ARCHER CLIFTON 'CLIFF' STEPHENS
March 27, 2020
Archer Clifton “Cliff” Stephens, 98, passed away peacefully at his home in Norris March 27, 2020.
Cliff was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend. He was born on the Cumberland Plateau, March 20, 1922, in Clifty to parents Grover and Addie (Winningham) Stephens. The family soon moved to Cravenstown, where they lived until the coal mines in that area closed in 1932. Cliff always considered himself a “Depression-era Democrat,“ as it was the creation of Tennessee Valley Authority and the building of Norris Dam, which provided his father a job and led to the family moving to Norris in March of 1934. He graduated from Norris High School, playing on the very first NHS basketball team as a senior, coached by Ben Martin. Immediately following his graduation in 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served until the end of World War II. Upon his return to Norris, Cliff entered the University of Tennessee, where he was a walk-on football player. He continued playing football and basketball at Milligan College before returning to graduate from UT. He was a Physical Education teacher and basketball coach at Norris High School from 1948-1952. He kept in touch with many of his former students and players, always interested in their lives and accomplishments. In 1952 he moved his family to Clearwater, Fla., where he opened Stephens Shell Service Station on the corner of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Skyview Avenue. He became a district sales representative for Shell Oil Company and later founded Clearwater Fuel Oil Company. Upon his retirement in 1989, he and Gene moved “home” to Norris to be near their family.
Patriotism and public service were the hallmarks of Cliff’s life. He was always grateful for the opportunities he had been given and worked to make life better for others. He was the first elected Norris representative to the Anderson County Court. During his time on the County Court, negotiations were begun with TVA and Anderson County resulting in the eventual creation of Anderson County Park, as well as the building of a new gym for Norris High School. He taught many Norris area children to swim at a floating crib he built below the Tea Room on Norris Lake.
While living in Clearwater, Cliff served on Sheriff Don Genung’s Civil Service Board, was elected to the Clearwater City Commission, served on the Pinellas County Commission, and was a lifetime member of Sertoma Club International. He was appointed by Governor Reuben Askew to serve on the board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District which manages Florida’s water resources. He coached PAL football and was a supporter of The Florida Sheriff’s Boys Ranch. In honor of his public service to Clearwater, a city park bears his name. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Clearwater where he served as a high school Sunday school teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Chairman of the Executive Board.
Upon moving back to Norris, Cliff served on the Norris Water Commission, the Friends of the Library Board, and taught tennis as part of the Summer Enrichment Program. Cliff and friends worked to replace the original gazebo on Observation Point and created the Norris High School Alumni Scholarship Fund. He especially enjoyed volunteering at the Museum of Appalachia. He was a member of the Norris Religious Fellowship, serving on various committees. Cliff cherished his many friends and always tried to be a friend in return. He was a true “Volunteer,” an encourager, and a mentor. His greatest joy was in his family and the wonderful memories of times together. His great-grandchildren were a source of love and light in his last years,
Cliff was preceded in death by: Beloved wife of 65 years, Gene Lambdin Stephens; infant great-grandson and namesake, Mason Archer Weaver; parents, Grover and Addie Stephens; brothers and sister, Kenneth, Quincey, and Lorene Stephens.
He is survived by his devoted family: Daughter, Amanda (Ron) Weaver; granddaughter, Whitney (Alex) North; grandson, Ben (Brittanie) Weaver; great-grandchildren, Ike and Brynn North, and Mollie and Manning Weaver; brother-in-law, Bill Lambdin of Clearwater; several nieces and nephews; and dear friend, Hope Leab and her family.
The family extends love and gratitude to his compassionate caregivers Alysia, Dixie, Kathy, Theresa and Chandra, as well as the office staff of Visiting Angels and to all of the staff of Covenant Hospice especially his nurses, Angie and Christie.
In honor of Cliff’s life please enjoy a walk in our beautiful surroundings, find an opportunity to contribute to your community or help a neighbor.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to MAWS Cause 124 Deer Trail Lane, Lake City, TN 37769 or the Norris High School Alumni Scholarship Fund 3204 Hinds Creek Road Heiskell, TN 37754
Friends may call at their convenience at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.
A private graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at Norris Memorial Gardens, conducted by Jim Hayes and Reverend David Seiber.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
SHIRLEY ANN WHITIS
March 25, 2020
Shirley Ann Whitis, 79, Clinton, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at her home.
She loved all of her family. Shirley enjoyed listening to the 1960’s and 1970’s music, and being outdoors.
Shirley was preceded in death by: Parents, James and Dora Rector; and sisters, Glenda Corey, Betty Wilder, Hazel Fulton and Marie Rector.
Shirley is survived by: Husband of 59 years, Cortell Whitis of Clinton; son, James Whitis and girlfriend Lee Ann of Clinton; sisters, Thelma Davison of Cincinnati, Ohio, Joyce Leathers of Middlesboro; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
A memorial service for Shirley will be scheduled at a later date.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
BARBARA JUNE SEIBER
March 25, 2020
Barbara June Seiber, 80, Clinton, formerly of Lake City, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at home on Laurel Road.
She was born June 1, 1939, to the late Elmer Otto and Artie Snow Seiber in Briceville. She was a securities auditor for the Department of Energy for 50 years having worked at plants in Portsmouth, Ohio, and Oak Ridge. She was a highly intelligent person who also had great compassion, especially for children. She also cared for both of her parents until their passing. She was a member of Clinch River Baptist Church where she was involved with mission work. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by: Special caregivers, Shawvon Milen and family, and Tammy Sharp and husband Derek; uncle, Kenneth Seiber; and childhood friend, Rose Etta Cox.
Due to CDC recommendations, all services will be private. Burial will be at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Rocky Top is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
ROBERT CLAY (BOB) JONES
March 22, 2020
Robert Clay (Bob) Jones, 82, born June 9, 1937, in Union County, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2020, with his family at his side.
Bob loved his family dearly. He was a long-time member, deacon, and Superintendent of Emmanuel Baptist Church of Powell. Retired from TVK Automotive Warehouse after 44 years. He loved his church, family, fishing, coon hunting, and motorcycles.
He was preceded in death by: Precious granddaughter, Elizabeth Kaye Hughes; parents, Ulys and Dorothy Jones; in-laws, Scott and Cleo Minton; brother, Carl Jones; brothers-in-law, Joe Emert and Walter Brown; sister-in-law, Christine Jones.
He is survived by: Wife of 62 years, Martha Jones; daughters, Diane (Joey) Tipton, Kathy (Johnny) Wilder; granddaughter, Ashley (Seth) Pierson; grandson, Neal (Shannon) Wilder; step-grandsons, Andrew Tipton and Patrick (Megan) Tipton; great- granddaughters, Bailey and Amelia Wilder, and soon to be June 20, Ava Elizabeth Pierson; brother, Cline (Bobbie) Jones; sister, Carol Brown; sisters-in-law, Yvonne Emert and Peggy Jones; and lots of family and friends.
His pallbearers include: Johnny Wilder, Joey Tipton, Neal Wilder, Seth Pierson, Andrew Tipton, and Doug Jones.
Friends may call at their convenience at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton from noon – 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Graveside service will be private at Bells Campground Cemetery.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
LULA ANN CARDEN CATE PULLIAM MARTIN
March 21, 2020
Lula Ann Carden Cate Pulliam Martin, 79, Knoxville, died peacefully at home March 21, 2020.
She was born July 3, 1940, in Lake City.
She is preceded in death by: Parents, Clyde and Gertrude Carden of Lake City; and sister, Dorothy Henderson of Sautee, Ga.
Survivors include: Husband, Jim Martin of Knoxville; three children, Darryl Cate of Novato, Calif., Bruce Cate of Nashville, and Pam Tucker (Greg) of Birmingham, Ala.; two grandsons, who were the love of her life, Andrew Tucker (Hannah) of Birmingham, Ala., and Alex Tucker of Birmingham, Ala.; two sisters, Louise Egner of Clinton, and Betty Taylor of Knoxville; and two children, who loved her very much, Angel Jimenez and Stephanie Ortega of Novato, Calif.
Lula never met a stranger and loved being around people. She worked in several customer service related positions, most recently as a bank teller at the TVA Credit Union prior to her retirement. However, her most cherished role was being Nana. She was a longtime member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Halls and is currently a member at Smithwood Baptist Church in Fountain City. As a girl, she performed gospel music with her sisters, and performed with the Everly Brothers and Archie Campbell, with whom she had a lifetime friendship.
Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City will be open for limited viewing from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday March 23, 2020.
A private graveside service will be held at Norris Memorial Gardens Cemetery and a memorial service will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, alztennessee.org or alz.org.
RONNIE WAYNE PRESSLEY
March 20, 2020
Ronnie Wayne Pressley, 78, Clinton, passed away Friday, March 20, 2020, at his home.
He was born Oct. 8, 1941, to the late Dewey and Mary Bane Bradshaw Pressley in Loudon County. He retired from Y-12 as a carpenter after 25 years of service. He was well known for his craftsmanship in custom cabinetry. He also enjoyed entertaining guests with his shrimp boils. Ronnie was an avid Dale Earnhardt fan. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and was of the Baptist faith. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and adored his great-granddaughter, Pressley Claire. He will be dearly missed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: Brothers, Tony Pressley, Ed Pressley; sisters, Alice Wood, and Brenda Russell.
He is survived by: Daughters, Rhonda Hurst, Darla Fritts and husband Rusty; grandchildren, Danny Hurst, Madison Floyd and husband Jacob, Courtney Ford and husband Parker, Savannah Martin and husband Levi; great-granddaughter, Pressley Claire Floyd; sister, Faye Williams; brother, Gary Pressley and wife Carolyn; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Friends called at their convenience at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton from noon – 4 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2020.
Graveside service will be private at Farmers Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
PAMELA ANN PEARCE
March 18, 2020
Pamela Ann Pearce, 61, Knoxville, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Born Dec. 21, 1958, in Knoxville, she was preceded in death by: Mother and father, Lyla Mauriece Daughtery and Chester Paul Stooksbury; and sisters, Judy Ballew and Shelia Benton.
Pamela is survived by: Her love, James “Eddie” Thompson; daughter, Lacee Christina Campbell; son-in-law, Nick Campbell; grandson and light of her life, Mason Sully Campbell; brother, Don Stooksbury; sister-in-law, Carolyn Stooksbury; and other family and close friends that loved her dearly.
Pamela graduated from Norris High School in 1976 and attended East Tennessee School of Nursing. She was a licensed practical nurse for 18 years and also the owner and sole-proprietor of Working Mothers’ Carpet Cleaning. Later in life, Pamela was an in-home caregiver, which came so naturally to her, as she selflessly cared and loved for those around her.
Pamela was strong, kind, and so courageous and instilled a sense of security in everyone she encountered. Her signature “red lipstick kiss” will forever be with us. She loved all God’s little creatures and would talk about them often. She was a strong believer of Jesus Christ and will be a forever angel to us.
A Celebration of Life and Memorial will be held in the coming months.
We are requesting prayers for peace and comfort and to be surrounded by our precious Lord and Savior.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
CALEB NEAL
March 18, 2020
Caleb Neal, 68, Lake City passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at his residence.
Caleb was born Sept. 26, 1951, in Campbell County to Van Neal and Jeanette Phillips Neal. Caleb attended New Hope Baptist Church and enjoyed drawing, woodworking, horseshoes, fishing, joking, and laughing.
Caleb was preceded in death by: Parents; wife, Mary Neal; and brother, J.L. Beach.
Survivors: Sons, Kevin Neal of Lake City, Robert Neal Sr. of Lake City, William Neal of Lake City; sister, Lisa McDaniels of Maryville; grandchildren, Saraya Neal, Amber Neal, and Robert Neal Jr.
Visitation will be from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.
Funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2020, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy Ault officiating.
Family and friends will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, at Circle Cemetery in Briceville for interment.
