HELEN LLEWELLN HAMMER
January 7, 2021
Helen Llewellyn Hammer, 98, Clinton, died peacefully Jan. 7, 2021, at NHC in Oak Ridge.
Helen was born in Knoxville to Frank and Margaret Llewellyn. She was a graduate of Farragut High School and it was there that she met the love of her life, A.B. (Bernard) Hammer Jr. She attended the University of Tennessee for a time but chose to marry Bernard and move to Guntersville, Ala., where the original Hammer’s Department Store was established by his family.
Helen and Bernard came to Clinton in May of 1952 to stay for a week in order to close out a small store on Market Street that was in bankruptcy. Business was so good; however, that they sent back to Guntersville to get more merchandise. That original one week stay became a lifetime. Helen remained very active in the store throughout the last 68 years as she was featured in the store’s television and radio ads, never missed a buying trip or trade show, and worked every day in the office performing the bookkeeping duties of the company. During that time, she and Bernard introduced the business to their children and grandchildren and allowed them to fall in love with it just as they had. As a result, Helen was never far from the two things she loved most on this earth, her work and her family. Even though these things were her focus, she still took time to invest in her community. She served as president of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of Third National Bank, was an active member of the Timely Topics and Garden Club. She was a longtime member of Andersonville Methodist Church but spent the last years of her life at Second Baptist Church with family. Helen loved traveling, reading and entertaining family and friends. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Helen was preceded in death by: Husband, A.B. Hammer Jr.; son, Jeffrey Hammer; daughter, Margaret Calhoun; brother, Buddy Llewellyn and wife Ruby.
She is survived by: Daughter-in-law, Billie Sue Hammer and son-in-law, Don Calhoun; grandson, Kelly Calhoun and wife Tanya; grandson, Will Hammer and wife Whitney; grandson, Clay Hammer and wife Ashley; great-grandchildren, Harrison and Matthew Calhoun, Morgan and Millie Hammer, Gabriella and Adaiah Hammer; niece, Janet Schofield; nephew, Rick Llewellyn.
The family would like to thank the kind nurses at NHC who cared for her during this difficult time.
The family will hold a private graveside service at Andersonville Cemetery at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2021, with Dr. Mike Thompson officiating.
Helen believed in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. The family requests memorials be made to these two charities in lieu of flowers.
LORA LYNN REED WIDENER
January 6, 2021
Lora Lynn Reed Widener, born May 2, 1964, departed this worldly life for her heavenly home Jan. 6, 2021, at the age of 56.
Lora was of Baptist faith and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by: Father; Jack Edward Reed; grandparents, Sherman and Iva Reed, the Rev. Edward and Alice Burnett.
She is survived by: Loving husband, Robert Widener; daughters, Sarah Floyd and Dana Hammond (Griffin); loving mother, Judy Webster; grandmother, Amanda Tatum; brother, Cecil Reed; and sister, Jackie Roberts; grandchildren, Riley, Daniel and Rowan; life-long friend, Sharon; along with a host of friends and extended family.
The family celebrated Lora’s life privately and laid her to rest at Caledonia Cemetery in Knoxville.
Arrangements provided by Bridges Funeral Home of Knoxville.
RONALD EUGENE COOPER
January 6, 2021
Ronald Eugene Cooper, 71, Powell, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He was born July 23, 1949, in Knoxville to the late John Eugene Cooper and Elise Breeden Cooper. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served in Vietnam. After his time in the army he went on to serve in the National Guard.
In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by: Wife, Phyllis Coward Cooper; siblings, Shirley Ann Shultz and Donald Ray Cooper.
Survived by: Siblings, Tommy Cooper, Michael Cooper and wife Carolyn and Barbara Anderson; special friends, Roger Metcalf, David Coward, James Monroe and Brian Johnson.
Ronald’s graveside will be held at the East Tennessee State Veteran Cemetery 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Highway at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
www.holleygamble.com
FRED KEENEY
January 5, 2021
Fred Keeney, 93, Heiskell, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at his home.
He was born Aug. 4, 1927, to the late Joe and Sarah Welch Keeney in Heiskell. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps having served in both World War II and the Korean conflict. He also took pride in receiving a certificate of recognition for having saved a man’s life when the ConAgra Mill exploded. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: Wife, Ella Adams Keeney; son, Dennis Keeney; four sisters; one brother; and daughter-in-law, Vicki Cooper Keeney.
He is survived by: Sons, Gary Keeney, Ray Keeney; grandchildren, Gary J. Keeney II and wife Annetta, Melissa Cline Davis, Stephanie Keeney Braden and husband Benji; great-grandchildren, Alicia, Brittany, Lucas, Lissa, Zachary, Bailey, Abbey, and Garrett; six great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Smith; and brother-in-law, Bill Adams.
The family will receive friends at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home from 10 – 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2021, with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m.
His burial will follow at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by Campbell County Honor Guard.
www.holleygamble.com
WANDA SUE CORNETT
January 4, 2021
Wanda Sue Cornett, 81, Lake City, passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at her residence.
She was born Aug. 21, 1939, in Fort Mountain to the late Woodrow and Virgie Moody Chamblee. Sue loved her flower garden, her “she shed,” four-wheeling and anything outside.
In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by: Brothers, Bayless Aslinger, Harold Aslinger and Paul Aslinger; sister, Irene Bragg; and great-grandchildren, Nolan Taylor and Hadaleigh Phillips.
Survivors: Husband, Fred Cornett of Lake City; sons, Wayne Cornett of Lake City, Freddy Cornett and Donna of Clinton, Jimmy Cornett of Lake City; daughter, Linda Burke of Heiskell; brother, J.C. Aslinger and Betty of Bellevue, Ohio; sister, Polly Gibson of Briceville; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation was held from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at Hatmaker Funeral Home.
Interment was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, at Mountain View Cemetery in Lake City.
GENE R. PERRY
January 4, 2021
Gene R. Perry, 89, Clinton, passed away Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, from COVID-19 at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
Gene contracted the coronavirus in the nursing home where he lived.
Gene was born and raised near Madison, W.Va. He earned a bachelor of divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary (Drew University, Madison, N.J.). He later earned a master’s of divinity degree. The Reverend Gene Perry served the Baltimore (Md.) Conference of the United Methodist Church for 30 years. He spent his retirement relaxing in Tennessee.
During his younger years, one of Gene’s favorite leisure activities was fishing from a small boat, occasionally accompanied by his beagle, Snoopy. He also loved to attend Christian revival events. But most of the time he was visiting with parishioners, conducting church business, or working on the next Sunday’s sermon.
Regarding the delivery of his sermons, Gene enjoyed a captive audience and was quite skillful at steering clear of the “less is more” approach. Throughout his life, Gene was always enthusiastic about his Christian faith and loved to talk about scriptures from the Bible.
Gene is survived by: Sons, Timothy (Sharon) Perry, Chuck Perry, Chris Perry, Glenn Gardner; daughter, Nancy Gardner; and granddaughter, Christilia Perry.
Gene also leaves behind: Sister-in-law, Nancy (Barbara) Caldwell; niece, Margie (Tom) Knight; wonderful neighbors, Charlie and Kay Hayes; and his most helpful, caring friend, Jenny Williams.
Gene was preceded in death by: Beloved wife, Annie; his parents, Charles and Nina Perry; and brothers, Gerald Perry, and Elwood Perry.
In Gene’s memory, please wear a mask in public and take COVID-19 seriously.
Due to the pandemic, no service will be held.
GORDON 'SCOTTY' GRAY
January 3, 2021
Gordon “Scotty” Gray, 87, Clinton passed away Jan. 3, 2021.
Born Sept. 17, 1933, he is survived by his wife of 35 years, Beulah Phillips Gray.
Scotty was born in Dumbarton, Scotland, and came to the United States at age 16. His immigration was sponsored by his aunt and uncle, who brought him to Detroit to live with them and to pursue the American Dream, which he ultimately achieved when he founded a company.
Scotty’s mischievous sense of humor combined with the twinkle in his clear, blue eyes made him a joy to be with. He was a natural storyteller.
He entered the U.S. Army near the end of the Korean War and was stationed in Italy.
He worked for Dexco Tool Company in Michigan for 30 years as a vice president before co-founding his own business, Dumbarton Tool, in 1986. He retired in 1993 and relocated to Tennessee. Dumbarton Tool is now owned by his son, Danny.
He was a lifetime member of the Scottish Rite.
He was preceded in death by: Parents, Robert and Elizabeth Gray. He was one of eight children. Two sisters, Edith and Myra, and two brothers, George and Robert, preceded him in death.
In addition to his wife, Beulah, he is survived by: Brother, Danny; two sisters, Jane and Betty; one son, Danny; three daughters, Shirley, Sharon “Toto”, and Diane; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was particularly close to his nieces, Debbie and Sheryl; and nephews, Tony, Mike, Alan and Randy.
Visitation took place from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan 7, 2021, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Rocky Top and graveside services were at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Claxton.
The family asked that attendees wear masks.
KATHY PAULINE METCALF
January 3, 2021
Kathy Pauline Metcalf, 62, Powell, passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19.
She was born Oct. 20, 1958, to Albert Charles “Bud” Cook and Ella Mae (Kelley) Cook. Kathy loved her family and had lots of friends. She enjoyed shopping for jewelry, purses, shoes and clothes. She was adventurous and loved traveling and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Kathy was preceded in death by: Brother, Charles Kevin Cook; grandparents Jim and Georgia Kelley and David and Lizzie Cook; special uncles, Jimmy Kelley and Eugene Kelley; aunts, Arvilla Bunch, Bess Melton, and Della Loope; mother and father-in-law, Buford and Dixie Metcalf; and several cousins and other family and friends.
Survived by: Husband of 41 years, Roger Metcalf; parents, Charles “Bud” and Ella Mae Kelley Cook; sister, Debbie Cook; nephews, Logan Cook and Ian Cook; special nephew, Calvin McCarter; many friends and family.
Kathy’s family is planning a memorial service at a later date.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
www.holleygamble.com
