Danny Joe Idles
March 3, 2025
Danny Joe Idles, 72, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2025, at his home in Clinton, surrounded by his family.
Danny was born on July 17, 1952, in Briceville to Henry and Nellie Idles.
He enjoyed many hobbies, including bowling, working outside, and fishing. However, his greatest passion was hard work.
In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by his brothers, Charles, Jim, Donald, and Steve Idles, and his sister, Denise Golden.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Viola Idles; son, Danny Idles, and Kimberly Hunley; daughter, Aleisha Bullock, and her husband, Sam; brother, Vic Idles; and sister, Charlette Carter. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Abbigail Idles, Danny Idles, Jayden Bullock, and Issac Bullock.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jones Mortuary, with the funeral to follow at 7 p.m. The Rev. Larry Noe and Tim Massingill will officiate. A gathering will take place on Friday, March 7, at 11:15 a.m. at Jones Mortuary for a noon graveside service at Glen Foust Cemetery in Rocky Top.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is serving the family of Danny Joe Idles.
Barbara Stooksbury Young
March 2, 2025
Barbara Stooksbury Young, 91, passed away peacefully at her home on March 3, 2025. She was born Dec. 18, 1933, to Ernest and Alverta Stooksbury, and spent her childhood in Anderson County.
After graduating from high school, Barbara attended business college and moved to Knoxville, where she began her career in banking.
She enjoyed attending the symphony, traveling, and gardening. One of her favorite trips was to the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City. She met her husband, Brown F. Young, on one of her trips, and they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States together. Barbara maintained a garden at her family home until she was 90, and her canned green beans were cherished by both friends and family.
Barbara and her sister, Loretta, were enthusiastic supporters of the Museum of Appalachia. For many years, they participated in the Fall Homecoming, demonstrating the traditional method of washboard laundry.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Brown F. Young; sisters, Helen and Loretta Stooksbury; brother, Wilbur Stooksbury; and cousins Malcolm Hill and Joan Stooksbury Brown.
She is survived by cousins Beverly Stooksbury Leitner, Lisa Stooksbury Tavangaran, Elnora Logan, Mary Margaret Ridenour, Katherine Kron, Sammy Hill, Gail Loving, and Brian Hill; nieces Libby Cordray and Nancy Polanski; and stepbrother Bill Wilson.
The family received friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at Holley- Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral followed in the chapel. Interment followed immediately at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery in Andersonville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mount Pleasant Church, 640 Ridge Circle Road, Andersonville, TN 37705.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton was in charge of arrangements.
For more information, visit holleygamble.com.
Henry Edward Lane
March 1, 2025
Henry Edward Lane, 81, of Clinton passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 1, 2025. He was born on Aug. 26, 1943, in Rockwood. Ed was the cherished son of the late Georgia Lane.
Ed served his country with honor in the U.S. Army. His patriotism and dedication were evident in his years of service. After his military career, Ed found immense joy and fulfillment in his work as a truck driver. He devoted 30 years of this life to that profession. His passion for the open road and the freedom it symbolized were unparalleled for him.
Outside of his professional life, Ed had several interests that brought him joy. He was an avid collector of guns, appreciating their craftsmanship and history. He also had a deep love for country music, a genre that resonated with his values and life experiences.
Ed’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of many. He is remembered not only for his professional accomplishments and hobbies, but also for his kind-hearted nature and the love he shared with his family.
In addition to his mother, Ed was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Lane, and a niece and a nephew.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Vivian Lane, whose unwavering support and love were a constant in his life. Ed’s legacy continues through his children, Susan Moore, Shelia Jennings, Victoria Lobb, Carol Hope, and James Lobb, all of whom reflect the values and strengths he instilled in them. His brother, Ray Lane and wife Brenda; grandchildren, Ashley, Nick, Victor, Kaylee, Kylie, Jaylen, Josh, and Kara; and two nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Tinker Bell.
Per Ed’s wishes, there will be no service.
For more details and to share condolences, please visit holleygamble.com.
Vantrena White Hyden
February 26, 2025
Vantrena White Hyden, 72, of Clinton, Tennessee, passed away and went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Vantrena, known as Trena to her family and friends, was born on May 24, 1952, in Deane, Kentucky, to Florida Ellen Meade White and Chester Arthur White. She was the sixth of 10 children. She was married to the love of her life, Don Alvin Hyden, who preceded her in death on Feb. 19, 2022. They were married for more than 50 years.
Trena was blessed with two sons, Joel Christopher Hyden and Barry Scott Hyden, and daughter-in-law, Laura Hyden, all of Clinton, Tennessee. She was blessed with three grandchildren, Jackson Hyden, Evelyn Hyden, and Luke Hyden, who were dear to her heart.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Freeman White, Novel White, and Dencil White; and one sister, Venissa White.
Surviving siblings include Les White of Suffolk, Virginia; Kenneth White (Tish) of Bolivia, North Carolina; Valena White Harsh of Deltona, Florida; Veechel Bivin (Larry) of Franklin, Kentucky; and Dallas White of Kite, Kentucky.
Trena grew up in Deane, Kentucky, and graduated in 1970 from Fleming-Neon High School, where she was an honor student and a junior homecoming attendant. She attended the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where she met her future husband and love of her life, Don.
She was a supervisor at Kmart stores in Richmond, Indiana, and Clinton, Tennessee. Trena also worked for many years as a real estate agent with Stephenson Realty in Clinton.
Trena was an asset to Faith Christian School in Clinton, where she volunteered in various roles, including managing the concession stand, keeping score for basketball games, cooking lunches for students, grading papers, and assisting her husband, who taught there. She was a hard worker and helped her sons and husband build many homes in the Clinton area.
She was a member of the Evangelistic Center in Clinton and, in later years, also attended Second Baptist Church.
Trena was a woman of faith who loved Jesus. She suffered from macular degeneration and kidney failure, but her faith never wavered. She believed her Lord would restore her sight and make her whole as she was welcomed into His kingdom if not on the earth.
She had a loving disposition and she frequently told others of her love for them. She had a fierce love for her family and friends, who will deeply miss her kind and loving nature.
Trena was a quiet and beautiful soul, and has requested that her family and friends honor her request to have a quiet, closed casket graveside service. The service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2025, at Norris Memorial Gardens. Family and friends gathered at the graveside for the service. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
holleygamble.com.
Johnny Wayne Bailey
February 26, 2025
Johnny Wayne Bailey, 70, of Oak Ridge, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Johnny was a retired pipefitter and served in the U.S. Army. He was a county jail missionary for 14 years, and served as a chaplain at Transport for Christ for many years. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. His greatest passion was witnessing to inmates and delivering Bibles to jails across the nation. Although he cherished spending time with his grandchildren most, he also enjoyed riding motorcycles since he was 9 years old, tinkering with them, and working on various projects. Johnny was known for his generosity and his love for helping others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, General Lee Bailey and Robbie Sue Bailey; sisters, Mary Woods and Debbie Reasor and her husband, Don; brothers, Jim Bailey and Bob Bailey and his wife, Bonnie; sister-in-law, Karen Bailey; stepson, Jesse Lowe Weaver; nephew, Bryan Bailey; niece, Robbie Woods Roberts; brother-in-law, Sonny Lowe; and several aunts and uncles.
Survivors include his former wife, Tena Bailey Davidson (Scott); son, John Mathew Bailey; stepson, Thomas “Manzy” Ed Weaver Jr.; grandchildren, Micah Bailey, Jaylee Weaver, Makayla Starr, Julie Mae Weaver, Brantley Cage Lowe, Neyland Rose Condrone Lowe, Blainey Faraday Weaver, and Thomas Ed Weaver III; brother, Bill Bailey; sisters, Linda Rosenbalm (Wendell) and Hope Loyd (Clarence); father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arden and Blanch Lowe; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he dearly loved.
Special thanks to his caregivers, Teresa Burgess and Brittany Hagen, for the love and care shown to Johnny.
Visitation was held 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Sharp Funeral Home.
The funeral began at 2 p.m. with Pastor Garvan Walls officiating. A graveside service followed at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with Chaplain Hank Rader officiating.
Sharp Funeral Home is proud to serve the Bailey family. sharpfh.com.
Austin Franklin Goodman
February 24, 2025
Austin Franklin Goodman, 81, of Rocky Top passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Frank enjoyed traveling and watching wrestling, but most of all, he loved spending time with his grandson, Austin Reece. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Sarah Jane Bray Goodman; brothers, Dale Goodman, Hoye Goodman and Roger Goodman; sisters, Georgia Goodman Byrge, Bernice Goodman and Unavee Goodman; and nephews, Gilbert Goodman and Darrell Goodman.
He is survived by his wife, Josie Faye Desantis; those who called him dad, Ernest Reece, Michael Reece, John Ramsey, Callie Ivey and Tammy Caton; nephews, Greg Goodman, Hoye Lynn Goodman, James Goodman, Mark Goodman, Roger Goodman and Matthew Byrge; nieces, Elizabeth Crowe, Tonya Goodman, Patsy Byrge, Gloria Fay Goodman, Janice Johnson and Tammy Justice; sisters-in-law, Verline Goodman and Margaret Goodman; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews; and many other family members and friends.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation. The funeral followed at 7 p.m. The Revs. Hubert Marlow and Johnny Marlow officiated.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Foust Cemetery in Rocky Top.
leachfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Ben H. Graves
February 18, 2025
It is with great sorrow, but the world lost a great man today – Ben H. Graves.
Ben was born and raised in Hamblen County, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, earning degrees in teaching and marketing. He moved to Oak Ridge, where he began his teaching career at Oak Ridge High School in 1966. He taught there until his retirement in 1986. An avid golfer, he also served as the school’s golf coach for many years. He taught distributive education and enjoyed mentoring students about business.
Ben loved to travel and took trips with friends to destinations including Palm Beach, Florida; Canada;and Lake Tahoe, California. He played on the Senior Golf Tour and competed at Pebble Beach.
In 1973, Ben purchased his first used mobile home and soon realized he had a talent for the business. He developed a mobile home park in Whitesburg, and, in 1982, opened Ben’s Home Centers on Oliver Springs Highway. He became a top dealer for Clayton Homes, expanding to five retail locations in Knoxville, Newport, Jefferson City and Clinton. In 1998, he developed WoodCutter’s Crossing, a subdivision where he sold homes and lots together, helping many people purchase their first homes. He also provided financing for many of his customers. His park in the Batley community is still going strong and has 34 active tenants.
Ben was a member of the Elks in Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Country Club. He was a generous supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge, the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his longtime companion and best friend of 26 years, Linda K. Stewart; Melissa Bacon, his employee and friend for 43 years; Rose Wallis, an employee and friend for more than 38 years; and his special best friends Hugh Nichols and Ken Brown and their wives; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Blanche Graves; his sisters, Sue and Vanna; and good friends Rick Hughes, Clark Meredith and Larry Garner.
He will be forever missed but his business and memory will continue. Everyone who knew him will feel the impact of his presence gone.
Services will be held at Mott-McKamey Funeral Home in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., with a short service to follow.
Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the Graves family.
Carolyn Hobbs Irwin
February 16, 2025
Carolyn Hobbs Irwin, 92, of Clinton passed away peacefully Feb. 16, 2025, on the 62nd wedding anniversary of her marriage to her beloved husband, David.
Born in Harlan, Kentucky, on Dec. 5, 1932, Carolyn attended Eastern Kentucky State University for a year before transferring to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She graduated from UTK in 1954. In the early 1960s, she met her future husband, David, and they were married Feb. 16, 1963.
Carolyn worked as an extension agent for Anderson County and taught home economics at Lake City High School and Anderson County High School.
She took great pride in teaching students the art of cooking, sewing and household management. As an extension agent, she led Anderson County 4-H clubs and helped many students succeed in competitions. Her dedication to teaching and mentoring meant that few places she visited were without someone stopping to say how her work had shaped their lives.
A longtime member of Andersonville United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher for most of more than 60 years, Carolyn was also active in several local community organizations.
Carolyn cherished her family and treasured the memories of gatherings with loved ones.
She often recalled her childhood in Harlan and her single days in Oak Ridge when it was still a new city.
She took immense pride in her granddaughter, Katherine, celebrating her accomplishments and the joy she brought to her life.
She was preceded in death by her son, Robert David Irwin; her parents, Germa and Margaret Hobbs; and her niece, Karen Erickson. She is survived by her husband, David R. Irwin; daughter, Anne Irwin Buhl (Hector Padilla); granddaughter, Katherine Buhl; son-in-law, Joseph Buhl; niece, Elaine (Ed) Meyer; grand-niece, Lindsey (Jason) Meyer Gallaher; grand-nephews, John Meyer (Sara) and Will Meyer (Molly); great-grandnephews, Meyer and Parker Gallaher; great-grandnieces, Rese, Avery and Landry; special cousins, Carol Cousins (Ervin Ball) and Beverly Stooksbury Leither; and special friends, William and Kathy Justice.
Pallbearers were John Meyer, Will Meyer, Jason Gallaher, Hector Padilla, Katherine Buhl and Hal Cousins.
The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with a processional to Norris Memorial Gardens for a graveside service. Friends and family gathered for a reception from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Museum of Appalachia immediately following the graveside service.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Museum of Appalachia, P.O. Box 1189, Norris, Tennessee 37828, or to a scholarship fund in her name.
Checks should be made payable to Anderson County High School, c/o Carolyn Irwin Scholarship Fund, 130 Maverick Circle, Clinton, Tennessee 37716.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton was in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com.
