Frances Loving
February 28, 2024
March 26, 1950 - Feb. 15, 2024:
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Frances Loving.
She was predeceased by her mother and father Georgia and Dan Ausmus, sister Diane Ausmus, daughter Melissa Loving and granddaughter Trinity Bean.
She leaves to mourn her grandson and granddaughter Tristan Loving and Kali Morris , brother John Ausmus and wife, Dorothy, and niece Laura Burd.
Plus her other “grandchildren” and special friends, Dustin Bunch, Emily Gas, Josh Stevens, Dayton Burleson, McKinsey Williams, Kim and Scott Williams and Remi Burleson.
A graveside service was held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park on Feb. 23, 2024.
Ronald Edward Merritt
February 28, 2024
Ronald Edward Merritt, 87, of Strawberry Plains went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.
He was of the Baptist faith and a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. Ronald was also owner/operator of Ronald Merritt Garage Doors and a proud United States Army veteran.
To greet Ronald at the gates of Heaven were his wife, Lorene Merritt; parents, Clarence and Georgia Merritt; brother and sister-in-law, Arliss and Shirley Merritt; and brother-in-law, Gordon Massey.
Left behind to cherish his memory is his son, Randy (Heather) Merritt; brother, Phillip (Marvin) Merritt, sister-in-law, Lois Massey; and Todd Hancock.
Special thanks to the staff at Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home and to Shaunta Monday.
In lieu of flowers, make donations to Thorn Grove Cemetery, 721 S. Carter School Road, Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, 37871.
Family and friends will meet at 10:45 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at Thorn Grove Cemetery for an 11 a.m. interment with Pastor Bobby Province officiating.
Military honors will be presented by the Volunteer State Honor Guard.
Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37924, 865-523-4999. bridgesfuneralhome.com.
James Dwight VanHuss
February 22, 2024
James Dwight VanHuss, 51 of Clinton, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following a period of declining health.
Born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on Sept. 21, 1972, he was the son of the late Edith VanHuss.
He is survived by his brother Mark VanHuss and his wife Melissa of Clinton, Tennessee, and a nephew, Cody VanHuss, also of Clinton.
Jones Mortuary of Clinton is serving the family of James Dwight VanHuss.
June Sharp Gibson
February 22, 2024
June Sharp Gibson, 77, passed away peacefully on the morning of Feb. 12, 2024, in her hometown of Lake City, Tennessee, after bravely battling an extended illness. She was born on Sep. 27, 1946, to J.N. Sharp Jr and Louise Sharp.
A proud alumna of the University of Tennessee, June was an active member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She had an unwavering passion for UT Volunteer football, holding season tickets and attending as many bowl games as possible over the years.
Following her college years, June embarked on a distinguished 40-plus-year career with the state of Tennessee, serving diligently until her retirement from the Office of Employment Security in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
She was a member of the Democratic Party, advocating for causes she believed in.
She found solace and community at First Baptist Church of Lake City, where she was a lifetime member.
Preceded in death by her parents and her beloved daughter, Tara Gibson, June is survived by her twin sister, Jane Sharp Noe, and husband Richard; sister Joan Sharp Hill; brother Jim Sharp and wife Marlene; sister Connie Sharp Elliott; and grandson, Hayden Hatfield, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
The family received friends at the Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024 from 10-11 a.m., with the funeral following at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Christopher Enix officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to First Baptist Church of Lake City, reflecting June’s compassionate spirit and commitment to helping others.
Thomas L. Dagley
February 22, 2024
Thomas L. Dagley, 95, went to his heavenly home on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.
Tom was born Jan. 3, 1929, to Everett and Pearl Dagley in Clinton, Tennessee.
Tom worked for several years as a local barber, and retired from the Clinton City School System. His favorite pastime was taking long walks with his furry companion, Fletch.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Elmer Dagley; brothers and sisters-in-law, DL and Louise Dagley, Carvel and Willa Dean Dagley; sister, Mary Lynn (Patsy) Wilson; nephew, James Dagley; and niece, Diane Long.
He leaves behind nephews and nieces, Robert (Charlotte) Dagley, Earl (Margaret) Dagley, Carolyn (David) McClure, David (Teresa) Wilson, Gail (Kenny) Cook, Lisa (Denny) Kirkland; and several great nieces and nephews. Tom also leaves behind his bonus family, Dan and Jackie Freels, and their daughters, Heather and Haley.
Family and friends gathered at Black Oak Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. where Tom was laid to rest.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Thomas L. Dagley.
Gwenda “Gwen” Daun Bumgardner
February 21, 2024
Gwenda “Gwen” Daun Bumgardner went to be with the Lord, surrounded by family, on Feb. 15, 2024, after bravely battling a chronic illness.
Gwen, born to H. Dale and Dorthea Sheets in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Oct. 17, 1946, earned a bachelor of arts degree while being a working mom. She was known for her kindness as she dedicated her career as a social worker, specializing in Lewy body dementia care.
Married to Gary Bumgardner for 20 years until his passing, she was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and aunt, who treasured her faith, family, and adventures in travel.
Gwen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gary Bumgardner; parents, H. Dale and Dorthea Sheets; sister, Bette Bates; aunt and uncle, Wanda and Woody Yokum.
She is survived by her brother-in-law, Charlie Bates; sons, Mark (Jenny) Books, and Jon (Vicky) Books; stepdaughters, Suzanne (Brandon) Carson, and Christin Bumgardner; grandchildren Colt and Carreau Carson, Erik, and Ellie Books; as well as nieces and nephews, Debra Davis, Chip Bates, Dale (Missy) Bates, and Doug Bates (Gene Vuyovich); great-nieces and nephews, Adam (Amy) Davis, Ashley (Heath) Chambers, Sarah (Travis) Swann, Amber Bates, Madison (Reece) Watkins, and Nick Bates; great-great-nieces and nephews, Asher and Adleigh Davis, Sawyer, Sullivan, Thea, and Drew Chambers, Oliver and Sophia Swann, and Elsie Watkins; cousin, Sherri (Harry) Elliott.
Gwen’s legacy of compassion and her warm smile will be cherished by all whose lives she touched.
Special thanks to Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice of Newport; Rebecca Hurt; and Cynthia and John Brady for their love and care.
Services will be held at Pleasant View Baptist Church, 292 Pleasant View Loop, Clinton, TN 37716, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, followed by the burial of her ashes.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to ALPS adult day services in Morristown, TN, as they care for participants who are memory impaired and those with special needs.
Arrangements by Stetzer-Bales Funeral Home, Morristown, TN.
W.D. Sanders
February 14, 2024
W.D. Sanders, 80, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at his home in Clinton, Tennessee.
Christianity is the foundation on which W.D. built his life. W.D. was born in Carthage, Tennessee, to Thomas and Lovie Sanders in 1943. The youngest of four children, W.D. graduated from Clinton High School in 1961 before going on to the University of Tennessee, where he achieved a bachelor’s degree in science and education. In 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Norman, and together they embarked on a lifetime of beautiful memories that will be cherished by all those who love him.
W.D. worked as a pharmaceutical representative for Novartis until his retirement in 2001. After retirement, W.D. and Phyllis moved to Baneberry golf course. W.D. loved to play golf, and he played every chance he got. In 2021, W.D. and Phyllis moved back home to Clinton to be closer to their family and friends. W.D. and Phyllis attended Second Baptist Church.
W.D. is survived by his wife of 61 years, Phyllis; daughters, Melanie Sanders Cook, Treva Sanders Webster (Rick) as W.D. would say best son in law ever; grandsons, Jackson and Silas Webster; sisters, Peggy Jackson, Sue Hunt; and brother, Thomas Sanders.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, Tennessee, with a funeral to follow at 7 p.m. Dr. Michael Thompson will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to Tunnels to Towers (t2t.org/donate/ or St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html)
The staff at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of W.D Sanders.
Judy Altum Emert
February 14, 2024
Judy Altum Emert, 80, entered Glory on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at her home surrounded by her daughters and beloved husband of 62 years.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, James Owen Altum (Jack) and Eunice Hux Altum (Patsy), and granddaughter Taylor Bernice Clark.
Judy is survived by her husband, Clyde E. “Eddie” Emert; children, Tammy Clark (Dwayne), Donna Colwell, Ginger Fisher (John), Bryan Emert (Lisa); grandchildren, Channing Miller (Gabriel), Macy Fisher (Cole), Ellise Fisher, Adam Clark (Timeka and Zachary Clark, Cody Emert; and several great-grandchildren.
Judy is at peace now, surrounded by angels and her Savior Jesus Christ. We are sure she is trying to find a way to help the residents of heaven. She is free from all her earthly worries and stressors.
Services are private and will not be announced.
Jones Mortuary of Clinton, Tennessee, is serving the family of Judy Altum Emert.
