Jo Ann Nelson
September 22, 2025
Jo Ann Nelson, 83, of Lake City passed away on Sept. 22, 2025, at her home.
Born July 28, 1942, in Turtletown, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Woodrow “Woody” Disney and Ruby Harmon Disney.
Jo Ann was a member of Island Ford Baptist Church. She loved working on the farm and being outdoors. She also enjoyed crafts and woodworking.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennifer Jo Hawkins Suddeth; and her husbands, Kenneth “Joe” Hawkins and Jerry Nelson.
She is survived by her sons, Kenny Hawkins and Paula Winchester, and Jason Hawkins and Hope; brothers, James Woodrow Disney, J.C. Disney and wife Gail, and Jerry Lynn Disney and wife Charlotte; and grandchildren, Jasmyne Prentiss Hawkins and Taylor Alexandria Hawkins.
She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends.
The family received friends from 5–7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.
The funeral followed at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Hatmaker Funeral Home.
Interment was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Lovely Family Cemetery in Lake City.
Herman Lamar Long
September 17, 2025
Herman Lamar Long, 82, passed on to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born May 11, 1943, in Clinton to Dorsey and Flonnie Long.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 40 years, Frances Long; his son, Charles Long; his daughter-in-law, Lisa Long; and seven brothers and sisters.
For Herman, family was his life, and he cherished his role as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his son Roger Long; daughter Sherri Fowler and husband, Jeff Fowler; and son Mark Long and fiancée, Shauna Stevenson. He is also survived by grandchildren Amanda Fox and husband, Shawn Fox; Cameron Moore; and Brendan Fowler; great-grandchildren Eleanor Fox and Ranger Fox; many nieces and nephews; and his special friend Alvin Jones.
A faithful servant of the Lord, Herman was a longtime member and former deacon at Poplar Creek Baptist Church in Clinton. He worked as a respected insurance agent for American General Life Insurance Co. for 25 years, where he built a loyal client base and earned recognition from the Million Dollar Roundtable, one of the highest honors in the life insurance industry. Even after retirement, he continued to represent clients, many of whom he considered friends.
Outside of work, Herman cherished time with family and friends. He was an avid University of Tennessee athletics fan, enjoyed stock car racing, and loved country and gospel music. He had a lifelong passion for cooking for those he loved and was known for his generous heart and open table. Herman was loved and very respected by all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.
Services were held Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Poplar Creek Baptist Church in Clinton. The receiving of friends began at noon and the funeral followed. A graveside service was held afterward at Grandview Memorial Garden in Clinton.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home of Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Adeline Colwell
September 17, 2025
Shirley Adeline Colwell, 86, of Rocky Top went to be with the Lord on Sept. 17, 2025, in Powell. She was born April 25, 1939, in Xenia, Ohio, to Robert and Lucille Shaw.
Shirley was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed butterflies, flowers and crocheting.
A hard worker throughout her life, she was known for the neatness of her home, a trait passed down from her mother. She loved gardening and tending her yard and always gave thanks to God for each day.
Shirley will rejoice at Heaven’s Gate with her late husband Russell Colwell; son Tim Bryant; her parents Robert and Lucille Shaw; brothers Robert and Michael Shaw; sister Barbara Elswick.
While Shirley celebrates with the Lord, her memory will be carried on by her children, William Miller and wife Linda, Mark Bryant and wife Machelle, Felix Colwell, Sondra Ray and husband Rick, and Karen Bullock and husband Mike; brother, Gary Shaw and wife Beverly; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
To honor Shirley’s life a visitation was held Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, from 11 a.m. to noon at Jones Mortuary in Clinton, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. at Glen Foust Cemetery in Rocky Top, with Jimmy Ault officiating.
Brenda Kay Cunningham
September 9, 2025
Mrs. Brenda Kay Cunningham, 75, passed away Sept. 9, 2025, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge after a prolonged illness.
Brenda leaves a legacy of love, humility, selflessness, compassion and servanthood. She demonstrated her faith through service to her family, friends, church, work and community, and was rewarded with lasting relationships and friendships that remained until her final days.
She was born Nov. 26, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Henry and Betty Purcell. She was raised there with her family. She was active in her church youth group, where she met David Cunningham. They married in 1967 following her graduation from Cleveland High School in St. Louis, and they moved to Oak Ridge in 1968.
Brenda was active with Highland View Church of Christ in Oak Ridge, where she volunteered in the Benevolent Room, taught classes, worked in the nursery, and planned church events.
In 1974, Brenda and David welcomed their only child, Bridget, and raised her in Clinton. Brenda was heavily involved in Bridget’s schools and activities, serving on PTA/PTO boards, supporting dance, swim team and church youth group programs.
She began serving at Teenage Christian Camp at Hillbrook in Karns in 1978, continuing as a counselor, dean of women and sometimes nurse. Beginning in 2000, she also volunteered at Palmetto Bible Camp in Marietta, South Carolina. She had a lifelong passion for working with children, teenagers and adults, teaching and demonstrating the love of Christ.
In 1990, Brenda began working as a teaching assistant with students with special needs for Clinton City Schools, where she served until 2014. She embraced each student as her own, investing love and time to help them learn and grow. She was also a caregiver for her family, tending to her grandmother and parents in addition to her husband and daughter. She joyfully welcomed her four grandchildren, who treasured singing, dancing and shopping with “GooGoo” during visits.
She is survived by her husband, David Cunningham of Oak Ridge; daughter, Bridget (Darren) Fulco; and grandchildren, Beatrice, Adelaide, Clementine and Dash Fulco, all of Brentwood, Tennessee; brother, Donald (Lisa) Purcell of Elkhorn, Nebraska; sister, Tammy (Jim) Bottigliero of Naperville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and grandmother, Gladys Bolton.
A celebration of life will be held in Oak Ridge at the end of October.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Teenage Christian Camp in Knoxville or Palmetto Bible Camp in Marietta.
Sabra Lynn Appleby
September 8, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sabra Lynn Appleby, 92, of Caryville, who passed away peacefully at her home on Sept. 8, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Margaret Shattuck; and her brother, John Shattuck.
She is survived by her loving husband, Eddie Appleby; daughters, Sabrina Bowling, Carol Appleby, and Leigh (Mike) Baker; sons, Mike (Robin) Appleby and Patrick (Anita) Appleby; and grandchildren, Adia, Dustin, Anna, Nathaniel III, Jack, Courtney, the late Brandon, Jessica, and Julianna. Her great-grandchildren include Archer, Ronin, Sabra, Orion, Kylie, Saibree, Phillip, Ruby, Tyleigh, and Hollis.
She is also survived by her brothers, Tom and Jerry Shattuck; sister, Penny Narayan; and sisters-in-law, Carolynn and Betty Shattuck.
Sabra attended Centre College before devoting her life to raising her five children, which she often said was her proudest achievement.
Among her many endeavors were reading for the blind, working as a legal secretary, singing in a women’s choral ensemble, playing piano, sketching portraits, reading and caring for her pets and flowers.
She will be missed beyond words, but as a Hebrew proverb says: “Say not in grief that she is no more, but live in thankfulness that she was.”
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages everyone to spend time together.
The family would like to thank Dogwood Funeral Services for handling the arrangements.
Betty Joyce Carden Taylor
August 30, 2025
Betty Joyce Carden Taylor passed into eternal life on Aug. 30 at the age of 87.
Born and raised in Lake City, she lived in Clinton for many years before moving to Knoxville in 1999. She was musically gifted, playing piano, organ and keyboard by ear. She also enjoyed gardening and crafts.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Lewis Taylor, who passed away in June 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer; parents, Clyde and Gertrude Massengill Carden; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy (Vic) Henderson, Louise (Larry) Egner and Lula (Jim) Martin.
Survivors include her daughter, Zina Taylor Byrd and husband Biff; grandson, Will Rutherford; brother-in-law, Bob Taylor; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Taylor and Lucille Taylor Shreve; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves behind two dear friends and Cove Ridge neighbors, Julie Moore and Phee Wilson, who held a special place in both her and Bill’s hearts.
The family extends sincere thanks to the caregivers at Concord Place and to Smoky Mountain Hospice for their compassionate care.
A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Smoky Mountain Hospice in Betty’s honor.
Arrangements by Click Funeral Home Middlebrook Chapel.
Leona “Ms. Lee” Goins
August 30, 2025
Leona “Ms. Lee” Goins, 72, of Oak Ridge, formerly of Briceville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at Diversicare of Oak Ridge.
She was born Dec. 19, 1952, in LaFollette to Alvin “Toad” and Ruth Ellen Aslinger Wilson.
Ms. Lee loved flowers and reading. She was a faithful witness for the Lord and an active member of Community Baptist Church in Oliver Springs. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Goins; daughter, Debbie Phillips; son, James Dean Phillips; sisters, Sue Phillips and Stella Wilson; and brothers, Doc Wilson and Steve Wilson.
She is survived by her daughter, Tammy Hooks and husband Kenneth; son, Benjamin Phillips; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. at Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation, with funeral to follow at 7 p.m., officiated by Bro. Larry Gibbs.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Circle Cemetery.
leachfamilyfuneralhome.com
Annie Ruth Graham Bentley
August 27, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Annie Ruth Graham Bentley, who departed this life Aug. 27, 2025, to enter eternal life. She was born April 3, 1962, to Buford and Elizabeth Casey Graham. She was a faithful member of Bethel Apostolic Temple.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings Charles Edward Graham, Sidney Graham, Willie Graham, Mary Graham and Patricia Graham.
She is survived by her beloved husband of nine years, Greg Bentley; daughters, Tamisha Shervington and Keisha Shervington; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Johnlee Graham; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bethel Apostolic Temple, 319 Douglas Ave., Knoxville, with services to follow.
Bishop Kelvin Cash will officiate. Interment will be at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. The family will gather at Jarnigan & Son Mortuary at 10:30 a.m. to proceed to the church for services.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Jarnigan & Son Mortuary.
jarniganandson.com
