CORTELL WHITIS
Cortell Whitis, 100, Clinton, Tennessee passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He was the son of Evan and Opha Dugger Whitis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: Wife, Shirley Ann Whitis; brothers; Louie Whitis, Lonnie Whitis, and Clell Whitis. Cortell was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and served during World War 11 in Normandy, France, Ardennes and Central Europe. He received several medals, including American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory, European African, Eastern Theater Ribbon with six Bronze Stars. He also worked for Y-12 from 1969 to 1986. Cortell is survived by: Son, James Whitis of Clinton; sisters-in-law, Thelma Davison and Joyce Leathers; nieces, Becky Whitis Langner, Libby Whitis, Earlene Davison Giglierano, Kimberly Moor Poore; nephews, Evan Whitis, Scott Whitis, Michael Davison, Sean Leathers; several grand nieces, grand-nephews and friends. Jones Mortuary, LLC of Clinton is serving the family of Cortell Whitis.
Leroy Smelcher, born Aug. 2, 1936, beloved brother, father, and grandfather, passed into the arms of Jesus Friday, March 31, 2023.
He will be greatly missed by: Siblings, Jim Smelcher and Louise Miracle; children, Terry Smelcher (Danette), Sherry Brummitt, Michael Smelcher, John Winters (Judy), Tim Winters (Heather); and grandchildren, Angie, Chip, Kristie, Ronald, Ashley, Patrick, Gabrielle, and Ty; great-grandchildren, Matt, Emma, Annabelle, Lulu, T.J., Savannah, and Dakota; as well as his great-great-grandchildren.
He will also be missed by countless friends including his breakfast club and church family.
He was preceded in death by: Mother, Lyda Smelcher; sister, Geniva Christine; wife, Eileen Smelcher; brother-in-law, Eldon Miracle; and son-in-law, Ron Brummitt Sr.
He was a lover of all things University of Tennessee, motorcycles, and classic cars. He was everyone’s papaw.
Receiving of friends will be from noon – 2 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2023, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home, with the funeral immediately after.
Leroy will be buried at Sunset Cemetery in Clinton next to his wife Eileen.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
Carolyn Lugene Owens, 86, Clinton, passed away peacefully March 30, 2023 surrounded by family.
Born April 13, 1936, in Hoffman, Ill.,, Carolyn was the eldest daughter of Eugene and Verna Hohman and grew up in a loving family with three siblings. She spent her childhood and adulthood in Clinton, where she attended Clinton High School and played on the basketball team.
Carolyn began her long career as the office manager at The White Store in 1975 and gained many close friendships there. She attended Faith Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge and was a member of Good Sam Club and GWRRA.
Carolyn was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Marvin, for more than 66 years. They were inseparable, enjoying countless camping trips in the Great Smokey Mountains and adventuring out of her comfort zone riding on the back of his motorcycle just to be with him. She loved playing dominos and hosting large family gatherings in her home, which she adored.
Carolyn was the most doting grand, great-grand and great-great-grandmother, and protective mother to her two daughters who reciprocated with devoted support till the end. She loved and defended her whole family fiercely. She also adored her pets over the years and was very fond of the hummingbirds that visited her windows.
Carolyn was preceded in death by: Parents, Eugene and Verna Hohman; two brothers, Jack and Lowell Hohman.
She is survived by: Husband, Marvin Owens; two daughters, Tena Southard (Joe) and Linda Rankin (John); grandchildren, Jamie Southard, Andrea Brown, Tyler Southard, Amanda Rankin and David Rankin.
She was the great-grandmother to: Xander, Hayden, Lilly, Jasper, Jet, Elayna, Claire, Pierce and August; as well as a great-great grandmother to Easton.
Also survived by: Sister, Dolores Crowley (L.B;); sister-in-law, Norma Hohman; and nieces and nephews.
The visitation will be held at Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023, with service to follow.
A brief graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens.
www.holleygamble.com
Rest in peace, Carolyn “Mamaw.” You will always be our favorite firecracker.
Ralph William (Billy) Foster passed away peacefully March 27, 2023, at the Home of his loving daughter and son-in-law, Mindy and Theo Bachman, in Eagle River, Alaska, who took special care of him.
Preceding him were: Parents Ralph and Lois Foster of Clinton; grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. Walter Foster and Mr. and Mrs. William Murray Boring; brother-in-law, Johnny Walls; and nephew, Josh Walls
Billy was saved at an early age and a member of North Clinton Missionary Baptist Church
Leaving behind are: Devoted children, Mindy Bachman (Theo), Joni Lawson, son, Ernie Foster (Molly); the mother of his children, Brenda Foster; two grandchildren that he was so proud of, Sean Bachman and Caleb Bachman; five sisters and brothers who loved him dearly, Jackie Walls (David), Judy Courtney (Glen), Debbie Walls, Mike Foster (Barbie), and Jeff (Karen); nieces and nephews, Jill, Scott, Christie, Glen Allen, Eric, Stacie, Jessi, Cody, Moriah, Alex and Tiffany, Sarah and James, who he loved to pick on; aunts, Jerrie Boring and Yvonne Davis of Maryville and Jean Dishman Kingsport; lots of grand-nieces and nephews.
Billy enjoyed fishing, and tinkering on anything with a motor in it and watching the races every Sunday. He loved spending time in Alaska with his daughter, most of all he loved spending time with his faithful friends, and he had lots of them, especially Jr. Roberts, and Mamie who he lived with for a while in Clinton, and Glen (Porky) Burris who was always there to help, Mark Dishman (cousin) but more like a brother, and special niece Abbie whose Grinch laugh would make him laugh out loud every time.
Billy will be missed every day, by all who loved him. He asked that no service be held, and for everyone to remember all the memories he made with all of us.
Assisting the family, Janssen Funeral Home, Anchorage, Alaska.
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, 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