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Obituaries

MARGARETE VIRGINIA BUNCH

Margarete Virginia Bunch, 76, Clinton, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She loved watching and supporting the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, NASCAR Racing, the Atlanta Braves, and spending time with her family. She worked for Sears and Roebuck in accounting.

Margarete was born in Clinton Sept. 15, 1946, and was the daughter of William H. Wright Sr. and Virginia Wheeler Wright.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: Brothers, Glenn Wright and William Wright Jr.; and grandchildren, Anthony Lloyd Bunch and Mark Anthony Bunch Jr.

Margarete is survived by: Husband, Woodrow Bunch; daughter, Juliet Cool and husband Johnny of Tampa, Fla.; son, Tony Bunch and wife Angie of Sevierville; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Friends may visit with the Bunch Family from 5 – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, in the Jones Mortuary Chapel.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 6 p.m. with Rev. James Jones officiating.

Jones Mortuary, LLC of Clinton is serving the family of Margarete Virginia Bunch.

GREGORY GEORGE McCOLLUM

Gregory George McCollum, 69, Oliver Springs, passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

He served our country in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era.He enjoyed NASCAR and watching the Tennessee Vols.

He was preceded in death by: Parents, Kyle and Martha (Rickett) Bullock; sisters, Rene and Lori; step-son, Tracy Weaver.

He is survived by: Wife, Glenda (Peace) McCollum; daughter, Shanda Mencsik; son, Jason McCollum; sisters, Denise (John) Simms and Trish (Jeff) Miller; brother, Eddie Bullock; grandchildren, Shylee and Saxon Mencsik; and a host of other family members and good friends.

The family received friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Jackson Funeral Home and Cremation, 51 Edmonds Drive, Oliver Springs.

A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, 11:00 am in Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

To leave a note for Greg’s family or to share a memory, please sign our online guestbook at jacksonfuneralservices.com

EDNA 'IRENE' RANSON

Edna “Irene” Ransom” passed away Easter Morning, April 9, 2023.

She was 91.

Irene was born Nov. 19 in 1931, in Greenville, Ga., to Lemmie and Lena Pearson, the youngest of four children. She graduated from Manchester High School in the class of 1949 and attended business college training as a secretary. She married Bennie Marvin Ransom of Unadilla, Ga., July 22, 1951.They were married for 65 years before his death. After moving around the southeast for several years, they settled in Macon, Ga., where they raised their four children. Irene worked for 17 years as a church secretary for Forest Hills United Methodist Church. After retirement, Bennie and Irene moved to Norris in 1998 to be close to their daughter, Susan Mobley, and her family.

They enjoyed life in Norris. Each 4th of July was a standing family reunion to enjoy Norris Day and each other.

Irene is survived by: Three daughters and a son, Stephanie (Jim) Diguiseppi of Durham, N.C., Lisa (Curt) Reynolds of Lake Sinclair n Sparta, Ga., Susan (Mark) Mobley and Marty Ransom of Norris.

Irene had nine grandchildren: Lena (Steve) Sanok, Mark (Andrea Moore) DiGuiseppi, John DiGuiseppi; Curtis (Juli) Reynolds, Katie (John) Staples; Miles (Katie Simmons) Mobley, Ben “Rain” Mobley; Alyssa Ransom and Pierce Ransom. From those nine, Irene was proud to have seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Norris Area Food Pantry, P.O. Box 327, Norris, TN 37828-0327.

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

holleygamble.com

CHARLES 'KYLE' PHILLIPS

Charles “Kyle” Phillips, 80, Clinton passed away Sunday, April 9, 2023.

He was a devoted father and a beloved husband. Kyle worked in maintenance at the University of Tennessee for 10 years. He also owned Clinton City Cab for 25 years along with a shuttle business for fishermen. He was a member of Gospel Light Church of God where he served as Church Clerk for several years. Kyle was a humble person who loved his family and fought until the Lord called him home.

He was preceded in death by: Parents, Charles Elmer Phillips and Myrtle Louise (Overton) Phillips; and sister, Norma Jane Day.

He is survived by: Wife of 40 years, Gail Phillips; daughter, Meredith Zirkel; son, Daniel (Katie) Phillips; and grandchildren, Kathryn (Pat) Vacek, Christopher Zirkel, Carly Zirkel, Nicholas Zirkel, Aliegha Phillips, Neely Zirkel Ridgeway, Landon Phillips, and Kaylin Phillips; and extended family Gregory (Jennie) Guerrero

The family will receive friends at Holley Gamble Funeral Home from 4 – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, with funeral service at 6 p.m.

Holley Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

www.holleygamble.com

RONALD EDWARD PARKS

On Sunday, April 9, 2023, Ronald Edward Parks of Clinton passed away at the age of 72.

He was born in Lake City.

He was preceded in death by: Wife, Katha Parks; father, James Parks; and brother, Gary Parks.

He is survived by: Mother, Willie Parks; children, Rita, Frankie, Renee (Roger), Mark (Deb), Angie (Lyle), and Susan; 10 grandkids; and 20 great-grandkids.

While Ronald will be missed by his family, we are thankful he is at peace.

Ronald’s graveside service will be at Clinch River Baptist Church Cemetery at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, 2023, with Pastor Robbie Leach officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clinch River Baptist Church.

www.holleygamble.com

PATTI HICKS STEWART

Patti Hicks Stewart, 74, Clinton, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2023, at her residence after a lengthy illness.

Patti was known for her great sense of humor and a love for animals as well as being an excellent cook — well known for her “10 Course Breakfast.” She had a passion for sewing including making blankets for children through Project Linus of East Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by: Parents, Paul Thomas and Willene (Russell) Hicks; husband, Gene Stewart; brother, Billy Hicks; and sister, Jayne Gregory.

Patti is survived by: Nephew/son, Kendall Gregory; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends including special friend, Deb Miller.

Kendall would like to give a special thank you to the many friends of the city of Clinton for their thoughtful help and care throughout Patti’s illness including to the first responders for the times when she needed assistance - we thank you. Your kindness did not go unnoticed.

Patti’s wishes were to be cremated with no service and asked that donations in her memory be made to a charity of your choice or to the ASPCA or Project Linus (projectlinus.org/donations) and designate East TN or a check made out to Project Linus mailed to 365 Dean Dr., Ten Mile, TN 37880.

To leave a note for Patti’s family or to share a memory, please sign our online guestbook at jacksonfuneralservices.com

MICHAEL KENNY STANFORD

Michael Kenny Stanford, better known as “Mike,”63, Clinton, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Mike loved camping, being outdoors, having cookouts with his family and friends, and he loved sitting on his porch. Aside from enjoying being outdoors, Mike was an avid University of Tennessee Vols Football fan, he enjoyed cooking (as he was very good at it), he loved eating Reese Cups with his granddaughter, Tori, and he had a special love for classic country music. He was a sight! Above all, Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, dog dad (to Dolly Mae), and in general, a jack of all trades. He will be remembered as a kind soul who was a lifelong friend to many people, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Phyllis Stanford.

Mike leaves behind: Wife of 43 years, Robin Stanford of Clinton; son, Joseph Stanford and wife Deanna of Clinton; brother, Marvin Stanford and wife Pam of Lafollette; sister, Connie Kitts and husband Clark of Lafollette; granddaughter, Victoria Michelle Stanford; special friends, Sharon and Bobby Duncan, Leinna Slone, and Vivian Comer; brother-in-law, William Hedgecoth and partner Kat Gail; sister-in-law, Cathy Chercourt.

He also leaves behind many friends that are considered extended family members, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Jones Mortuary, LLC. in Clinton has the honor of caring for the Stanford Family.

ISAAC LUKE EDWARD SHRADER

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved Isaac Shrader on Thursday, April 6, 2023, who was 11 years old and a 5th grader at Clinton Elementary School.

Isaac was only with us for a short time, but he lived a full and exuberant life. Isaac's favorite place to be was outside; he loved walking with his Dad at Norris Dam, and through the woods. He loved riding his Moto Dirt Bike. He could take anything apart and put it back together again no matter how difficult it was. He loved playing with Legos, making origami, and playing video games. He loved spending time with his Poppy Ron in the garden together and watching movies with Grandma Nel. He loved swimming at his great-uncle Terry and aunt Susan Shrader's house. He loved going on vacations with aunt Tippi and Grandma Nel.

Isaac was preceded in death by: Mother, Frances Rutherford, whom he loved dearly; godfather, Timothy Joe Morris, whom he loved spending time with; and grandfather, Tommy Phillips.

He is survived by: Father, Todd Shrader; step-brother, Jacob Rutherford; grandparents, Ron and Nel Shrader; grandmother, Brenda Phillips; aunt, Tippi Moore and husband Ricky; cousin, Britt Lamson; great-uncle, Terry Shrader and aunt Susan; great-uncle, Mike Shrader; cousin, Kristin Shrader; cousin, Pam Gray and husband Stacy; cousin, Nik Gray; and a host of other family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Second Baptist Church in Clinton with a brief tribute to follow.

The family encourages all who knew Isaac to attend.

There will be a private burial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee Valley-Clinton, P.O. Box 537, Rocky Top, TN 37769, or the American Red Cross.

The family would like to thank all of our dear friends and church family who have comforted and loved us during this time.

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

holleygamble.com