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Obituaries

IMOGENE BROYLES FERGUSON

Imogene Broyles Ferguson, 77, Campbell County, passed away Friday, March 2, 2018, at her residence.

She was born March 4, 1940, in Pioneer to the late Curtis and Marie Meredith Broyles.

Imogene was a member of Willowbrook Baptist Church. She was loved working in her garden and owers.

In addition to her parents, Imogene was preceded in death by: Son, Ricky Ferguson; and sister, Eyvonee Broyles.

Survivors: Husband, Bill Fer-guson of 59 Years of Pioneer; daughters, Angie Ferguson of Pioneer, Andrea Ferguson of Pioneer; son, Edward Fergu- son of Lake City; brother, Terry Broyles of Brazil; grandchil- dren, Colby Ferguson, Hunter Ferguson, Teddy and Monica Ferguson, Tabitha and John Branch, Chessisa Ferguson; eight great-grandchildren; special friends and caregiv- ers, Trina, Trisha, Toni, Lisa, Debra.

Visitation was from 5 – 8 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.

Funeral service was held at 8 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2018, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roger Leach and the Rev. Steve Mor- gan of ciating.

Friends and family met at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Meredith Cemetery in Pio- neer for interment.

You may also view Imo- gene’s guestbook online at www.hatmakerfuneralhome. com

Hatmaker Funeral Home, Lake City, was in charge of ar- rangements

HAROLD ‘RAY’ BLAKNEY

Harold “Ray” Blakney, born Nov. 18, 1946, died following a lengthy battle with Alzheim- er’s Disease at the Tennes- see State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro, March 2, 2018.

Ray, who hated to be called Harold, was born in a hospital in Corinth, Miss., not because he was from Mississippi (he’d happily tell you he was not) but because it was the closest hospital to his family home in Counce, Hardin County.

He was the third child of Raymond Odle Blakney and Eula Mae Carson Blakney. His father, Raymond, was a World War II Navy veteran and welder and his mother, Eula, became a nurse after the birth of their three children. Ray was, no- tably, the grandson of Oscar Blakney (aka “Big Six”), the notorious 6’6” Hardin County deputy sheriff who was univer- sally acknowledged as some- one not to be messed with.

Ray grew up in Counce, where he was a member of First Baptist Church, and no matter where his life took him, whether the elds of Vietnam or the mountains of East Ten- nessee, he always consid- ered Hardin County home. A Tennessean through and through, he was proud to say that he had lived in all three grand divisions of the State of Tennessee, having resided in his hometown of Counce, as well as Martin, Memphis, Knoxville, and Murfreesboro. Ray graduated from Pickwick Southside High School in 1964, where he played both basketball and baseball. For a relatively short fellow, he was one heck of a ball player and could be counted on to never, ever miss a free throw. In fact, he often yelled liberally and colorfully at the television or in person at basketball games when players were unreliable on the line because, as we all knew from Ray, “free throws win ball games.”

After graduating from high school, Ray enrolled in the fall of 1964 at the University of Ten- nessee at Martin, but the Unit- ed States Marine Corps would later have other plans for him. After spending a year in col- lege (where his grades might or might not have been some- thing to write home about), he left Tennessee to work and earn money for his continued education at the Inland Steel Company in Indiana Harbor, Indiana. After about a year of that particular type of edu- cation, he decided college sounded just ne after all, and returned to Martin. However, after approximately six months back in college, Ray felt called to serve his country. He enlist- ed in the United States Marine Corps in 1966 and enjoyed a new haircut and a lengthy stay at Parris Island, courtesy of the United States government. After completing boot camp at Parris Island, Ray went on to infantry training at Camp

Lejeune. He was then selected to attend military journalism school at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, where he earned some college credit and began a love for journalism that would later serve him well. In January of 1967, between boot camp and deployment, he married his childhood sweetheart, Kay (Rich) Blakney of Savannah and, though they would ulti- mately divorce later, the two were married for 46 years and raised two children together. From June 1967 until July 1968, Ray served in Vietnam as a military journalist, both writing for the Marine Corps and leading the dangerous task of escorting civilian jour- nalists as close to the front lines of battle as they dared. His work was published in the US military newspaper Stars & Stripes and the USMC’s week- ly Sea Tiger newspaper, which was disseminated through- out Vietnam during the war. He spoke of the erce nature of the journalists who often wanted to push the boundar- ies of their own personal safety (and his) to accurately report on the status of the war. Dur- ing his time in Vietnam, he was assigned to the headquarters of the First Marine Division in Danang and he took captivat- ing photos and—occasionally, but not often--told spellbind- ing stories of his service and of the brave service of others. He even still had a bit of shrapnel in his back which was larger than the tiny butter y tattoo he bravely procured in his youth. One of the few times his family ever saw him cry was when he visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, where he located the names of those he knew who were lost in battle.

Upon returning from Vietnam, Ray served the nal months of his enlistment in Atlanta. He had enlisted as a Private, but in the course of two years he attained the rank of Sergeant. Although he reported that his superior of cers encouraged him to consider a military ca- reer, Ray declined. In fact, he said that he was told he could “shoot right up” in leadership, but Ray said he’d had “quite enough of shooting, thank you very much.” The Tennessee boy had been away from home long enough at that time, and it was back to Tennessee for him. Armed with the GI Bill and a newfound respect for educa- tion that did not involve dodg- ing bullets, Ray was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1968 and returned to UT Martin with a renewed sense of purpose and a well- earned appreciation for life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1971. He then continued to take advantage of Uncle Sam’s educational generos- ity and enrolled in law school at the University of Memphis (then Memphis State Univer- sity), where he earned his Doc- tor of Jurisprudence in 1974. He practiced law in Memphis for about 15 years and served his community on countless charitable organizations and boards, including service as president of the USO, as a member of the Rotary Club, Elks Lodge, and the VFW, and as board president for the Frayser-Millington Mental Health Center. He also spon- sored teeball teams for longer than anyone can remember and faded yellow baseball jerseys bearing his name can likely still be seen in Memphis to this day.

In his many years in Mem-

phis, he delighted in playing sports. Some he played well (tennis) and others he played poorly (golf), but he always played with enthusiasm. He loved attending Memphis State basketball games, par- ticularly in the 1980s, and he was a champion card player with an inscrutable poker face. He also loved being part of an award-winning Memphis in May barbeque cooking team for years and he competed not only in Memphis but also in contests as far away as Ireland with the friends he consid- ered his brothers on the team. After practicing law in Mem- phis, Ray moved back to his home county where he accept- ed a new challenge. He joined the staff of The Courier in Sa- vannah as the sports editor. While there, he loved watch- ing and reporting on sports at every level and ultimately garnered the Tennessee Press Association’s award for Ten- nessee’s best sports report- ing in his division, a rst for the The Courier. After several years, Ray moved to Knoxville and joined the staff of the Cou- rier News in Clinton and, again, earned that paper its rst statewide divisional recogni- tion for best sports reporting in the State of Tennessee. While living in Knoxville, he hiked Mt LeConte more times than he could count and won a compe- tition to name the Knoxville Ice Bears, the professional hockey team which continues to play to this day under the name Ray proudly submitted.

Ultimately, however, his large heart would prove to need a tune up in 2011 and, following a lifesaving bypass surgery by the VA doctors in Nashville, Ray decided to hang up his camera and notepad and enjoy life as a full-time retiree. After his recovery and before his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, he enjoyed some of his hap- piest days. He adored doting on his family, particularly his grandchildren. He took long walks with his dogs and taught his grandkids how to dance like no one was watching and to sing like no one had hearing. Just as he had done with his own children, he also taught them at very tender ages how to play poker, to double down and bluff when you need to, to look people in the eye when you speak to them, to remove your hat when the National An- them is playing, and to other- wise avoid taking life too dang seriously.

Ray was a lifelong baseball fan, particularly of the Dodgers (and still obstinately referred to them as the Brooklyn Dodgers despite their move to LA many decades ago). As his illness progressed, he loved spend- ing time with his family visit- ing great American cities and great American baseball sta- diums, particularly during trips to Cooperstown, Denver, Bal- timore, and Washington, DC.

He could wiggle his ears on command, could sing ev- ery Elvis song ever recorded, and once won an RC Cola and Moonpie Festival Dance Com- petition in Bell Buckle. If you think he didn’t brag about that often, you would be wrong. In addition to the love of his fam- ily, he lived for ice cream, Diet Cokes, Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies, Hershey’s Choco- late Bars, cat sh plates on Fri- days, and cheeseburgers with mustard and pickle.

His favorite people were usually women and, other than the women to whom he was related by birth or marriage or the nurses who cared for him at the VA, his favorite women in the world were Dolly Parton, Martha Stewart, Hillary Clinton, and Allison Krauss. Clearly, he had a thing for blonds.

Ray’s mother and father and his sister Janice Blakney Swift

pre-deceased him, as well as his beloved dog Josie, whom he technically (but affection- ately) stole from his nephew Greg. He is survived by his daughter Tasha Blakney and her husband Michael and their two children Caroline and Ka- tie (“the Muf ns”) of Knoxville; his son Matthew and his wife Kelly and their two children Lu- cas and Lilly of Murfreesboro; his brother Lowell Blakney of Counce and his family; his beloved nieces and nephews Tim, Greg, Jana, Chris, Carol, and Angie, along with their families, most of whom con- tinue to reside in West Ten- nessee. He also had friends and caregivers who were like family to him, including the very special members of the healthcare team at the Ten- nessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro, where Ray resided during the last stages of his disease.

Having lost both his father and his sister to the ravages of Alzheimer’s, Ray knew what his own diagnosis meant. Yet, until the very end, he never lost the sparkle in his eyes or the grin on his face. He joked, danced, and irted relentlessly with the women at the VA, in- cluding those who were actu- ally there to visit their own hus- bands, which came as no sur- prise to those who knew him best. On the night of his pass- ing, he spoke to the angels he saw surrounding him in his room then simply stated, “I’m ready to go,” as he peacefully passed into the next world.

Ray Blakney will be laid to rest among the members of his family who went before him at Shanghai Cemetery in Counce on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., where he will re- ceive military honors. Shackl- eford Funeral Directors will be handling arrangements. The family expresses gratitude for any tributes you wish to make on behalf of Ray’s memory, and requests that you con- sider his preference that dona- tions be made in his honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis or to First Baptist Church in Counce. Semper Fi.

A Graveside Service was held March 6, 2018, at the Shanghai Cemetery in Counce.

MARGARET ANN OVERBAY

Margaret Ann Overbay, 70, Tazewell, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, at Tennova LaFollette Health and Rehab Center in LaFollette.

Margaret enjoyed painting and woodworking and could make anything.

She was preceded in death by: Parents, James “Buddy” Overbay and Christine Over- bay; and brother, Harold Over- bay.

Margaret is survived by: Sister-in-law, Marilyn Overbay; special aunts, Ella Wells, Billie Nance, and Pat Carson; niec- es, Rebecca and Christina; as well as a host of other family members and friends.

Margaret’s family held a graveside service Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Peace- ful Rose Garden Cemetery in Oneida with the Rev. Tom Re- ece of ciating.

Jones Mortuary in Clinton was in charge of all arrange- ments. Condolences can be made to the family at www. jonesmortuaryllc.com

KENNETH RAY FOUST

Kenneth Ray Foust, 74, Clin- ton and Knoxville, passed away Feb. 27, 2018, surrounded by family and loving friends.

Ken was very religious and was looking forward to being in the presence of his Lord, Jesus Christ. Ken lived a life of service to his fellowman, helping any and all who knew him. He was a valiant crusader for the truth. He had a unique sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He was a man of many talents and vo- cations, from doing paralegal work to being a security guard. Ken was proud to be a mem- ber of the Clinton High School class of 1961. He was proud to have served as a Marine and proud to be a citizen of the United States of America.

Ken was preceded in death by: Mother and father, Anna Mae and Eugene Foust; broth- er, Dan Douglas Foust; and nephew, Todd Gordon Foust.

He is survived and will be deeply missed by: Brothers, E. Gordon Foust and wife Linda Brimer of Morristown, David Lee Foust and wife Dominique of France; sister, Elizabeth “Suzi” Foust Stevens of Knox- ville; 11 nieces and nephews; lots of loving cousins, extend- ed family and friends.

The family received friends from 2 – 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4, 2018, at Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your fa- vorite charity and do an act of kindness in Ken’s name.

Gentry Griffey Funeral Cha- pel is honored to serve the Foust family and invites you to view and sign their online guestbook at gentrygriffey. com.

GLADYS WINDQUIST WEBSTER

Gladys Windquist Webster, 87, Oak Ridge, passed away peacefully Feb. 23, 2018.

A loving wife and mother, Gladys was born April 17, 1930, in Paris, Michigan. She was the daughter of Albin A. Windquist (d. 1978) and Emma Nyman Windquist (d. 1937).

Gladys attended Owosso College in Michigan, where she met her husband to be, Roy B. Webster. They married in Au- gust of 1950. Roy and Gladys pastored Wesleyan Churches, primarily in the East Michigan District for many years.

Preceding her in death: Hus- band of 61 years, the Rev. Roy B. Wester (d. 2011); two sisters, Elsie House (d. 2016) and Beatrice Finch (d. 1999); two brothers, Everett Windquist (d. 2009) and Edwin Windquist (d. 2011).

Surviving are: Four daugh- ters, Cinda Yoars of Knox- ville, Carolyn Oswald (Terry) of Macungie, Penn., Cathryn Webster of Crossville, and Cheryl Moeller (Robert) of Bar- rington, Ill.; 11 grandchildren, Aimee Baker (Richard), Chris- topher Yoars (Katie), Cath- ryn Miller, Cassandra Miller, Caleigh Miller, RJ Moeller (Whitney), Melissa Briggs (Stephen), Brent Moeller (Jes- sica), Andrew Moeller (Tiffany), Megan Moeller, and Macken- zie Moeller; and seven great- grandchildren, Daniel, Joanna, Evelyn, Benjamin, Emma, Jackson, and Brooks.

The family received visitors from 1- 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, prior to the 2 p.m. service of remembrance at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, 621 S. Charles Seivers Blvd., in Clinton.

Pastor David Speas of ci- ated. Interment was held at Sunset Cemetery, in Clinton, immediately following the ser- vice.

The family would like to thank the physicians and staff at Methodist Hospital and NHC in Oak Ridge and Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville for your kind and lov- ing care.

In lieu of owers please make memorial contributions to Clinton First Wesleyan Church, 821 Fowler St., Clin- ton, TN 37716.

Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.

www.holleygamble.com

THOMAS D. BAGWELL (TOMMY)

Thomas D. Bagwell (Tommy) 84, went peacefully to be with the Lord Tuesday Aug. 29, 2017.

He was preceded in death by: Father, Lee Wilson Bagwell; brother, Bobby Lee Bagwell; and son, Thomas Lee Bagwell.

Tommy is survived by: Mother, Vera Dean Bagwell; his wife of 60 years and the Love of his life, Nadine Jewel Bagwell; son, Tim Bagwell and wife Cindy; daughter, Kathy (Bagwell) Bolton and husband Kerry; brothers, Johnny W. Bagwell and wife Louise, Douglas O. Bagwell and wife Cathy; grandchildren, Tiffany Patterson, Greg Bagwell, Terica Leach, Katie Thacker, Alex Trowbridge, Kristine Hampton, Samantha Bagwell, Melanie Bagwell and Kenny Steinsiek; great-grandchildren, Adam, Greyson, Mason, Ansley, Camron, Avery, Maddie, Finley, Asher and Kylee.

Tommy was born in Alabama and moved to Oak Ridge with his family as a young boy. He graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1951 and joined the US Army in 1953 where he proudly served his country and then went on to retire from Y-12 Union Carbide Corporation. Tommy was a member of the Northside Church of Christ and loved to share the teachings of Christ with family and friends. He was a loving husband, father and a wonderful person with an unforgettable smile, and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.

In memory of Tommy there will be a private family gathering. The family ask that those who wish to honor him can make a donation to the National Stroke Association and Ben Atchley State Veteran’s Home 9910 Coward Mill Rd. Knoxville TN 37913.

JAMES LYNN BELL

James Lynn Bell, 46, Andersonville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, at his home in Andersonville.

James enjoyed fishing and working on lawn mowers.

James was preceded in death by: Father, Leo Bell; sister, Amanda Kay Bell; and niece, Trinity Mackey.

James is survived by: Mother, Brenda Bell of Andersonville; girlfriend of 17 years, Pam Baker of Andersonville; brothers, Ken Bell of Andersonville, Carl Bell and Sandy Jones of Andersonville; sisters, Lisa Runyon of Andersonville, Sherry Vowell and husband Tim of Rocky Top, and Jennifer Smith of Decatur; nieces, Amanda Barnard, Brittaney Barnard, Ashley Davis, Makayla Vowell, Kateland Mackey and husband Dillion and baby Zander, and Jessica Miller and husband Paul; nephews, Timothy Runyon, Larry Merrill and girlfriend Sabrina Sharpe and their son Jayce, Charles Irwin and wife Grace, William Barnard, Justin Barnard, Nick Bell, James Smith and wife Jessica, Paul Miller, Mason Miller; and a host of other relatives and friends.

James’s family received his friends from 6 – 8 p.m., and his funeral service followed at 8 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, in the chapel of Jones Mortuary in Clinton with the Rev. Roy Hammock and the Rev. James Hammock officiating.

James’s interment was at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, at Mt. Pleasant cemetery in Andersonville.

Jones Mortuary in Clinton was in charge of all arrangements.

Condolences can be made to the family at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com

BRENDA GAIL (SEXTON) ELLIOTT

Brenda Gail (Sexton) Elliott, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, went to be with our Lord Aug. 24, 2017.

Brenda was born in Clinton, March 9, 1947, to Melton and Bertha Mae Sexton. She was a Veteran of the United States Army.

Brenda, with never ending love, is survived by: Daughters, Michelle (Riddle) Nodal, Katherine Case; son, J.R Case; grandchildren, Kaylea Leach, Alexis and

Christian Herrod, and Isaac and Amelia Case; great-grandson, Kaydon Leach; and great-granddaughter, Hadleigh Case.

Brenda is also survived by: Three siblings, Mary Belle Baer, Edgar Sexton, and Leslie Sexton; and several nieces and nephews whom she cherished.

Preceded in death by: Brothers, Junior, Fred, and R.L Sexton; sisters, Bertie Broderick and Nancy (Goff) Kiel.

Brenda was most passionate about her love of family first, as well as writing, painting, gardening, cooking, nature, and treasured visits with Ginger Peters, Gina Caylor, Tammy Lawson and David (Tree Topper) Visnaw.

Please join us for a life tribute at “Lake in the Sky” Pavilion, located at 5714 Flats road (at Fire Station #8) in Tallassee, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept.16, 2017, as we celebrate our love for Brenda.

We extend our love, gratitude and never ending friendship to all of you.

McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, 982-6812.

www.mccammmonammonsclick.com