Iola June Nelson
May 20, 2026
Iola June Nelson, 78, went to her heavenly home on May 20, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
In her spare time, she enjoyed going to church and was a member of Island Ford Baptist Church. She also enjoyed flowers, crafting, gardening and sharing a cup of coffee with her neighbors, Harry Phillips and Cathy Beets.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Nelson; father, Robert Violet; mother, Melda Violet; infant brother, Bobby Violet; brothers, Robert “Bob” Violet, Roy Lee Violet and Donnie Wayne Violet; and sister, Doratha Violet Lawson.
She is survived by her grandson, Paul Troy Ford; granddaughter, Madison Hemphill “Doodle Bug”; son, Gary Nelson; brothers, Claude Violet, Johnny Violet and Marshall “Rusty” Violet; sisters, Virginia Mae Webb, Nina Carden, Marsha “Lucy” Hensley and Sandra Michell White; special friend, Jackie Phillips; and father, James Disney.
Visitation was held Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, followed by a funeral at 7 p.m.
Friends and family met Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Island Home Baptist Church Cemetery for a graveside service at 1 p.m.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is proud to serve the Nelson family.
holleygamble.com
Helen June Moss
May 20, 2026
Helen June Moss, 95, of Forsyth, Georgia, formerly of Clinton, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Wellstar Spalding Medical Center in Griffin, Georgia.
She was born April 4, 1931, in LaFollette, Tennessee, to the late William McKinley Byrd and Julia Byrd.
Helen was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She had many friends who loved her, and she was always willing to offer advice and guidance to her children whenever they sought it.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, W.J. Moss; sons, Cecil Hembree and Alex Hembree; brothers, Arvil Byrd, Arnold Byrd and Eldon Byrd; sister, Alma Jean Byrd; daughter-in-law, Tammy Hembree; and grandchildren, Derrick Hembree, Travis Hembree, Summer Hembree and William Hembree.
She is survived by her son, Marvin Hembree of Clinton; daughters, Jeanie Roach and husband Gene of Clinton, and Stephanie High and husband Lewis of Forsyth, Georgia; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Vasper Cemetery in Caryville with the Rev. Gene Roach officiating.
Jones Mortuary of Clinton is honored to serve the family of Helen Moss.
Joan Elizabeth Hutchins
May 18, 2026
Joan Elizabeth Hutchins, 98, of Clinton passed away Monday, May 18, 2026, at the home of her daughter in Andersonville.
She was born April 14, 1928, in Clinton to the late Boss N. and Marie Copeland Beeler. Joan was a member of First Baptist Church in Clinton. She graduated from Clinton High School and later worked in Oak Ridge for the Atomic Energy Commission.
Joan was an active volunteer with the Easter Seal Society for many years. During that time, she served as president of the East Tennessee Volunteer Chapter of the National Easter Seal Society. She was also elected secretary of the House of Delegates of the National Easter Seal Society, becoming the first woman to hold office in the national society.
Joan was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Robert C. Hutchins; and sister, Carolyn Sue Mynatt.
She is survived by her son, Byron Scott Hutchins; daughter, Julia Hutchins Spradling; grandsons, Michael Scott Hutchins and wife Trilla, and Christopher Todd Spradling; along with several nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
The family held a graveside service Friday, May 22, 2026, at Grandview Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Mike Aiken officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Creative Ministries/Towers Crafts at First Baptist Church in Clinton.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
holleygamble.com
Patsy Gail “Pat” Randolph Fitch
May 18, 2026
Patsy Gail “Pat” Randolph Fitch, born Sept. 30, 1956, in Oak Ridge, went to be with her Lord and Savior May 18, 2026, at her home surrounded by family after a six-year struggle with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Raised in Briceville, Pat was many things to many people — a beloved teacher, gifted cook, gospel singer, devoted daughter and sister, proud mother and grandmother, loyal friend, and a woman whose life left a lasting impression on all who knew her.
A proud graduate of Lake City High School, Pat dedicated her life to education and lifelong learning. She earned an undergraduate degree in education from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and later earned a master’s degree from Tennessee Technological University in 1984 while balancing marriage, work and family life.
Pat taught in the Roane County school system for 38 years, beginning at Ridgeview Elementary School before later teaching at Dyllis Elementary School and Oliver Springs Elementary School. Teaching was more than a profession for Pat; it was her calling. She poured herself into helping children learn to read and believed deeply in the power of education to build confidence and open doors. Long after students left her classroom, many still remembered Mrs. Fitch as the teacher who made them believe they were capable.
She carried that same love of learning into her own family, instilling in her daughters and grandchildren a lifelong appreciation for books, curiosity and education. A devoted reader herself, she found comfort and joy in stories and loved sharing the magic of that world with her grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as Nana.
At the time of her passing, Pat was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Oliver Springs and had been a member of multiple Baptist churches throughout her life. She loved singing gospel music in churches across East Tennessee alongside family and friends.
Pat expressed love through food, tradition, laughter and caring for others. Sunday dinners after church became a family tradition filled with homemade favorites. She was a gifted cook who passed down her love of preparing meals and appreciation for small treats to her daughters and granddaughter, who continue to cherish both her recipes and the memories attached to them. She was also devoted to helping others throughout her life, often visiting sick friends and family members and always looking for ways to offer comfort, support or a warm meal to those in need.
Small in stature but fierce in spirit, Pat was known from childhood for holding her own alongside her three brothers and anyone else bold enough to challenge her. She was quick-witted, scrappy and a force to be reckoned with. She was genuinely beautiful, with a captivating smile and a presence that could light up a room.
During football season, family members will forever remember her jumping from her seat yelling, “Get him! Get him!” at the television. She shared a lifelong love of sports with her husband and best friend of 47 years, Bruce Fitch, and especially loved cheering on the Cincinnati Reds, Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats. Together, they passed down that love of sports to their children and grandchildren.
Pat remained deeply proud of where she came from and deeply connected to the family who shaped her. She shared lifelong bonds with her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family and carried her mountain roots with her throughout her life. Her bond with her sister, Belinda, was especially deep, rooted in shared memories, music, faith and family history stretching back generations. Pat loved fiercely and protected the people she cared about with everything she had.
In her later years, Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia changed much of the life she had worked so hard to build. Throughout those difficult years, her husband, Bruce, remained her devoted caregiver, provider, and constant companion. As her illness progressed, her daughters also lovingly helped care for her, surrounding her with comfort, humor, and dignity. Still, those who loved her remember the teacher who inspired children to read, the woman who sang beautifully in churches throughout East Tennessee, the cook whose table welcomed everyone, the fiercely loyal sister and friend, and the mother and Nana whose love lives on through stories, traditions, recipes, laughter, and memories.
In addition to her father, the Rev. Roy Lee “Johnny” Randolph, she was preceded in death by her brother, Johnny Lynn Randolph; sister-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Randolph; and in-laws, Charlotte Lillian Fitch and Theodore Fitch.
She is survived by her husband and best friend of 47 years, Bruce E. Fitch; her beloved daughters, Kathryn Hannah “Katie” Fitch and Megan Rebecca Woods and husband, John Woods; grandchildren, Theo Woods, R.J. Woods and Lathan Woods; mother, Rhoda J. Randolph; her beloved sister, Belinda Bass and husband, Mark Bass; brothers, Steve Randolph and Danny Randolph and wife, Missy Randolph; nieces and nephews, Mikel Randolph and wife, Angela, Melanie Randolph, Lynn Randolph, Kevin Randolph, Ruthie Jackson and husband, Kris, Casey Bass Humphrey and husband, Kenny, Courtney Bass, Daniel Randolph, Jamie Vaughn and husband, Justin, and Markus Bass and wife, Kelly; along with several great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and staff of Covenant Health Therapy, Premier Therapy, Amedisys Hospice, Dr. Sonali Deo and special caregiver Tiffany Stergil for their compassion, care and support throughout Pat’s illness. The family is also deeply grateful for the prayers, kindness and support shown by friends, family and community members during this time.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, at Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs. The funeral followed. The Rev. Jason Goans officiated. A graveside services and interment was held Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Graves Gap Baptist Church Cemetery in Briceville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.
Sharp Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Patsy “Pat” Fitch during this time of need.
Patrick David Beatty
May 18, 2026
Patrick David Beatty, 68, died May 18, 2026, after a life marked by faith, devotion, grit, movement and an abiding love that he freely shared and generously received.
He was born Sept. 30, 1957, and raised in Clinton, where the East Tennessee hills and roads became part of him early in life. While work and life took him far from Clinton for many years, he later passed away while resting in a house built by his family in a valley near his hometown.
Patrick graduated from Clinton High School in 1975, attended Middle Tennessee State University, and built a career spanning more than 40 years in property management in fast-growing Nashville.
But the shape of Patrick’s life could not be measured by work alone. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was devoted to his wife, Jill. Patrick and Jill shared 37 years of marriage filled with steadfast loyalty, laughter, travel and companionship.
Together, they made multiple trips to Hawaii, visited family in Michigan and Florida, and spent treasured time on the family farm in East Tennessee. He loved Tennessee football and basketball, fast cars driven as fast as possible, and the simple joy of being with the people and places that felt like home.
And he loved to ride his bike.
A lifelong cyclist, Patrick first learned to ride as a boy from his father, Ray Beatty, riding up and down the streets of Clinton.
What began in childhood became a defining rhythm of his life. He rode the roads of East Tennessee with friends, delivered newspapers along his paper route by bicycle, and later discovered the Natchez Trace in Middle Tennessee, which became one of his most-beloved riding routes.
For decades, Patrick rode long distances with remarkable discipline and joy, often logging thousands of miles each year — sometimes as many as 10,000. To Patrick, cycling was more than exercise. It was endurance, prayer, solitude, friendship and freedom.
When Patrick was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer in 2021, he faced the illness with the same determination that carried him through long climbs and hard miles. He endured extensive surgery, chemotherapy, proton therapy and rehabilitation. Even during treatment, he was thinking about the road. On his first day of chemotherapy, he asked his oncologist whether he could ride his bike after treatment. Soon, he was back on the road, logging miles again.
Patrick often spoke of meeting God on the Natchez Trace. During one difficult ride, struggling up an early incline, he prayed and wondered how he could possibly finish the miles ahead. Then he looked up and realized he had reached the turnaround point with no memory of the miles that had passed. For Patrick, that was one of many moments of grace — one of many encounters with “God on the Trace,” as he called them.
Patrick was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Betty Beatty.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jill Beatty; stepdaughter, Shannon Parker; brothers, Timothy Beatty and wife Gayle, and Michael Beatty and wife Beth Ann; and nephews, Christopher and Justin.
The family will hold a small private service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
Patrick will be remembered for his faith, his toughness, his loyalty, his love of the open road, and the way he kept moving forward through heat, hills, pain and uncertainty. He knew the road could be hard. He also knew there was grace to be found on it. And he rode it with all his heart.
Franklin Leon Bradley
May 16, 2026
Franklin Leon Bradley, 86, of Clinton passed away Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Parkwest Medical Center.
Leon was a devoted husband, father, papa and brother. He lived his life dedicated to his wife, Karen. As Alzheimer’s slowly stole her memories, he remained her caring, loving and devoted caregiver for several years.
He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and later worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
In addition to his parents Judson David Bradley and Jamie Irene Bradley, Leon was preceded in death by his brother J.W. and sisters Jackie and Sue Anne.
He leaves behind his wife of almost 63 years, Karen Marie Bradley, son David Bradley (Cherie), daughter Susan Treece (Derrick), grandsons Ryan Bradley and Seth Treece, and granddaughter Hannah Treece, all of Clinton; granddaughter Kara DeArmond (Jesse) of Coalfield; and brother Bobby Bradley (Zona) of Tazwell,
After retirement, his greatest joy was traveling around the world with Karen. Karen and Leon enjoyed making many trips around the South following their favorite artist, Elvis impersonator Scot Bruce. Another one of his greatest joys was spending time with his four grandchildren. He spent endless hours with them and was so proud of each of them. After his grandkids started school, he found great joy in substitute teaching in the Anderson County School System. He made many great friends at Grand Oaks Elementary, Norris Middle School, and several other schools. He loved working in the school system for several years.
The family would like to thank the team from CNS Cares for their care, especially his nurses Kathy, Lisa, and Amanda, and many other caregivers. Also, special thanks to the Parkwest Hospital teams on 2 Dogwood and Matt and Gena on 2 Montvue.
The family received friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Beech Park Baptist Church in Oliver Springs, followed by the funeral at 7 p.m. Graveside services will be Thursday, May 21, at 2 p.m. in the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on John Sevier Highway. Officiating will be son David Bradley and Pastor Robbie Leach.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Schubert Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Franklin Leon Bradley.
In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Stovall
May 14, 2026
Jeffrey Stovall, 71, passed away peacefully May 14, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.
Jeffrey was a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather, loyal brother and friend. He shared a wonderful life with his beloved wife, Karan, who was the love of his life and his steadfast partner through the years.
He was a proud father to his son, Brandon Stovall, and a caring brother to Scott Stovall. He was also a devoted grandfather to his grandson, Grayson, and granddaughters, Aryanna and Kylie. His family was his greatest source of pride and joy, and he treasured every moment spent with them.
Jeffrey had a deep love for the outdoors and found happiness in boating, camping and spending time in the mountains. Whether he was enjoying a peaceful day on the lake, relaxing around a campfire or taking in the beauty of the mountain scenery, he was most content when surrounded by nature and the people he loved.
He will be remembered for his kind heart, warm smile, sense of humor and unwavering devotion to his family. Jeffrey touched the lives of many and leaves behind a legacy of love, strength and treasured memories.
Jeffrey was a man of strong faith who loved the Lord and lived his life with kindness, humility and compassion. His faith was a guiding force in his life, providing him with strength and comfort throughout every season. His family takes comfort in the assurance that he is now at peace in the presence of his Savior.
Jeffrey is survived by his loving wife, Karan Stovall; son, Brandon Stovall; brother, Scott Stovall; grandson, Grayson; granddaughters, Aryanna and Kylie; and many other family members and friends.
Though he is no longer with us, Jeffrey’s love and the memories he created will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 225 N. Main St., Clinton, TN 37716. A celebration of life service will follow in the sanctuary at 6 p.m., with Dr. Danny Chisholm officiating.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements. holleygamble.com
Lillie Kay Reed
May 13, 2026
Lillie Kay Reed, 74, of Clinton left us far too soon on Monday, May 11, 2026.
A graduate of Clinton High School’s Class of 1969, she went on to earn a master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert, in 1971. For more than three decades, Lillie Kay shaped young minds and hearts as an educator with Anderson County Schools and Clinton City Schools.
She was a huge part of her family’s lives and her entire community. Lillie Kay was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton. She served in the church’s food pantry, where she did what she loved most: caring for people. She truly was the hands and feet of Jesus. Helping others was her passion, and she always put others before herself. Lillie Kay loved people, and they loved her.
Anyone who knew Lillie Kay knew she had a gift for lighting up a room and making everyone around her feel seen, loved and valued.
Lillie Kay was most at home in the kitchen. No recipe cards were needed and no measuring cups were required. She cooked with her heart, creating meals that brought family and friends together.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren David “Dago” Foust and Mary Josephine Webber Foust; sister, Bertha Lou Foust; granddaughter, Makenzie Starr Reed; nephew, Jonathan Lamar Rhyne; mother-in-law, Evelyn Louise Freels Reed; and father-in-law, Robert Wayne Reed Sr.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert Wayne Reed Jr.; children, Chrystal Reed (Johnny) and Austin Reed; grandson, Johnathan “Bishop” Reed (Emily); sisters, Mary Lee Foust Cotter (Mike) and Janie Yerkes Cochran (John); sister-in-law, Betty Reed Lyons (Charlie Lyons); nieces, Becky Lyons Lively (Chris) and Betsy Lyons Longmire (Mark); nephew, Joseph Landon Rhyne (Christy); and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2026, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 323 N. Main St., Clinton, TN 37716.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is serving the Reed family.
holleygamble.com
