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, 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
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, 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
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
Billy Thomas “Bill” Hicks Sr., 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, April 4, 2023, after years of battling health issues.
A native of Clinton, Bill played football in high school for the Dragons and then at Tennessee Wesleyan College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in education. While at Wesleyan, he met incoming freshman, Sandra Copeland of Harriman, whom he had been asked to “watch over” by a mutual friend. He did. The two were married on March 20, 1959. Bill then shipped off to boot camp and served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six months while continuing his education. Bill and Sandy soon started a family in Oak Ridge with a daughter, LeeAnn, in June of 1963, and then an “Irish Twin” son, Billy Jr. “Chip,” the following June.
Bill earned his master’s degree in education from The University of Tennessee before spending several years teaching sixth grade science at Norwood Elementary and Jefferson Jr High, where he also coached football. He was then hired away by what was then Union Carbide. He spent the next 30 years in the personnel department, retiring in 1996 as a benefit plans administrator. It seemed that everyone knew Bill. He often joked that he “either hired ‘em or fired ‘em.” Never one to sit around and watch the paint dry, less than a year after retiring, Bill took over as owner/operator of The Daily Grind, a small coffee shop in Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. A “people person” from his core, Bill loved the opportunity it gave him to mingle with friends and neighbors. So much so, he eventually opened another Daily Grind in his hometown of Clinton. Unfortunately, Bill’s health issues made it impossible to continue running either location and he missed it immensely every day since.
Another of Bill’s passions was serving as Chairman of the Board of the Y-12 Federal Credit Union. During his 30 years as Chairman, the credit union opened more branches than any other period in their history. As chairman, Bill’s name appears on the outside of many of them. Bill was proud to have been born, raised, and educated in Tennessee and was an avid fan and supporter of the Tennessee Vols. Bill loved his family and his God and he never met a stranger.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Mary Hicks.
Survivors include: Wife of 64 years, Sandra Lee Copeland Hicks; daughter, LeeAnn Hicks Sherrill and husband Joseph; son, Billy Thomas “Chip” Hicks Jr. and wife Susan; grandchildren, Landon Sherrill and wife Lauren, and Zachery Sherrill and wife Nichole; step-grandchildren, Adam and Chad Kennedy; great-grandchildren, Iris, Ruby, and Dean Sherrill; and step-great-grandchildren, Hannah and Chad Garet Kennedy.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Commonwealth Senior Living and Amedisys Hospice for the care they provided and to Kern Memorial United Methodist Church for their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations In Bill’s honor to Tennessee Wesleyan University at tnwesleyan.edu/alumni-friends/ways-to-give/index.php.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Weatherford Mortuary.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be left at weatherfordmortuary.com.