Martha Bonn Davis Stringfield
October 10, 2026
Martha Bonn Davis Stringfield, a member of Deep Springs Baptist Church and a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at home Oct. 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born Feb. 12, 1939, Martha lived a life filled with love, strength and devotion to her family. She was a woman whose love knew no bounds, whose heart was always open and whose presence brought comfort to those fortunate enough to know her. She was the kind of woman who would do anything for the people she loved, always willing to listen, offer encouragement and give of herself without hesitation.
Martha shared 68 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Jack Stringfield, building a lifetime of memories, love and family together. Her greatest treasures in life were her family and the special bonds she shared with each of them.
Martha’s strength was something truly special. Even through life’s hardest seasons, her love for her family never wavered. She taught those around her the importance of family, the value of kindness and the beauty of loving others wholeheartedly.
Her legacy is measured not in years alone, but in the generations she helped shape, the lives she touched and the love she leaves behind.
Martha’s earthly journey has come to an end, but the love she planted in the hearts of her family will never fade. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love, strength and devotion that will continue to shine for years to come.
Those Who Preceded Her in Death
In addition to her husband, Jack Stringfield, she was preceded in death by her twin sister, Mary Herrell; sisters, Hazel Ruble and Una Lunsford; and brothers, Louis Davis and Wayne Davis.
Those Left to Cherish Her Memory
She leaves behind her loving brothers, Raymond (Betsy) Davis and Jimmy Davis; her sister, Betty Jean Davis; and her sister-in-law, Juanita Davis.
Her loving daughters, Glenna (Doug) Engle, Mitzi (Robert Jr.) Walker, and Joyce (Rocky) Brown, will forever hold their mother close in their hearts.
She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, April (Marty) Harbin, Jackie (Tim) Pyle, Bridget (Randy) Jones, and Tyler Walker, Rocky Brown Jr. along with her beloved great-grandchildren, Kelsea (Seth) Hatmaker, Drake (Kenadi) Pyle, Khloe (Nick) Moog, Caden Pyle, Chase Harbin, and Khloe Wilkerson.
Each of them carries a piece of her heart, her wisdom and the unconditional love she gave so freely.
Though Martha may no longer be by their sides, she will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her.
Her love will continue through every generation, and her memory will always be a blessing to the family she cherished so dearly.
Jones Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Martha Bonn Stringfield.
Gordon Wayne Cagle Jr.
October 4, 2026
With great sadness and much love, the Cagle family announces the passing of Gordon Wayne Cagle Jr. of Clinton on Oct. 4, 2026. He was 83.
Gordon will be deeply missed by his brother Roy Cagle; son, Dawson Wayne Cagle; daughter, Davilyn Cagle Huffaker, and her husband, Michael James Huffaker; granddaughter, Eiley Jane Huffaker; and many other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Carolyn Berry Cagle; brother, James Harvey Cagle; and parents, Gordon Wayne Cagle Sr. and Mildred Dawson Cagle.
The family received friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at First Baptist Church in Clinton. A funeral followed at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Terry Baker officiating.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Ouachita Cemetery in Donaldson, Arkansas, where Gordon will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Carolyn.
Funeral arrangements and remembrances are being handled by Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton (www.holleygamble.com) and Smith Funeral Home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas (www.smithfamilycares.com).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you take a walk in the woods and think of Gordon on his eternal hunt for wildflowers, waterfalls and more firewood.
Memorial donations also may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.
Viola Rebecca Parker Adams
October 4, 2026
Viola Rebecca Parker Adams, 97, of Claxton passed away Oct. 4, 2026.
She was born Nov. 19, 1928, in Damascus, Virginia. Viola was an avid Tennessee Volunteers fan and a talented quilter. She was a member of South Clinton Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents and 11 siblings.
She is survived by her husband of 79 years, George “Bill” Adams; son, Bill Adams (Sandy) of Clinton; daughters, Suzanne Lynch (Jim) of Strawberry Plains, Connie Chase (Harry) of Louisville, Kentucky, and Becky Ward (Scott) of Dalton, Georgia; grandchildren, Mark Browning (Heidy), Sarah Browning, Robin Adams, Jared Adams, Harrison Chase, Colin Chase (Alyssa), Nathan Ward (Lindsay), Michael Ward (Krystina) and Rachel Carlson (Zach); four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Claxton Volunteer Fire Department.
Denise Marie Dziura
October 3, 2026
Denise Marie Dziura, 68, of Andersonville passed away peacefully Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Born Dec. 15, 1957, in Lakehurst, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Charles and Josephine Dziura, who preceded her in death.
Denise was of the Catholic faith and attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Norris. She found great joy in the simple things in life, especially reading, gardening, spending time with her beloved cats and enjoying occasional visits to the famous Big Ed’s Pizza. During her years living in Key West, Florida, she worked as a chef, and her love of cooking remained a cherished part of her life.
Denise had a warm and welcoming spirit and made friends easily wherever she went. She was naturally social, enjoyed the company of others and had a way of making people feel at home. Above all, she possessed a pure and genuinely good soul — a rare and beautiful quality that those who knew and loved her will always remember.
She will be greatly missed by her siblings, Dotty Hotin and husband, Dan, of Manchester, New Hampshire, Diane Humphrey and husband, Doug, of Andersonville, Cathy Morin and husband, Rick, of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Chuck Dziura and wife, Debbie, of Penacook, New Hampshire; special friends, Heather, Sherri, Jimmy and Sally; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and friends whom she loved dearly.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home.
Family and friends gathered at New Home Baptist Church in Andersonville for a funeral honoring Denise at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, with the Rev. Brian Riggs officiating.
In honor of Denise and her love for animals, memorial donations may be made to the Norris Animal Shelter at 865-494-7645 or to a local animal shelter of the donor’s choice.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is proud to have served the Dziura family.
holleygamble.com.
Betty Sue Liles Braden
October 1, 2026
Betty Sue Liles Braden, 72, of Clinton, Tennessee, passed away Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at Diversicare of Oak Ridge.
Betty was born June 16, 1954, in Loudon, Tennessee, to Sanders Liles Jr. and Ivarine Scarbrough Liles.
She is survived by her husband, G.L. Braden; sons, Lee Braden and Kevin Braden and wife, Nicole; daughter, Stephanie Slayback and husband, Richard; grandchildren, Shelby Shirley and husband, Dillion, and Chelsea Braden; great-grandchildren, Sutton and Suede Shirley; brother, Gary Liles; and sister, Sandra Liles Fine.
A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at Black Oak Baptist Church in Clinton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The family encourages friends to share memories of Betty and personal condolences through her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com.
Companion Funeral & Cremation Service of Oak Ridge is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
Louisa Jane Lowe
September 30, 2026
Louisa Jane Lowe, a beloved member of the Norma community, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Born Nov. 15, 1936, Louisa was the cherished daughter of Finley Carroll and Vianna Massengale. Her life was a testament to the love and kindness she freely shared with everyone she met.
Louisa was a woman of many talents and interests, known for her warm spirit and generous heart. She dedicated more than 30 years to teaching children’s Sunday school at Jarnigan Chapel Baptist Church, a role that allowed her to touch the lives of countless young souls. Her dedication and passion for nurturing the next generation were evident in every lesson she taught.
A gifted quilter and crocheter, Louisa spent many joyful hours creating beautiful works of art with her hands. Her creations were not just items of beauty but were filled with the love and warmth she extended to all aspects of her life. Family and friends were often the grateful recipients of her lovingly crafted pieces, which will continue to serve as cherished reminders of her skill and affection.
Louisa shared a special bond with her husband, Hubert, with whom she enjoyed countless adventures. Together, they delighted in trips to Dollywood and cherished the peacefulness of excursion train rides. These experiences were not just about the destinations, but the precious time spent together, creating memories that would last a lifetime.
Known for her open heart and welcoming nature, Louisa never met a stranger. Her genuine love for people was evident in her everyday interactions, and she had a special ability to make everyone feel seen and valued. Her warmth and kindness left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Louisa Jane Lowe’s legacy is one of love, compassion and unwavering faith. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends and the many lives she touched throughout her remarkable journey. She will be dearly missed, but her spirit and love will continue to inspire all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Louisa was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Lowe; daughter, Debra Lowe; and sister, Lucille German.
She is survived by her daughters, Diane Lowe Sherman and husband, Max, and Patricia Lowe Adkins; brothers, Steve Carroll and wife, Linda, and Clarence Carroll; grandchildren, Paul Sherman and wife, Karen, and Jennifer Sherman Betts and husband, Eston; and five great-grandchildren, Ethan Sherman, Ava Sherman, Isla Sherman, Nolan Betts and Remington Betts.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral service followed at 7 p.m.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at Smoky Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer Foundation in Louisa’s honor.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. holleygamble.com.
James William ‘J.W.’ Smith Jr.
September 28, 2026
James William “J.W.” Smith Jr., 83, passed away Sept. 28, 2026. Born June 6, 1943, in Knoxville to James William Smith Sr. and Juanita Webb Smith, J.W. was beloved by family and friends around the world.
As a toddler, J.W.’s grandparents would take him for evening car rides to lull him to sleep. Instead of getting drowsy, J.W. would stand on the front seat, prop his hands on the dashboard and watch to see what was around the next bend or over the next hill. This curiosity set the course for J.W.’s life. His desire to discover what lay ahead took him to some of the Americas’ greatest adventure destinations.
J.W. began his outdoor career as a wildlife enforcement officer for the Tennessee Game and Fish Commission in Wartburg. On one occasion, J.W. tracked an out-of-season hunter. As the hunter walked past, J.W. flicked a Zippo lighter. The startled hunter threw up his arms and exclaimed, “Lord, don’t shoot me!”
J.W. later moved to Alaska, where he served as a fish and wildlife officer and trooper with the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
During his service, he helped investigate one of the largest illegal hunting cases in the department’s history and coordinated enforcement activities between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory.
He later became a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska.
He attended federal law enforcement academies in Washington, D.C., and Glynco, Georgia, where he earned an expert marksmanship designation.
Although the Secret Service attempted to recruit him, J.W. declined. He eventually left law enforcement to become co-owner and manager of an Alaska fishing and hunting lodge, followed by an Alaska wilderness fishing campout operation.
He later entered the outfitting business, becoming a partner in Rod & Gun Resources, where he booked and escorted hunting and fishing trips throughout North, Central and South America.
His outdoor adventures were featured in numerous books, sporting magazine articles and three nationally syndicated outdoor television shows.
One of the great perks of outfitting was the opportunity to take exploratory trips. J.W. explored remote rivers in Alaska, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela and Colombia, often accompanied by guides who spoke no English.
During one adventure, he became stranded on an island off the coast of Mexico. Fortunately, his guide could climb trees to gather coconuts while J.W. caught fish for them to eat.
While exploring tarpon fishing opportunities in Honduras, J.W. met a local game warden who had no shoes. Before leaving, J.W. gave the man his sandals.
In Guyana, J.W. and his guide were recruited by local law enforcement officers to play the roles of drug smugglers during a training exercise. J.W. hid bags of sugar aboard their boat and sped away. When officers caught them, they were unable to find the hidden sugar.
In Alaska, J.W. explored countless rivers, hiked many miles, survived two small-plane crashes and encountered numerous grizzly and brown bears.
J.W. lived life on his own terms. His generosity with his time, his adventurous spirit and his determination defined him.
He and his wife, Dawn, shared 38 years of marriage filled with adventures. Together, they traveled to destinations near and far, meeting strangers who often became lifelong friends.
He’s off on his next great adventure, scouting the best fishing holes in heaven.
This caring and loving man is preceded in death by his father, James William Smith Sr.; and his brother, Richard Smith.
He is survived by the love of his life (as he was hers) Dawn Smith; mother, Juanita Webb Smith; son, Steven Smith and his wife, Linda; daughter, Crystal and her husband, Jeff; granddaughter, Kayla; brother, David Smith and his wife, Vicki; nephews, Dave and Mike; nieces, Windy, Kari and Treva; sister-in-law, Betty; niece, Kiesha, and her husband, Brian Dalton; and other family members, Jimmy and Melanie Cox, Mark and Jill Gilliand, Sarah and Sean Sweeney, Spenser Gilliand, Ben and Leann Gilliand, Lilly Gilliand, Tristan and Mercedes Livingston, Trinity, Tegan and Tayzlee Livingston, Curtis and Laura Hamlin, and Ailyn Hamlin.
The family will receive friends from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Doe Valley Farm, 313 Stage Coach Loop, Mountain City, Tennessee.
JoAnn M. Kopp
September 26, 2026
JoAnn M. Kopp, 84, of Lakewood, New Mexico, passed away peacefully Friday, June 26, 2026.
Born July 28, 1941, in Strykersville, New York, JoAnn was the beloved child of Walter and Geraldine Kopp. Throughout her life, JoAnn was known for her infectious smile, fun-loving attitude and devotion to God.
She graduated from Rushford Central School and Houghton College and went on to work as a math teacher with the Pioneer Central School District in Arcade, New York. She continued her teaching career at TMI Academy in Sweetwater, Tennessee, and then at Anderson County High School in Norris, Tennessee. At the time of her retirement, she was assistant principal at the Anderson County Career and Technical Center.
After retiring from teaching, JoAnn traveled the western United States in her RV, often boondocking in Bureau of Land Management areas. Her adventures included horseback riding on the beaches of the Texas Gulf Coast, hiking among the giant sequoias, relaxing in natural hot springs, studying the stars at an observatory in Oregon and waking up to a herd of elk outside her RV.
She also enjoyed discovering her talents in needlework, painting and woodworking. She found great joy in her daily devotional and touched the lives of many through her evangelism.
JoAnn is survived by her daughter, Jill Seward (Troy) Anderson; son, Caleb Scroback; brother, Dan (Kay) Kopp; sister, Karen (Randy) Kopp Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Beth Seward; and grandchildren, Will, Samantha and Louis.
She was preceded in death by her son, Todd Seward; and daughter, Amber Scroback Blockley.
A graveside memorial will be held at Hardy’s Corners Cemetery in Rushford, New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Daily Bread Ministries or by simply performing a random act of kindness for a total stranger, as JoAnn would have done.
