GEORGE M. WILSON
January 14, 2021
George M. Wilson, 94, Clinton, died Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at the Lantern at Morning Pointe, a caring and loving community.
He was born Sept. 16, 1926, in Blackey, Ky., the youngest of seven children. His parents were Elizabeth Griffith and James Taylor Wilson of Jellico. George had a love for sports and a passion for coaching and education. Before attending college, George joined the US Army where he served in the infantry in World War II in Japan and the Philippines. After returning from serving his country, he received an undergraduate degree from Cumberland College and a master’s degree from Union College.
He impacted the lives of many in his 35-year career serving his communities as a teacher, coach and principal in Anderson and Campbell Counties.
George is survived by: Loving wife of 59 years, Jennie Culver Wilson, also a former educator; two children, Elizabeth Ann “Liz” (Casey) Hobbs of Brentwood, Brian (Karen) Wilson of Oak Ridge; and four adored grandchildren, Christopher (Emmy) Hobbs, Grace, Kate and David Wilson; and many nieces and nephews.
George was a member of First United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Morning Pointe and Caris Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s honor to First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830 or Jefferson Middle School Athletic Department, 200 Fairbanks Rd. Oak Ridge, TN 37830.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
BRYAN KEITH VOWELL
January 9, 2021
Bryan Keith Vowell, 58, Clinton, passed away Saturday Jan. 9, 2021.
Bryan was a simple man who loved to work on cars, including his 1987 Trans Am. He loved his family.
He was preceded in death by: Maternal grandparents, John L. and Revialla Noe; paternal grandparents, Everett and Edith Vowell; father-in-law, Glen Dabney.
Bryan is survived by: Wife of 25 years, Wendy Vowell; parents, Evelyn and J.C. Vowell; sister, Gwen and husband James Lane; mother-in-law, Mary Dabney; several brothers and sisters-in-law; a host of nieces and nephews; and lots of extended family.
The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 at Jones Mortuary. Services will be at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Garvan Walls officiating. Graveside will follow the service at Leach Cemetery in Rocky Top.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
Online condolences for the family may be expressed at www.jonesmortuaryllc,com
DIANA SMITH
January 8, 2021
Diana Smith, 72, Clinton, after fighting the good fight, went to be with the Lord Friday, Jan. 8, 2021, from The Waters of Clinton.
She was born Jan. 15, 1948, to the late Carl McAdoo Wallace and Dovie Omega Cline in Anderson County. She loved reading, especially her Bible. She enjoyed going to church and was a member of Sinking Springs United Methodist Church and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by brother, W.A. "Butch" Martin.
She is survived by: Son, David Lee Smith and wife Linda; daughter, Rae Lyne Sharp and Michael Greene; grandchildren, Sinjin Smith, Stephanie, Tiffany, and Brittany Sharp, Jeremy and Matthew Shelton; great-grandchildren, Carson and Adalyn Shelton; special sister and best friend, Carol Farmer; special niece, Pat Martin; many other family and friends.
A special thank you to the staff at The Waters of Clinton for their love and support of 12 years.
A graveside service will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, at Sinking Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
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.
