STANTON ‘STAN’ THOMAS III
July 31, 2018
Stanton B. Thomas III, 93, Clinton, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at NCH of Oak Ridge.
Born July 1, 1925, on a farm near Guthrie, Ky., to Frances Carneal Thomas and S.B. Thomas Jr.
In 1933 the family left the farm when his father, with a civil engineering background from Purdue University, began work with the U.S. Geological Survey.
During the next two years the family moved six times while surveying the Appalachians through Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. In 1935 they returned to Guthrie, Ky., the mother’s home.
In 1939 Stan began high school in Clarksville and remained there for three years being elected student body president for his senior year.
In 1942 the family moved to Columbia when his father, as construction supervisor built two Union Carbide plants.
The day following graduation at age 17, Stan enlisted in the U.S. Army in Nashville. For the next three and a half years, he served in the Army going ashore at Omaha Beach in August 1944 as part of Patton’s 3rdArmy. He remained in combat until evacuated and hospitalized in England in December, 1944. He was awarded a Bronze Star medal; combat Infantry Badge; two Bronze Battle Stars; and a Presidential Unit Citation for his combat duty.
Following two months hospitalization he was returned to France with SHAEF Headquarters, seeing duty in Versailles and Rheims, France, and Frankfurt, Germany, as the war ended.
Following discharge in May, 1946, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee in civil engineering and received his B.S. degree in December, 1950, during his tenure at UT he married the former Esther Hall of St. Albans, Vermont, and they had two sons, S.B. Thomas IV and Gary Hall Thomas.
Joining Union Carbide Corp. upon graduation the family lived in Clarksburg, W. Va., Columbia, and Lawrenceburg. They had three more sons during that period; Stephen L. Thomas of Lawrenceburg, Dr. Paul A. Thomas of Franklin, and Mark A. Thomas of Columbia.
Following retirement in 1983, Stan and Ester moved to Charlotte, N.C., and enjoyed three special years with his brother’s family hunting quail and attending UT ballgames.
In 1986 they returned to Tennessee to be closer to his aging parents in Columbia and bought a home in Clinton. It became the site of many family reunions and ballgame attending events.
In September, 1991, Ester succumbed to her long battle with cancer. Two years later, Stan married Gale Doughty, a successful Oak Ridge realtor and they began together in Clinton.
In the years that followed, Gale was converted to a loyal Vol fan and fisherman, as the couple attended all Vol football and basketball home games together.
Stan was very proud of his two wives and five sons and their accomplishments. His community contributions included tenures as both a Junior and Senior Worden at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, and four years’ service on the Clinton Utility Board.
At Stan’s request, there will be no services.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home; www.holleygamble.com
MARY JO HATMAKER
July 31, 2018
Mary Jo Hatmaker, 83, Andersonville, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.
Preceded in death by: Parents, Henry Harrison Ridenour Sr. and Goldie Beatrice Ridenour; brother, Mayo Ridenour; sisters, Lois “Tootsie” Lawson, Georgia Lee Conley; brother, H.H. Ridenour Jr; sisters, Dorothy Terry, Callie Mae Seiber; brother, James Clay Ridenour; children, Sammy Dale Hatmaker, Michael Edward Hatmaker, Myra Kay King, and Rita Fay Hensley.
She is survived by: Sister, Iva Ray Keeton; brothers, Benny Ridenour, Bishop Ridenour, and Larry Ridenour; daughter, Ann Hill and husband John; son, Ernie Charles Norton; grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids, nieces, nephews and special friends.
The family received friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, 2018, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. Services followed at 7 p.m., Larry Ridenour and David Seiber officiated.
Family and friends met at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery for interment at noon.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, www.holleygamble.com
LINDA GOODMAN THOMASON
July 28, 2018
Linda Goodman Thomason, 70, Thompson Station, formerly of Lake City, passed away July 28, 2018.
She attended the University of Tennessee and was formerly the CEO at The Doug Jeffords Company. Linda was born to the late James Goodman and Thelma Terry Goodman.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Mack Thomason.
She leaves behind: Son, James McKinley (Laura) Thomason; daughter, Jessica Morgan Thomason; brother, Terry (Susan) Goodman; and her caretaker, James Edward Jobe.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, with the Rev. Leonard Markham officiating.
Visitation was held two hours prior to services. Burial was at the family farm on Bear Creek Road.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Heifer International. Williamson Funeral Home, 615-794-2289. www.williamsonmemorial.com
SUSAN JEFFERS
July 28, 2018
Susan Jeffers, 72, Clinton, passed away Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
She loved her family, grandchildren and her cat, Bitsy. Susan also loved to read.
Susan was preceded in death by: Father, Loyd Caldwell; and sister, Kathy Caldwell McDougall.
Susan is survived by: Mother, Wanda Caldwell Bulger of Marietta, Ga.; husband, Benny Jeffers of Clinton; son, Scott Jeffers and wife Kristi of Kingsport; daughter, Lori Smith and husband Mack of Powell; brother, Michael Caldwell and wife Melanie of Norcross, Ga.; grandchildren, Jana Smith, Brad Jeffers, Adam Jeffers and Alex Jeffers; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Susan’s family will receive her friends from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in the chapel of Jones Mortuary.
Susan’s interment will follow her visitation at 3 p.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park in Oak Ridge.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
GENE EDWARD MURRAY
July 27, 2018
Gene Edward Murray went to be with his Lord and Savior peacefully at home July 27, 2018.
He was born to parents Ted and Sue Murray on May 1, 1957. He went to Oak Ridge High School. He received his Master’s in Safety from the University of Tennessee. He worked for TOSHA in Knoxville for 19 years as an industrial hygienist. He loved playing sports as a child and adult. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and avid bodybuilder which was his greatest pastime. His loud laughter made everyone else laugh and his friendliness will be missed by all. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by: Mother, Sue Murray; and mother-in-law Estella Melton
Gene leaves behind: Loving wife, Michelle Connie Melton Murray, they would have been married 28 years on Nov. 10, 2018; sister, Susan and husband Danny Phillips; brothers, Jerry and wife Cherry Murray, Adam Murray, John and wife Tina Murray; sisters-in-law, Cheryl and husband Lon Aslinger, Janice Wetherington, Evelyn Hutchison; great-nieces, Alexandra, Courtney, Sierra and Savannah; special great-nephew, Ace; several nieces and nephews.
The family will be receiving friends at Holley Gamble Funeral Home, Clinton chapel from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018, with funeral service at 8 p.m. with Pastor Garvan Walls officiating.
Interment will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Mt. Pisgah Church Cemetery.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
REV. JAMES (JIM) E. PRESSNELL
July 25, 2018
Rev. James (Jim) E. Pressnell, 83, Caryville, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at Cumberland Village Genesis HealthCare.
He was born April 15, 1935, in Caryville to the late Roy and Elizabeth Hatmaker Pressnell. Jim was a member of Shultz Hollow Baptist Church. He ministered churches in Michigan and Tennessee. Jim was a United States Air Force veteran. He retired from General Motors.
In addition to his parents, Rev. Jim was preceded in death by: Sister, Roberta Davis; and brother, Ray Pressnell.
Survivors: Wife, Margaret Pressnell of Caryville; daughter, Gail Dolin of Caryville; sons, Randel Pressnell and wife Batise of Independence, Md., James Pressnell and wife Debbie of Clarksville, Michael Pressnell and wife Kim of Belleville, Mich., Gregory Pressnell and wife Diane of LaFollette; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held from 5 – 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.
Funeral service was at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2018, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charlie Mac Marlow and the Rev. George Asbury officiating.
Interment was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2018, at Campbell Memorial Gardens in LaFollette with Military Honors presented by the Campbell County Honor Guard.
You may also view Rev. Jim’s guestbook online at www.hatmakerfuneralhome.com
Hatmaker Funeral Home, Lake City, was in charge of arrangements.
MURDIS DANIEL PHILLIPS
July 24, 2018
Murdis Daniel Phillips, 48, Rocky Top, passed away suddenly July 24, 2018, at Tennova LaFollette Medical Center in LaFollette.
Murdis enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids. His grandbabies were his life. Murdis was always willing to help people and really enjoyed working on cars.
He was preceded in death by: Mother, Joyce Phillips; and the mother of his children, Tracy West Phillips.
Murdis is survived by: Father, Murdis Phillips of Rocky Top; wife, Cora Phillips of LaFollette; daughters, Kim Phillips and fiancé Dax Kesterson of Rocky Top, Lois Phillips of Knoxville, and Danielle Phillips of Rocky Top; brother, Dale Phillips and wife Cathy of Rocky Top; nephews, Dustin and D.J. Phillips of Rocky Top; grandchildren, Brandon, Nevaeh, Christian, and Ethan Phillips, Jacob and Bella Jordan and Tyler and Katie Jackson; special friend, Johnny Jones; cousins, George Stooksbury and Margie Johnson; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Murdis’ family will hold a celebration of life service at a later date that will be announced by Jones Mortuary in Clinton.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
ELIZABETH TANZELLA ‘PANZY’ ARTHUR
July 23, 2018
Elizabeth Tanzella “Panzy” Arthur, 49, Clinton, passed away peacefully Monday, July 23, 2018, at her sister’s home surrounded by her family.
She was born Nov. 26, 1968, in Knoxville to the late Robert A. Arthur Sr. and Mary Lou Hammons Arthur. Panzy was very special to all who knew her. She loved playing miniature golf, Bingo, staying in a cabin in the mountains, country music and supporting her Anderson County Mavericks. Most of all, she loved her family and friends. Panzy will be forever loved and missed by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors: Sister, Shelia Bolden and husband Robby; brothers, Bob Arthur and wife Kim, Roy Wilson; niece, Beth Arthur and Fiance Clint Daniels; nephews, Robert Lee Bolden and wife Samantha, Michael Arthur; great-nieces, Peyton Daniels, Riley Daniels (due in October), Finley Bolden; special cousins, Betty Spaugy, Velma Crim, Jenny Phillips.
The family would like the thank the staff of Covenant Hospice for their excellent care and support. They would also like to extend a very special “Thank You” to her nurse, Angie T.
Family and friends met at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 2018, at Robbins Cemetery in Dutch Valley for a Graveside Service with the Rev. Larry Webster officiating.
You may also view Panzy’s guestbook online at www.hatmakerfuneralhome.com
Hatmaker Funeral Home, Lake City, wass in charge of arrangements.
