EVANGELINE CARRERA MAYR
March 27, 2023
Evangeline Carrera Mayr, 85, Clinton, went to eternal rest Monday, March 27, 2023, at Fort Sanders Hospital, Knoxville
Eva was a faithful member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church and loved volunteering her time with her church family. During her career she dedicated more than 30 years working as a welder at Modine Manufacturing. Her hobbies were traveling, dancing, gardening. She enjoyed tending her plants and studying God’s word. Eva had a green thumb and a heart of gold. She loved helping others especially as a translator.
She will be deeply missed by her family.
Evangeline was preceded in death by: Parents, Jesus Carrera and Evarista Valenzuela; brothers, Lucio and Jesus; and husbands, Julius Troy Mayr (died 1981) and Ronald E. Whitson (died 1989).
She is survived by: Loving daughters, Erin Vargas (Larry) of Prattville, Ala. (USAF retired), Natalie Young of Knoxville; grandchildren, Joshua Troy Vargas, Jason Anthony Vargas, and Julian James Young; great-grandchildren, Andrew Chapman, Caroline Eloise, and Tucker Owen Vargas; many nephews, nieces, special cousins, and friends.
The Family will receive friends at Woodhaven's Chapel in Powell from noon – 2 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2023.
Funeral service will be from 2 – 2:30 p.m., and graveside service at 3:00 p.m. at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens.
RUTH DRUZELLIA WARFIELD
March 26, 2023
Ruth Druzellia Warfield, 90, passed away March 26, 2023, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Ruth. She poured her life into her family, teaching them valuable life skills in her kitchen, sewing room, garden, and farm. She was a lifelong supporter of the 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America.
Ruth is survived by: Husband of 72 years, Leroy; their six children. Pat Marcum and late husband Larry, Philip Warfield and wife Darla, Kila Worthington and husband Kent, Kim Guinn and husband Mike, Katrina Byrd and husband Doug, John Warfield and wife Elizabeth; multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Velma Jean Foust; and niece, Pam Foust-Boyd.
A private graveside ceremony will be held at East Tennessee’s Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. (865-544-6288).
The family wishes to express their gratitude for the excellent care provided by the staff at Emory Ridges, hospice staff at Gentiva and especially nurses Patti, Diana, Matt, Irene and Chaplain Mark.
The family will have a graveside service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
HELEN M. DIXON
March 22, 2023
Helen M. Dixon, 92, Heiskell, was called to her heavenly home Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Okeechobee, Fla., with her son, Henry Lee, by her side.
She was a member of Greenway Baptist Church. The family takes comfort in that she is not suffering and has been reunited with her husband, Elbert, her eldest daughter, Wanda, and her youngest daughter, Angie.
Helen retired from Chrysler Motor Company in Detroit, Mich., then devoted her time to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and traveling while her health allowed her to do so. Helen was a gifted gardener and took great pride in her many beautiful flower gardens – as well as her annual vegetable garden; all of which will be missed immensely.
She is survived by: Only son, Henry Lee; brother, Elmer (Joe) Rittenberry; son-in law, Robert Wyrick; grandchildren, Tammy (Phil) Raby, Patty Thomason, Bill Lee, Kristy (Darin) Broyles; great-grandchildren, Adam Raby, Cody Raby, Steven Shultz, Rachel Shultz, Madison Wilkerson, and Connor Wilkerson; great-great-grandchildren, Anberlyn Raby, Bobby Shultz, Kaiden Shockey, Paisley Raby, Alianna King and Everleigh Wilkerson; several nieces and nephews; cherished neighbors, Earl and Penny Peterson.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by: Husbands, George Lee, father of her children, and Elbert Dixon; brothers, Raymond, Wayne, and Alvin Rittenberry; sister, Betty Shoun, Virginia Powell; daughters, Wanda Wyrick, and Angie Lee.
The family will receive friends at Holley Gamble Funeral Home from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday March 30, 2023, with a funeral service to follow.
Family and friends will again gather at Holley Gamble Funeral Home at 1:15 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2023, and follow in precession to the graveside at Wolf Valley Baptist Church Cemetery where the committal service will be held at 2p.m.
Pallbearers will be: Phil Raby, Bill Lee, Adam Raby, Steven Shultz, Cody Raby, and Connor Wilkerson.
The family would like to thank Okeechobee Health Care Facility for the great care that was provided to Helen in her last weeks here on this earth.
WILLIAM 'BILL' WRIGHT
March 22, 2023
William “Bill” Wright, 78, Stockbridge, Ga., passed away at his residence Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Bill was born in Murfreesboro to Clarence and Frances Murphy Wright, but primarily grew up in Clinton, which he called his hometown and graduated from Clinton Senior High School.
A U.S. Air Force and Vietnam veteran Bill retired from Northwest Airlines.
He was preceded in death by: His parents; sister, Dorothy Wright Gerard; and niece, Deborah Gerard.
He is survived by: Wife, Karen Wright; daughter, Tara Wright, both of Stockbridge, Ga.; great-nephew, Lee Polston and wife, Jennifer and two children, Jackson and Amelia, of Kathleen, Ga..
The family requests donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.
LILY CAROLYN LLOYD
March 20, 2023
Lily Carolyn Lloyd, 78, went home to be with the Lord Monday, March 20, 2023.
Preceded in death by: Parents, Charles and Margaret Elliott; son, Darrel Lloyd; and grandson, Christopher Watts.
Carolyn loved the Lord and always spoke of the importance of being saved and going to heaven. She enjoyed being outside, the beach, flowers and most importantly her family. She made the best old fashioned apple stack cake and loved all of her family with all of her heart.
She is survived by: Husband of 60 years, Lewis Lloyd; daughters, Debbie Underwood and husband Tommy of Knoxville, Connie Hall and husband Ricky of Clinton, Teresa Watts Martin of Clinton; daughter-in-law, Mary Lloyd of Clinton; grandchildren, Brandon Lindsay and wife Danielle of Briceville, Ryan Lindsay and wife Caitlin of Jacksboro, Justin Hall of Clinton, Dr. Brittney Hall Kerber and husband Dr. John Kerber of Sulfolk, Va., Kristy Skaggs and husband Brandon of Clinton, Taylor Phillips of Jacksboro; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Aiden Lindsay, Rylin and Portlyn Lindsay, Keagan, Peyton, Hunter and Samuel Skaggs, Coraline and Everlee Bell; sisters, Helen Neal and Cathy Carpenter.
Pallbearers: Ryan Lindsay, Brandon Lindsay, Justin Hall, Ricky Hall, Samuel Skaggs and Hunter Skaggs.
Special singers: Shultz Hollow Baptist Church.
The family received friends from 6 – 7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home, with funeral service at 7 p.m. with Preacher Ricky Hall officiating.
Burial was at 10 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2023, at Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
CARROL J. ELLIOTT COPELAND
March 20, 2023
Carrol J. Elliott Copeland, born June 30, 1946, passed Monday, March 20, 2023, at age of 76, took her flight home to join her heavenly Father and grandparents, Bennett B. Loy, Lucinda Newport Loy, Jake and Helen Crawford; parents, Warren H. Loy Sr. and Elsie Crawford Loy; sister, Linda Loy; brother. Warren H. Loy Jr.; first husband of 46 years, Eddie Elliott Sr.; daughter, Channa R. Elliott; son, John H. (Johnny) Elliott; along with other family and friends.
Carrol is survived by: Husband of 11 wonderful years, Homer Copeland; son, Eddie L. Elliott Jr., Wesley (Robin) Elliott, John Edward (Christen) Elliott; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and special grandchildren, Marley and Jaxxton Elliott; sister, Joann Davis; brothers, Steve Loy, Ken Loy; special nephew, Rodney (Beth Ann) Loy of Michigan; bonus daughters, Debra Copeland, Connie Harkleroad; and special friend, Mary Sherwood
Carrol worked 10 years as a surgical nurse at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge before retiring to care for sick family members. She enjoyed watching wildlife in her backyard and working word searches and working word puzzles.
Carrol was a strong woman who survived 38 cancer treatments, then contracted COVID, followed by double pneumonia and other health issues.
The family will receive friends at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home from 5 – 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Carrol’s graveside will be held at Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Pallbearers Eddie Elliott, Wesley Elliott, John Elliott, Matthew Harkleroad, and David Harkleroad.
holleygamble.com
JAMES BEARDEN
March 15, 2023
James Bearden, 80, Knoxville, passed away at his residence Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
James was born Dec. 26, 1942, in Clinton to Roy and Edna Bearden. James was a veteran of the United States Air Force where he worked as an air traffic controller for many years. After working with the Air Force as an air traffic controller he continued to work as an air traffic controller for another 15 years in Georgia. James was an avid football and basketball fan of the University of Tennessee. His greatest love was his wife, Barbara. He loved doing anything he could do to make her happy until her passing in 2012.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by” Loving wife, Barbara Bearden; daughters, Jamie Bearden Kilpatrick, and Sonja Jeanne Stinnet; brother, Charles Bearden.
He is survived by: Son, Jeff Bearden; grandsons, Gabriel Kilpatrick, and Asher James Kilpatrick; brother, Kenneth Bearden.
The family his honoring his wishes and there will no services.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
RUBY LEE REED
March 10, 2023
Ruby Lee Reed, 85, Clinton, passed away Friday, March 10, 2023, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge after a brief illness.
She was born and raised in Anderson County, the daughter of Samuel Love and Ruby Blanche Foster, growing up on the family farm on Mountain Road.
Ruby worked for more than 40 years at The White Store and later Food City in Clinton, where she made many lifelong friends who became like family to her. She was a lifelong member of Hinds Creek Baptist Church in Clinton and enjoyed participating in worship services, often leading songs.
Ruby was preceded in death by: Husband, Bill Reed; longtime companion, Paul Meredith; parents, Love and Ruby Foster; brothers, S.L. and Ershal Foster; and sister, Joy Rice.
Ruby is survived by: Sisters, Dolly Foster and Karen Weis; brother, Don Foster; and many special nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
Ruby especially loved to spend time with the children in the family as they were growing up, and they always loved the time they spent with her, many of whom referred to her house as, “Camp Clinton.” She was a kind-hearted and sentimental person and was loved by so many.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Monday, March 13, 2023, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Michael Wallace officiating.
Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Woodhaven Cemetery in Powell.
Pallbearers will be Zain Sheikh, Matt Queener and Walter Mays Jr.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
