Esther Leota Simes O’Bleness, age 102, of Oak Ridge, was born July 25, 1910, in Wheatland, Wyo., and passed away Tuesday, March 19, at Greenfield Assisted Living, where she had been a resident for many years.

She and her husband Oscar “O.E.” O’Bleness lived in many states before coming to Knoxville and then moved to Oak Ridge in the early 1950s. She and her husband eloped Aug. 6, 1928, in Pryor, Okla. They had been married 65 years at the time of his death.

Esther was a legend at Kimball’s Jewelry Store, which she managed for many years before her retirement. She was also a jewelry appraiser. Upon moving into Greenfield Assisted Living, she ran the gift shop for several years.

She and her husband were longtime active members of Trinity United Methodist Church and were involved in many of the church activities until it closed in 2008, at which time her membership was transferred to the First United Methodist Church. She was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #390. [Read more…]