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Obituaries

MATTHEW W. BRADSHAW

Matthew W. Bradshaw, 57, Oak Ridge, passed away May 7, 2017, in Claxton.  

He is survived by: Parents Dora Davis Gibson and Thomas H. Gibson, who were longtime residents of Oak Ridge now living in Claxton; Matthew leaves his two sisters, Janette Gibson and Rhonda Gibson Miller; two daughters, Mandy Williams and Karen Bradshaw; three granddaughters and three grandsons; two nieces, Halie and Samantha Miller.  

Matt had many friends and co-workers from the Oak Ridge area. He never met a stranger. 

He worked as a taxi driver, Time Out Deli & at the convenient store in Grove Center, Sears, and drove semi-trucks. Matt attended Willowbrooke and Highland elementary school in Oak Ridge, and Central High School in Knoxville.  



There was a memorial service from 7 – 9 p.m. Thursday, May 25, 2017, at Piney Grove Baptist Church, located at 2019 Piney Grove Road, Knoxville. 

Flowers are being handled by Powell Florist or when ordering from other florists ask for them to go through the pooling network so Powell Florist can handle the delivery.  

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

www.holleygamble.com 

KENNETH LEE WIGGINS

Kenneth Lee Wiggins, age 80, of Heiskell, passed away Friday, May 26, 2017. He was a retired auto body mechanic with Gary’s Body Shop in Clinton and a veteran of the US Navy. He was a loving father and genuine friend to many.  He loved his family, nature, fishing, gardening, and painting.  He was a very much loved man and will be missed dearly.

Preceded in death by his wife Judy Riggs Wiggins; parents Clyde and Maxie Wiggins.

He is survived by his daughters, Debbie Burress and husband Greg of Lake City, Beverly Inklebarger and husband Fred of Knoxville, Lea Barbee and husband Robbie of Powell and Lynn Weigand and husband Patrick of Knoxville; Ann Wiggins, former wife and mother of his daughters; beloved girlfriend, Mary Lou Bailey; grandchildren, Stephanie Massey, Zachery Inklebarger, Zain Inklebarger, Brandy Barbee, Eli Barbee and Logen Weigand; brothers, Hershel Wiggins and wife Edwina of Clinton and  Clyde Wiggins  and girlfriend, Carolyn Jones of Knoxville; and step-children, Kevin Riggs and Kelly Riggs Wilson.

The family received friends Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. in the chapel of Holley-Gamble Funeral Home and services followed at 7 p.m. Rev. Charlie Kindell officiated.  Family and friends will meet Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 1:45 p.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park for interment at 2 p.m.

Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is honored to serve the family of Kenneth Lee Wiggins. www.holleygamble.com

CLIFFORD ‘CLIFF’ HARDIE

Clifford “Cliff” Hardie, 72, Clinton, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017, at The Waters of Clinton.

Clifford was born Oct. 21, 1943, in Ohio and was a veteran of the United States Navy. Cliff was a former police officer with the Clinton Police Department. Cliff will be remembered for his sense of humor and love for others.

Cliff is survived by a brother and a sister.

He also considered Diane Walden of Clinton a great friend and caretaker.

Cliff was thankful for the staff at The Waters of Clinton, and staff at the Clinton Dialysis Clinic for their loving care and friendship given to him.

Cliff chose not to have any services but will be buried at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville.

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

www.holleygamble.com

DORIS ELAINE KENNEDY

Doris Elaine Kennedy, 71, Clinton, passed away May 14, 2017.

Doris was born in Highspint, Ky., and moved to Clinton after high school where she attended The Tennessee School of Beauty. Doris met and married Jim Kennedy in 1969 following his return from Vietnam and they moved to Tulsa, Okla., for a short time before returning to Clinton. She became a stay-at-home mom following the birth of her sons in the early 1970s. She enjoyed raising them in the countryside of East Tennessee where she took them to lakes, rivers, pools, and creeks to swim and spent much needed quality time with her boys, which is proven by their tenacity and strong spirit. She will always live on through them.

Preceded in death by: Parents, Tom and Dorothy Stout; and brother, Bill Stout.

She was the beloved wife of Jim Kennedy for 47 years; devoted mother of Jim Kennedy and wife Judy of Centerville, Ohio, and Tommy Kennedy and his partner Eddie Liao of Quincy, Mass.; and loving “Ma” to Jack, Wyatt, Sammie and Ethan.

She is also survived by: devoted sister, Freda Keith and husband John; brothers, Morris Stout and wife Gladys, Wayne Stout and wife Irene, Jim Stout and wife Edde; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private family memorial service later this summer around the Stout family gravesite in Williamsburg, Ky.

In lieu of flowers, if one is so inclined, please donate to a charity of your choice in Doris’s name or to Edgemoor Baptist Church in Claxton.

ROBERT ‘PAUL’ LONGMIRE

Robert “Paul” Longmire, 99, Knoxville, formerly of Andersonville, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Paul was a lifetime resident of Andersonville. Throughout his life he loved spending time in the garden and on the farm, but most of all with his family and friends. He was a member of Andersonville United Methodist Church and Valley Masonic Lodge F&A.M. in Andersonville.

Preceded in death by: Wife, Margaret “Peggy” Longmire; parents, Robert and Matilda Dove Longmire; brother, Woodrow Longmire; sisters, Juanita Longmire, Gladys Longmire, Louise Fincher, and Elsie Campbell.

He is survived by: Daughter, Margaret Longmire Butler of Knoxville; grandchildren, Madison Margaret Butler and George Andrew Butler of Knoxville

The family will receive friends from 1 – 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home with funeral services following in the chapel with the Rev. Ralph Horak officiating.

His graveside will follow at the Oak-Grove Longmire Cemetery in Andersonville.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Andersonville United Methodist Church, 3813 Andersonville Hwy., Andersonville, TN 37705.

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

www.holleygamble.com

LESLIE RICHAN POWERS JR.

Leslie Richan Powers Jr. died in his sleep on Palm Sunday in Lake Lure, N.C.

He was born Oct. 8, 1926, in Ridgewood, N.J., the son of Leslie Sr., from Boston, and Marie Riva Powers from Riva de Garda, Italy. He was part of what Tom Brokow referred to as “The Greatest Generation.” Though poor, his family survived “The Great Depression” and thrived in its aftermath. Leaving high school in 1943 to join the Navy, he became a signalman and spent the war on ships in Atlantic, Meditteranean and Caribbean waters. One of the cargo ships he was on was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Cuba. He said the U-boat resurfaced amidst him and his mates, swirled the periscope 360 degrees, could very well have killed them all, but for some reason did not, then left the area. Thus the rest of his life happened.

It was a life well-lived. He was a G.I. Bill graduate of the University of Virginia where he met his wife of 64 years, Betty Henley. Together they lived a life of service to their children, the Clinton community, the country, and the Methodist Church

After retirement, at the behest of the Rotary Club and Methodist Church, they moved to St. Marc, Haiti. With the help of citizens from all over the world and the local community they opened a health clinic, a vocational school, started a soil erosion program, a feeding program, and of course, a church that is still operating today.

Upon their return, they settled in the mountains outside Waynesville, N.C., and became involved in local civic and church affairs as long as their health allowed them to.

In death, Mr. Powers joins his wife, Betty, and son, Gary.

He leaves an older sister, Marie Hoggson, living with her son, Eddie in Connecticut, a younger brother, Kenneth, and his wife, Anne, in New Jersey, a younger sister, Diane, and her husband, John O’Conner, in Richmond, Va. He is survived by his two sons, David, and his wife, Cathy, of Lake Lure, N.C., and Jeffrey, living in Asheville, N.C.

A private memorial has already been held. In lieu of flowers or gifts, his sons ask only that in a minute of peace, you reflect on the accomplishments and sacrifices of this “Greatest Generation.” We all have so much to thank them for. May God have mercy on us all.



IMA JEAN RIDENOUR

Ima Jean Ridenour, 82, Lake City, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017.

She was born Sept. 3, 1934, in Anderson County to the late Claude E. and Ida Josephine Bayless Hatmaker. Ima was a member of Clinch River Baptist Church. She enjoyed fishing, cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Ima was preceded in death by: Husband, William R. Ridenour; sisters, Lorene Denny and Hazel Davis; and brother-in-law, Claude Summers.

Survivors: Son, Terry Ridenour and Sandy of Lake City; daughter, Judy Smith and Glenn of Peachtree Corners, Ga.; brothers, Cap Hatmaker and Helen of Michigan, Don Hatmaker of Clinton; sisters, Maxie Trammel and Elmer of Clinton, Dot and Clyde Stephens of Clinton, Velma and Marvin Poyourow of Alaska, Carol Summers of Clinton, Grace and Earnest Barnes of Oakdale; grandchildren, Brad Ridenour and wife Karline, Alex Ridenour and wife Jessica, Michele and husband John Cauthen; great-grandchildren, Kasey, Lakeley , Cole, Griffin, Peyton, and Bentley

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Loving Memory of Ima Jean Ridenour to Clinch River Baptist Church.

Visitation was from 4 – 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2017, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.

Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, May 8, 2017, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel in Lake City with the Rev. Tom Byrge and the Rev. Larry Webster officiating.

Interment followed the Funeral Service at the Norris Memorial Gardens in Norris.

TAMMY LITTLETON TAYLOR

Tammy Littleton Taylor, 47, Maryville, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017, at the family home.

She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by: Stepfather, Randy Leinart; grandparents, Robert and Louise Walker, Ralph and Katie Littleton; aunt, Candy Walker.

Survivors include: Husband, Kenny Taylor; daughters and son-in-law, Amber and Joshua Thomason, and Brooke Taylor-Green and husband Patrick Green; grandchildren, Sabrina Thomason and Wesley and Grady Green; father, David Littleton; mother, Linda Leinart; stepmother, Brenda Littleton; brother and sister-in-law, Jamey and Kristi Littleton; stepbrother, James Miniard; many nieces and nephews and other family members.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Lodge, 2008 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203 in memory of Tammy.

Family received friends from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church 2500 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920. Memorial service followed at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Martin Ammons officiating.

Family and friends will assemble for interment at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com