Oak Ridge Today

Norman A. Teasley Sr.

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Norman A. Teasley, Sr.

Norman A. Teasley, Sr.

Norman A. Teasley Sr., 95, a longtime resident of Oak Ridge, passed away on March 18.

He was born Sept. 22, 1917, to parents George Glenn and Bessie Teasley in Anderson, S.C., where he later met and married Lucille Fountain on Aug. 15, 1937.

After the death of his wife Lucille in 1995, Norman and Jane Gurney were married in 1997.

Following his service with the naval shipyards in Norfolk, Va., Norman, Lucille and their two sons, Norman Jr. and Glenn, moved to Oak Ridge in 1945. Until his retirement in 1976, Norman worked for Union Carbide at K-25, and during this time, he developed many specialized spectrometer parts used in analyses to support the war efforts at that time. He was also involved with the construction of the zonal centrifuges used for the separation and enrichment of uranium. [Read more…]

George ‘Bill’ Perry

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George "Bill" Perry

George “Bill” Perry

George “Bill” Perry, age 83, of Lake City, passed away suddenly at his residence on Saturday, March 16.

He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and loved his family dearly. Bill was a gentleman and was a friend to all. He enjoyed collecting all types of music and videos. Bill was of the Baptist faith.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George H. and Clara Perry; wife, Sonya Faye Perry; brothers, James Perry; and sisters, Helen Bryant, Margaret Williams, Nellie Powell, Marie Snow, Edna Bradshaw, and Anna Mae Perry. [Read more…]

Mary Hensley Collett

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Mary Hensley Collett

Mary Hensley Collett

Mary Hensley Collett, age 74, a resident of the Frost Bottom Community in Anderson County, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, March 16, at the Windwood Health Care Center in Clinton.

Mary was born Oct. 18, 1938, in Anderson County. She was a lifelong resident of this area.

Mrs. Collett was a homemaker, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a faithful Christian, a member of the New Mountain View Baptist Church, and a former member of the Frost Bottom Missionary Baptist Church. She was involved in several church activities, usually including the youth and music.

Mary was an accomplished musician, and she enjoyed playing the organ, piano, and accordion. She and her sisters, “The Hensley Family,” sang at area churches for five decades. She also taught music, giving piano lessons to area youth for many years. [Read more…]

Thomas William MacMurdo

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Thomas William MacMurdo

Thomas William MacMurdo

Thomas William MacMurdo, age 73, a resident of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday, March 15, at Methodist Medical Center.

Mr. MacMurdo was born Dec. 31, 1939, in Ellwood City, Pa. He lived in Palmetto, Fla., for 30 years before moving to Oak Ridge in 2008.

Thomas retired in 2005 as a professional truck driver from Commercial Carrier Corporation. He previously owned and operated J&T Trucking.

His hobbies included golfing, and he was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers football fan. [Read more…]

Vickie Arlene Cox

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Vickie Arlene Cox, age 52, of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, March 13, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

Vickie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Kay Carter. [Read more…]

Thane Harrison Sadowski

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Thane Harrison Sadowski, infant son of Nathan and Emily Gott Sadowski, was born Sunday, March 10, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge and passed away Monday, March 11, at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville.

Thane is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Daniel Sadowski.

In addition to his parents, Thane is survived by his half-sister Sierra Sadowski, grandparents Gloria Sadowski and Nancy and Edgar Gott, and several aunts, uncles, and loving family friends. [Read more…]

Michael Eric Braden

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Michael Eric Braden

Michael Eric Braden

Michael Eric Braden, 50, of Oak Ridge, earned his wings Wednesday, March 13, after a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Mr. Braden was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Patricia Hill and Robert Braden. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation ordinance man, where he served 10 years active duty and three years in the Reserves and National Guard. He was very proud of his military service.

Mr. Braden was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, teaching fourth grade Sunday School until his illness progressed. He was an avid sportsman, loved University of Tennessee sports, Pittsburgh Steelers football, and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, but his favorite pastime was caring for their horse Lucky with his daughter. [Read more…]

Frank Weaver

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Frank Weaver, age 76, of Clinton, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 13.

Frank was a member of Midway Baptist church. He enjoyed gardening and working with his hands and was proud that he built his own home.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Weaver; and his wife, Charlotte Weaver. [Read more…]

Margaret P. Williams

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Margaret P. Williams, age 90, passed away Tuesday, March 12, at her son’s residence in Surfside Beach, S.C.

Margaret was of the Baptist faith. She loved animals, flowers, and gardening.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Clara (Barlow) Perry; husband, Dowell Williams; brother, James Perry; sisters, Helen Bryant, Nellie Powell, Marie Snow, Edna Bradshaw, and Anna Mae Perry, one grandchild; and one great-grandchild. [Read more…]

Maude McKenzie Gardner

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Maude McKenzie Gardner

Maude McKenzie Gardner

Maude McKenzie Gardner, 91, of Maryville, died Tuesday, March 12.

She was born to the late Jerome and Bertie McKenzie, on Sept. 28, 1921, in Decatur. Maude married Walter Gardner in 1945, and they lived together in Oak Ridge for 50 years, before relocating to Maryville.

Maude’s working career began at an early age as a school teacher to all grades of a one-room school near the Ten Mile community. She then became assistant to the Decatur postmaster. After moving to Oak Ridge, she was a guardette and calutron operator at the Y-12 facility, then worked at various local retail positions, where she got to know and love many of the locals.

She was an expert seamstress and homemaker. She was also a dedicated Red Cross volunteer, donating her time to help with the needs of our wartime soldiers. Maude was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. [Read more…]