Oak Ridge Today

Virginia Frances Kenealy-Brunkhorst

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Virginia Frances Kenealy-Brunkhorst, age 93, and formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, June 9, at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville.

She was born Feb. 10, 1920, in San Francisco, Calif., the daughter of James Edward Kenealy and Eva Gertrude Plunkett Kenealy.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughter, June Elaine Carson Paulus, and granddaughter, Michele Anne Brunkhorst.

She is survived by son, Melvin W. Brunkhorst of Selma, Ore.; son-in-law, Rex Paulus of Clinton; grandchildren, Sarah Thompson and husband Adam, of Corryton, and Lisa Waltenspiel of Santa Rosa, Calif.; and great-grandson, Mitchell Waltenspiel of Santa Rosa, Calif. [Read more…]

Gregory Paul Giles

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Gregory Paul Giles

Gregory Paul Giles

Gregory Paul Giles, of Oak Ridge, a beloved brother, uncle, and friend, left this life June 7. He passed away in his home. He was born May 12, 1959, and was 54 years old. He left us too soon and will be greatly missed.

Greg was a 1977 graduate of Oak Ridge High School and was a painter by trade. He was an avid Vols fan, a swimmer, runner, and animal lover.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Gayle Giles, and mother, Joanne Perrell Giles. [Read more…]

Valerie Seiber Frederick Sexton

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Valerie Seiber Frederick Sexton, age 55, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Sunday, June 9, at her home.

Valerie was born Sept. 12, 1957, in Oak Ridge. She was a lifelong resident of Oliver Springs.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa Frederick; by her mother, Ethel Thelma Seiber; by a brother, Ronald J. Seiber; and by a step-brother, Doyle Nelson.

Before her disability, she was employed at Methodist Medical Center in the Environmental Services Department. [Read more…]

Martha Katherine Carter

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Martha Katherine Carter, age 48, a resident of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday, June 7, at her home.

Kathy was born on April 5, 1965, in Nashville. She was a lifelong resident of Oak Ridge.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, and she was a member of the Faith Promise Church in Oak Ridge.

Kathy enjoyed riding motorcycles, playing with her dogs, and spending time with family. [Read more…]

Peggy Justice Gibson

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Peggy Justice Gibson

Peggy Justice Gibson

Peggy Justice Gibson, age 66, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Friday, June 7, at her home.

Peggy was born Jan. 21, 1947, in the New River Community of Anderson County. She has lived in Oliver Springs since 1951.

She began her employment at the K-25 Federal Plant in October of 1975, and she continued working at K-25 until December 1981. She transferred to the Y-12 Plant in January of 1982, where she continued to work. She was very appreciative of the management and her co-workers at the Y-12 plant during her illness.

She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and spending time with family and friends. [Read more…]

Mary Elizabeth Sharp

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Mary Elizabeth Sharp

Mary Elizabeth Sharp

Mary Elizabeth Sharp, 81, of Yalaha, Fla., and formerly Oak Ridge, was born March 15, 1932, in Johnson City and died May 23, in Yalaha.

Mrs. Sharp was a homemaker, and she loved to travel. She enjoyed many trips with her husband and her sisters. She organized many family reunions, as well as outings for friends to lunch, movies, and other social gatherings and was the “president” of the Oak Ridge Retail Therapy Group.

She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Oak Ridge and moved to Yalaha in 2006, where she attended the Yalaha Community Church. [Read more…]

James Russell ‘Jim’ Wilson

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James Russell "Jim" Wilson

James Russell “Jim” Wilson

James Russell “Jim” Wilson, age 57, a resident of Oliver Springs, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 5, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Wilson was born Feb. 28, 1956, in Georgetown, Ohio. He has lived in Oliver Springs since 1988.

Mr. Wilson loved his country and served in the United States Army. Before his disability, he was employed as a stamp press operator at Bauman and Harnish Rubber and Plastic Company in Garrett, Ind.

He was a rocket enthusiast and a member of the Great Smokey Mountain Rocket Club. He built rockets, made the rocket fuel, and often blasted them off into the sky. He was also an accomplished woodworker, and he enjoyed playing his guitar and fishing. [Read more…]

Lois Jean Philippone

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Lois Jean Philippone

Lois Jean Philippone

Lois Jean Philippone, a devoted music lover, whose band stopped playing and the dance of life ended at age 89, died on the evening of June 5, with her husband, devoted caretakers, and her Pastor Sharon Youngs of the First Presbyterian Church at her bedside. This was after a long and wonderful life as a teacher, musician, and patron of the arts, world traveler, devoted mother and wife, as well as my best friend for over 64 years.

Lois was born in Casper, Wyo., on March 4, 1924, the daughter of Clayton K. and Jean Reed.

Lois grew up in Wyoming while her parents operated the Oil City Printers in Casper and spent her summers homesteading property around a sheep camp in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. Lois and her mother would run the sheep camp through the week while her father, older sister, and brother would visit on weekends. This developed Lois’ adventurous spirit, as they ran sheep and rode horses through the week while living with other sheep herders and rugged outdoorsmen. I used to warn our friends not to mess with Lois because you have to be tough to survive the harsh winters in Wyoming, and Lois was one tough lady. [Read more…]

James David Brock

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James David Brock, age 63, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Wednesday, June 5, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. Brock was born Jan. 14, 1950, in Oliver Springs. He was a lifelong resident of this area.

Before his retirement, he was employed as a field supervisor for Kesterson Construction Company. James was a motorcycle enthusiast. He also enjoyed restoring antique autos, boating, and most importantly, he loved spending time with his family.

He loved his country and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. While serving he received several medals, ribbons, citations, and commendations, including expert marksmanship (M16). [Read more…]

Anna ‘Ann’ Ruth Garner

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Anna Garner

Anna Garner

Anna “Ann” Ruth Garner, age 76, of Oak Ridge, passed away Monday, June 3, at the Methodist Medical Center surrounded by her family.

She was born January 15, 1937 in Roane County, in the Wheat Community, the daughter of Steve Edward Davis and Hazel Roxie Hamilton Davis.

Mrs. Garner worked for many years at the Children’s Clinic in housekeeping. She also provided private child care for many children as well as being a homemaker in her own home. She was a long time member of Solway Baptist Church. Her passion in life was her family and she enjoyed participating in family activities and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Lee L. Garner, November 28, 2002. [Read more…]