ROBERT 'BOBBY' PARKS
June 11, 2022
Robert “Bobby” Parks, 77, Harriman, went to sleep to awake in the presence of his Savior Saturday, June 11, 2022.
He was born March 15, 1945, in Kingston and had been a lifelong resident of Roane County. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Kingston. Bobby was an excellent painting contractor and had completed many jobs for various businesses and people of Roane County. His friendship was treasured by many who knew and loved him. Bobby was one of the hardest working men around as long as his health permitted. He loved helping people and never boasted about anything he did to help others but was a very humble God fearing man. Bobby was also known as an animal whisperer. He made sure all the animals were fed, including the birds and deers.
Preceded in death by: Parents, Jake and Lois Parks; and brother, Charles Parks.
Survivors: Loving wife of 20 years, Barbara Parks of Harriman; children, Sharon Butler of Unionville, Renee Farmer of Roanoke, Va., Robin Parks Allen and Rex of Roanoke, Va., Sheila Butler Payne and husband Dale of Kodak, Keith Parks and Rachel Tate of Knoxville; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sue Renfro, Marcia McFalls and husband Tommy, Annette Herrell and husband Bobby, Linda Johnson, and Sandy Parks, all of Kingston; brothers-in-law, John Franks of Leona, Jim Franks and wife Linda of Leona, Joel Franks and wife Susan of Leona; special friends, Walter Calbaugh and David Lassiter, both of Kingston; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends who will greatly miss his wonderful smile and kindness that he shared with everyone he met.
The family will receive friends from noon – 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Fraker Funeral Home with celebration of life following at 1 p.m.
Interment will follow at Calvary-Hazelwood Cemetery.
Online register book can be signed at www.frakerfuneralhome.net .
Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston in charge of arrangements.
LENNA LOVETTE
June 11, 2022
Lenna Lovette, 83, passed away at dawn Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Tennova Medical Center, Knoxville.
She was born Aug. 28, 1938, to Robert Louis and Maude Kate Lovette in McMinnville.
Lenna loved the Lord, studying and talking about the Bible, and working in the church. She was a people person and will be dearly missed by immediate and extended family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Robert Wills.
Lenna is survived by: Husband, Lawrence Weston; daughter, Katie Lovette; and grandson, Jared Lovette.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Christians United for Israel (CUFI) https://cufi.org/.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
BRENDA JOAN (HERRELL) BENNETT
June 10, 2022
Brenda Joan (Herrell) Bennett, 73, Powell, Claxton, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, June 10, 2022, with her daughters and brothers by her side.
Brenda will be greatly missed as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, cousin, and friend. She had been in church as recently as Eater, and her hospice journey began in May. She was known to ask anyone who knew her well, “Do you know that you know that you know (Jesus)?” Her great faith has now become sight.
Brenda was born Friday, March 4, 1949, to Albert and Gladys Herrell in Knox County. She was a lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Heiskell. Brenda graduated from Clinton High School in 1967, where she met her husband to be, was married to James O’Dell Bennett June 8, 1969, and just crossed over what would’ve been their 53rd wedding anniversary milestone. Later in life, she followed the Lord’s calling to become a nurse after caring for her father during his passing in her home. Brenda worked hard as an adult student and mother of three, and graduated from Roane State Community College in 1989, with a degree in nursing, which was always in her caregiving nature and a passion of hers. fter obtaining her official RN credentials, she moved on from being a bank teller, to serve full time in the Emergency Department of Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. She worked there until retirement, and then worked in emergency and employee health at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
After fully retiring, she went on to make many baby quilts and gifts with her church quilting group and personally in her sunroom on Herrell Hill. During retirement, she became full-time Nana to her eight grandchildren and three nieces in Knoxville. Brenda also traveled the world with her husband, on various cruises and in the fifth wheel camper. There were many trips for deer hunting and camping, with most recent favorite memories being at Fall Creek Falls with best friends, Gary and Debbie Keyt.
Brenda was preceded in death by: Husband of 51 years, James O’Dell Bennett; infant grandson, Job Warren Arnold; and a host of aunts, uncles, and other relatives.
Brenda is survived by: Three daughters, who also became nurses, Janet Bryant (husband Kevin and children James and David), Christie Owen (husband Steve and children Caleb, Sarah, Abigail, and Victoria), and Amanda Arnold (husband Daniel and children Jude and Nathan).
Brenda is also survived by two brothers, who made a much appreciated trip from Florida for a final goodbye, Steve and Danny Herrell and their daughters, Brenda’s nieces, whom she cherished living in Knoxville with her, Amy Owen (Addison and Victoria Owen) and Sandy Miehe (with Heiko and Cassidy).
Brenda is also survived by so many she took under her wings as children, cousins Trish (Tom) Chaloux, Patty (Jerry) Champagne, and Jamie Maxwell.
Brenda was most recently cared for like a princess, as she did for so many in their last days, by her youngest daughter, Amanda Rose, in the Arnold home in Kingsport.
The family will be forever grateful for the example Brenda set for dying with dignity and bringing honor to those suffering through the death and dying process, so much so that Amanda followed in the her emergency room footsteps and was her ultimate “hospice nurse” and faithful “charge nurse” in he most awesome ways possible.
A celebration of life service will be held at Basswood Church, at 3611 Kingston Pike (in the Seventh Day Adventist building) Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
The family will receive friends from 6 – 7 p.m. with a celebration of life service to follow with Pastor Ronnie Batchelor officiating.
Interment will be private and carried out by Woodhaven Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, at 160 Edgemoor Road in Powell.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions in memory of Brenda Bennett be made to the Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264. Menlo Park, Ca 94026 or online at http://www.brainsupportnetwork.org/donate
To leave your condolences please visit woodhavenfh.com
The staff at Woodhaven Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens are honored to serve the Brenda Joan Herrell Bennett family.
LINDA JEAN FOY
June 9, 2022
Linda Jean Foy, 73, passed away at her home in Clinton Thursday, June 9, 2022.
Linda moved to Clinton from Detroit, Mich., about six months ago. She enjoyed crocheting, making blankets for babies and her grandchildren, and she loved bowling. Above all, Linda loved her kids.
She was preceded in death by: Parents, Robert and Beatrice McKeague; husband, Robert Foy; sons, Anthony Foy Sr., Jimmy Foy, and Bobby Foy; daughters, Pat Johnston, and Kathy Justice; brothers, Michael McKeague, and Robert McKeague.
Linda is survived by: Sons, Anthony Foy (Rachel) of Clinton, Larry Foy (Lari) of Tennessee, Michael Robert Foy (Karen) of Knoxville, Mark Foy of Idaho; daughters, Kell Hill (Bill) of Garden City, Mich., Lynda Ingram (Mark) of Powell, Debbie Foy of Detroit, Mich., Beatrice Foy-Lake (Larry) of Dexter, Mich.; sister, Sherry Saxon (Richard) of Novi, Mich.
Linda is also survived by more than 30 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Jones Mortuary, LLC. in Clinton, is in charge of arrangements.
DON W. LYNCH
June 8, 2022
Don W. Lynch, 88, left this earthly life June 8, 2022.
Don was born Sept. 6, 1933, in Cookeville to Irma (Thompson) and William Lynch.
Don was a 1952 graduate of Oak Ridge High School. He was a star athlete on the ORHS track team. His long jump, the final event for the state championship scored the win and clinched the first ever state championship title for the Oak Ridge Wildcats.
After graduation, Don joined the United States Navy, where he served for four years. In 1955 he married the love of his life, Mary Ann Lowery. Together they had three children, Robert, Julie and Steve. Their home was filled with love, joy and laughter. In 1972 God called his beloved Mary Ann home, a loss he carried with him for the rest of his life.
Don was employed for 29 years at K25, Y12 and X10 from which he retired from in 1994. Throughout his life, Don’s love of sports played a huge role in his life. He was a coach and umpire for the Clinton Little League Baseball League for more than 10 years. He was also an avid bowler on numerous community leagues throughout his life.
Don was a lifetime director for the Anderson County Fair, where he served in various capacities for more than 30 years.
Don was preceded in death by: Wife, Mary Ann; parents, Irma and William Lynch; sister, Betty Mynatt; sister-in-law, Helen Lynch; and brother-in-law, Bruce Mynatt.
He is survived by: His children, Robert, Julie and Steve Lynch; grandchildren, Andrew Lynch, Ashton and Tristan Hicks; and his first great-grandchild due in December.
The family will receive friends at Holley Gamble Funeral Home from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2022, and funeral service at 1 p.m. with interment to follow at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Roger Pugh officiating.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Ellen Liuzza and the staff of Family Clinic in Oak Ridge, Clinch River Home Health and University of Tennesse Hospice for the care and support the provided over the past year. The family would like to especially thank Gail, Lenny, Brian, Stephanie and Kathy for their unwavering commitment, care and devotion throughout Don’s last year.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements
www.holleygamble.com
CLARA WALLACE McCLURE
June 8, 2022
Clara McClure passed away on June 8, 2022, at the age of 92, at Lopez Island, Wash.
Clara lived a long life of engagement in her community and the world, leaving behind not only many friends and family, but a legacy of activism.
Clara Louise Wallace was born in Clinton, Nov. 5, 1929, the eldest child of Homer Houston Wallace and Bessie May Hargis Wallace. She treasured her family’s home on the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains. Her lifelong love of wild forests began there.
Clara met fellow student George T. McClure at the University of Tennessee, marrying in March, 1950. Both later pursued graduate degrees at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Daughter Wendy was born there in June, 1957. Daughter Laura was born in Carbondale, Ill., May, 1959, after George began teaching philosophy at Southern Illinois University.
Clara spent most of her long working life at the Jackson County Mental Health Clinic in Carbondale, Ill., providing support for chronically mentally ill adults. There she met Noreen Salzman, who became like a third daughter.
Clara loved hiking in the hills and valleys of Southern Illinois, joining George and several friends on frequent walks. She was a lifelong environmentalist, active in Sierra Club for decades. She was also a determined feminist. Together with friends, Clara helped found the Women’s Center in Carbondale, Ill., in 1972. Clara was active in the Civil Rights Movement and helped establish Carbondale’s Eurma C. Hayes Center. She volunteered with the League of Women Voters, continuing her engagement in local and state politics until her last years. She was a long-serving precinct committeeperson and was elected Carbondale Township Supervisor in 1989.
Throughout her life, Clara was never without a book. She was on the library board and was a member of two reading groups that persisted for decades.
Clara had two loving partners in her life: George McClure, her partner for 42 years until his death in 1992; and Stan Harris, her partner until he died in 2020 (at 102).
Stan and Clara enjoyed 25 years of shared life together – as travel companions, theatre fans, and activists, they lived life fully. Clara was adopted into the extended Harris family and later resided with them. After Stan passed away, Clara relocated to an adult family home, Hamlet House, on Lopez Island, Wash., where Wendy lives.
Clara is survived by: Daughters, Wendy McClure and Laura McClure; son-in-law, Michael Kaufman; and her third daughter, Noreen Salzman; grandson, Gavin Iosso; sister, Dorothy Howell; brother, William Wallace; and sister-in-law, Julie Wallace; and nieces, Nora and Lisa Wallace.
We also extend sympathies to many other loved ones whom Clara considered family.
Clara leaves us inspired, leading by example on paths toward social justice, environmental stewardship, and an appreciation of music, books, and the natural world. We are so grateful to have known her.
Memorial gifts can be made to the Survivor Empowerment Center (formerly Carbondale Women’s Center) or to The Nature Conservancy.
For Clinton: https://tinyurl.com/327danhe
See our extended remembrance of Clara Wallace McClure.
JEROME SEEBER
June 7, 2022
Jerome Seeber, 84, Clinton, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He was born Dec. 7, 1937, in Anderson County to late Fletcher and Gladys Hamilton Seeber. Jerome was a lifelong member of Antioch Baptist Church and attended Blowing Springs Baptist Church. He retired from the City of Clinton Public Works after many years.
In addition to his parents, Jerome was preceded in death by brothers, Dennis F. Seeber and Kenneth E. Seeber.
Jerome is survived by his niece, Kenrda Cooney, and nephew, Dennis “Kevin” Seeber.
The family will have a graveside service at noon Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Oak Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Ault officiating.
www.holleygamble.com
JOHN STEVEN LONG
June 7, 2022
John Steven Long, 72, left this life unexpectedly Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at his home in Powell.
He was born Oct. 12, 1949, in Knoxville to John W. Long and Rachel I. Violet. In years past, he enjoyed hunting and competitive shooting. John retired from the Information Technology Services Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge. He was a member of Black Oak Baptist Church and a veteran of the United States Army.
John was preceded in death by: Father, John W. Long; and mother, Rachel Patterson.
He is survived by: Daughters, Stacy Long Neubert (David) of Knoxville, Bethany Long of Powell; fur babies (Luke, Tunie and Sherman); and special friend, Carolyn Strizak of Clinton.
Visitation for family and friends to pay their respects was from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2022, at their convenience, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton.
The graveside service was at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Black Oak Baptist Church cemetery in Clinton.
www.holleygamble.com
