ROBERT DAVID STEPP
March 17, 2021
Robert David Stepp, 73, Port Wentworth, Ga., formerly of Clinton, left his earthly home and joined his heavenly father Feb, 23, 2021.
He was born in Knoxville on Dec. 22, 1947, and raised on the side of a mountain in Lake City. He graduated from Lake City High School in 1966 where he was a star football player and a member of the marching band. He had a love of music and performed and toured the United States and Canada with several country rock bands. He loved the East Tennessee mountains and lakes and grew up camping, fishing, and boating. He was a member of the armed forces and served his country in the Army National Guard. He was a devout Christian and served as a Deacon at Tokyo Baptist Church in Tokyo, Japan. He was a scheduler planner for AT&T and Lucent Technologies and traveled around the U.S. and the world. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 42 years, Sandy, and a devoted and loving father to his daughter, Tonya, and his granddaughter and "blue eyed wonder" Cyrus. He cherished time with his family singing, playing music, and having family dinners. He was always kind and showed love and compassion to anyone he met. He fought the battle of life with love, grace, and courage and was a blessing to all who knew him.
He was preceeded in death by: Parents, Robert "Bob" Stepp and Helen Smith Stepp of Claxton.
He leaves behind: Wife, Sandra Carver Stepp of Port Wentworth, Ga.; daughter, Tonya Stepp and partner Siamak Bayki and granddaughter Cyrus Layla Bayki of Port Wentworth, Ga.; brother, and sister-in-law, Mark and Paulette Stepp and nephew Robert Austin Stepp of Maryville; brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Geraldine Carver of Knoxville; brother-in-law, Richard Carver of Knoxville; daughters of the heart, Leinna Slone, Sabrina Slone, and Brittnay Stout of Clinton, and Allison Hope Taylor of Claxton; grandson of the heart, Braylon Taylor of Claxton; ss well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of lifelong friends that were always in his heart.
He will truly and greatly be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.
A memorial is planned for a later date in his Tennessee home and will be announced.
SHENNA IDLES
March 17, 2021
Shenna Idles, 37, Rocky Top, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021, at her home.
She was born June 12, 1983, in LaFollette, the daughter of Jackie Ray Hankins and Cathy Carlene Lawson. She married her best friend James Thomas Idles on April 4, 2009.
Shenna was preceded in death by: Brother, Michael Todd Patterson; father, Jackie Ray Hankins; and grandmother, Willow Dean Tucker.
She is survived by: Loving husband; four daughters; one son; one granddaughter; and one brother.
Husband, James Thomas Idles; daughters, Haley Siler (husband, Timothy Siler), Lacey Disney, Briley Idles, and Lakeley Idles; son, Jayden Rains; granddaughter, Macy Ann Siler; brother, Eric Patterson (wife Heather Patterson); nieces, Alisha Patterson and Alyssa Tucker; nephews, Leeland Patterson, Caden Idles, Blayze Idles, and Emerson Idles; special parents, Ernie and Jackie Ciuffini, and Mike Prosise; special brothers, Jesse Ciuffini, Phillip Sexton, Bryant Idles, and Michael Idles.
Shenna always had a house full of kids, not all hers by blood but by choice, and they all called her mom. She loved her animals; dogs, Gracie, Charlie, and Berry; five cats, and one granddog, Cooper.
Her favorite place to be was at the beach, sitting on the sand finding shark teeth. Her whole world was her girls, granddaughter, and her family. She will be missed by so many people. She was loved so very much.
The family will received friends at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Rocky Top from noon – 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021, with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jason Goans officiating.
Her graveside service was at Circle Cemetery following the funeral service.
MICHAEL DAVID HOLSTINE SR.
March 17, 2021
Michael David Holstine Sr., 61, Clinton, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021, at his home.
He was born Feb. 10, 1960, in Lake City to William Holstine and Geraldine Heatherly. He loved to play the flat top and bass guitar. He liked to fish, hunt, and target shoot. He enjoyed taking trips to the beach and watching the dolphins. Michael attended the Clinton Church of God of Prophecy and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: Sister, Shirley Gentry; niece, Beverly Wilson; and brothers, Fred and Gary.
He is survived by: Wife, Karen Holstine; children, Michael David Holstine Jr. and wife Nicole, Kevin Lee Holstine and wife Ashley, and Crystal Holstine and fiancé Devon Smith; step-children, Jordan Fraley, Cody David Holstine, Austin Connor Osborne, and Cheyenne Lee Barber; siblings, Brenda Wilson and husband David, and Martha Tucker; grandchildren, Allison, Madison, Christian, Reagan, Brooklyn, Landon, Bentley, Riley, Joey, and Aundrea; father-in-law, Kenneth Owen Seiber; several nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
The family will receive friends at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Rocky Top from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2021, with the funeral service to follow at 7 p.m.
GLADYS ELKINS
March 17, 2021
Gladys Elkins, 91, Clinton, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at her residence.
Gladys was born Nov. 8, 1929 in Clinton, to Alonzo and Mary Shoopman. She was a lifetime member of Clinton First Baptist Church and will be remembered as a loving mother to all her family. Gladys family will miss her phone calls notifying them of any traffic updates, upcoming weather and weather conditions, and calling to see they made it home safe.
In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by: Son, Barry Elkins; sisters, Virginia Hill and Lorene Davis; brother, Carl Shoopman.
She was survived by: Loving husband of 69 years, Ray Elkins of Clinton; daughter, Joni Gannon and husband Rich of Knoxville; grandson, Clay Gannon of Knoxville; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many dear lifelong friends.
The family would like to thank the amazing team of caregivers during the last 6 months!
Friends and family came to Holley Gamble Funeral Home between 9 a.m. – 29.m. Saturday, March 13, 2021, to sign the register book. The family held a graveside service at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Sunset Cemetery with the Rev. Danny Chisholm officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
KENNETH RAY BARKER
March 17, 2021
Kenneth Ray Barker, 59, Oak Ridge passed away Saturday, March 14 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville,
Born in Del Ray, Texas, Ken worked in Information Technology as a systems administrator. He was employed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the past 12 years.
Survivors include: Wife, Karen Long Barker; two step-children, Dr. Nixie Cat, Elmira, N.Y., and Laura Nolan-Robillard (Daniel), Las Vegas, Nev.; and step-grandchild Trevor Robillard.
A memorial gathering with friends and family will be held at a future date.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
SID (JAMES) ALBRIGHT
March 17, 2021
Sid (James) Albright, 76, Lake City, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021, peacefully at home with his loving wife, Pat, at his side.
He was born Dec. 5, 1944, to the late Charlie and Johnnie Queener Albright. Sid was a loving and caring husband and father. He retired from Merita Bread after 30 years of service. He loved working in his garden and sharing his harvest with others. Sid was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. His favorite songs were “Peace In The Valley” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Sid was preceded in death by: Brothers, Murrel Albright and John Albright; father-in-law, John Phillips; mother-in-law, Eva Phillips; and brother-in-law, Ed Boles.
Sid is survived by: Loving wife of 43-1/2 years, Pat Albright; daughters, Tracie Albright, Angie (Jackie) Davis and Missy (Bill) Andrews; grandchildren, Tyler and Wyatt Delk, Jessie and Eli (Ashley) Davis, Lucas and Olivia Andrews; sister, Joan Washam; brothers-in-law, Marvin Phillips and Elmer Phillips; sisters-in-law, Sara Boles, Carol (James) Rollow, and Linda (Bob) Ausmus; special friends, Jim and Karen Woodall, Roger and Debbie Moser, Johnny and Thelma Phillips, and Jim Robbins.
Sid will be missed by many.
Visitation was from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Hatmaker Funeral Home with the funeral service following at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in the Hatmaker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James Lane officiating.
Family and friends will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lake City for Sid's Interment.
BILLU EUGENE GRAY
March 16, 2021
Billy Eugene Gray, 82, Seymour, formerly of Heiskell, passed away March 16, 2021.
He was a member of Seymour First Baptist Church, and a previous member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and Liberty Baptist Church. He was a retired parts manager, an avid antique car enthusiast who loved traveling to car shows and working on cars. He loved visiting with family and friends, and was always ready to enjoy a meal with others. Billy raised his family in church and enjoyed singing to the Lord.
Preceded in death by: Father and mother; Clyde and Geneva Gray; son, Michael Wayne Gray; and brother, Roy Gray.
He leaves behind: Wife of 63 years, Imogene Gray; son, Bobby Gray; daughters, Angela (Mark) Sebby and Julie (Steve) Knight; grandchildren, Justin Gray, Jared and Ian Sebby, Jacob, Cameron and Eli Knight; great-grandchildren, Autumn and Brody; and brothers, Lonnie (Brenda) Gray and Ronnie (Pat) Gray.
The family received friends from 4 – 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21, 2021, at Mynatt Funeral Home Halls Chapel, with a service following at 6 p.m., Stanley Knight officiating.
Family and friends met at 10:45 a.m. for an 11 a.m. interment at Seymour Memory Gardens Monday, March 22, 2021.
Online condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com.
ANNA MARIA LAWSON
March 16, 2021
Anna Maria Lawson, 73, passed away March 16, 2021, in Oak Ridge.
She loved the mountains, four wheeling, pontoon boating, fishing, and crafts. She was the precious wife of James for 45 years.
Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Marie (Ernest) Jones.
Anna is survived by: Husband, James Lawson of Powell; and son, Steve Lawson (Laura) of Louisville.
Family will be receiving friends at Jones Mortuary in Clinton from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2021.
A graveside service was held at the new East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2021.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton was in charge of all arrangements.
Condolences to the family can be made at www.jonesmortuaryllc.com
