Johnny Wayne Bailey
February 26, 2025
Johnny Wayne Bailey, 70, of Oak Ridge, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
Johnny was a retired pipefitter and served in the U.S. Army. He was a county jail missionary for 14 years, and served as a chaplain at Transport for Christ for many years. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. His greatest passion was witnessing to inmates and delivering Bibles to jails across the nation. Although he cherished spending time with his grandchildren most, he also enjoyed riding motorcycles since he was 9 years old, tinkering with them, and working on various projects. Johnny was known for his generosity and his love for helping others.
He was preceded in death by his parents, General Lee Bailey and Robbie Sue Bailey; sisters, Mary Woods and Debbie Reasor and her husband, Don; brothers, Jim Bailey and Bob Bailey and his wife, Bonnie; sister-in-law, Karen Bailey; stepson, Jesse Lowe Weaver; nephew, Bryan Bailey; niece, Robbie Woods Roberts; brother-in-law, Sonny Lowe; and several aunts and uncles.
Survivors include his former wife, Tena Bailey Davidson (Scott); son, John Mathew Bailey; stepson, Thomas “Manzy” Ed Weaver Jr.; grandchildren, Micah Bailey, Jaylee Weaver, Makayla Starr, Julie Mae Weaver, Brantley Cage Lowe, Neyland Rose Condrone Lowe, Blainey Faraday Weaver, and Thomas Ed Weaver III; brother, Bill Bailey; sisters, Linda Rosenbalm (Wendell) and Hope Loyd (Clarence); father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arden and Blanch Lowe; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he dearly loved.
Special thanks to his caregivers, Teresa Burgess and Brittany Hagen, for the love and care shown to Johnny.
Visitation was held 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Sharp Funeral Home.
The funeral began at 2 p.m. with Pastor Garvan Walls officiating. A graveside service followed at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with Chaplain Hank Rader officiating.
Sharp Funeral Home is proud to serve the Bailey family. sharpfh.com.
Austin Franklin Goodman
February 24, 2025
Austin Franklin Goodman, 81, of Rocky Top passed away Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Frank enjoyed traveling and watching wrestling, but most of all, he loved spending time with his grandson, Austin Reece. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Sarah Jane Bray Goodman; brothers, Dale Goodman, Hoye Goodman and Roger Goodman; sisters, Georgia Goodman Byrge, Bernice Goodman and Unavee Goodman; and nephews, Gilbert Goodman and Darrell Goodman.
He is survived by his wife, Josie Faye Desantis; those who called him dad, Ernest Reece, Michael Reece, John Ramsey, Callie Ivey and Tammy Caton; nephews, Greg Goodman, Hoye Lynn Goodman, James Goodman, Mark Goodman, Roger Goodman and Matthew Byrge; nieces, Elizabeth Crowe, Tonya Goodman, Patsy Byrge, Gloria Fay Goodman, Janice Johnson and Tammy Justice; sisters-in-law, Verline Goodman and Margaret Goodman; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces and great-nephews; and many other family members and friends.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation. The funeral followed at 7 p.m. The Revs. Hubert Marlow and Johnny Marlow officiated.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Foust Cemetery in Rocky Top.
leachfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Ben H. Graves
February 18, 2025
It is with great sorrow, but the world lost a great man today – Ben H. Graves.
Ben was born and raised in Hamblen County, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, earning degrees in teaching and marketing. He moved to Oak Ridge, where he began his teaching career at Oak Ridge High School in 1966. He taught there until his retirement in 1986. An avid golfer, he also served as the school’s golf coach for many years. He taught distributive education and enjoyed mentoring students about business.
Ben loved to travel and took trips with friends to destinations including Palm Beach, Florida; Canada;and Lake Tahoe, California. He played on the Senior Golf Tour and competed at Pebble Beach.
In 1973, Ben purchased his first used mobile home and soon realized he had a talent for the business. He developed a mobile home park in Whitesburg, and, in 1982, opened Ben’s Home Centers on Oliver Springs Highway. He became a top dealer for Clayton Homes, expanding to five retail locations in Knoxville, Newport, Jefferson City and Clinton. In 1998, he developed WoodCutter’s Crossing, a subdivision where he sold homes and lots together, helping many people purchase their first homes. He also provided financing for many of his customers. His park in the Batley community is still going strong and has 34 active tenants.
Ben was a member of the Elks in Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Country Club. He was a generous supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge, the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his longtime companion and best friend of 26 years, Linda K. Stewart; Melissa Bacon, his employee and friend for 43 years; Rose Wallis, an employee and friend for more than 38 years; and his special best friends Hugh Nichols and Ken Brown and their wives; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Blanche Graves; his sisters, Sue and Vanna; and good friends Rick Hughes, Clark Meredith and Larry Garner.
He will be forever missed but his business and memory will continue. Everyone who knew him will feel the impact of his presence gone.
Services will be held at Mott-McKamey Funeral Home in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m., with a short service to follow.
Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the Graves family.
Carolyn Hobbs Irwin
February 16, 2025
Carolyn Hobbs Irwin, 92, of Clinton passed away peacefully Feb. 16, 2025, on the 62nd wedding anniversary of her marriage to her beloved husband, David.
Born in Harlan, Kentucky, on Dec. 5, 1932, Carolyn attended Eastern Kentucky State University for a year before transferring to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She graduated from UTK in 1954. In the early 1960s, she met her future husband, David, and they were married Feb. 16, 1963.
Carolyn worked as an extension agent for Anderson County and taught home economics at Lake City High School and Anderson County High School.
She took great pride in teaching students the art of cooking, sewing and household management. As an extension agent, she led Anderson County 4-H clubs and helped many students succeed in competitions. Her dedication to teaching and mentoring meant that few places she visited were without someone stopping to say how her work had shaped their lives.
A longtime member of Andersonville United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher for most of more than 60 years, Carolyn was also active in several local community organizations.
Carolyn cherished her family and treasured the memories of gatherings with loved ones.
She often recalled her childhood in Harlan and her single days in Oak Ridge when it was still a new city.
She took immense pride in her granddaughter, Katherine, celebrating her accomplishments and the joy she brought to her life.
She was preceded in death by her son, Robert David Irwin; her parents, Germa and Margaret Hobbs; and her niece, Karen Erickson. She is survived by her husband, David R. Irwin; daughter, Anne Irwin Buhl (Hector Padilla); granddaughter, Katherine Buhl; son-in-law, Joseph Buhl; niece, Elaine (Ed) Meyer; grand-niece, Lindsey (Jason) Meyer Gallaher; grand-nephews, John Meyer (Sara) and Will Meyer (Molly); great-grandnephews, Meyer and Parker Gallaher; great-grandnieces, Rese, Avery and Landry; special cousins, Carol Cousins (Ervin Ball) and Beverly Stooksbury Leither; and special friends, William and Kathy Justice.
Pallbearers were John Meyer, Will Meyer, Jason Gallaher, Hector Padilla, Katherine Buhl and Hal Cousins.
The funeral was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with a processional to Norris Memorial Gardens for a graveside service. Friends and family gathered for a reception from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Museum of Appalachia immediately following the graveside service.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Museum of Appalachia, P.O. Box 1189, Norris, Tennessee 37828, or to a scholarship fund in her name.
Checks should be made payable to Anderson County High School, c/o Carolyn Irwin Scholarship Fund, 130 Maverick Circle, Clinton, Tennessee 37716.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton was in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com.
Mary Lee Stooksbury Hamilton
February 13, 2025
Mary Lee Stooksbury Hamilton, 64, of Pioneer, Tennessee, passed away Feb. 13, 2025, in her home, surrounded by her sons.
Born April 20, 1960, in Knoxville, to Minnie Jane Stooksbury and Lon Stooksbury.
She was raised in Norris, where she made many friends and created wonderful memories.
Mary Lee was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. Hamilton; her mother, Minnie Jane Stooksbury; her father, Lon Stooksbury; and her brothers, Jeff and Dale Stooksbury.
She is survived by her sons, Charles J. Hamilton II of Conway, South Carolina, and Daniel Bryce Hamilton of Jacksonville, Florida., and her dear brother, Lon Stooksbury of Andersonville, Tennessee.
Services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Norris Dam Shelter 2.
Areties Housely McKamey
February 8, 2025
Mrs. Areties Housely McKamey of Clinton, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at the age of 100.
She was born Jan. 23, 1925, in the Walnut Grove community near LaFollette, Tennessee, to Una Theodore Housely and Magnolia Robbins. Her family lived on 200 acres along the Powell River, which was inundated by Norris Lake in 1936.
At 16, Mrs. McKamey began working as a telephone operator in LaFollette. In 1943, at the age of 18, she joined the Clinton Engineering Works as a switchboard operator on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge. She later retired in 1989 as chief switchboard operator at Martin Marietta Corp.
Her lifelong hobby and passion was cooking and baking for all of those around her. She was well known for her recipes and sourdough bread. She was an unwavering believer in Christ, and lived out her faith through her hands of service and heart of devotion.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lon McKamey, and her sisters, Helen Mills, Hazel Adkins, Hester Dowell and Jean Morgan.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Melani McKamey of Tullahoma, Tennessee; and her grandchildren, William Kenneth McKamey of Tullahoma, Margaret McKamey, Skip York and Deveraux Areties McKamey, all of Clinton, Tennessee, Lissa McKamey of Alexandria, Virginia, and Francis Lonnie McKamey of Taft, Tennessee. She has loved and been loved by countless friends and family, many of whom preceded her and others who grieve her passing.
Visitation was held from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Weatherford Chapel in Oak Ridge. A graveside service followed at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens on Edgemoor Road in Powell, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials or donations be made to a local church or a favorite church in her honor.
Gary Lee Calvert
February 8, 2025
Gary Lee Calvert, 76, passed away Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug. 1, 1948, in Oak Ridge to Audrey Opal Lee (Gilbert) and Oney Caleb Calvert, and was the fourth of their five children. Childhood trips to his extended family’s home in Kentucky and family vacations to the Gulf Coast of Florida led to a lifelong love of travel and the outdoors, from the mountains to the desert to the beaches of Casey Key and Punta Gorda, Florida.
After graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 1966, Gary attended Middle Tennessee State University, where he met Linda Gail King. They were married in 1970. In their free time, Gary and Linda enjoyed touring the Southeast on a series of motorcycles.
Following his service in the Army National Guard, Gary began a distinguished career with the Department of Energy, starting with electrical engineering, power operations, and utilities at K-25. He was a member of the Oak Ridge Lodge of the BPO Elks, and went on to become the second-longest-serving active member, at 54 years.
Much to the relief of their parents, Gary and Linda finally got around to starting a family with the birth of their son Chad in 1977. A second son, Jeffrey, was born in 1979, followed by daughter Rebecca in 1982. With his children came one of the greatest projects of his life: building a houseboat at Sequoyah Marina on Norris Lake. It became the family’s home away from home, where Gary hosted countless gatherings and taught generations of children how to fish, swim, and water-ski. He manned his barbecue grill and helped so many “lake friends” that he became known as “The Mayor” of their dock.
He pursued further studies at the University of Tennessee before earning his degree from Tusculum University. In 1984, Gary transferred from K-25 to Y-12, where he led the plant’s efforts in recycling, energy management and conservation. He retired as a plant shift superintendent after 35 years of service.
A passionate believer in community service, Gary volunteered extensively with organizations including 4-H, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Oak Ridge Rowing Association. He enjoyed sharing the practical, hands-on knowledge he gained from his father.
In retirement, Gary devoted more time to home projects, but was always willing to set them aside to help friends and family. This past May, he applied his building skills to a float celebrating the 100th Gilbert family reunion, part of the 94th Mountain Laurel Festival parade in his mother’s hometown of Pineville, Kentucky. Gary had attended the reunions and parades nearly all his 76 years, as well as Calvert family reunions.
When he wasn’t tinkering in his shed or tending to his immaculate landscaping, Gary, Linda, and Rebecca loved to travel, particularly to Florida — from the beaches of his youth to Daytona for NASCAR with his brothers and all the way to Key West.
Gary is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Linda; his children, Chad (Ashli), Jeffrey (Joshua), and Rebecca; his grandson, Max; his brothers, Lynn, Doug, and John Calvert; his sister, Karen (Michael) Baker; and numerous other relatives and loved ones. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and many other family members and dear friends who will welcome him with open arms.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
The family received friends at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge on Friday, Feb. 14. A celebration of life service, conducted by the Rev. Steve McDonald, was held Saturday, Feb. 15, with burial following at Anderson Memorial Gardens.
Marilyn “Gail” Harris
February 5, 2025
Marilyn “Gail” Harris, 74, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2025, surrounded by loving family at Methodist Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 11, 1951, in Lake City, Tennessee, to Charles and Mary Helen Bullock. She resided for many years in Oak Grove, Tennessee.
Gail was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Jerry Harris; her parents, Charles and Mary Helen Bullock; and her brother, Roger Dale Bullock.
She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Cleckner and husband, Randy; grandsons, Jordan Lively, Logan Blackwell and Jeremiah Blackwell; and her cherished great-granddaughter, Denver Mae.
Gail was the fourth of 13 siblings and is survived by Bill Bullock of Fratersville, Tennessee; Reba Collins and husband, Max Holton, of Alvarado, Texas; Betty Ecord of Alvarado, Texas; Pat Gambrell of Grandview, Texas; Margie Johnson and husband, Jerry, of Lake City, Tennessee; Kathy Graham and husband, Don, of Lake City, Tennessee; Tony Bullock of Fratersville, Tennessee; Johnny Bullock of Caryville, Tennessee; Jimmy Bullock of Norris, Tennessee; Jerry Bullock and wife, Tina, of Lake City, Tennessee; Andy Bullock and wife, Linda, of Clinton, Tennessee; and Chris Bullock and wife, Janis, of Fratersville, Tennessee. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Gail was a devoted member of Briceville First Baptist Church, where she was active and loved by many. She was a kind and generous person with too many good qualities to mention, always willing to help those in need. She had a beautiful voice and sang at her church, never turning down a request to sing at funerals. She sang at a funeral just two days before being hospitalized. She will be deeply missed but leaves behind many fond memories.
The family wishes to thank the ICU nursing staff and 4 West at Methodist Medical Center for their excellent care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Briceville First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 102, Briceville, TN 37710.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation. The funeral followed at 7 p.m., officiated by Pastors Danny Lawson and Terry Sweat.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at Oak Grove Cemetery.
leachfamilyfuneralhome.com
