STEVEN EAYNE PYATT
April 10, 2022
Steven Wayne Pyatt, 65, Norris, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022, following complications from heart surgery.
He was surrounded by his wife and children. Steve was born July 14, 1956, to John and Margaret Pyatt in Knoxville. He was raised in Clinton, where he spent his life giving back to the community.
Steve was a 1974 graduate of Clinton High School. During the summers of his high school and college years, Steve was a lifeguard at the Clinton City pool, along with his brothers, Larry and David Pyatt. Steve was an outstanding high school basketball player and earned a position on the 1974 junior varsity team at the University of Tennessee. Following UT, Steve worked for the Anderson County Juvenile Court, Regions Bank and in 1985 founded Steve Pyatt Insurance. He was a member of the Anderson County Industrial Board, treasurer for the Clinton City Fireman’s Association, a volunteer fireman for 45 years, as well as a board member of the Anderson County Emergency Communication District.
Steve’s true passion in life was refereeing basketball which began at age 12 and continued through March of 2022. Steve rose to the top calling Division I teams which included numerous trips to the NCAA tournaments. God and church were foremost in the way he lived life and he never wavered in his faith. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Clinton.
Steve was married to Lindy Lyon Pyatt for 24 blessed years. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Steve is survived by: Wife, Lindy; mother, Margaret S. Willard (Jay Lewis); son, Jonathan D. Pyatt (Manda); step-daughter, Casey Wise (Aaron); step-son, Jason Lewis (Wendi); grandchildren, Victoria and Tyler Pyatt, Eva and Abe Wise, Jayce and Clay Lewis; and brothers, Larry Pyatt (Nancy) and David Pyatt (Sherry).
He was preceded in death by: Father, John Pyatt; daughter, Katie M. Pyatt Davis; and grandparents, James and Cleo Farmer Silvey; James and Clara Miller Pyatt.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home.
His celebration of life service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Clinton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Danny Chisholm officiating.
Steve’s graveside will immediately follow at Grandview Memorial Garden.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 268, Clinton, TN 37717.
JOHN 'RAY' DEAL
April 8, 2022
John “Ray” Deal, 78, Clinton, passed away at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge Friday, April 8, 2022.
He was born in Chattanooga Aug. 10, 1943. Ray was a member of Edgemoor Baptist Church.
Ray was a kind and gentle soul and very generous to people and his church.
He loved cars and clocks, and his very best furry friend, Buddy.
Ray was preceded in death by: Parents, John and Gladys Deal; grandparents, Amos and Bertha Brazzell.
He is survived by: Brother, Gary Deal; sister, Patricia Burnum, both of Florida; two sons, Mike and Raymond of Vancouver, Wash.; best friends, Wanda Bowling, Jim Kennedy, and Ken Andrews.
Receiving of friends will be held in the Chapel of Jones Mortuary from noon – 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, 2022.
A graveside service will follow at Woodhaven Memorial Garden with the Rev. Rick Miller officiating.
Jones Mortuary, LLC. in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
NATHAN WAYNE RIDENOUR
April 7, 2022
Nathan Wayne Ridenour, 48, Heiskell, went to be with our Heavenly Father April 7, 2022, in LaFollette from heart complications.
Nathan was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, pops and friend. He was a third-generation Mason and was loved by many and known for his skilled craftsmanship. Nathan was a family man who loved his wife, kids, and family. He spent many years of his life watching his children play softball and baseball. Nathan was always expressing his passion for the sports his children played. He was an avid boat lover, drag racer, and was a jack of all trades.
Nathan was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by: Grandparents, Hubert and Vernie Wilson and Gwendolyn "Dixie" and Millard Ridenour; uncles, Jeff Wilson, Warren Wilson, Wade Wilson; cousins, Casey Wilson and Tony Ridenour; aunts and uncles, Janice Goforth, Leonard Ridenour, Peggy Turpin and James Ridenour; and lifelong friend, Greg Stokes.
Nathan is survived by: Wife of 20 years, Amy Ridenour; children, Ali (Matthew) Stone, Isaak Ridenour, and William Ridenour; parents, Bob and Susan Ridenour; brother, Justin (April) Ridenour; grandchildren, Lashley, Gwendolyn and Ana Cate Stone; nephews, Xan and Blake Ridenour; mother-in-law, Frieda Thornton and Louis Caldwell; father-in-law, James Thornton; brothers-in-law, Mark, Kimbel, and Scottie Thornton; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The family received friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2022, in the Trinity Funeral Home Chapel.
The service followed with Reverend Allen Giles officiating.
Family and friends met at 11:45 a.m., Monday, April 11, 2022, at Trinity to go in procession to New Loyston Cemetery for a 1 p.m. graveside service.
Trinity Funeral Home, LLC, Maynardville, has the honor to serve the family of Nathan Ridenour.
www.trinityfuneralhome.net
FINLEY WEST
April 5, 2022
Finley West, 94, Oak Ridge, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at his residence.
He was born Sept. 9, 1927, in West Creek to Willie and Teshie Seiber West. Finley was a member of the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing, cruising and hunting.
In addition to his parents, Finley was preceded in death by: Son, Billy Maurice West; daughter, Margaret Williford; sister, Marie Hensley and husband Don; brothers, Elmer West and wife Ethel, Hugh L. West and wife Thelma; grandchildren, Cassi Floyd and Rebecca Stoutt; and great-granddaughter, Breanna Williford.
Survivors include: Wife, Sharla Sue West of Oak Ridge; son, Finley Jay West and wife Connie of Knoxville; daughters, Tina Wright of Knoxville, Penny Osborne and Sam of Johnson City; step-sons, Arvil Taylor and Rodney Taylor of Oliver Springs; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the Anderson Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Garvin Walls officiating and Military Honors by the Campbell County Honor Guard.
The interment followed.
JAMES SAYLOR
April 5, 2022
Pastor James Saylor, 71, went to be with our Lord and Savior April 5, 2022.
Born March 12, 1951, in Middlesboro, Ky., to Joanna Mountain Saylor and Eulis Saylor. He was raised by his grandparents, Otie Frank and Lillie Rice Mountain in Tazewell. After graduating from Claiborne County High School in 1969 he attended a TAT program in Oak Ridge. While there he went to a Billy Graham Crusade in Knoxville and was saved. He met and married his wife Barbara of 50 years. James worked at U.S Steel for 34 years in Gary, Ind., and retired in 2004, moved back to Tennessee and settled in Clinton. He answered God’s calling to be a minister, he was ordained and served God for the remainder of his life. He served at several churches as fill-in pastor, speaker and ended his service as associate pastor at Woodland Park Baptist Church in Oak Ridge.
Preceded in death by: Parents and grandparents; and brother, Larry Knowles.
He is survived by: Wife, Barbara; sons, Jeffery and Timothy; granddaughter, Jaidyn; extended family, Jacquie Foss and her daughters, Alexis, Lindsay and Samantha. Sisters, Gwen Bono (Tony), Linda Kilgore and Donna Schroder; brother, David Knowles (Carlina); special friends, Wayne and Rita Houston, Lonnie and Sandy Davis, Jim and Denise Mullins, Jimmy and Idella Johnson, Mike and Darlene Arnn, Andy and Ruby Spiva and Robert Poland.
He is also survived by our church families at Black Oak Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist and Woodland Park Baptist Church, where James has served our Lord and Savior so faithfully.
A celebration of life will be held at Black Oak Baptist Church, 236 Black Oak Road, Clinton, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2022.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. prior to service.
The family will have private burial at Black Oak Baptist Church Cemetery.
www.holleygamble.com
JESSE EVERETTE LAWSON
April 4, 2022
Jesse Everette Lawson, 82, Briceville, passed away Monday, April 4, 2022, at his home.
He was born May 28, 1939, to Melford and Lucreasy Lloyd Lawson. Jesse loved going to church, talking about the Lord, and was a beloved member of Laurel Branch Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and also cherished time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by: Wife, Juanita Wilson Lawson; 11 siblings; granddaughter, Tiffanie Smith; and son-in-law, Kenny Hayes.
He is survived by: Children, Teresa Taulbee and husband Harold Jr., Angela Hayes, Sandra Kay Wilson and husband Tom, Lisa Lawson, Michael Lawson and wife Brenda, Michelle Smith and fiancé Anthony Taulbee; grandchildren, Rebecca, Derek, Christina, Michael, Justin, and Katelyn; great-grandchildren, Autumn, Waylon, and Maddie; several nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
The family received friends at Laurel Branch Baptist Church from 5 – 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10, 2022, with the funeral service following at 7 p.m. with the Rev. J.J. Patterson and the Rev. Archie Seiber officiating.
Graveside services was at 11 a.m. Monday, April 11, 2022, at Circle Cemetery.
www.holleygamble.com
BERTHA FRITTS
March 29, 2022
Bertha Fritts, 75, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
Bertha was a fearless and selfless woman who loved the Lord. Heaven gained a heart of gold when Bertha was called home. She was a member of Deep Springs Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting, cooking, canning, and spending time with her family. She will be remembered as a hero, and she welcomed everyone into her home. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by: Parents, Arthur and Gladys Neer; son, Robert F. Gilson; brothers, Clyde and Carl Neer; sisters, Mary Daugherty and Blanche Burris.
Bertha is survived by: Son, James Paul Fritts and wife Kristin of Claxton; daughter, Teresa Harmon and husband David of Heiskell; brothers, Douglas Neer of Powell, and D.J. James of Powell; sister, Gladys Herrell and husband Paul of Andersonville; grandchildren, Brandi O’Neal, Robbie Gilson, Tiffani Sampsel, Matthew Gilson, Emily Harmon, Cody Gilson, Molly Harmon, and Tylor Fritts; four great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; best friends, Jeane Keith and Billie Carter; fur babies Paco, Emmie, Little Bill, and Lizzy.
The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Jones Mortuary from 2 – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, 2022.
The funeral service will begin at 4 p.m. The graveside service will directly follow the funeral service at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery.
Jones Mortuary, LLC. in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
RICHARD ALLEN SMITH
March 27, 2022
Richard Allen Smith, 72, Clinton, passed away March 27, 2022, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.
He was born Sept. 12, 1949, in Knoxville to Thomas and Alma Chapman Smith. Richard retired from TVA in Norris. He loved to grouse hunt and had a talent for training bird dogs. He enjoyed fishing and was an expert wild turkey hunter as well as deer hunter. He was an excellent gun smith, too. Richard enjoyed traveling with his wife, Mary Ann, and always enjoyed the company of his granddaughters. Richard was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Luke Allen Smith.
He is survived by: Loving wife of 53 years, Mary Ann Hunt Smith; son, Jeffrey Allen Smith (Lynne); granddaughters, Ava and Cait of Clinton; son, Brian Edward Smith (Lindsay); granddaughters, Lilly and Ella of Clinton; brother, Barry Smith of Claxton; sister, Karen Hellmund (Ronald) of Powell; sister, Carole Sharpe of Oak Ridge; sister, Kathy Minor of Clinton; brother, John Smith (Brenda) of Nashville; and a host of nephews, nieces and special friend, James A. Curry of Knoxville.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Young Williams Animal Center, donations@young-williams.org.
www.holleygamble.com
