TAYLOR WILLIAM HINKEL
November 2, 2023
With great sadness, we announce the death of our beloved brother, son, fiancé and friend Taylor William Hinkel, aged 22, on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Taylor was born on June 21, 2001, in Knoxville, TN. Throughout his life, he was inquisitive and adventurous. As a child, he would spend hours launching rockets, and building model Lego sets. He once said "he liked to break things" and was always taking apart devices just to know how they worked. He was always willing to explore the woods and creeks near this family's home with his brother and neighborhood friends and was always happy to be pushed down the bumpy hills and roads on the latest scooter, bike, or other set of wheels. He was a lifelong video game enthusiast, meeting and playing with friends he made online, and was eager to explore the possibilities from virtual reality--of which he was a proud early user.
He became just as fascinated about the world, history, and people. He graduated from L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville in 2019. In high school, he canvassed and worked on political campaigns and volunteered as a tutor. He then attended Georgetown University in Qatar from which he graduated in May 2023 with a degree in International Politics and became proficient in Arabic. At university, he worked in the offices of Executive and Professional Education as a Program Coordinator and as a research assistant.
He is remembered most for his deep care and for the kindness that he provided to everyone he met. He had an astounding ability to relate to people on their level and empathize with them no matter what. His ability to connect has provided unforgettable and immeasurable love and support to people all over the world.
He is survived by his fiancé Raina Islam, his father Theodore Neal Hinkel, his mother Karen Hope Hinkel, and his brother Tanner Neal Hinkel along with the people from all over the world whose lives he touched.
Family and friends will hold a visitation on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Holly Gamble Funeral Home located at 621 S Charles G Seivers Blvd, Clinton, TN 37716. Attendees are encouraged to bring special stories or memories to share in their memory and come as they are.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorial donations to be made to support the 988 Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/donate/
Or to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital at https://www.etch.com/ways-to-give/make-a-donation/
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. holleygamble.com
Carolyn Sue Merritt Goins
November 1, 2023
Carolyn Sue Merritt Goins of Andersonville passed away peacefully with her loving girls by her side on October 25, 2023. She was of Baptist faith and trusted in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She was a loving mother, grandmother and devoted caregiver to her mother, grandmother and sister, often at the same time.
Carolyn was an Assembly Manager for 25 years at EG&G ORTEC and worked for CSI Electronics for many years before her health prevented her from doing so.
She loved to travel with her friends and family, always jumping at the chance to take a trip with her loving brother Tony and his wife Pat. She adored her grandchrildren and never missed an opportunity to spoil them. She had a wonderful laugh, just one of the many things that will be missed.
She battled health issues that prevented her from her work and travel for the last 18 years. She fought hard while never complaining and always faced her struggles with a strength that inspired all that knew her.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Edith Merritt, sister, Rita (Aunt Cindy) Kay Rhea, and Grandmother, Lillian Ballinger.
She is survived by: Daughters: Andrea Goins Norton and husband Randy of Andersonville, TN
Anita Goins O’Reilly and husband Kevin of Knoxville, TN. Brothers: Tony Merritt and wife Pat of Seguin, TX and Jerry Merritt and wife Kathy of McMinnville, TN. Grandchildren: Jesse Norton, Lilly Norton, Braedan O’Reilly, Ian O’Reilly and Shane O’Reilly. A host of nieces, nephews, family and friends that she cherished greatly.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Westmoreland Health and Rehabilitation Center, the University of Tennessee Transplant Center, Dr. Edward Newman, Anita Buckle NP and staff at Knoxville Kidney Center, and Meadow View Assisted Living for extending her life through many years of care.
The family will receive friends at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 1:00-3:00PM with the funeral service to follow at 3:00PM with Rev. Randy Norton officiating. Carolyn’s interment will be held at Bethel Baptist Church following the funeral service. www.holleygamble.com
The family would like to encourage everyone to consider giving the gift of life through the act of organ donation.
Loretta B. Crowe
November 1, 2023
Loretta B. Crowe, age 75 of Clinton, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at her home following a period of declining health. Loretta loved spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She loved collecting pictures, singing, and loved to talk. She had many friends. Loretta will be dearly missed by everyone.
“Rest In Peace Mom We Love You”
Born in Andersonville, Tennessee on August 1, 1948, she was the daughter of the late John Henry and Bonnie Lee Elliott Bell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Junior Rose, and 2nd husband Fred Crowe; sisters, Mary Chapman, Betty Bailey, Patricia Childress; brother, Leo Bell; grandchildren, Baby Angel and Isaac.
Loretta is survived by her sons, Freddie Crowe and wife Samantha, Scotty Crowe and wife Elizabeth, Doug Rose and fiancé Dawn Wall; her daughters, Lynn Crowe and fiancé Scott Hensley, Sue Lindsay and husband Mickey; sisters, Geraldine Wilkerson and husband Curtis, Louise Grisham; brothers, Potsie Bell and wife Pauline, Ed Bell, and special friend Krisy Riddic and other relatives and friends.
Friends visited with the Crowe family on Sunday, October 15, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Jones Mortuary. The Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. at Lone Mountain Baptist Church in Andersonville, TN with Rev. Eddie Childress officiating.
Burial will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Andersonville, TN.
Jones Mortuary of Clinton, Tennessee is serving the family of Loretta B. Crowe.
Col. Joe Martin Meredith
November 1, 2023
Col. Joe Martin Meredith, 93, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2023. He was born January 25, 1930, the son of Isam and Mary Nelson Meredith.
Joe graduated from Clinton High School, class of 1948, where he was also a member of the football team. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Later he married his wife of 48 years, Wanda Faye Seeber. Joe and his brother, Lynn, owned and operated the Meredith Brothers Livestock company and he retired from the Anderson Farmers CO-OP. Joe was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 1976 by Ky Gov. Julian Carroll. He loved being on the farm and working in the garden throughout the years. He is a member of the Meredith family who was inducted into the Anderson County 4H & Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2017.
In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his son David Scott Meredith; sister, Grace Anne Usry; brothers, James Bannon (JB) Meredith, Lynn Meredith, and twin brother Joel Meredith; sister-in-law Pat Meredith; brothers-in-law Lewis A “Butch” Usry and Carl Lee Seeber all of Clinton. He is survived by his wife, Wanda P Meredith; stepdaughter, Melissa Patterson of Cumming, GA; stepson, Darrin Patterson of Clinton; grandsons Justin and Waylon Patterson; sisters-in-law Shirley Meredith of Knoxville, Betty Miller, and Otella Seeber of Clinton; Jerry and Sandy Seeber of Lebanon, OH. Several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the caregivers of Amedisys and multiple close friends for their help in taking care of him.
A military honors graveside service was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct 26, 2023, at Grandview Memorial Garden, 219 Longmire Rd. Clinton, TN. Arrangements by Holley Gamble Funeral Home, 621 S. Charles G Seivers Blvd, Clinton. holleygamble.com
Delmer “D.C.” Taylor
November 1, 2023
Delmer “D.C.” Taylor, Jr., 84, of Clinton, TN, passed away on October 23, 2023.
D.C. was born November 11, 1938 in Gastonia, NC and grew up in South Knoxville. He graduated from Young High School in 1957 and served in the United States Air Force.
D.C. was preceded in death by wife, Cheryl Johnson Taylor; parents: Delmer C. Taylor, Sr & Beatrice Williams Taylor; siblings: Estlina (Roy) Taylor Wilson, Norman (Helen) Taylor, & Merril Taylor.
He was dad to: Tracy Taylor, Mark Taylor, and Amanda Taylor;
He was Granddad to: Jordan (Taylor) Taylor, Dallas Taylor, Madison (Zachary) Mashburn, Mac Taylor, Riley & Anna Kate Hackworth; great-grandchildren: J.W. & Evie Jane Mashburn and Harrison & Henden Taylor.
D.C. loved watching University of Tennessee football and NASCAR. He was a skilled construction superintendent and oversaw many building projects in the Knoxville area, including the George C. Taylor Law Center at the University of Tennessee.
D.C. was a long-time member of Highland View Church of Christ in Oak Ridge.
A memorial service with military honors for D.C. will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, October 26 at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home with his sister-in-law, Rev. Mary Jo Dailey officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the start of the service from 5-7pm.
D.C. will be laid to rest with his wife at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, November 7 at 2pm.
To honor D.C.'s memory, the family requests that donations be made to the University of Tennessee FUTURE Postsecondary Education Program - futureut.utk.edu.
JESSIE HELEN VINCENT
October 12, 2023
Jessie Helen Vincent, 88, passed away Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Jessie was born April 20, 1935, in Clinton. She was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict and a member of Bible Baptist Church in Monteagle. Jessie was a strong and loving mother, raising four children on her own. She went on to become a loving grandmother and great-grandmother who will be missed by all.
Jessie was preceded in death by: Sister, Loretta Ferguson; and brother, Don Reed.
Survivors include: Children, Robert Marshall and wife Lynn, Kathy King and husband Mickey, Inis Matherly and husband George, and Dan Vincent and wife Terri; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brothers, Gary Reed, and David Reed and wife Cindy; and many other relatives, friends and loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bible Baptist Church at 360 Wells Street, Monteagle, TN 37356, in Jessie’s memory.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Weatherford Mortuary.
Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Brother James Taylor officiating.
Interment and full military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Oak Ridge memorial Park.
Online condolences may be left at weatherfordmortuary.com.
JAMES 'JIM' JONES
October 11, 2023
James “Jim” Jones, 80, Lake City, passed away Oct. 11, 2023, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He was born Dec. 31, 1942, in Lee County, Va., to the late Robert Don Jones and Margaret Fox Jones. Jim was a graduate of Lake City High School and retired from Y-12 in Oak Ridge.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by: Son, James Ronnie “Little Jim” Jones II; grandson, Chad Ryan Jones; and sister, Donna Faye Jones Elemore.
He is survived by: Wife of 58 years, Judy Hamilton Jones; son, Robert Don Jones (Angel); grandson, James Ronnie “J.R.” Jones III; brothers, Charles Wayne Jones, and R. L. Jones; sister-in-law, Linda Hamilton Henderson (Eddie); and his friends from Fox’s Dinner and The Vols Dinner.
The family will receive friends at the Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, with the funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Wayne Phillips officiating.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Oak Grove Cemetery.
www.leachfamilyfuneralhome.com
DENNIS CLECKNER
October 10, 2023
Dennis Cleckner, 62, passed away Oct. 10, 2023, at his home.
He was born in Barberton, Ohio, on March 15, 1961, to Wayne and Carol (McKiernan) Cleckner.
He is survived by: Loving daughters, Kyle Harvey (Chase), Bree Ann Cleckner, Stephanie Paterson (Joe); siblings, Cindy Cleckner and Randy Cleckner; grandchildren, Hanna, Emma, and Lane Harvey; Trent, Rowen, and Lily; several nephews and cousins; and his dog, Oakley.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Wayne and Carol.
Dennis was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Doylestown, Ohio. He worked at Gerstenslager’s in Wooster, Ohio, for 26 years before moving to Tennessee and retiring from MAGNA (Eagle Bend Mfg.) in 2019. He loved dirt bike racing, boating, and throwing pool parties. Dennis was always the life of the party and enjoyed having a good time with his family and friends. He spoke his mind and never held anything back, so you always knew where you stood with him. His family would describe him as tough, old school, a total jokester, and stubborn to a fault.
A public visitation will be held at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home from 1- 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
A committal service will follow at Grandview Memorial Garden in Clinton.
Arrangements entrusted to Holley-Gamble Funeral Home.
