LAWRENCE RAY DAVIS
November 16, 2024
(Lawrence) Ray Davis passed away on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, and was reunited with his beloved “Myrna Lou” to continue their life together. Ray was born on Aug. 13, 1932, in Heiskell.
Dad was a man of many talents and could do absolutely anything. His first “career” was making and running moonshine with his uncle. Being the storyteller he was, this profession was a source of many stories and much teasing from the family through the years. His moonshining career continued into his years in the Navy in which he proudly served from 195155 during the Korean War.
After his military service, Ray worked at Magnet Mills and partnered with his father in their well-drilling business. When Magnet Mills closed, he continued well-drilling before joining Union Carbide at the Oak Ridge X-10 site and later K-25, where he spent most of his career until his retirement.
In addition to all of the above, Dad was a paint and body man, a licensed electrician, a plumber, and a car-
penter, and had a multitude of other talents. He could build or fix anything that needed to be done.
Dad loved his Lord as well as his family. Being a man of deep faith, he looked forward to seeing those who had gone before him, including his wife Lou Davis; his parents, John Ott and Daisy Pearl (Waldrop) Davis; inlaws, Charlie and Ester (Turnbill) Viles; son, Teddy Davis; granddaughter, Kayla Brown; great-granddaughters, Madison and Gracie Brown; sister and brother-in-law, Ramona and Kyle Rutherford; and infant sister, Wanda Davis.
He is survived by his daughter, Kathy Stair; sonin-law, Eddie Stair; number one favorite granddaughter, Stephanie Stair; other number one favorite granddaughter (still hotly debated topic between the girls!) Holly Duren (Matt); great-grandsons, Cooper Duren, Sam Page, and Giovanni Brown; and great-granddaughter, Arianna Brown.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dad’s nurse, Melissa, and his caregiver, Brandy. “Ladies, you have no idea how grateful we are to you both for the care and love you showed toward dad over the last few months.”
The funeral with military honors was held graveside at Norris Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. A procession departed Holley-Gamble Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m.
holleygamble.com.
KAREN ANN DAVENPORT
November 14, 2024
Karen Ann Davenport, 70, of Powell, Tennessee, passed away on Nov. 14, 2024.
She was born on July 30, 1954, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Robert K. Stoker Sr. and Wilma (Steffey) Stoker.
Karen enjoyed giving to her family and friends. She loved doing anything to make someone else feel loved and happy.
Karen loved her music and volunteering at her favorite thrift store, the ReSale Rack Thrift Store in Claxton.
She was a 1973 graduate of Clinton High School. At the time of her death, Karen worked in the mailroom at The (Clinton) Courier News. She made many lifelong friendships while working there.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Davenport; parents, Robert K. Stoker, Sr. and Wilma (Steffey) Stoker; and brother, Robert K. Stoker Jr.
Karen is survived by her sister, Denise Wrasman and her husband, Don; niece, Danielle Donovan and her husband, Kevin; nephew, Philip Wrasman and his wife Katie; and nephew Adam Stoker and his fiancé Megan.
Karen also leaves behind her little dog, Miley.
Karen’s wish was to be cremated, with no services.
DWAIN CARLTON EALY SR.
November 3, 2024
Dwain Carlton Ealy Sr. was born March 23, 1936, and passed away on Nov. 3, 2024, at the age of 88. He was preceded in death by his parents, Datis and Martha Ealy, and his brother, Ronald Ealy. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sally DeWitt Ealy; son, D. Carlton Ealy Jr.; and daughter, Ellen Ealy Petree and husband Dr. Lewis Petree of Winder, Georgia. Other survivors include his grandson Holden Ealy Petree and wife, Meagan Morales Petree, of Dawsonville, Georgia; granddaughter Dr. Margaret Elizabeth Petree and husband, Chandler Thomas Dickerson, of Winder, Georgia, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Dwain grew up in Clinton, Tennessee, and proudly graduated from Clinton High School in 1954. His life was deeply influenced by graduating from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1961, where he was the first in his family to graduate from college. At Tennessee Wesleyan, he was mentored by M.C. “Tip” Smith and Dr. Jack Bowling. Dwain worked his way through college. He played multiple sports. In 1998, he and Sally established the Ealy Scholarship at Tennessee Wesleyan to support other students, inspired by the assistance they had received. They wanted to show that ordinary people (an insurance salesman and a schoolteacher) did not have toberichtogiveahandup to others, just as they had been given. TWC changed their lives. Dwain was president of the Tennessee Wesleyan Alumni Association in 1969, and a proud member of the Tennessee Wesleyan Advisory Board. In 2011, he and Sally received the Friend of Wesleyan Award, which recognizes those who gave their time, talent and resources to Tennessee Wesleyan.
Dwain was a veteran of the Air Force and the Tennessee Air National Guard. He was deployed to Germany in 1961 when the Berlin Wall was being built, and his deployment happened shortly after he and Sally married. She later joined him in Germany and in their 20s as newlyweds, they stood on top of the Eiffel Tower with grateful hearts for their blessings.
Following his military service, he and Sally came home to Athens to build a life and family together, where he began a successful career in insurance sales that lasted more than 55 years with Connecticut Mutual and Mass Mutual insurance companies.
Additionally, in 1976 he began a 40-year career with AFLAC. He enjoyed sales, and especially serving his clients and building relationships with them, and so they often became friends. Dwain never met a stranger and always had time to talk. Dwain also had strong convictions on various topics, which he shared, too. From 1972-1977 Dwain served on the McMinn County Council, while having a young family. He also served on the Woods Memorial Hospital Board of Directors from 1979-1988. His advice to Ellen was to go into health care, which she did and then met her future husband.
He cherished his 64-year membership in Keith Memorial United Methodist Church where he found a church family, sang tenor in the Chancel Choir for more than 50 years, and served on several church committees.
Dwain was a dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club of Athens for 59 years, with 56 years of perfect attendance. He served as president and lieutenant governor and attended four Kiwanis International meetings. He joyfully led the singing during meetings and was a top ticket seller for the annual Kiwanis pancake breakfast and Kiwanis barbeque fundraisers, where he worked on many committees. He believed in this unique service club that continually works to improve the lives of children, youth and the community. He loved being an active part of Kiwanis. In 2002, he was honored with the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award.
Dwain deeply loved his Lord, his family, his church and being outdoors. When not working or at choir practice or volunteering, you could find him farming, mowing, bush-hogging, chopping wood, gardening and giving away tomatoes and other vegetables to friends. Into his 80s you would find him bicycling for miles (on his tricycle) along the country roads of Pond Hill and the Tranquility community in Athens.
He fiercely loved his children and grandchildren and always had a proud story to share about them. He also cherished his relationship with his son-in-law, Lewis.
Dwain was an avid NASCAR fan, attending many races over the years, and always kept up with all sports, which he shared with son Carlton. He and Carlton spent countless hours watching ballgames, discussing politics, analyzing the stock market, and discussing history and political science, along with many other things. Dwain was an avid reader with multiple interests.
The family would like to especially thank Golden Touch caregivers Holly Enten, Donna Canada and Krystal Rogers for their personalized care, and the many nurses and caregivers of NHC Athens for their combined loving care of Dwain and our family.
A celebration of Dwain’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
For those who wish, a memorial contribution may be made to Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1, Athens, TN 37371, or to the Ealy Scholarship, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Advancement Office, 204 College St., Athens, TN 37303, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Services of Athens is honored to serve the family of Dwain C. Ealy.
Odis Weaver
November 3, 2024
Odis Weaver was born in Coal Creek TN on December 5, 1930, to parents Virgil and Hettie Weaver. He departed this life on November 3, 2024, surrounded by family.
Odis was preceded in death by his loving wife of 72 years Frankie Weaver.
He is survived by sons Stanly Weaver and Lynn (Becky) Weaver along with many grandchildren, sister Linda Randolph and brother Bob Weaver and nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. John R Blake Jr. and Amedisys Hospice for the wonderful care he received.
Interment will be private.
www.holleygamble.com
RODNEY STEVEN SMITH
November 1, 2024
Rodney Steven Smith, 68, of Clinton, Tennessee, passed away Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was born Oct. 30, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, to Matthew and Onelda Smith.
Rodney loved cooking and was an avid musician. He also enjoyed raising koi fish. A Navy veteran, he formerly worked at Red Lobster in Oak Ridge.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother James Oscar Smith. He is survived by his brother, Wayne Smith, and wife Linda of Knoxville, Tennessee; sisters, Juanita Prewitt of Clinton, Tennessee, and Rheba McClain of Taylor, Michigan; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Raccoon Valley Church of God, with Pastor Shannon Daniels officiating.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton, Tennessee, is serving the family of Rodney Steven Smith.
HAZEL CUNNINGHAM JOHNSON
October 30, 2024
Hazel Cunningham Johnson, 89, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 30, 2024, at NHC of Oak Ridge. The beloved matriarch of her family she will be missed vehemently.
Hazel cared deeply for everyone she met and made friends at every outing. She leaves behind so very many, and her influence on others was often profound.
Hazel graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1957, when she began a 30year teaching career. Hazel served tirelessly in the An-
derson County School District, and taught thousands of students in that time. She was a proud lifelong member of Delta Kappa Gamma.
On June 29, 1957, Hazel married Roy Oliver Johnson, remaining his devoted wife for 64 years until his death on Oct. 18, 2021.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Edwin Cunningham, and his wife, Vivian.
She is survived by her son, Roy Steven Johnson, and his wife, Kandi; grandchildren, Riley and Sadie; step-grandsons, Britt and Alex Allen; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Johnston (Bob) and Edith Belle Woods (Tommy); several nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. The family is also so very grateful for the love and friendships that she forged in her neighborhood.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Baptist Wee Ministry, 225 N. Main St., Clinton, TN 37716
Elaine Jean Girman
October 30, 2024
Elaine Jean Girman, 85, passed away on October 30, 2024. Born in Griffith, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Gerrit Bakker and Jennie Bakker. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her late husband: Albert Girman, and siblings: Al Bakker, John Bakker, Jerry Bakker, and Eleanor Stooksbury.
Elaine is survived by her three children: John VanKanegan (Rebecca), Joan Levesque (Lou), and Michelle Mikrut (Don); three grandchildren: Morgan Smith, Danny Mikrut, and Samantha Mikrut; two great grandchildren: Ryleigh Smith and Ashton Smith; and one sister: Jeannie Postema (David).
Elaine was a retail manager for many years. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. The family would like to thank Quiet Oaks Health Care Center in Crawford, GA for their exceptional care and service to Elaine. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com
Dennis Ray Baker
October 29, 2024
Dennis Ray Baker
May 10, 1941 — October 29, 2024
Clinton
Dennis Ray Baker, age 83 of Clinton, TN passed away on Tuesday October 29, 2024 in Clinton, TN. Dennis was born in Clinton Tn in 1941 to the Late Homer and Nora Baker. Dennis was a loving father and grandfather, he loved gardening and fishing and he also enjoyed putting together Model – A’s. Dennis was certainly a Mr. Fix It and he told many stories about his grandfather. Dennis served in the Army National Guard for 30 years, he worked for TDOT for 30 years from where he retired.
Along with his parents Dennis is preceded in death by his wife Laura Baker and sister Kay Akers. He is survived by his son David Baker and wife Judy of Athens, TN, Daughters Denise Wadsworth of Clinton, TN and Dana Bell of Clinton, TN, sister Joyce Somero and husband Ken of Quincy, FL. Grandchildren Jonathan Bell and Alexander Bell
The family will receive friends on Thursday November 7, 2024 in the chapel of Jones Mortuary from 6 – 8 pm. Dennis’s graveside will be on November 8, 2024 at 11 am at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Powell TN.
