JAMES RONNIE FRITTS
April 27, 2021
James Ronnie Fritts, 73, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at his home in Heiskell, with his loving wife by his side.
He was born at home on Brushy Valley Road to Carl Fritts Sr. and Ophia Miller Fritts. He graduated from Norris High School in 1965. He loved farming, singing, and never met a stranger he didn’t talk to. Many neighbors have heard him singing loudly from his tractor on warm summer days. He was a life-long member, deacon, song leader, and Sunday school teacher at Deep Springs Baptist Church. His faith was important to him.
He was preceded in death by: Mother and father, Carl and Ophia Fritts; brothers, Kenneth Fritts and Doug Fritts; brother-in-law, Charles Gray; and nephew, Eric Fritts.
He is survived by: Wife of 51 years, Lana Jones Fritts; son, Kevin Fritts (wife Audrey); daughters, Lisa Widener (husband Bryan) and Tasha Powell Tankersley (husband Don); grandchildren, Alex, Layla, Hope, Grace, Faith, Bryson, Nick (wife Brooklyn), Josh (Hayleigh), Chris Powell, and Hunter Tankersley; great-grandchildren, Braylon and Barron; brother, Carl Fritts Jr.; sisters-in-law, Dinah Gray, Vanessa Jones, Donna Fritts, Opal Fritts, and Andrea Fritts; along with several other nieces, nephews, and a multitude of brothers and sisters in Christ.
The family received friends from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, 2021, at Deep Springs Baptist Church in Heiskell, with the funeral service to follow. Brian Thomas and Dale Parker officiated.
Jones Mortuary was in charge of all arrangements.
CHARLES WESLEY 'CHUCK' HILL
April 27, 2021
Captain Charles Wesley “Chuck” Hill received his wings to the eternal flight line April 27, 2021.
He passed away at home, with God as his companion. Born April 8, 1936, to Floyd Temple Hill and Margaret Louise McCoy Hill, he was a lifelong resident of Clinton. He was a standout athlete in basketball and football at Clinton High School from which he graduated in 1955. He enlisted in the United states Air Force thereafter and served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.
He was predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife, Joyce Hill.
He is survived by family and special friends.
Chuck lived a vital and long life in pursuit of his many passions. As an athlete, he received his Tour Card to the Professional Golf Association, and played his first tournament with Jack Nicholas. He loved regaling his friends with stories from the tour and the many famous golfers he knew. He played golf with friends well into his 80’s.
Possessing a lilting tenor voice, he sang professionally in many of Las Vegas’s casinos and nightclubs. He knew and sang along side of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton and others. He had numerous tales of his exploits with the stars, notably Elvis Presley, which he happily related to anyone who would ask about those years of his life.
Growing up in Tennessee, he gained a love of the mountains and water. He was an avid fan of University of Tennessee sports and a more passionate devotee of sailing. Throughout his adult years he always had a sailboat and the gold anchor which hung on a chain around his neck testified to his love of the water. He once sailed around the world with his first mate Joyce, in a 27-foot sloop. His last sailing adventure was in the Caribbean islands in the summer 2018.
By far his greatest passion was flying. He was a pilot during the Korean Conflict and flew professionally as a Captain commercially and corporately. He served as chief pilot and general manager of numerous flight companies. He served his country and the airline industry till his retirement as an FAA Safety Inspector. He was at home in the cockpit well into his 80’s. Released from the surly bonds of earth he now flies on the wings of angels in the eternal blue yonder.
A graveside service will be conducted at Sunset Cemetery at 11 a.m. Friday May 14, 2021. Friends and family should meet for the funeral procession at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, 621 S. Charles Seivers Blvd., Clinton, at 10:30 am. www.holleygamble.com
BENNY MORRIS
April 26, 2021
Benny Morris, 74, Clinton, passed away Monday, April 26, 2021, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He was born April 18, 1947, in Knoxville to Bobby Jo Potter. Benny retired as a press operator in Knoxville after 40 years of service. Throughout his life he loved fishing, but most of all spending time with his wife, Linda, and his grandchildren.
Benny is survived by: Loving wife of 36 years, Linda Morris of Clinton; daughters, Stephanie Whitehead and husband Wesley of Oliver Springs, and Anita Morris of Knoxville; grandchildren, Tyler Green, Trevor Green, Tucker Whitehead, and Lily Barnett; brothers, Lynn Morris and George Morris.
The family will have a private celebration of life service.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
EMANUEL JAMES DUNCAN 'E.J."
April 26, 2021
Emanuel James Duncan “E.J.,” 30, Clinton passed away Monday, April 26, 2021.
E.J. enjoyed 4-wheeling, football, playing his guitar and listening to music.
He also loved working on his computer and playing games.
He was preceded in death by: Grandparents, Bessie and E.J. Smith of Jellico and Jo and Laney Duncan of Clinton; baby brother, Brad Duncan.
He is survived by: Mother, Bertha Smith (Leslie Lowe, Sr.) of Oliver Springs;
father, Tommy Duncan of Clinton; siblings, sister Melissa and Wayne Braden of Briceville, Delane and Cody Brown of Clinton, Steve Duncan of Indiana, Tommy Lee and Stacy of Florida, Brian Seeber of Oliver Springs, and Steven Lowe of Oliver Springs; step-brothers and step-sisters, Leslie and Stacie Lowe of Oliver Springs, Mikel and Tracie Lowe of Clinton, J.R. Lowe of Clinton, Elvis and Michelle Lowe of Oliver Springs, Tonya Lowe of Clinton, and Ricky Lowe of Coalfield; special nieces, Shalie, Jaylen and Kinzy Brown of Clinton; special friends, Becky Sexton, Dean Aslinger and Jay Phillips; special aunt, Chris and Scott Wing of Oak Ridge; and a host of other family members and good friends.
The family received friends from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Fellowship Baptist Church, 6556 Knoxville Hwy., Oliver Springs.
The funeral service began at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, with Pastor Jason Goins officiating.
Interment followed in Frost Bottom Cemetery.
To leave a note for E.J.’s family or to share a memory, please sign the online guest book at jacksonfuneralservices.com
SHARON SUE ALLEY
April 26, 2021
Sharon Sue Alley, 66, passed away suddenly Monday, April 26, 2021, at Tennova North Medical Center located in Powell.
Sharon was an avid lover of nature. She had a “green thumb,” meaning she could grow anything. She loved flowers, especially. Sharon was known for being a caregiver and enjoyed helping everyone in any way she could. She was a CNA for most of her life. She will be deeply missed by her husband, family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by: Father, Marion Joseph Hobbs; and brother, Bobby Pennington.
She is survived by: Mother, Dorothy Catherine Lane of Brooksville, Fla.; husband, Douglas Alley of Clinton; daughters, Rebekah and Dayonne Burroughs of Rosedale, Md., Junette, Mary, and Heather; brothers, Clarence Pennington, and Brooks Hobbs Sr.; sisters, Chlora Thomas, Jenell Nukolezah, Suzanne Penn, Sarah Hamilton; along with seven grandchildren.
There are no memorial services scheduled at this time for Sharon.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
CECIL STRINGFIELD
April 25, 2021
Cecil Stringfield, 86, Heiskell, went to his heavenly home Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Tennova North Medical Center in Powell.
Cecil will be remembered as a hard-working man that liked to work with his hands. He loved to garden, perform farm work, carpentry, and work on automobiles. Cecil was a man of many trades. He was a care giver to his wife, Dorothy, for about 40 years before her passing. Cecil will be greatly missed by his family.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, Laura and Ruth Stringfield; wife, Dorothy Stringfield; son, Steven Larry Stringfield; brothers, Millard Stringfield and Carlos Stringfield; sister, Desta Holder.
He is survived by: Sons, David Stringfield and fiancé Dixie Lengner of Heiskell, Brian Stringfield (Jennifer) of Heiskell; brothers, Jack Stringfield (Martha) of Heiskell, Kenneth Stringfield (Nancy) of Heiskell; grandchildren, Sarah and John Nelson, Cody Stringfield, Alyssa Stringfield, and Alexis Stringfield.
A graveside service will be held for Cecil at noon Thursday, April 29, 2021, at Stringfield Cemetery in Heiskell.
Jones Mortuary is in charge of all arrangements.
ROBERT STEVEN WELLS
April 25, 2021
Robert Steven Wells, Knoxville, went to be with his Lord and Saviour April 25, 2021, after his battle with cancer.
He is survived by: Father, Hubert Wells; sister, Susan Wells Mann, nephews, Cameron Mann, Logan Mann, Dorothy Ausmus, Laura Burd; three great-nieces; and four great-nephews, who he adored.
May he rest in peace until we meet again.
GERALDINE PEBLEY BROWN
April 24, 2021
Geraldine Pebley Brown, 87, Clinton, went home to be with her Lord and Savior April 24, 2021.
Geraldine, known as “Gerri” and “Doodle,” to those close to her, was born March 24, 1934, in Clinton to Clyde and Ruth Pebley. She was one of five children. She attended Clinton City Schools and graduated from Clinton High School in 1952. As a young adult she married and moved to Lake City and had a son, David.
Gerri’s first job, at 19-years old, was a secretary at Magnet Mills in Clinton. She then went on to work at C&C Bank in Oak Ridge as a bank teller. Lastly, she worked at Y-12 in Oak Ridge as a secretary until her retirement when she married William E. “Bill” Brown, April 14, 1978.
Gerri was a devoted wife, homemaker, mother, and grandmother. She and her granddaughter, Katie, whom she cared for before and after school for many years, enjoyed shopping, going out to eat, and simply spending time together. They shared a very special bond. Gerri was an avid reader of all genres, a murder-mystery and crime drama enthusiast, and a good cook.
Gerri was a member of Edgemoor Baptist Church in Claxton.
Gerri was preceded in death by: Parents; infant sister, Claudia; brother, Sonny Pebley; sister, Joyce Templin; granddaughter, Amy Cox; son, David Cox; stepdaughter, Gina Brown Collins; and husband of 39 years, Bill Brown.
Gerri is survived by: Sister, Kaye Harness; granddaughter, Katie Cox-Warren and husband Clay; daughter-in-law, Kathy Cox; step-granddaughter, Sandy Collins; son-in-law, Randy Collins; nieces, Lori Templin Noonan, Kelly Harness Wilson, Cindy Harness Knott, and their families; nephews, Skipper, Michael, Kerry, and Patrick Templin, and their families; and sister-in-law, Patsy Brown Coker.
Special family and friends include Maxine Wilson and Eddie and Elaine Warren.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at The Lantern at Morning Pointe in Clinton, The Alexander Guest House in Oak Ridge, and Caris Healthcare for the wonderful care given to Gerri during the last five years.
A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2021, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, with a celebration of life service to follow, officiated by Levi Dodd.
Interment will be held afterwards at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Claxton.
In lieu of flowers donations can be given to Edgemoor Baptist Church, 330 Old Emory Rd., Clinton, TN 37716, or Rocky Top Public Library, 226 N. Main St., Rocky Top, TN 37769.
