GERALD VERNON PIERCE
August 30, 2022
Gerald Vernon Pierce, 88, went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022.
He was born Feb. 8, 1934, in Baton Rouge, La., to Carl Murray and Ruth Vernon Pierce. Gerald grew up in the town of Kentwood, La., graduating from Kentwood High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Louisiana State University in 1957. Gerald was recruited almost immediately to work in Oak Ridge. Over the course of his career as a chemical analyst, he worked at each of the plants, some more than once. After retiring from Martin Marietta, Gerald went on to work at DPI doing forensic product failure analysis and writing reports on product failures.
While in his new hometown, Gerald visited Glenwood Baptist Church with a friend. There he was introduced to Gloria Lane, whom he would marry in 1960. They resided on East Drive, where they raised their family, for the remainder of their lives. Gerald became a member and served Glenwood Baptist Church as deacon, choir director (twice), and choir member until Parkinson’s disease limited his abilities. In between his time at Glenwood, Gerald served as “temporary” music director at Clear Branch Baptist Church in Lake City (Rocky Top) for
nearly 31 years.
Gerald was a quiet man, but people who met him instantly could tell his love for them and for his Lord were genuine. He loved good music and the hymns of the church. He sang for
many years with the Tennessee Baptist Men’s Chorale, a singing group composed of church choir directors from across the state. He had a marvelous tenor voice and frequently would sing solos and duets with Gloria at church. Favorites of his to sing were “The King Is Coming,” “Calvary’s Love,” “The Holy City,” “In the Garden,” and “Whispering Hope.”
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Gloria.
Survivors include: Three children, Edward Pierce and wife Jessica of Knoxville, Randall Pierce of Nashville, and Nancy Pierce of Clinton; brother, Alan Pierce and wife Shelia of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Julia and Elliot Pierce; and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of whom he loved with his whole heart.
The family would like to thank nurses, Vileta and Carol, and therapists, Ryn, Jeff, and Kyle, for the loving and dedicated care they provided to Gerald.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gerald’s memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association at apdaparkinson.org/get-involved/memorial-and-tribute-gifts/ or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org/donate.
The family will receive friends from noon – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at Glenwood Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Robert Lane of Harbour Light Baptist, Princeton, W. Va., and the Rev. Mark Walton of Glenwood Baptist, officiating.
Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Anderson County Memorial Gardens.
Masks are optional but will be available for those attending.
Online condolences may be left at weatherfordmortuary.com.
OPAL MAE GILL
August 28, 2022
Opal Mae Gill, 86, Heiskell, passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022.
She was born in Anderson County to Willie and Cora Smith and was raised in the Dutch Valley Community in Clinton. She attended Clinton High School and later retired as the Supervisor of School Nutrition for Anderson County Schools. She was a loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by: Companion of 21 years, Steve Baxter; son, Don (Pat) Gill; and daughter, Sonya Graham; as well as grandson, Brandon (Megan) Gill; granddaughter, Mandy (Robby) Marrs; grandson, Jimmy (Kristi) Graham; grandson, Charlie (Mary Ellen) Graham; granddaughter, Jenny (Jeff) Pemberton; grandson, David Gregory; and six great-grandchildren.
She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.
Family and friends will meet at 12:30 p.m. for a 1 p.m. graveside service Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at Lynnhurst Cemetery, 2300 Adair Drive, Knoxville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 510 Old Dutch Valley Road, Clinton, TN 37716.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
CARLEEN BULLOCK THURMAN
August 28, 2022
Carleen Bullock Thurman, 88, Clinton passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, at Canterfield Assisted Living.
Carleen was a member of Second Baptist Church and retired from TVA after 30-plus years of service. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1954 and was a member of the Clinton High School marching band.
She was preceded in death by: Husband, W.P. Thurman; parents, Carl and Lena Bullock.
She is survived by: Sister, June B. Dotson; nephew, David Dotson and wife Tina; great-niece, Grace Dotson; aunt, Margaret Morgan; nephews, David Lawrence and Louis Thurman; nieces, Karen Lawrence, Lydia Higgins, Linda Thurman Pash, Lori Thurman Pyle, and Leah Thurman Roberts; several other great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to thank special friend, Debbie Kirk, for the loving care and friendship given to Carleen and her husband, W.P.
Friends and family can call at their convenience from 9 – 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at Holley Gamble Funeral Home.
Her graveside service will be at noon Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at Norris Memorial Garden with Dr. Michael Thompson officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Second Baptist Church Building Fund, 777 Public Safety Lane, Clinton, TN 37716.
Holley Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
NORMA GUINN WALKER
August 28, 2022
Norma Guinn Walker, 81, Andersonville, was welcomed into heaven Aug. 28, 2022, with her family by her side.
She was born Feb. 25, 1941, in Andersonville. She was a graduate of Norris High School and Knoxville Business College. She worked for more than 20 years at Kentucky Central Insurance. Norma will be remembered for her caring personality and her servant’s heart. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
In addition to being a wonderful mother and grandmother, she spent years sewing costumes, assisting with 4-H projects, attending band competitions, cheerleading competitions, ballgames and sacrificing to put her family first.
Norma was preceded in death by: Parents, Earnest and Jessie Mae Reynolds; and son-in-law, John Hunley.
She is survived by her husband, Jackie E. Walker, of 59 years.
She is also survived by her four daughters: Renee Hunley, Jacqueline Whitesell, and husband John Bell Whitesell, Amy Noe and husband Dr. Richard Nick Noe II (Richie), and Julie Carswell and husband Rufus Hutchinson Carswell V.
She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Brittney Hunley Bailey, Brooke Hunley, Richard Nick Noe III (Trey), Jackson Noe, Gavin Noe, Rufus Hutchinson Carswell VI (Hutch), Jack Whitesell, Jesse Whitesell and four great-grandchildren: Johnny Garner, Savannah Bailey, Rocky Bailey Jr., and Boyd Bailey.
The receiving of friends and service was held from 1 – 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022, at Bethel Baptist Church, with the funeral service and graveside following.
Flowers could be sent to Holly Gamble Funeral Home or, in lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate in her honor to Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude’s Hospital or Cancer Support Community East Tennessee.
The family would like to thank all friends and family that have supported us through this difficult time.
www.holleygamble.com
LAVADA HICKS ROBBINS
August 27, 2022
Lavada Hicks Robbins, born June 4, 1930 in Skelton, W. Va.
Lavada was a published author in poetry, and two fictional books. She loved music and wrote several songs.
She was a child of God, and a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lafollette.
Preceded in death by: Father and mother, James and Sadie Hicks; daughter, Sharon Elliott; son, Samuel Robbins; sisters, Lola Cox, Eudena Rouse; brother, Eldon Hicks; great-grandson, Casey McCulley.
Survived by: Daughter, Eulene Miller (Husband Lawrence); son, Ray Robbins (wife Pamela); daughter, Tammy Poore (fiancé Nick); special nieces, Laverne Vinsant and Lilac Kennedy; 12 grandchildren; plus 14 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, starting on the 5th
generation.
Lavada was very proud of her large family and Appalachian Mountain heritage.
Special
thanks to Covenant Hospice, and special thank you to additional help with her care from grandchildren,
Antonio, Samantha and Tabitha.
NINA GAIL HEMBREE
August 27, 2022
Nina Gail Hembree, 78, Clinton, passed away at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.
Nina was a member of the Red Hat Society, specifically the Tennessee Sassy Red Hatters. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church in Claxton but enjoyed visiting several other churches in the area. Every summer, at the Anderson County Fair, Nina volunteered to work in the flower department. She enjoyed it very much. Nina loved her pets, crafting, gardening, Tennesseefootball, shopping, watching musicals, and making handmade blankets to give to family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Berlin and Esther Foust.
Nina is survived by: Sons, Lloyd Hawkins Jr., Curtis Hembree II; daughter, Amanda Loggins; brother, Ande Foust; sister, Lucile Wright; grandchildren, Ryne Loggins, Blake Loggins, Ashley Loy, and Misty Campbell; great-grandson, Ezra Salzman.
The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Jones Mortuary from 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Nina’s funeral service will begin at 7 p.m. with Pastor Randy Norton officiating.
Interment will be located at Foust Cemetery (located on Island Ford Road in Rocky Top) at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022.
Jones Mortuary, LLC. in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
FRANCES FAY POORE
August 26, 2022
Frances Fay Poore, 85, passed away at her home in Clinton Friday, Aug. 26, 2022.
Frances was a fun, Christian woman who loved the Lord, and loved listening to gospel music. She was a huge fan of Elvis as well. Frances enjoyed spending time with her family and her fur baby, Sophie.
She was preceded in death by: Parents, Edward and Beatrice Poore; brother, Jack Poore; sister, Barbara Hicks; nephews, Kenny Nuchols and Tony Poore.
Frances is survived by: Brother, Carl Poore and wife Tammy of Andersonville; sister, Clolas Nuchols of Clinton; nephew, Tommy Nuchols; nieces, Fay Carroll, Kay Bumgardner, Sandy Wells, Melissa Rhea, and Julie Morgan; and she is also survived by her special friend, Susan.
The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Jones Mortuary from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, with her funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. with Pastor Brian Riggs officiating.
Her interment will be held at Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, following her funeral service.
Jones Mortuary, LLC. in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
MATTHEW RYAN HARDING
August 23, 2022
Matthew Ryan Harding, 35, passed away unexpectantly Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, at Methodist
Medical Center of Oak Ridge.
He was born Nov. 22, 1986, in Jellico to Elmer and Karen Harding. Matthew, “Matt,” resided in Clinton, enjoyed cooking, spending time with his wife, and his special little girl, “Annabell,” his dog. Matt had a big heart and smile that could light up a room, whimsical personality that could make you laugh out loud easily. He never met a stranger and loved everyone.
He was preceded in death by: Father, Elmer “J.R.” Harding; and grandparents, Elmer Lee Harding, John Bolton, and Paralee Nelson.
Matthew is survived by: Loving wife, Kendra Harding of Clinton; mother, Karen Harding of Clinton; grandmother, Mildred Harding-Bolton of LaFollette; grandfather, Arnold Nelson of LaFollette; brothers, Eric and wife Dana Harding and children of Clinton and Josh Harding and children of Nevada; sister, Ashley and husband Adrian Chase and children of Nevada; parents-in-law, Richard and Janet Weaver of Andersonville; brother-in-law, Lee and Sheila Weaver and daughter of Clinton and Travis Weaver and children of Georgia; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives.
Matt will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him, and he will be forever missed by his loving wife, Kendra.
The family will receive friends from 10- 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Martin Wilson Funeral Home with a celebration of life to follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Roscoe Lindsay officiating.
Matthew’s guestbook may be viewed at www.martinwilsonfuneralhome.com
The family has entrusted the care of Matthew Ryan Harding to Martin Wilson Funeral Home “Where Families Matter Most.”
