JAMES ‘JIM’ RUCKER JR.
September 3, 2018
James “Jim” Rucker Jr., 73, Lake City, passed away Monday, Sept. 3, 2018, at Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center in Andersonville.
Jim was born Feb. 6, 1945, in LaFollette to the late James M. Rucker Sr. and Gertrude Reed Rucker. He was of the Baptist Faith. Jim was a diesel mechanic for Total Trucking. Jim enjoyed building hot rods.
In addition to his father, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Walter “Tom” Rucker.
Survivors: Mother, Gertrude Reed Rucker of Andersonville; brothers, Jack Rucker of Andersonville; uncle, Jack Reed of Lake City; special friend, Linda Rucker of California.
A Memorial Service will be held for Jim at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, at Hatmaker Funeral Home in Lake City.
KIMBERLY ANN ROUSER
September 2, 2018
Kimberly Ann Rouser, at the age of 60, passed in peace Sept. 2, 2018, after a lengthy illness.
Kim was born Dec. 4, 1957, in Knoxville to her loving parents, Ronald and Nell Johnson. Kim married her soulmate, Martin Rouser, on March 16, 1984, and had two sons, Andrew and Spencer. Kim loved travel, reading, the University of Tennessee football, hiking, boating and camping, but most of all, she loved her family. Kim will be loved for her devotion, admired for her strength, and missed by all who were blessed with knowing her.
She was preceded in death by: Father, Ronald L. Johnson; grandparents, Carl and Ruby Johnson, and Charles and Vurla Barnes.
Kim is survived by: Husband, Martin Rouser of Knoxville; sons, Andrew and Spencer Rouser of Knoxville; sister, Gloria Johnson of Knoxville; brother, Chuck Johnson and wife Sheri; niece, Rachel Pitts; nephews, Cameron and Landen Johnson.
The Family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, at Calvary Baptist Church located on Raccoon Valley Road.
A celebration of life service will follow the receiving of friends officiated by Chaplain Phillip Groos.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to ETVMA (East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Association, www.etvma.org, P.O. Box 3714 Knoxville, TN 37929) or CSRF (Cushing’s Support Research Foundation, www.csrf.net ).
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
MARLENE SUE WOODS
September 1, 2018
Marlene Sue Woods, 64, Clinton, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at Ft. Sanders Regional Hospital, Knoxville.
Marlene was an avid Lady Vols fan, who loved traveling, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. For many years she was a motor coach driver for Knoxville Tours.
She was preceded in death by: Parents, Lloyd Hendrix and Mary Hamby; son, Chris Wood; brother, Steve Hamby; great-granddaughter, Danielle Woods.
She is survived by: Daughter, Kelly Woods and husband Marvin McHugh of Clinton; grandchildren, Sierah Faries, Savannah McHugh, Christopher McHugh and fiancé Sarah Webber, Tyler Woods and fiancé Katie Nicholson, Daniel Woods and fiancé Tausha Smith, Emily Reneau and Jazleigh Latella, Annabelle and Hayden Adkins, Cheyenne Hawkins; sisters, Lisa Rich and husband Marshall, Teresa Davis, Michelle Hamby, Sandy Collins and husband Terry; great-grandchildren, Danielle Woods and Barrett Gutman; sisters, Lisa Rich and husband Marshall, Teresa Davis, Michelle Hamby, Sandy Collins and husband Terry; brother, Mike Hendrix; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home.
Her Celebration of Life service followed in the chapel with the Rev. Marty Stooksbury officiating.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
www.holleygamble.com
J.C. COPELAND
August 31, 2018
J.C. Copeland, 83, Lake City, passed away Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.
He was born in Coal Creek on March 30, 1935. His parents were Austin and Martha Day Copeland. J. C. enjoyed the flea markets at Crossville and Tazewell.
J.C. was preceded in death by: Parents, Austin and Martha Copeland; wife of 56 years, Verlie Hatmaker; grandson, Scottie Webb of London, Ky.; and great-grandson, Corey Lynn Jobe of Caryville.
J.C. is survived by: Children, Michael Copeland and Kathy of Jacksboro, Charles Goins and Judy of Stockton, Ga., Jan Webb and Don of Clinton; grandchildren, Steven Goins and Suzanne of Buford, Ga., Mark Goins and Becky of Georgia, Corey Jobe and Shell of Caryville, Maranda Brock and Jason of Halls, Wayne Rosser and Christy of Lafollette, Kevin Muse and Brittany of Jacksboro, Dr. Heather Webb Anderson and Peter of Louisville, Ky.; great-grandchildren, Logan Jobe, Casey, Joshua, and Allie Goins, Raelin, Carter and Reese Rosser, Roman, McKenzie, Paityn and Tyson Muse.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of JC Copeland to www.mightycause.com/story/
A Celebration of Life will be held at Hatmaker Funeral Home with the Rev. Tom Byrge officiating at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.
The family will receive friends from 1 – 3 p.m. before the Celebration of Life Service.
Interment of ashes will be at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery at Jacksboro.
JAMES BRASWELL WILLIAMS
August 31, 2018
James Braswell Williams, 93, Norris, died Aug. 29, 2018, at Meadow View Senior Living, Clinton.
Known by family and friends as Jim, he was born on Sept. 15, 1924, in Matthews, N.C., and passed away two weeks before his 94th birthday.
In 1947, after service in the U.S. Army during World War II, he married the former Jean Rea. They were married until her death in 2015. The couple moved to Norris in 1949 and Jim attended the University of Tennessee, where he was awarded a Bachelor’s degree in 1953. This was followed by a Master’s degree in 1956, and a doctorate in Education in 1968. He began a 32-year career as an educator in Anderson County as teaching principal in a two-room school house, Belmont. Subsequently, he served as principal at Norris Elementary, Claxton, Clinton Senior High, Glen Alpine, and Norris Junior High (later Norris Middle School).
During his career as an educator, Jim served twice as president of the Anderson County Parents Association and for 15 years as the legislative chairman of the Anderson County Education Association.
For nearly 60 years, Jim was a devoted member of St. Francis Episcopal Church, where he served as member of the Vestry Committee, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the choir. He was also an ardent supporter of the Norris Food Pantry, where he spent many hours as a volunteer.
In his retirement, he traveled extensively with his wife and was an avid golfer and fisherman. Jim also continued his charitable activities as a member of the Lion’s Club and its Sight Conservation Committee.
Spiritual, yet irreverent, wise and funny, he will be sorely missed by his survivors: Daughters, Teresa (Ira Hozinsky) and Melissa (John) Tortora; sisters, Linda Forbis of Matthews and Patricia Aycoth of Davidson, N.C.; four grandchildren; and a score of nieces and nephews.
The funeral and scattering of ashes, followed by a reception, will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Norris at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Francis Discretionary Fund or a charity of choice.
www.holleygamble.com
PATRICIA GAIL WOODS RACKLEY
August 28, 2018
“Mother’s hold our hands for a short time, but hold our hearts forever”
Patricia Gail Woods Rackley went to heaven Aug. 28, 2018, at the age of 74 following a long and valiant fight with cancer.
Her family have and always will be her legacy. She leaves behind four children, Teresa Gillard and Franck, Sherri King and Tim, Richard Rackley and Russell Rackley and Sherry; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by: Parents the Rev. Truman Woods and Deane Murray Woods Bowyer.
The family will receive friends 5 p.m. - 7p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at Ball Camp Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 7p.m.
Graveside service will be at 11a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at Huskey Grove Cemetery, Gatlinburg.
Loudon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
TRULA MAE HUMPHREY
August 27, 2018
Trula Mae Humphrey, 88, passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2018, at Norris Health and Rehabilitation Center, in the caring and loving community of Norris.
From her birth in Anderson County on June 15,1930, to her death Monday she nourished people around her with love, her faith and gospel music. Trula had a passion for bird watching, and being a caretaker for others.
Trula was preceded in death by: Father, Andy Cody; mother, Lola Marie Bell; sisters, Gertie and Bertha Bell; and infant daughter, Ina Ellan Humphrey.
She is survived by: Son, Kenneth Harold and wife Carolyn Joyce Humphrey of Heiskell; brother, Willie Bell; grandchildren, Jody (Kim) Humphrey of Elk Valley, Stacey (Rick) Arneach of Heiskell, Marty (Brooke) Humphrey of Andersonville; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three nieces and one nephew and many friends.
Trula will be remembered as a bright, shining light in various communities and churches.
The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home with funeral service at to follow at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Mark Dison officiating.
Her burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. www.holleygamble.com
GENEVA ‘NEVA’ LILLIAN McNEELY (NEE – MEHAFFEY)
August 21, 2018
Geneva “Neva” Lilliam McNeely (nee – Mehaffey), 93, a lifelong resident of Powell, passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, with family by her side.
For more than 30 years, Geneva was a member of Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Born to Walter and Ocie Mehaffey on March 15, 1925, Geneva, whose smile could light up a room, was the youngest of three daughters and a sister to a younger brother. In the eighth grade at Claxton Elementary School, she played as a guard on the Claxton Blue Devils basketball team. Geneva learned to play the mandolin and how to sing in harmony with her two sisters. In the earlier years of Knoxville’s WNOX Mid Day Merry-Go-Round radio program, the sister trio sang as The Mehaffey Sisters. When Roy Acuff left the radio program to pursue a musical career, he tried to recruit the sisters to accompany him to Nashville. Unfortunately, The Mehaffey Sisters’ dreams of becoming country music stars were squelched because their parents deemed them as too young to go. However, the sisters still sang together at family gatherings throughout their lives. Geneva was the first in her family to graduate from Clinton High School where she was recognized as one of the top stenographers and typist in her class. Immediately after graduation, Geneva was employed with an insurance company in Oak Ridge. She worked there until she resigned to help her mother in the family store/diner and where she met her future husband, Ralph McNeely. They were married in 1946 and five years later, had their first child, a son followed by a daughter one year later. In 1952, the family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and while there, Geneva had to teach her neighbors how to make cornbread because, being Northerners, they had never tasted or heard of it. The McNeely clan returned to East Tennessee in 1958 where Geneva resumed her secretarial expertise first working for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and then for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a top-ranked file clerk for the General Manager’s Office until she retired from there. After retirement, she and her husband of 68 years traveled throughout the country in their RV. Geneva loved to sew, crochet and work crossword puzzles. She was an excellent cook and made the best tasting chocolate pies and banana puddings ever made. Most important, she was a loving mother and devoted wife who made many sacrifices by placing her family’s needs and happiness above her own. While the Ides of March didn’t work out so well for Julius Caesar, it was one of the best days ever for the McNeely family because it represents the day that one of the greatest wives and mothers was ever born on this earth. Alas, the world has lost someone very special – a truly amazing woman - a Southern lady with a generous heart and a caring soul. She will be greatly missed. While the family mourns the loss of their beloved mother and “Granny”, Heaven has added a sweet member to its choir of angels.
Preceded in death by: Husband, Ralph McNeely; parents, Walter and Ocie Mehaffey; sisters, Lucille Flynn and Glenna Beals; brother, Charles Mehaffey.
She is survived by: Son, Alan McNeely and wife Linda of Powell; daughter, Barbara McNeely and beau Samuel Foust; grandchildren, Alyssa Lopez and husband Steve of Mustang, Okla., Karen Craven and husband Aaron of Winston-Salem, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Vivian Craven and Sheridan Lopez; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home from 6 – 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, with the funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. with the the Rev. Thomas Sweet officiating.
Family and friends wishing to attend her graveside service will meet at the Woodhaven Memorial Gardens at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.
www.holleygamble.com
