2010 when he passed away at age 97. She helped him grow a family construction business and served as his accountant, partner, cheerleader, member of his building crew, rental property agent, and mother of four children.

They were active members in Fountain City Presbyterian Church for many years where she sang in the choir and occasionally played the music for services. [Read more…]

Obituary: Derrell Malcolm Shores

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Derrell Malcolm Shores

Derrell Malcolm Shores

Derrell Malcolm Shores, age 77, of Clinton, and formerly of Cocoa Beach, Fla., passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

He was born May 1, 1936, in Nocatee, Fla., the son of Corine Shores. After graduation from high school, he entered the United States Air Force, where he served until 1963.

He retired from Publix Grocery Store in Cocoa Beach, Fla., where he was store manager. He had worked with Publix Grocery Stores in many locations for 36 years.

He and his wife, Judy Hillis King Shores, came to Oak Ridge from Cocoa Beach, Fla., eight years ago. They would have celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary on May 18. After his retirement, he began playing golf, a sport he learned to love passionately. He was also an avid reader. [Read more…]

Obituary: Mary Lynn Dickson Frazier Gaines

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Mary Lynn Dickson Frazier Gaines

Mary Lynn Dickson Frazier Gaines

Mary Lynn Dickson Frazier Gaines, a longtime resident of Oak Ridge, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on April 9, 2014, after suffering a short illness. Mrs. Gaines’ life spanned all or portions of 10 decades.

She was born in Henderson County, Tenn., to Earl D. and Ethel Dickson. Mrs. Gaines came to Oak Ridge in 1946 after marrying her first husband James Lee Frazier in August 1945. Mr. Frazier began work at the K-25 facility in October 1944 shortly after being discharged from the Army during World War II. Three children were born of this union, Lanny Frazier of Oak Ridge, Terry Frazier of Oak Ridge, and Sherry Frazier Harrison of Nashville, all survivors.

Mrs. Gaines was devoted to raising and taking care of her children. Mr. Frazier passed away in April, 1974, after 29 years of marriage.

Mrs. Gaines then married Samuel Lattimore Gaines, also a longtime resident of Oak Ridge and a World War II veteran. They were also married for 29 years until Mr. Gaines passed away in June 2005 at age 86.

At the time of her second marriage, adult stepchildren were added to the family, Elizabeth Harris of Fort Mill, S.C., Samuel L. Gaines of Knoxville, Keith Gaines of Knoxville, and Glenda McNeal of Oak Ridge, all surviving. [Read more…]

Obituary: Patricia S. (Johnson) Carroll

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Patricia S. Johnson Carroll

Patricia S. (Johnson) Carroll

Patricia S. (Johnson) Carroll, age 61, passed away on April 6 at Methodist Medical Center after a brave battle with cancer.

She was born in Paris, France, in 1953, the daughter of Bill Johnson of Dayton, Tenn., and Clara Johnson, of Paris, France. Patricia attended Oak Ridge High School during her junior year and was involved in the Sub-Debs. She graduated from Nurnberg American High School in Nurnberg, Germany, in 1971. She has called Oak Ridge her home since 1972.

Mrs. Carroll was employed with U.S. Nuclear from 1974 to 1977. In 1977, she began her career at the Y-12 facility, where she was employed as a senior procedure specialist until her passing. Mrs. Carroll greatly enjoyed the people she worked with and the many friendships she made. As a parent, Mrs. Carroll was involved in Girl Scouts, Girls’ Club softball, and Oak Ridge High School Marching Band. She loved gardening and needlepoint. [Read more…]

Obituary: John Michael ‘Mike’ Tyl

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John Michael ” Mike” Tyl, age 59, of Knoxville passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at his home.

He was born July 3, 1954 in Oak Ridge, the son of Henry Jacob Tyl and Virginia Frances Nicolay Tyl. Mike was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he worked as an air traffic controller.

Mike realized his dream of receiving his master’s degree in theology from St. Meinrad’s Seminary in Indiana. He also worked as a nurse until health problems prevented his continuing that career. In recent years, he worked as a customer associate for Walmart in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. Mike was an avid hiker and enjoyed hiking in the mountains of Tennessee, California, Colorado, and Germany. He was a devout Catholic and spent his life growing closer to God. [Read more…]

Obituary: Mary Graham Coover

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Mary Graham Coover

Mary Graham Coover

Mary Graham Coover, age 67, died at her home on April 6.

She was born on Nov. 17, 1946, in Tiplersville, Miss. She graduated from Walnut High School in Walnut, Miss., in 1964. Mary moved to Oak Ridge in 1972.

She began as a teller at The Bank of Oak Ridge and moved her way up to loan officer. She became a highly respected mortgage banker, working for NBD and Mortgage Investors Group. [Read more…]

Obituary: Helen Christine Lynch

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Helen Christine Lynch

Helen Christine Lynch

Helen Christine Lynch, age 86, of Oak Ridge, passed away Tuesday, April 8, at Methodist Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 23, 1927, in Etowah, Tenn., the daughter of Clyde Franklin Davis and Hilda Best Davis.

Helen moved to Oak Ridge in 1944, at the age of 16, with her family from Lupton City, Tenn., near Chattanooga. Because of overcrowding, Oak Ridge High School students attended schools in shifts. She attended in the morning hours, worked in the afternoons, and went back to school at night for typing and bookkeeping. [Read more…]

Obituary: Lena A. Henley

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Lena A. Henley

Lena A. Henley

Lena A. Hamby Henley, age 90, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Sunday, April 6, at NHC in Oak Ridge.

Mrs. Henley was born Dec. 15, 1923, in Morgan County. Following the marriage to her late husband, Walter Henley, she moved to Oliver Springs, where she continued to live.

She was a homemaker, a devout Christian mother, and a member of the Jonesville United Methodist Church. She fondly worked in the Outreach program at the church. She also enjoyed cooking, quilting, and gardening. [Read more…]

Obituary: Joan Gibson Sensabaugh

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Joan Gibson

Joan Gibson

Joan Gibson Sensabaugh, age 83, died Sunday, April 6, from complications of pneumonia.

Joan grew up in Detroit, Mich., then lived for many years in Satellite Beach, Fla., before moving to Tennessee. Her heart was in children’s ministry—working in Sunday schools, Good News Clubs, and Christian summer camps. She had the gift of hospitality. Many have enjoyed pleasant meals, good fellowship, and a comfortable bed in her home.

Joan leaves her devoted husband of nearly 13 years, Randall Sensabaugh. She also leaves one sister, four children and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husband Edward Gibson. [Read more…]

Obituary: Troy Charles Estes

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Troy Charles Estes, age 73, a resident of Harriman, passed away Saturday, April 5, at his home, in Harriman.

Mr. Estes was born Oct. 15, 1940, in Swain County, N.C. He moved to Knoxville in 1976 and on to Harriman in 1977, where he continued to live.

Before the move to Tennessee, Mr. Estes graduated from Southwestern Technical Institute in Sylvia, N.C. He moved to Tennessee and began his employment with Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a laboratory tech. He continued his employment at ORNL until his retirement in 1996.

He was a faithful Christian and a member of the Big Emory Baptist Church. He was also a member of the East Fork Masonic Lodge #460 F and AM. [Read more…]