Mary Helen Hooks Fowler
November 2, 2025
Mary Helen Hooks Fowler, 76, of Knoxville sadly passed away on Nov. 2, 2025, after a long and full life surrounded by family, friends and travel.
Helen loved her membership and involvement with Wallace Memorial Baptist Church, especially the fellowship and companionship of her Sunday school class.
She enjoyed traveling, cooking and baking with family, attending craft fairs, cross-stitching, cheering for the Lady Vols, visiting Cades Cove and Dollywood, and listening to gospel music. Her greatest joy was sharing these activities with family and friends.
While time spent with loved ones was her most-cherished accomplishment, Helen was also proud of her professional career managing doctors’ offices over several decades.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Fowler; parents, Elmer and Nancy Hooks; and brother, Ronnie Hooks.
She is survived by her children, Holly (Sean) Smith, Heather (Nelson) Brittain and Nathan (Joy) Fowler; grandchildren, Luke (Kaitlin) Smith and great-grandson Ryder, Joel Smith, Millie (Ayden) Altman, Annie Smith, Hayley Harwood, Anna Stephens and great-grandson Andrew, Russ (Rachel) Harwood, Scott Harwood, Chase Brittain, Lily Brittain, Zoe Fowler and Aiden Fowler.
Loved by her siblings, Patsy McConkey, Judy McKenney, Donnie (Dora) Hooks and sister-in-law Martha Hooks; long-time friend, Mona Wallace; and many extended family members and friends.
Receiving of friends was held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton.
A celebration of life followed at 6 p.m.
Helen Phillips Luallen
November 2, 2025
Helen Phillips Luallen, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Nov. 2, 2025 in Knoxville.
She was born July 8, 1946, in Robbins, Tennessee. A cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Helen leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness and unwavering support for those around her.
She was the beloved daughter of Jay and Reba Foster. Raised in a close-knit family, she learned the values of compassion and generosity early in life —principles that shaped her into the remarkable woman so many admired. With a nurturing spirit, she devoted her life to caring for others, and always put their needs before her own.
In her later years, Helen found deep love and companionship in her marriage to Richard Luallen. Their bond was one of mutual respect and affection that enriched their lives and the lives of their families. It was a partnership filled with joy, laughter and shared memories that will forever be treasured by their family.
Helen was devoted to her community and always sought ways to give back. Her selfless nature shone through in everything she did, whether volunteering or simply offering a listening ear to those in need.
She found joy in life’s simple pleasures — gardening, thrifting, exploring flea markets, and cooking meals that brought family and friends together around the table. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will live on in their hearts.
Helen’s life was a testament to the power of kindness. She had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel special and valued, always ready with an encouraging word or a comforting embrace. Her infectious smile and genuine warmth will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Reba Foster; brothers, Dean Foster and James Robert Foster; and baby sister, Pauline Foster.
She is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Richard Luallen; sons, Michael Dwight Phillips and Robert Dwayne Phillips (Gail); daughters, Helen Denise Phillips, Marian McNeal and Wendy Gray; brother, Jimmy Lee Foster; sister, Faye Phillips; grandchildren, Austin Woodward, Taylor McNeal, Makenzie McNeal, Hunter Gray, Konnor Caldwell and Colton McNeal; great-grandchildren, Henley, Leighton and Nolen Woodward; as well as many nieces and nephews and her beloved granddog, Soto.
Wanda Lou (Black) Alley
November 2, 2025
Wanda Lou (Black) Alley was called to her eternal home on Nov. 2, 2025. She was born to Horace L. and Front Reynolds Black on Dec. 16, 1940. She was a member of Norris First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Evelyn (Black) and Horace David Green; brothers Bill Black and Kenneth Black; nephew Kenny Green; mother- and father-in-law, Mary Lou and Clifton Alley; brother- and sister-in-law, Ted and Bettye Alley; and many dear aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Edd Alley; daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Scotty Wyatt; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Belinda Alley; granddaughters, Olivia Wyatt and Claire Wyatt; sisters-in-law, Betty Black and Ruth Black; step-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Cody Trent; and step-great-grandson, Kingston Trent. She is also survived by nieces, Patsy Longmire, Sharon Wallace, Valerie Williams, Jane Green and Karen Rogers; nephews, Jim Alley and Eddie Black; and many special friends and members of Bible study and Sunday school classes she taught for many years.
She retired from the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge in July 1995 after 35 years of service.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, with the funeral to follow. Pastor David Seiber will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at Norris Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Norris First Baptist Church Mission Fund or Sacred Ground Hospice House.
Norris FBC Mission Fund, P.O. Box 340, Norris, TN 37828
Sacred Ground Hospice House, 1120 Dry Gap Pike, Knoxville, TN 37918
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cynthia Gail Cobb
October 29, 2025
Cynthia Gail Cobb, 74, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Huntsville, Tennessee. She was born April 15, 1951, in Andersonville.
She was preceded in death by her sons, Paul Douglas House and Anthony Dale House; parents, Clyde and Leona Flatford; sisters, Clydeena Crowley, Mildred Mitchell, and Susan House; and brother, Doyle Flatford.
She is survived by her son, James Edward Cobb Jr.; siblings, Joyce (Jack) Hutcheson of Clinton, Sheila Flatford of Clinton, and Roger Flatford of Clinton; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Visitation was held Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mott-McKamey Funeral Home in Oak Ridge. The funeral followed at 7 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Doyle Flatford officiating.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Ridenour Cemetery in Andersonville.
Mott-McKamey Funeral Home and Cremations is assisting the Cobb family.
Judith Ann (Sharp) Kirkpatrick
October 25, 2025
Judith Ann (Sharp) Kirkpatrick of Clinton passed away Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
Born in LaFollette to Elbert and Mary Lou (Vinsant) Sharp and raised in Habersham, Judy built a life centered on faith, family, joy and laughter.
Judy earned a bachelor of science degree in early childhood development from East Tennessee State University and a master’s degree in early childhood development from the University of Tennessee.
Teaching was not only her profession, but her calling. Former students remember her steady kindness, her laugh that could fill a hallway, and the way she made her classroom feel like a second home.
In 1963, Judy moved to Santa Maria, California, where she taught for a year before returning to Tennessee in 1964 to serve as the Maury County 4-H extension agent in Columbia for seven years.
Through 4-H, she mentored hundreds of young people, cheering their efforts, celebrating their blue ribbons, and teaching practical skills that built lifelong confidence.
While completing her master’s degree, Judy met the love of her life, Frank David Kirkpatrick.
They were married in June 1971 at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia.
After moving to Clinton, Judy served as the Anderson County 4-H extension agent from 1971–73, then stepped into her favorite role of all — raising her three children — before returning to the classroom.
From 1982 to 2015, Judy taught science and home economics at Norris Middle School. For more than three decades, she guided generations of students, mixing baking lessons with life lessons, and lab safety with curiosity, and always a generous measure of encouragement. Every errand around town turned into a reunion, as former students greeted her with smiles and stories of where life had taken them.
Judy and her family were longtime members of Memorial United Methodist Church in Clinton.
After retirement, Judy stayed joyfully busy. She was an active member of the Wednesday Club of Clinton, loved volunteering, and treasured spending time with dear friends at monthly meetings. Wherever she went, Judy made people feel welcome. One friend said, “If she was breathing, she was laughing.”
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Frank David Kirkpatrick; parents, Elbert and Mary Lou Sharp; and brother, James Elbert Sharp.
She is survived by her brother, Hugh Calloway Sharp; children, Jennifer (Jamie) Justus, Matt (Jan) Kirkpatrick, and Drs. Michael (Erin) Kirkpatrick; and grandchildren, Eli, Cal, Sharp, Lillian Kirk, Oliver, Maggie, Mary Lou, and Libby.
Judy had a laugh that lit up the room. Whether it was a silly giggle or a burst of joy, her laughter was a gift shared freely. It was the soundtrack of family gatherings and the comfort in hard times. Her joy reminded all who knew her that life is meant to be lived with warmth and humor. Her legacy lives on in every friend she loved, every child she encouraged, and every joyful spirit she inspired.
The family received friends from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 323 N. Main St., Clinton. A celebration of life service followed. A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Grandview Memorial Gardens.
In honor of Judy’s life, the family requests that memorials be made to the Wednesday Club of Clinton, P.O. Box 327, Clinton, TN 37717.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is proud to be serving the Kirkpatrick family.
holleygamble.com
Trisha Rebecca Riley
October 24, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Trisha Rebecca Riley, 41, who passed away on Oct. 24, 2025. She was born on Nov. 6, 1983.
Trisha was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, and “NeNe” to her special niece, Layla June. Layla was the light of her life, and the two shared a special bond, especially when cheering “Go Byron!” on Sundays.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carvel and Willa Dean Dagley and Warren and Donna Kirkland; special cousin, Anessa Hohman; mother-in-law, Sue Swinny; and aunt, Diane Long.
Trisha is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Riley; parents, Denny and Lisa Kirkland and Tim and Angie Swain; sister, Casey Swain (T.J.); stepbrother, Nic Kirkland (Adele); grandparents, Arnold and Wilma Swain; brother-in-law, Mark Newborn; sister-in-law, Sandy Mullins (Josh); nieces and nephews, Layla Daugherty and Ziva, Cign, and Lydia Kirkland; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, stepsisters, and special friends.
A celebration of life will be held at Black Oak Baptist Church in Clinton on Nov. 6.
Receiving of friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m., with a service to follow.
Ricky Bailey
October 17, 2025
Ricky Bailey, 65, of Clinton passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on Oct. 17, 2025. He will be missed far more than words can express.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Plez and Foustine Bailey, and eight siblings, including his beloved twin sister, Darlene Bailey.
Ricky is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Leslie Bailey; daughters Lisa (Richard) Lay of Clinton, and Brandie Brewer and fiancé Gary Lowe of Rocky Top; and son, his “boy,” Donnie (Jessica) Hays of Rocky Top.
He was a proud and loving grandfather to Hunter, Olivia, Cloe, Emily, Jaxson, Garrett, Aaliyah, Samantha and Isaiah, and a great-grandfather to Wesley Hays. He also leaves behind his special nephew, Billy Bailey, along with many other family members and friends who will forever cherish his memory.
The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Family Medicine West, Dr. Thakur, PCP Robert Dowell and nurse Maria Turpin for their exceptional care, as well as to special family friends Lee, Sheila and Kaitlyn Weaver for their love and support.
Ricky will be remembered for his kind heart, steady strength and unwavering love for his family. His presence will live on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at Jones Mortuary in Clinton. The funeral followed at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Jimmy Woods officiating.
The graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Island Home Cemetery in Norris.
Jones Mortuary in Clinton is honored to have served the family of Ricky Bailey.
David Alister Graham Byars
October 14, 2025
David Alister Graham Byars, 76, of South Knoxville, formerly of Clinton, Tennessee, and Aberdeen, Scotland, passed away Oct. 14, 2025, at Ben Atchley Veterans Home in Knoxville.
Born Aug. 22, 1949, in Aberdeen, Graham emigrated to the United States with his parents and sister in 1957. The family first settled in New York, before moving to East Tennessee in 1959, living in Oak Ridge, Knoxville and Norris before making Clinton their home.
He graduated from Clinton High School in 1967 and attended the University of Tennessee before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1968.
While serving in the Republic of South Vietnam, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Following his military service, Graham returned to the University of Tennessee to complete his education, and later pursued technical training at the Tennessee Institute of Electronics.
His career began with local firms and progressed into roles in information technology with IBM and Wang Laboratories. He later worked as a consultant with TVA, and transitioned into education at ITT Technical Institute as an instructor and director of placement. He concluded his professional journey at Cendant Corporation, where he rose to an executive position.
Graham retired in 2005 and enjoyed spending time with friends, caring for his dogs, and tending to his home and garden.
He was preceded in death by his father, David Noel Byars; mother, Vera Donald Belitz; and adoptive father, Bruce Herbert Belitz.
He is survived by his sisters, Kathleen Jones, Pat Bean and Susan Coe; brother, Bruce Belitz; their spouses and children; and his longtime friend and roommate, David Clark, and his wife, Sharon.
The family would like to thank Dr. Douglas Marlow, his physician for many years; the staff at Deane Hill Assisted Living; Amazing Angels; and the staff at Ben Atchley Veterans Home for their loving care.
In accordance with Graham’s wishes, no funeral or memorial services will be held.
