Oak Ridge Today

Obituary: Wilson Jules ‘Mel’ Melancon Jr.

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Wilson Jules "Mel" Melancon Jr.

Wilson Jules “Mel” Melancon Jr.

Wilson Jules “Mel” Melancon Jr., age 77, of Oak Ridge, passed away Dec. 15, 2013, at the Methodist Medical Center.

He was born in Houma, La., on Feb. 14, 1936.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson Jules Melancon Sr. and Laura Augusta Rodrigue, and siblings, Jennie (Hattie) Lombas, Helen (Flo) Christensen, Laura Mae Lombas, Berkley Joseph Melancon, Curtis Paul Melancon Sr., Raymond Charles Melancon Sr., and Gladys Marie Melancon.

He is survived by his wife, Estella Melancon of Westwego, La.; his son, Brett Melancon and wife Beth; and three grandchildren, Blake, Bradley, and Ashley Melancon of Knoxville. He is also survived by his siblings, Ruddy Aude Melancon and Patricia (Patsy) Louise Benson of Louisiana. [Read more…]

Obituary: O.M. ‘Pee Wee’ Vermillion

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O.M. "Pee Wee" Vermillion

O.M. “Pee Wee” Vermillion

On Dec. 17, 2013, Otis Marvin Vermillion, age 84, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Laverne Vermillion, had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in the afternoon, and he was then called home to Heaven in the early evening hours.

He was a devoted husband, loving father, and amazing grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family and life and lived it to the fullest.

O.M. “Pee Wee” was employed at the Y-12 plant for 38 years. He was an avid pilot and motorcyclist. As a longtime member of Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, he served the Lord in many capacities over the years. [Read more…]

Obituary: Lynda Mosley

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Lynda Jean Mosley, age 68, of Clinton, took her last breath in this body and her next breath in her new body on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

She enjoyed listening to and singing gospel music, and Lynda, when asked, was always willing to pray over food at the dinner table. She was a member at Beechfork Holiness Church in Wartburg, Tenn. She won numerous certificates and trophies of accomplishments from Emory Valley Center in Oak Ridge.

Lynda was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Susie Mosley, and brothers, Garry Lin Mosley, and Charles “Butch” Mosley Jr. [Read more…]

Obituary: Gwen Ann Hacker

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Gwen Ann Hacker, age 50, a resident of Harriman, and formerly of Oliver Springs and Kingston, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at her home.

Gwen was born July 4, 1963, in Madisonville, Ky. She has lived in Tennessee since 1976.

Before her disability, she was employed as a electrician at Clark Electrical. She was also previously employed from local labor union # 818, in Knoxville.

She was a artist who especially enjoyed oil painting and sketching. [Read more…]

Obituary: Harriet Sturgis Bolt

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Harriet Sturgis Bolt

Harriet Sturgis Bolt

Harriet Sturgis Bolt, age 86, of Oak Ridge, passed away Monday, Dec. 16, 2013, at her home.

She was born Sept. 25, 1927, in Sarasota, Fla., the daughter of Genevieve Higel and Voltaire Delaware Sturgis.

Mrs. Bolt retired from the Clinton Elementary Schools, where she was a teacher. She was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church and a volunteer with Methodist Medical Center in the Gift Shop. She enjoyed playing bridge and was a member of the Oak Ridge Bridge Association and several bridge clubs, as well as a member of the Power Squadron.

As a graduate of Florida State University, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and active with the alumni group. She was also active with the Oak Ridge Garden club and enjoyed wildflowers and gardening, and sewing and cross-stitch. She and her husband, Samuel Eugene Bolt, who passed away in 2007, were extensive travelers to places around the globe. In younger years, she was an avid golfer and enjoyed swimming and boating. While raising her family, she taught piano lessons and conducted recitals. She was also active with the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association (ORCMA). [Read more…]

Obituary: Ada Katherine Davis Farnham

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Ada Davis Farnham

Ada Davis Farnham

Ada Katherine Davis Farnham died in Oak Ridge on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013.

She was 91 years young. Ada was born in Rose Hill, Va., on May 30, 1922, to Sylvan Theron Davis and Icy Janette Fee Davis. She graduated from Thomas Walker in 1939, and attended Radford State Teachers’ College and Lincoln Memorial University, where she met Robert Mote Farnham, and they were married in 1943. They enjoyed 70 wonderful years together. Ada and Bob (Red) were very active members of First Baptist Church for more than 50 years. They both served there as teachers and deacons. They enjoyed everyday life, traveling, square dancing, laughing, loving, and gardening together.

Ada had teaching degrees in home economics, science, and special education. She taught in Rose Hill, Va., and also at Tyson Junior High School in Knoxville, but most of her teaching career was at Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center in Oak Ridge, where she taught for more than 20 years.

Ada Farnham was an intuitive person of great energy and enthusiasm who loved to share the good things in life and bring opportunities of joy to other people, especially family, friends, children, and students. She dispensed new experiences, food, flowers, fruit, and hugs to all who would accept them. She had an enduring love of family, friends, and making good memories. Positive, optimistic, and with a good sense of humor, she did her best to maintain and share strong family relationships and enrich friendship connections. [Read more…]

Obituary: William Edward ‘June’ King Jr.

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William Edward "June" King Jr.

William Edward “June” King Jr.

William Edward “June” King, Jr. was born in Boonesville, Miss., on May 28, 1950, and departed on Dec. 15, 2013. He resided in Oak Ridge.

Sunrise, May 28, 1950—Sunset, December 15, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William King Sr. and Georgia Mae King, and sister, Georgia Marie King.

He was a journeyman machinist at Martin Marietta Energy Systems and Boeing. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, a rescue unit, for several years. He enjoyed car racing, working on cars, and watching television and movies. He also enjoyed spending time with family and friends and his first granddaughter. [Read more…]

Obituary: Malisia Johnson Hedden

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Malisia Ann Hedden

Malisia Ann Hedden

Malisia Johnson Hedden, age 64, of Clinton, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.

She was born to the late Inez Johnson and Lee Johnson on March 18, 1949, in Oak Ridge.

Malisia had a successful medical career for many years, working in orthodontics before retiring in 2010. She was a member of Solway Baptist Church in Solway.

In her pastime, she enjoyed reading and writing poetry and was published by multiple sources and has poems listed in The National Library of Poetry. She also enjoyed crafting, collecting “Gone With the Wind” memorabilia, and traveling—particularly to the beach and the Rocky Mountain region of the western United States. Family and friends were Malisia’s passion and delight. She spent a great deal of her time with her grandchildren, and regularly attended their sporting and special events. She also loved to host and entertain during the holidays. [Read more…]

Obituary: Hollis Ray Southern

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Hollis Ray Southern

Hollis Ray Southern

Hollis Ray Southern, age 88, of Oak Ridge, passed away Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, at the Methodist Medical Center.

He was born Jan. 9, 1925, in Middlesboro, Ky., the son of Mabele Harris and Robert Lee Southern.

Mr. Southern served his country with service in the U.S. Army from 1946–1947.

After 39 years of loyal service, he retired from Union Carbide Corp., where he was a chemical operator. He was an avid gardener and handyman, helping to build Southern Boat Dock in Rutledge. He started collecting coins as a young boy and before it ever became popular, Mr. Southern was a couponer—always looking for good deals. He was also an animal lover and enjoyed cooking. [Read more…]

Obituary: Lindon E. ‘Sonny’ Hamrick Jr.

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Lindon E. “Sonny” Hamrick Jr., age 74, of Clinton, formerly of Johnson City, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at Golden Living Center–Windwood in Clinton.

Lindon was a member of Skyland Heights Baptist Church in Johnson City, where he played the trombone and sang in the choir. Lindon loved music. He began playing the trombone in fifth grade and continued playing throughout college. For more than 20 years, Lindon played his trombone with the YMCA orchestra in Greenville. For 10 years, he played with the Community Band in Greenville and Johnson City. Lindon also enjoyed sports and staying fit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindon Sr. and Audrey Hamrick; sister, Patsy Hamrick; special brother-in-law, Rondol Loy; great-nephew, Tony Williams; and former wife, Judy Hamrick. [Read more…]