Inez “Gom” Byrge Martin
January 25, 2025
Inez “Gom” Byrge Martin, 87, of Kingston passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Jamestowne Assisted Living. She was born March 22, 1937, in Devonia and was a member of First Baptist Church in Kingston.
She previously worked as a church secretary for both First Baptist Church in Clinton and Kingston United Methodist Church. She also served on the board of directors for the Children’s Theatre in Kingston.
Gom loved trips to the beach, especially early morning walks searching for shark teeth. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, cooking and hosting family gatherings at her home.
When asked about the most-special times in her life, she would say it was caring for her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally. In past years, she could often be found at Kingston Elementary School, sitting in the hallway listening to children read.
Gom was a woman of elegance and integrity, teaching her children and grandchildren proper etiquette. She was also an avid University of Tennessee fan.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Kermit LeRoy Martin; parents, Kelly and Almeda Patterson Byrge; and siblings, Reba, Wilma, Glenn, Norris, Curtis, and Russell Byrge Jr.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Wendy Martin of Kingston and Marty and Pam Martin of Smyrna; grandchildren, Alex, Matty, Andrew, and Austin Martin; and great-grandchildren, Noaa, Ellis, Parker, and Spencer.
She also leaves behind special friends Clarice VanCleve, Karen Woody and Glenda Marlowe, all of Kingston.
The family received friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at Fraker Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 6 p.m. in the chapel, officiated by Dr. Phillip Martin.
Family and friends met at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at Sunset Cemetery in Clinton for the graveside service.
An online register book is available at frakerfuneralhome.net.
Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston is in charge of arrangements.
Martha Mae Stair Alderson
January 20, 2025
On Jan. 20, 2025, our Mom, Martha Mae Stair Alderson, passed on to the Great Beyond to join her 11 brothers and sisters. She was the last of that generation of Stairs and was truly a remarkable and wonderful mother, grandmother, and individual.
Born Oct. 10, 1922, in Blowing Springs, a rural community near Clinton, Tennessee, she was the fifth child of Harry Leroy and Ora Caroline Stair.
Mom was naturally curious and never stopped learning about the world around her. She was a voracious reader, enjoyed all genres of music, and appreciated the works of many of the world’s old masters and other renowned artists.
Her professional life was varied. During World War II, she worked in Oak Ridge. She was a buyer for Lewellyn Millers, a textile worker for Magnet Mills until its closure in 1968, and for more than 30 years was employed by Mid Lakes Manufacturing Co., where she fabricated netting products for commercial and recreational fishing. She retired in 1999.
She and her husband, John, who died in 1982, moved to Norris in 1958, where they raised their family. She remained in the community until her death. She loved Norris and often described it as “the best place in the world to live and a wonderful place to raise children and dogs.”
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Mathes (Gary) of Weaverville, N.C.; her son, John (Kim deRopp) of Norris; and her grandchildren, Amanda Mathes of Knoxville, and David Mathes (Rachel Holmes) of Portland, Ore. She is also mourned by many nieces and nephews, who will remember her as their favorite aunt. She adored and loved them dearly.
The family would like to thank the staff at Wellington Manor in Halls and Gentiva Hospice for their support and care of Mom in her final days.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton.
Memorial donations may be made to Norris Community Library, P.O. Box 1110, Norris, TN 37828. Flowers will be appreciated and gratefully accepted.
Mary June Hillon
January 20, 2025
Mary June Hillon, 100, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 1, 1924, in Union County, Tennessee, to Gibson Lewis and Bessie Hill. Mary was a lifelong member of Hinds Creek Baptist Church. Throughout her life, she enjoyed crocheting, studying genealogy, and gardening.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Hillon Sr.; sisters, Georgia L. Cox, Retta Mae Hickson, and Gertrude Stokes; and brothers, Vaughn Hill, Carson Hill, and Bill Hill.
Mary is survived by her children, Frank Hillon Jr. (Teresa) and Karen Colburn (Charles), both of Clinton; grandchildren, Christy Ellis (fiancé David Hatmaker), Whitney Tisdale, and Mindy Dalton (Jeremy); sister, Lou Graham; brother, Jack Hill; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The family received friends from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral followed in the chapel and was officiated by the Rev. David Seiber. The burial followed at Overton Cemetery.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.
holleygamble.com
Mary Hammond
January 20, 2025
Mary Hammond, 100, of Andersonville passed away Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Methodist Medical Center.
She was born April 13, 1924, to Albert and Stella Cook. She was a member member of Norris First Baptist Church.
Mary was an elementary school teacher while living in Florida. She was known for her community work and her deep love for the residents of Anderson County, a love that touched everyone who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Patrick and Bennett Hammond; her son Jerry Patrick; and her sons Leonard Hammond and Jack Hammond.
She is survived by daughters Lynnette Currie and husband, Jack, of Andersonville, and Zola McClish of Monroe, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Jean Hammond of Mount Dora, Florida; as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family held a graveside service at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Prosperity Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held at Norris First Baptist Church at a later date to be announced by Holley-Gamble Funeral Home.
Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of arrangements.
holleygamble.com.
Faye Lucile Wright
January 18, 2025
Faye Lucile Wright, 92, of Clinton passed away Jan. 18, 2025. She was the wife of the late Lonnie Paul Wright, to whom she was married for 41 years.
She was born March 6, 1932, in Clinton to Berlin Sylvester Foust and Flora Ester Foust. She was a lifelong resident of Clinton and graduated from Clinton High School in 1950.
Lucile was a very outgoing and social person who loved to talk and never met a stranger. She was active in several Red Hat clubs, served on the committee for her class reunions, and volunteered in the floral booth at the Anderson County Fair. She enjoyed growing flowers, traveling, attending University of Tennessee pep rallies, and visiting Dollywood. She lived life with infectious joy, which she shared with many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Paul Wright; her parents, Berlin and Flora Foust; her sister, Nina Hembree; and her brother, Aude Foust.
She is survived by her three children: Rhonda Wright Gamble (Mike) of Clinton, Paula Wright Whittier (Ben) of Altavista, Virginia, and Wendell Wright (Jodi) of Maryville. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Matthew Taylor (Jenny), Ashley Smith (Ben), John Whittier (Kate), Martha Whittier Arace (Anthony), Zach Wright, and Alayna Wright. Her great-grandchildren include Kaden Freeman, Amberley Freeman, Watson Taylor, and Kylee Wright.
The family received friends Sunday, Jan. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Holley- Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 4 p.m. in the chapel. Her burial took place at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at Grandview Memorial Garden. Those who wished to travel in procession met at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m.
“You are gone from us, but we will always have the memories and the love we feel in our hearts.”
holleygamble.com.
Lawrence Edward Simmons
January 18, 2025
Lawrence Edward Simmons, 83, of Clinton passed away Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Fort Sanders Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Briceville, Tennessee, to Donald and Blanche Simmons. Ed was a loving husband, father, brother and friend who enjoyed gospel music. He was a member of Laurel Branch Baptist Church and a patriarch member of The Simmons Family Gospel Singers. He was also a member of the Briceville Masonic Lodge Crystal 616.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 38 years, Carolyn Simmons; his mother-in-law, Edna Short; and his brothers, Donnie and Ronnie Simmons.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sharon Simmons; daughters, Donna Gibson and husband, James, of Clinton, Nanette Simmons of Clinton, and Kathy Walden and husband, Junior, of Clinton; stepsons, Eric Jones and wife, Jamie, of Caryville, and Brandon Lowe and wife, Ashley, of Kansas; grandchildren, Josh Gibson and wife, Lea, Brandalyn Wilcox and husband, Bradley, Alicia Walden and fiancé, John Gleason, Carrie Osborne and husband, Brandon, Mckinley and Braelyn Jones, and Reagan, James, Dennis, Nora, Prue and Dylan Lowe; great-grandchildren, KeeLee and Emmitt Gibson, and Britton and Brody Wilcox.
He is also survived by his siblings, Janie Carr and her late husband, Clyde Carr, Sue Tremaine and her late husband, Bob Tremaine, Bobby Simmons and wife, Donna, Floyd Simmons and wife, Penny, Marcus Simmons and wife, Alicia, Charlie Simmons, Harry Simmons, Jack Simmons, and Tim Simmons and his late wife, Kim.
Special friends and family include his brother-in-law, Randy Short and wife, Diane, Lonnie Lowe, and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family received friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. The funeral followed at 7 p.m. with the Revs. Randy Lowe and Matt Childress officiating.
Family and friends met at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home and proceeded to Grandview Memorial Garden for a 1 p.m. interment.
holleygamble.com
Paulette W. Hutcheson
January 16, 2025
Paulette W. Hutcheson, 70, of Clinton passed away Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
She was born July 24, 1954, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to James Paul Wilder and Sally Corrina Seivers Wilder.
Paulette was a member of Wallace Memorial Baptist Church.
She took pride in her work and retired from Y-12 after 34 years. Paulette was a kindhearted, caring and passionate person. A passionate University of Tennessee sports fan, she especially loved the Lady Vols.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Hutcheson, and her brother, Jimmy Wilder.
Survivors include her daughter, Teresa Wilson (David); granddaughters, Lauren McCawley (Aaron) and Sarah Nichols (Trey); sister, Vivian Johnston (Mike); brothers, Robert Wilder, John Wilder (Kathy), Dennis Wilder and Paul Wilder (Vickie); three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many other family members and friends.
Family and friends visited from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. A funeral procession left Holley-Gamble Funeral Home at 10:15 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, and proceeded to Woodhaven Memorial Garden for a graveside service.
holleygamble.com
Kelsey Bistline Heiner
January 11, 2025
Kelsey Bistline Heiner, 76, passed away peacefully on Jan. 11, 2025, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Stephen F. Heiner; her daughters, Cameron Fort and Ford Heiner; her granddaughter, Ann Foster Fort; her grandsons, Marshall Winnubst and Duncan Fort V; and her sisters, Mary Bullis and Peggy Larus.
Kelsey was born on Jan. 1, 1949, in Columbia, South Carolina, to C.H. “Bike” Bistline and Majorie Bistline.
She grew up in Columbia and earned a bachelor of arts in art history from Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While in college, she met Steve, who was studying at nearby Wake Forest University.
Kelsey and Steve married in 1971 in South Carolina and began raising their two daughters before moving to Oak Ridge in 1995.
Kelsey worked in financial services as a licensed broker’s assistant for several years while living in South Carolina. After moving to Oak Ridge, she was employed at Willow Ridge Garden Center for many years, retiring in 2018.
She was known for her creativity, and had a passion for gardening, interior design, sewing and collecting art.
A receiving of friends will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton, Tennessee. A service will follow at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s research or a charity of your choice in Kelsey’s memory.
holleygamble.com.
