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.
Benny Joe Jennings
September 23, 2026
Benny Joe Jennings, 84, of Caryville passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
While his family grieves his absence, they take immense comfort in knowing that Benny, who was legally blind for many years, has finally received his perfect sight and is now looking upon the face of Jesus. He had suffered for many years with diabetes, strokes and Parkinson’s disease.
Born in Lake City on Aug. 30, 1942, he was the beloved son of Kenneth and Nevaline (Vowell) Jennings. Benny was saved during a revival at age 15 and was a lifelong member of Pine Hill Baptist Church. He was a 1960 graduate of Lake City High School.
Benny was a man who deeply loved his country. He had the rare distinction of serving honorably in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. His military service shaped his strong character, discipline and dedication to helping others — traits that stayed with him throughout his life.
He married Helen Anita Lewis on May 20, 1963.
Benny joined the U.S. Navy in 1960 and served for 7½ years as a mail clerk. His assignments included the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in Orange, Texas; Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, where he served aboard the USS Mattaponi; Naval Air Station Norfolk in Virginia, where he served aboard the USS Shasta; and Naval Air Station Glynco in Brunswick, Georgia.
He brought his young family back home to Tennessee after leaving the Navy in 1968. He sold insurance for Home Beneficial and worked at Modine Manufacturing and Y-12, but he still felt the need to serve his country.
Benny joined the U.S. Air Force in 1971. While serving as a supply sergeant, he was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina; Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan; Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina; and Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia.
He retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant in 1984 after more than 20 years of military service. He moved back home to Tennessee and attended auto mechanic school because of his love for working on vehicles. He also worked part time as a mail carrier and later took a job with Boeing in Oak Ridge before his eyesight forced him to retire.
Benny had a lifelong passion for racing and working on vehicles. He also enjoyed mowing and woodworking and was always tinkering with something.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Nevaline Jennings; sister, Ruth Jennings; niece, Lee Ann Hendren; father- and mother-in-law, David and Hattie Lewis; brothers-in-law and their wives, Bobby and Faye Lewis and Mike and Geraldine Lewis; sister-in-law, Diana Lewis; nieces, Patsy Curl and Missy Brooks; and nephew, Robby Lewis.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Helen Lewis Jennings; daughters, Anita Sharp and husband, Nick, Debbie Wilson, and JoLana Carpenter and husband, Mitch.
As the father of three daughters, he was their first hero and taught them about duty, honor, courage and patriotic pride. He provided a unique childhood for his military brats by giving them the opportunity to experience different parts of the country and world.
He was thrilled to be Papaw to seven grandsons and two granddaughters: Joey Clevenstine; Justin Clevenstine and wife, Madison; Tyler Sharp and wife, Natasha; Shane Bullock and wife, Taylor; Andy Sharp and wife, Whitney; Chelsea Taylor and husband, Eric; Jeremy Wilson and wife, Cheyene; Kalli Sharp; and Trent Bullock.
He was the proud great-grandfather of 15 great-grandchildren: Ella Hembree, Carter Taylor, Emorie DeMarcus, Hadley Wilson, Addison Sharp, Haiden Wilson, Averie Taylor, Peyton Sharp, Kinsley Sharp, Tyson Sharp, Campbell Wilson, Harrison Sharp, Poppy Clevenstine, Kyzer Bullock and Cosette Clevenstine. The family is also expecting Sharp twins in April 2027.
He is also survived by sisters, Carolyn Hendren and husband, Robert, and Vicki Massey and husband, Richard; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins.
Benny also leaves behind the service members he worked alongside who became as much a part of his family as those related by blood, especially Jim Young. Their fierce loyalty, shared laughter and unwavering support for one another created a lifelong bond that time and distance could never diminish.
The family received friends at Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, with the funeral following at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Tom Aiken officiating.
Benny’s graveside service was held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at Leach Cemetery, where his seven grandsons served as pallbearers. Full military honors were presented by the Campbell County Honor Guard.
leachfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Geraldine Wilkerson
September 20, 2026
Geraldine Wilkerson, 82, of Andersonville, passed away peacefully at the University of Tennessee Medical Center at 1:42 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, surrounded by her loving husband, Curtis, and their four children.
Geraldine was a born-again child of God and a faithful and dedicated member of New Lone Mountain Baptist Church in Andersonville, where she proudly served alongside her husband as a deacon’s wife. She loved the Lord and lived her life as a beautiful reflection of her faith.
Above all, Geraldine was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was her life, and nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her large family and many loved ones. She shared an especially close bond with her grandchildren, who often joked with one another about which of them was her favorite. The truth was, Geraldine had a special way of making each one feel like her favorite. Her grandchildren loved her deeply, and the precious memories they shared with her will remain in their hearts forever.
Geraldine also treasured the cards she received from family and friends, carefully preserving them in a special album as cherished reminders of the many people who loved and touched her life.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Bonnie Bell; grandchildren, Joshua Wilkerson and Contessa Wilkerson; brother, Leo Bell; and sisters, Betty Jean Bailey, Patricia Childress, Mary Lene Chapman and Loretta Crowe.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Curtis Wilkerson; children, Gary Wilkerson and wife, Debbie, Dwayne Wilkerson and wife, Judy, Melissa Bean and husband, Freddie, and Anthony Wilkerson and wife, Hope; grandchildren, Dustin Bean, Heather Wilkerson, Chelsea Brown, Michael Wilkerson, Jacob Wilkerson, Nikki Cates, Kenzie Wilkerson, Khloe Wilkerson and Maebree Wilkerson; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members and dear friends.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow in the chapel, with the Rev. Freddie Bean and the Rev. Mark Dison officiating.
Geraldine’s graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Anderson Memorial Gardens. Her sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is honored to serve the family of Geraldine Wilkerson. holleygamble.com
Bobby Joe White
September 18, 2026
Bobby Joe White, 78, of Dutch Valley passed away at his home Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
He attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church and enjoyed all sports, especially dirt-track racing. His number was 38, and he was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame at Wartburg Speedway.
Bobby Joe was an excellent brick mason for more than 50 years and was the owner and operator of White Brothers Masonry. He loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Helen White; and brothers, Ray White, Ronnie White, Carl White and James Allen White.
Bobby Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hattie Jackson White; daughter, Melissa Douglas and husband, Joe; grandchildren, Lerissa Douglas, Skyer (Chastity Vickery) Douglas, and Lexie Clawson and husband, Skyler; great-grandchildren, Stella and Hudson Douglas; sister, Mary Jane Burress and husband, Dennis; brothers, Tony White and wife, Shirley, and Freddy White and wife, Donna; first cousins, Freda Rose and husband, Ricky, and Geraldine White and husband, Jerry; best friend, Eddie Leroy Lowe; friends and longtime employees, Scott Jackson, Frank Silcox and Brian Cannon; and many other friends and family members.
Cremation was chosen, with a private burial.
To leave a note for Bobby Joe’s family or share a memory, visit the online guest book at Jackson Funeral Services (jacksonfuneralservices.com).
Eleanor Faith “Ellie” Green
September 16, 2026
Eleanor Faith “Ellie” Green (nee Chumard) of Knoxville died at home Wednesday, Sept. 16, just three weeks shy of her 95th birthday.
Born in State College, Pennsylvania, to Frank and Reba (Bartleson) Chumard, Ellie grew up on a dairy farm in the Poconos during the Great Depression. Her father’s huckster route, along with an extensive garden and orchard, helped sustain the family during those difficult years.
Raised in the Methodist church, Ellie later married in her home church in Hamlin, Pennsylvania, which she had helped rebuild as a teenager after it burned. She was an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton for nearly 50 years, where she sang in the church choir.
In her later years, while experiencing memory loss, she sang with the Hearts Sing Chorus in Knoxville, a music program of Alzheimer’s Tennessee.
After losing her father as a teenager and her mother entering a nursing home, Ellie chose to attend nursing school in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with assistance from her older half-sister. After graduating as a registered nurse from Moses Taylor Nursing School, Ellie embarked on an adventurous life that initially included nursing in New York City and San Francisco. She reached San Francisco on an early 1950s cross-country camping road trip with a carload of her nursing school friends, with whom she remained lifelong friends.
While nursing in Connecticut, she was asked to dance by a dapper Navy man from East Tennessee. Yes, she “met a man from Tennessee and he was headed for … Pennsylvania and some homemade pumpkin pie,” as the old song goes.
Ellie and Charles Green, of Madisonville, married and settled in Dayton, Ohio, where Charles then joined the Air Force. Many Green family members had resettled in Dayton, including Charles’ two daughters from his first marriage, so they were happily surrounded by family.
Adventurous Air Force relocations to Guam and Okinawa followed, and the couple took advantage of space-available travel on military cargo planes to see the world. Ellie always worked, and her nursing training came in handy while living on remote Pacific islands and experiencing unique and diverse cultures.
After Ellie and Charles had grown their family to include daughters Tess and Kelli, they adopted their beloved son, James, from Korea when he was 4 years old.
A relocation to Bordentown, New Jersey, followed, allowing Ellie to be close to her own family in the Poconos for the first time, all of whom she outlived. Winter Park, Florida, came next as the family cheerfully moved back to a land of sunshine and beaches.
Ellie and Charles’ next relocation, to Clinton in 1977 after Charles took a job in Oak Ridge, would begin the final chapter of their lives. Ellie began her long career as a public health nurse in the Clinton office, surrounded by wonderful colleagues and neighbors.
About this time, with their children grown, her nursing school friends from Moses Taylor began taking annual trips together to destinations around the East Coast, rooming together again, reconnecting and supporting one another.
Ellie was famous among her children for her ability to make a fabulous hot dinner out of leftovers. She did not cook on Sundays because it was the day of rest. She instilled in her children a strong sense of hard work, independence and public service, as well as a love of books, gardening and animals.
Perhaps one of her greatest joys was that two of her granddaughters and a beloved niece followed her into nursing, all working to become nurse practitioners.
Ellie and Charles moved into a townhouse in West Knoxville as retirement loomed, finally freed from endless yardwork while keeping a small garden. Their love of traveling continued with frequent road trips to see Tess and her family in British Columbia; Kelli and her family in Iowa and points west; and Jim and his family in San Diego, Hawaii and eventually Japan.
Time spent with family and friends, along with road trips, were among their favorite things.
Ellie was a kind, thoughtful and joyous person to be around, almost childlike in her curiosity and wonder at the world around her. She was always in charge of fireworks at the annual Green family Fourth of July picnic in Madisonville, often recruiting younger nieces and nephews to help.
She talked to people and made friends wherever she went. A fiery redhead, Ellie was all heart, and she kept going on heart alone long after her body might otherwise have quit. Her family will miss her terribly but will continue on the foundations she so ably set for them.
Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Green; parents, Frank and Reba (Bartleson) Chumard; siblings and their spouses, Lt. Col. Bob Chumard and wife, Terry Rees, who was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing; Ted Chumard and wife, Emma; Phyllis Nash and husband, Dick; Isobel Patterson and husband, Joe, all of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania; and Geary Chumard and wife, Marjorie, of Middletown, New York. She was also preceded in death by all of her nursing school friends and in-laws Roseman Kilcrease of New Carlisle, Ohio; and Alfred Green, Jerry Michael Green and Helen Green of Madisonville.
She will be deeply missed by her son, James Green and wife, Sonomi, of Tokyo; daughters, Dr. Kelli Green and husband, Dr. Glenn Gholston, of Knoxville, and Tess Green and husband, Dr. Alan Barnard, of British Columbia, Canada; stepdaughters, Alegra Spille and husband, Dave, of Florence, Kentucky, and Alicia Fugitt and husband, Bob, of Sweetwater; grandchildren, Kaito Green, William Gholston-Green, Sofia Gholston-Green, Wyatt Barnard, Ashley Spille and Allison Rex; six great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Roy Green and wife, Alphea, and Lewis “Buddy” Green and wife, Joan, of Madisonville, and Bob Kilcrease of New Carlisle, Ohio; Belva Green of Dayton, Ohio; 23 adored nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews, whom she regarded as her own.
The family gratefully thanks Ellie’s caregivers, especially Miss Vicki and Miss Sarah, among many others, and Smoky Mountain Hospice for their loving care of their mother; WellPark and NHC Farragut for their exceptional care and dedication; Hearts Sing for its wonderful work; and the neighbors, friends and family members who enriched Ellie’s life in so many ways.
Those wishing to make a donation in Ellie’s memory may consider Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton, the Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic in Gatlinburg, or the Arbor Day Foundation., or simply plant a tree.
Ellie made a recording for StoryCorps, which can be accessed at https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/kelli-green-and-ellie-green/#participant-5e35b9bb14d4846fc0a2d8b00e237b3d..
A celebration of life for Ellie will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m., with the service beginning at 5 p.m.
“None deserve a gentler crossing over the great divide.”
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is proud to serve the Green family.
holleygamble.com
Robert “Bob” Jonathan Arowood
September 9, 2026
Robert “Bob” Jonathan Arowood, 61, of Clinton passed away peacefully Sept. 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and close friends.
Born July 20, 1965, to William H. and Bobbie Arowood, Bob was a lifelong resident of Anderson County and a member of First Baptist Church in Clinton. In the summer of 1984, he met his devoted and loving wife, Karen Arowood, at the Fourth of July fireworks, beginning a life together that would span more than four decades.
Bob was widely known for his remarkable career as an entrepreneur and business leader, but his greatest source of pride was always his family. Bob and Karen built a life together that remained at the center of everything he did. Their son, Reid, was one of the greatest joys of Bob’s life, and the three shared an exceptionally close bond. Whether traveling together, celebrating milestones, sharing meals or simply spending time at home, Bob was happiest when he was with his family.
Selfless and extraordinarily generous, Bob instinctively took care of the people around him. He supported his family, friends, employees and community, often quietly and without expecting anything in return. Throughout his life and career, Bob built more than businesses — he built lasting relationships. He never met a stranger and had a natural ability to connect with people, making those around him feel welcome, valued and cared for.
Bob’s career in insurance began while he was still in high school, working at his family’s small insurance agency in Clinton. Over the decades that followed, he helped transform that family business into a nationally recognized insurance enterprise. His many accomplishments, awards and achievements reflected an extraordinary career, yet Bob never sought attention or recognition for his success. He remained deeply committed to Anderson County, keeping his business headquartered close to home and creating hundreds of jobs in the community where he grew up.
For all that Bob accomplished, he cherished life’s simple pleasures most: quiet evenings on his back porch overlooking the Clinch River, grilling for family and friends, and simply being at home surrounded by the people he loved. Bob was well known for his sweet tooth. He loved turning dessert, ice cream or a favorite treat into an excuse to gather, celebrate or simply make someone’s day a little better.
He also had a lifelong love for his beagles, including Roxy Nicole, who preceded him in death, and his beloved rescue beagles, Ruby Ann and Lily Bell, who brought him constant joy and companionship.
Above all else, Bob was a devoted husband and father. Of everything he built and accomplished throughout his life, nothing meant more to him than the life he shared with Karen and Reid. His greatest legacy is not measured by what he built, but by the love he gave so freely and the people whose lives were made better because he was part of them. Bob will be deeply missed, but the love, laughter, friendships and memories he created will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Bob was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Enid Arrowood and Archie and Arbree Peterson; father-in-law, Bobby G. Utley; beloved beagle, Roxy Nicole; and other loved ones who will be remembered fondly.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Arowood; son, Reid Arowood; parents, William H. and Bobbie Arowood; brother, William M. Arowood and wife, Robin; nephew, Chad Arowood; uncle, John Arrowood; mother-in-law, Wanda Sue Utley; brother-in-law, Brad Utley; nephews, Carson and Carter Utley; niece, Camryn Utley; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A private service will be held for the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Bob’s memory to one or both of the following:
SOS Beagles — Tennessee
Online donations may be made at https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/21995.
UT Medical Center — Stephens Cancer Care Fund
Online donations may be made at https://www.utmedical.org/give-now, under “I would like to support,” select “Other” and enter “Stephens Fund.”
Gifts may also be mailed to:
Office of Philanthropy
2121 Medical Center Way, Suite 110
Knoxville, TN 37920
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements. holleygamble.com
LaVerne Cobb
September 3, 2026
LaVerne Cobb, a woman of unyielding curiosity, formidable intellect and an apparent aversion to sitting still, passed away peacefully at the age of 80.
Arriving on the first anniversary of D-Day — June 6, 1945 — LaVerne was the second of five children and established early on that she would set her own path. She signaled her academic ambition as the honor graduate of Lenoir City High School and grand champion of the 1962 Southern Appalachian Science Fair. She went on to become the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in geology and math, followed by a Master of Science in geology in 1974.
Her early professional life was spent decoding the earth as a geologist for Texaco, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Gruy Federal and Gruy Petroleum Technology. By the mid-1980s, she had hung out her own shingle with LaVerne Cobb and Associates, Geologists and Engineers. Her credentials included being a certified professional geologist and registered environmental manager.
Outside of her day job, her primary hobby during these years was buying, remodeling and flipping residential real estate, using houses she lived in or bought on speculation as her personal canvases. She also moonlighted for a time as an interior designer.
Never one to let a mild slight go unaddressed, LaVerne pursued her law degree to settle a boundary dispute with a particularly difficult neighbor. She earned her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law in 1988, passed the Texas, Tennessee and District of Columbia bar exams, and went on to have a legitimate, highly successful career in environmental law at Travelers Insurance, Lockheed Martin and in private practice — proving that spite, when properly directed, can be a remarkably effective career catalyst.
Beyond her formal credentials, LaVerne was known by all who crossed her path for holding a wonderfully eccentric array of viewpoints. Her creative spirit yielded two published mystery novels and a cookbook — a bold undertaking for a woman who readily acknowledged an utter lack of culinary skills.
In retirement, LaVerne and her husband, Cornelius Quincy Cobb, settled on his family’s riverfront property in East Tennessee. Ever the entrepreneur, LaVerne began hosting an Airbnb out of her home and later acquired the house across the street to expand operations. Knowing her own reputation, she astutely ran the business under her middle name, “Evelyn.” As LaVerne rightly observed, “LaVerne” was a formidable force not to be trifled with, whereas “Evelyn” was sweet, welcoming and earned flawless five-star reviews.
In her later years, LaVerne stayed engaged in current events through a uniquely tailored YouTube feed: political commentary, politically minded tarot card readers and fortune tellers, vlogs documenting French château restorations, and an endless stream of her favorite old-time country, bluegrass and folk music. She was an eager political commentator with friends and neighbors, always generous enough to debate the state of the world with anyone who possessed sufficient patience — or stamina — to engage her.
Her husband, Quincy, preceded her in death in December 2014, no doubt having cleared the way for her arrival.
LaVerne is survived by her children, Andrea Mouring and Aaron Cobb; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters.
To remember her life in the season and setting she loved most, family and friends will gather for a casual celebration of life at her riverfront home just outside Clinton from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. Those who would like to join the family at her favorite place to remember her, share stories and celebrate her remarkable and original life are asked to RSVP to 309GibbsFerryRoad@gmail.com.
Robert D. Ray
September 2, 2026
Robert D. Ray, 91, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and formerly of Clinton, passed away Sept. 2, 2026. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Dean Robert and Elizabeth Magdelina Ray.
Robert spent his career as a manager in manufacturing. After retirement, he worked in sales at Mayo Garden Center in Knoxville, a perfect job for an avid gardener. He also enjoyed woodworking and golfing in his free time.
Robert is survived by his siblings, Norma Proteau, Susan Mundy and Don Ray; and several nieces and nephews, including his niece and caregiver, Erica Drummond and husband, Scott.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Ray; parents, Dean Robert and Elizabeth Magdelina Ray; and sister, Nancy Soos.
At Robert’s request, there will be no services at this time.
Memorials may be made to The Landing with Associated Churches of Fort Wayne and Allen County. (associatedchurches.org/the-landing)
To sign the online guestbook, visit the FairHaven Funeral Home website at fairhavenfortwayne.com.
