Earl Dean Harshbarger
May 7, 2024
Earl Dean Harshbarger, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Methodist Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with lung disease.
Born in Stollings, near Logan, West Virginia, April 9, 1940, he was preceded in death by parents Arthur (Don) and Eva (Kirby) Harshbarger; brothers Everette, Arthur (Bud); and sisters Helen Marguerite, Marjory, and Jean.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years Nellie (Sizemore) Harshbarger; daughter, Cyndie Foster and husband Jeff of Norris; son ,James of Crossville, and son Jeffrey and wife Jenny of Norris; grandchildren, Nicholas and Eddie Dean; and Nephews and nieces, too numerous to list.
After graduating with honors from Logan High School in 1958, Dean received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1963 and a master’s degree in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University in 1968.
He worked for three years at Babcock and Wilcox Research Center in Alliance, Ohio, and spent the next 33 years working for TVA at the Engineering Lab in Norris. His duties included testing hydraulic models of TVA dams and locks, air-pollution control systems, and turbine-discharge aeration systems. He authored and presented numerous technical papers. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, National Managers Society, National Society of Hydraulic Engineers, and Alpha ETA honorary Engineering Society.
Dean really enjoyed serving others. He was a life member of Lions Club International. He served as club president and secretary, district governor, and state council chairman. He received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award (the highest Lions International award) and the state Lions Lindsey/Jennings Award, and was elected to the Tennessee Lions Hall of Fame. He served terms as the chair of East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank and Volunteer Industries, and as a worker and board director of Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County.
Dean was also active in the Norris United Methodist Church, where over the years he served in numerous capacities including: Sunday School teacher, youth director, and chair of the Administrative Council. He also sang in the choir and was a member of the Back Row Boys singing group who sang at various venues around the area.
When his children were young, Dean served as elementary school PTA president; coached Little League basketball, baseball and softball; and served as a Boy Scout leader, and Girl Scout “Dodad.”
After moving to Norris in 1966, Dean became active in Norris Little Theater and played roles in several productions, including “The White Sheep of the Family,” “Love Rides the Rails,” “The Patriots,” and “Inherit the Wind.”
Dean loved Norris. He served on the Norris Water Commission for 48 years and was chairman for 47 years. He assisted at the Norris Area Food Pantry and was involved in various city projects and activities, mainly through the Norris Lions Club.
Dean was honored by his selection to the Anderson County Hall of Fame in 2009 as a community volunteer.
Dean loved to travel, especially on road trips. He and Nellie visited all 50 U.S. states and made several trips into Canada. They went twice on fly-in fishing trips to Northern Saskatchewan with their good friends Vivian and Wayne Morris.
In recent years, Dean especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Nicholas, and Eddie. They played golf, biked, looked for morels, vacationed, and spent one or two weeks each summer at Edisto Beach, South Carolina.
Dean will be sorely missed.
Visitation was Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at Norris United Methodist Church at 16 Ridgeway Road. The funeral began at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Brandon Berg officiating. Interment followed at Norris Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dean’s honor to: Norris Lions Club 75th Anniversary, Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, or the Norris Area Food Bank.
Roy L. Courtney
May 7, 2024
Roy L. Courtney, 90, of Clinton, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, at home surrounded by family.
He was a member of St. Mark Methodist Church.
Roy was born in Clinton to Samuel and Gatha Courtney, and was preceded in death by his brother, John Courtney.
He is survived by wife, Frankie Courtney; daughter, Vickie Courtney; brothers, James, David, and Boyd Courtney; sisters, Sarah Sharp, Katherine Lawhorn, Barbara Deppensmith; sister-in-law, Donna Bullock; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Roy served in the Navy during the Korean War on the USS Antietam and received the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal.
After his military service, Roy went to work for Chapman Drug Company, where he retired as a buyer. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, sports, and tinkering in his workshop.
Roy was a loving husband and the best dad a daughter could ever have.
He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
The family would like to thank U.T. Hospice and his caregivers for their caring service.
A graveside service was held at Sunset Cemetery in Clinton on Friday, May 10, 2024, at 1 p.m.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
holleygamble.com
Steven Douglas Coggins
May 6, 2024
Steven Douglas Coggins, 61, of Rockwood, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024.
Steven enjoyed Halloween, his favorite holiday, with his friends at the Michael Dunn Center.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents, William “Larry” and Myra “Betsy” Coggins.
Steven is survived by, brother, Andy (Deborah) Coggins; sister, Missie (Kirk) Pierce; nephew and nieces, A.J., Ashley, and Samantha.
The family will be holding a memorial service at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Michael Dunn Center.
Condolences can be left at weatherfordmortuary.com.
Debora “Deb” Lynn Smith (McCartney)
May 4, 2024
Debora “Deb” Lynn Smith (McCartney), 54, passed away May 4, 2024, in Clinton, Tennessee.
She was born Nov. 13, 1969, in Sacramento, California. Debora is survived by her husband, Louis F. Smith; her son, Nick Smith; her daughter, Jessalyn Smith; her brother Steve McCartney; her sister, Amy Livingston; and her father, Mike McCartney. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jennifer Lynn McCartney.
Deb attended Franklin Elementary School and Del Oro High School in Loomis, California, and earned an A.A. degree from Sierra College in 1996.
She attended Landmark Missionary Baptist Church for many years. This is where in 1978 she came to know her Lord and Savior whom she served throughout her life. This is why many described her as always smiling and being a bright ray of light to all she met. She would reach out with compassion and kindness to all she came in contact with, shining the Light of Christ.
She was a creative artist and breeder of Welsh Corgis, and was about to begin breeding Bohemian shepherds at the time of her passing. She was employed as a designer at Triton Stone Group in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she was able to use her creative abilities in stone design. She had worked there since early 2021.
Debbie always loved Tennessee, and moved there in late 2020. She especially appreciated the small town culture of Clinton and the people she met there. There has been a tremendous outpouring of love and encouragement to the family from local residents in the community and from her co-workers.
Holly-Gamble Funeral Home of Clinton is assisting with the funeral arrangements for Debora Lynn Smith, and she will be laid to rest in New Castle, California, on June 8, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, any donations can be sent to Granite Bay Missionary Baptist Church, 7150 Wildwood Place, Granite Bay, California 95746. Please write on any checks “Donation for the Smith Family.“ The family appreciates all the love and care shown by the great community of Clinton, Tennessee.
Barbara Jane Price
May 3, 2024
Barbara Jane Price, 75, of Clinton passed away on Friday, May 3, 2024. She was born Nov. 17, 1948, in Anderson County to Grady and Evelyn Loyd.
Barbara retired from the USPS as a mail carrier in Clinton after 25-plus years of dedicated service. Throughout her life, Barbara loved working outside in her yard and flowers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Price; brothers, Sam Loyd, George L. Loyd, and Son Loyd; sisters, Wanda Loyd and Anna Mae Gibby; nephews, Tommy Loyd and Pete Loyd.
She is survived by her daughter, Brigetta Lawhorn and husband Matt of Friendsville; grandchildren, Callie, Gage, and Logan Lawhorn; sister, Polly Elliott and husband Gary of Norris; several brother and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
The family will have a private graveside service at Woodhaven Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Covenant Hospice or Covenant Hospice Katerpillar Kids Camp. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements. holleygamble.com
Robert R. Long (Bob)
May 1, 2024
Robert R. Long (Bob), 85, of Clinton passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center with his family by his side.
Bob was born May 31, 1938, in Clinton to Raymond and Edna Long. He was a member of Cokesbury Methodist Church and was married to his wife of 62 years, Katie, who shared his love for family, UT sports and fishing.
Bob played basketball all through his high school years and one year at Lincoln Memorial University before transferring to the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he graduated with a BS in business administration in 1964. He also became a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force, Tennessee Air National Guard, at this time.
Bob served his beloved state of Tennessee in many capacities throughout his career. From lab supervisor Biology Division, ORNL; chief of inspection and inventory control for the Tennessee Deptartment of Purchasing; director of personnel at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health; executive assistant to the dean at UT College of Medicine in Memphis; to retiring after 30 years from the University of Tennessee Medical Center as the associate vice chancellor in the College of Medicine. He used to say that he began his career cleaning rat cages and ended up as associate vice chancellor. He had a work ethic that he passed on to all his children and those who knew him.
He is survived by wife, Katie, children Dale and wife Kim, Mike and wife Stephanie, Tracy and fiancée Brad van der Veen. Grandchildren, Ryan, Zach, Delaney, and Canyon Long, Quinn Barlow and Nick Caldwell.
A receiving of friends was held at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home at 621 S. Charles G. Seivers Blvd. in Clinton on Sunday, May 5, from 4-6 p.m., and the funeral followed.
A funeral procession left Holley-Gamble Funeral Home on Monday, May 6, at 12:40 p.m. and arrived at Grandview Memorial Gardens 219 Longmire Road in Clinton, for a graveside service at 1 p.m. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
Nickey M. Braden
April 25, 2024
Nickey M. Braden, 72, of Clinton went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 25, 2024. He was born on Aug. 29, 1951, to Hurstle and Blanche Baird Braden in Lake City.
Nickey enjoyed camping, working on hot rods, and just spending time at Huck’s garage. He was a beloved member of Indian Bluff Baptist Church. Nickey dearly loved his family.
He was blessed with a servant’s heart and was known for his way of making everyone he met feel special. He was a veteran of the United States Army. In his early years, he was the pastor at Hind’s Creek Baptist Church and Red Hill Baptist Church. Nickey will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughter, Tiffany Braden; grandson, Cody Craig; brothers, Ray Braden, Bill Braden, Lonnie Braden; sister, Charlotte Withers; special sister-in-law, Arita Braden; and father and mother-in-law, Charles and Gladys Ault; special friend, Mike Cox.
Survived by: wife of 52 years, Teresa Ault Braden; daughter, Kristie Braden and Tim Hill; granddaughter, MaKinzie Moore and husband Rodney; son-in-law, Jamie Craig; great-grandsons, Tai and Von; sister, Sue Nelle Saunders and husband Mark; brother, Hurstle Lynn Braden and wife Carolyn; brother-in-law, Steve Withers; special friend, Connie Cox and her family; a host of nieces and nephews that he loved like his very own; and several other family members and special friends.
The family received friends at the Indian Bluff Baptist Church on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from noon-2 p.m. The funeral followed at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jason Goans, Brother Jim Ault, and special friend Roger Hooks officiating. His burial was held at the Indian Bluff Baptist Church cemetery following the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Indian Bluff Baptist Church Building Fund at 3316 Briceville Hwy., Briceville, TN 37710. leachfamilyfuneralhome.com
Gatlin Ion Moretz
April 22, 2024
Gatlin Ion Moretz (Gatlin Bear, Baby G) Oct. 24, 2021 - April 22, 2024, 2, of Claxton, Tn went home to be with the Lord suddenly on Monday afternoon.
Gatlin was a special little boy that touched so many lives. In life he was a ball of energy and always on the go completely full of life. He was a precious joy to anyone he came in contact with. He loved trucks, motorcycles, cars and always wanted to sing and dance to Baby Shark and Wheels on The Bus.
He was diagnosed with Hunters syndrome (MPS2) in March 2022. He fought so many physical and mental obstacles with this disease.
We, the family, take comfort in knowing that Gatlin has won his battle and no longer has to suffer with the struggles of this illness. Gatlin is preceded in death by his Papaw Mike McMahan; great grandparents, Mary and John Ion Haun; cousin, Daniel Haun; and great grandfather, Raymond Barnett.
He is survived by his Mamaw/mom, Patricia (Teresa) McMahan; dad, John Moretz; brothers, Kadin and Faith Bolden and Axile Moretz; sisters, Riley Mclain and Carissa Riley Barnett; favorite uncles, Kenny Moretz and Darren Gross; aunt and special momma, Sarai Gross; papaw, Charlie Davis; his special mommas, Danielle Bowman, Nikki Davis, and Megan Braden; grandparents, Angie Davis and Richard Dixon; great grandmother, Edith Barnett; his partner in crime, Paisley Bolden; special cousin and bestie, Marynina Moretz; his wagon buddies, Destiny Gurly and Tristan Mulligan; his best buddies, Brody (BoBo) Massey and Preston Powers; uncles, Darren Gross, Chris Bowman, Ricky Adams, Allen Bayles, Mitchel Bayles, Jaxon Dixson, and John Lillard; aunt, Cheryl Adams; special cousins, Daniel Gross, Nevaeh Mulligan, Lexi Jackson, Dekota Jackson, Shaylyn Jackson, Makiya Martin, Jozion Martin, Kaynan Bowman, Devin Eaton, Taylor Hooks, and AJ Hooks; and his favorite pastor, Donald Turpin.
Gatlin was loved by so many more aunts, uncles, family, and friends.
Services will be held at Holley Gamble Funeral Home 621 S Charles G Seivers Blvd Clinton, Tn 37716 receiving family and friends Thursday April 25, 2024 6-8 p.m. funeral to follow at 8 p.m. The service will be officiated by Pastor Donald Turpin and the Rev. Michale Haun. www.holleygamble.com
