DR. DREW ROBERT PERKERSON
September 11, 2018
Dr. Drew Robert Perkerson, 37, left this world Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018; he died of a sudden medical illness but fought tenaciously for the past several months before succumbing.
His absence leaves family, friends, co-workers, and fellow crossfitters with a tremendous emptiness.
Drew (Drewsyfus, Drewby, Drewford) had a tremendous mental agility; his wit, sarcasm and sense of humor have been enjoyed by us all. Crossword puzzles, trivia, sports, sudokus, fantasy football, music, Apple devices, mathematics, crossfit workouts, Texas Hold’em poker, his work as a Pharmacist at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, movies, pets, Magic Wok in Oak Ridge, and his FRIENDS were his passions.
As sad as his medical struggle and ultimate death have been and are now, Drew still brought joy to us even in death. The opportunity to come to know his many friends, fellow students and co-workers has allowed us to hear their feelings, thoughts and love for Drew first hand. Nothing could have helped us to re-experience what a wonderful “bright light” Drew was and will remain on our memories forever.
Drew graduated ORHS 1999 and subsequently achieved his PharmD degree in 2017; he became a staff pharmacist at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital last year. He worked there also prior to becoming a pharmacist for 14 years on 4 East.
We are certain Drew would want us to tell the world about fantastic quality of medical care he received at The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, the last few months. The respiratory, physical, occupational and speech therapists were so kind and loving during the dire time. The nurses (many) who cared for him in Medical Critical Care became wonderful caregivers and friends; they will never be forgotten. A special thanks to the Intensive Care doctors and many specialists who tried to help Drew overcome this medical monster his illness was.
He is survived by: Mother, Gale Matteson; father and stepmom, Dr. Joel and Anne Perkerson; brothers, Jacob Smiddy, Dr. Jace and Eric Perkerson; nieces, Aysia Davis and Isabella Smiddy; grandmother, Betty Reinoehl; his feline friend, Thor; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who dearly loved him.
A celebratory memorial service was held Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, at First United Methodist Church of Knoxville at 3316 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Family received friends from 1:30 – 3 p.m. to 3 p.m. with celebration following with the Rev. Mark Flynn officiating.
Friends and family are asked to share thoughts, feelings, anecdotes and stories during this celebratory service.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, Drew would be honored with donations to:
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Development
P.O. Box 15010
Knoxville, TN 37902-2010
VESTABETH H. FOUST
September 11, 2018
Vestabeth H. Foust, 89, Clinton, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, at the Beverly Park Place Health and Rehab.
She was born on May 13, 1929, to the late John and Elma Orr Harber in Lee County, Va. Vestabeth was a member of Second Baptist Church in Clinton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: Husband, Aaron “Sonny” Foust; and three brothers.
Survived by: Daughters, Joetta Boone and Jennifer Brewer; grandchildren, David Boone, Adam Boone, Jason Brewer, Elissa McCutcheon; brothers, Aaron Harber and Roy Lee Harber; several great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton with the funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Larry Webster officiating.
The family will have a private burial.
www.holleygamble.com
DORIS VORETA REAGAN GADE STANFILL
September 10, 2018
Doris Voreta Reagan Gade Stanfill, 89, passed away suddenly Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, in her daughter's home in California.
She had been in declining health following a heart attack on her birthday. Born May 20,1929, to parents Celestie Alpha Nelson and Daniel Theodore Reagan, she was the second of nine siblings and one stillborn sister.
She was preceeded in death by: Parents; husbands, Roy E. Gade and Ralph L. Stanfill; brothers, Ted Reagan, Wendel Reagan; and youngest daughter, Carol Ann Gade Barr.
She is survived by: Daughters, Linda Gade Richards (Gary), and Mildred Gade Claunch (Charles); siblings, Clayton Reagan (Lea), Charles Reagan (Margaret), Wanda Reagan Prince, Janet Reagan Sievers (Bill), and twins Ramona Reagan Beasley and Ronald Reagan (Jimmie); grandchildren, Randall Scott Claunch (and great-grandchildren, Jerrie Rose Claunch, Brooklyn Claunch, Ryan Claunch, Thomas Zuber and Nicholas Claunch, and great-great-granddaughter, Nova Claire Ray); plus grandson, William Christopher Barr Phillips (Sarita) of Morristown; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Doris was a homemaker until she became a CNA and worked for 18 years in nursing homes in Knoxville and Oak Ridge. She was like a second mother to her brothers, sisters and many nieces and nephews. She was a long-time member of Riverview Baptist Church. She grew up in Claxton – Anderson County — and also lived in Knoxville, Powell and Karns area until after her youngest daughter's unexpected death in 2009, which hit her very hard. She moved to Sun City, Calif., to live with her oldest daughter, Linda Gade Richards, in February, 2010, where she remained until her death.
Final funeral arrangements are still pending. Doris will be cremated and brought back to Tennessee where she will be buried with her first husband, Roy E. Gade, in the Caledonia Cemetery in Strawberry Plains off Ruggles Ferry Road.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association.
Arrangements by Miller-Jones Mortuary and Crematory, Romoland, Calif.
DEANNA LYNN WARD
September 10, 2018
Deanna Lynn Ward, 47, Caryville, passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2018 at the North Knoxville Medical Center.
Deanna was born on April 9, 1971, in LaFollette. She loved the mountains and four wheeling. Deanna was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors: Father, Martin Ward of Caryville; mother, Lorene Ward of Caryville; sisters, Diane White of Jacksboro, Donna Rutherford and Steve of Caryville; brothers, Buster Ward and Teresa of Clinton, Roger Ward and Angie of Caryville, Jackie Ward of Caryville.
Visitation will be from 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at Hatmaker Funeral Home.
Funeral serviced will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel.
Family and friends will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at Seiber Cemetery in the Shea Community for Deanna’s interment.
You may also view Deanna’s guestbook online at www.hatmakerfuneralhome.com
Hatmaker Funeral Home, Lake City, is in charge of arrangements.
ELIZABETH ANN SUDDATH
September 10, 2018
Elizabeth Ann Suddath, 65. passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
Survivors include her husband, sister, four children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
To leave a note for Elizabeth’s family or to share a memory, please sign the online guestbook at jacksonfuneralservices.com.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ MOORE BIVENS
September 9, 2018
William “Bill” Moore Bivens, 79, Clinton, passed away at his residence Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018.
Bill worked at TVA as an engineer and later retired as Senior Vice President of Hydro and Fossil Fuels Division after 35 years of service. After retirement he worked as an engineering consultant for five years. Bill was a member of Clinton First Baptist Church for 53 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed researching his family’s genealogy, and was an avid gardener that loved to share his knowledge to others about his garden and flowers. Bill also loved traveling with his wife Zora. During his life he had traveled to more than 300 national parks and had visited all 50 states. His greatest love was his family, most of all his seven grandchildren. Bill Bivens will be remembered for his sense of humor and his strong love for family and friends.
Preceded in death by parents, William C. and Alma Bell Bivens.
He is survived by: Wife, Zora Bivens of Clinton; children, Beth Anne and husband Garney B. Scott III of Nashville, Susan and husband Nick Webb of Riceville, Bill Bivens and wife Amy of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Nicklaus Webb, Brennan Scott, Rachel Scott, Ethan Scott, Julianne Webb, Dylan Bivens, and Reagan Bivens; brother, Richard “Dickie” and Joette Bivens.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at Clinton First Baptist Church with funeral services to follow.
His graveside will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, at Eastview Cemetery in Camden.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Christian Service Center c/o Clinton First Baptist Church, P.O Box 268, Clinton, TN 37717.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
NORMA JEAN CLABOUGH
September 9, 2018
Norma Jean Clabough, 73, Powell, passed away Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Tennova North Knoxville Medical Center in Powell.
Norma was a member of Brushy Valley Community Baptist Church. She loved her family and was so proud of her grandkids. Norma was all about family. She enjoyed cooking for her family, sitting outside, and going for drives.
Norma was preceded in death by: Parents, Ballard and Ella Steffey; and sisters, Claudine Trotter and Alma Smiley.
Norma is survived by: Husband, Frank Clabough Jr.; sons, Mark Clabough and wife Becky, Jeff Clabough, and Billy Ray and wife Judy Clabough, all of Powell; brother, Walter Coward of Powell; sisters, Ada Lamb and her husband William of Powell, and Elsie Lamb of Lake City; grandchildren, Wesley Clabough, Gracie Clabough, and Whitney and Will Barnes.
Norma’s family will receive her friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at Jones Mortuary in Clinton with her funeral service immediately following in the chapel of Jones Mortuary at 8 p.m. with the Rev. George Miller officiating.
Norma’s graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at Bells Campground Cemetery in Powell.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
SARAH ELIZABETH (LIBBY) WHITE
September 6, 2018
Sarah Elizabeth (Libby) White, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter of God, passed away Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at her home in Oak Ridge, from heart failure.
A native of Coal Creek, she was married to Briceville native James Eugene (Gene) White for 53 years prior to his death in 2000. Libby raised three sons, was grandma to Jake and Amber and Gamoo to Alex and Conner.
Having previously lived in Daytona Beach, Fla., the site of her wedding to Gene, and later Chicago, Ill., Libby made Oak Ridge her home for more than 60 years. She, along with Gene, devoted many years of service to Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was teacher, counselor, usher, committee chair and worked with United Methodist women and youth. She also served as the President of Women’s Society of Christian Service.Upon the closure of Trinity UMC, she transferred her membership to First Methodist and then Kern Methodist Church.
She assisted her husband Gene in his writing two books on his hometown of Briceville and continued his tradition of providing college scholarships for deserving Briceville students. She later contributed original writings to her oldest son Larry’s book, “We Remember Dad.”
Libby played piano by ear and often accompanied Gene on Lay Leader assignments to small area churches. Gene from the pulpit and Lib providing the music, her sons Larry, Steve, and David all wrote about these memories in Larry’s book.
She met and influenced many at Methodist Hospital, where she was a long-time volunteer and served two terms as President of the Volunteers as well as organizing and participating in their charity fashion shows. Her collection of both bells and dolls, fostered by her sons, filled many hours and often helped others forget their troubles.
She will be missed by her family and multitude of friends, among which are Elementary School classmates Marjorie Adkins, Ilene Cash and Juanita Smith.
Preceded in death by: Husband, Gene; and son, Stephen.
Libby is survived by: Sons, Dr. Larry E. White and his wife Dr. Jackie White, David W. White and his wife Benita White; and grandsons, Alexander and Conner; daughter-in-law, Terri White; grandson Jake; granddaughter, Amber; and sister, Charlotte Blackburn; as well as multiple nephews and nieces.
The family will receive friends at Weatherford Mortuary from 1 – 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. The funeral will begin at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Dan Taylor officiating and the Rev. Walter Willis offering the eulogy.
A private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Kern Memorial United Methodist Church, 451 East Tennessee Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.
