Joyce Vandergriff Turner - age 67 of Maynardville, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 10, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Martha Vandergriff and Della Mae Oaks. Joyce is survived by son, Charles Gentry and daughter-in-law Natasha; daughter, LeeAnn Turner Large and son-in-law Eric; grandson, Dakota Gentry; granddaughters, Evelyn Gentry, Destiny and Emma Large; and siblings, Michael Vandergriff, Kyle Vandergriff, Tony Vandergriff and Patsy Mallicoat. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Anna Leora “Lee” Graves Pollard Kitts went home to her Heavenly Father January 10, 2022 at the age of 89. She had a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ her Lord. Anna adored her children and all of her siblings. She enjoyed showing kindness to others by sending bouquets of flowers to her shut-in friends. She loved her plants, music and a good road trip. Anna was also an excellent seamstress, working for many years at Hall Brown and John H. Daniels.

Clyde L. Monroe-age 93 of Maynardville passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Willow Ridge Center. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Maynardville; a graduate of Horace Maynard High School, class of 1945 and a U. S. Army Veteran 1950-1951. Preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Bonnie (Palmer) Monroe; siblings, Gareth P. Monroe, Mary Jo Meyer, Willa Sue Cox, Eugene D. Monroe.

Johnie Marie McCurry - age 80 of Corryton, went to her heavenly home January 8, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. Johnie Marie was born February 7, 1941 in Luttrell. Her love and humor were adored by everyone who knew her. Johnie was a mother, sister, mamaw, friend and devoted care giver to many. She was one of the founding members of Fellowship Christian Church where she spent her Sundays serving her savior.

Joshua Dustin (Dusty) Sexton, age 34, of Maynardville passed away Saturday, January 8, 2022. He was born on October 14, 1987. Dusty is preceded in death by his mother, Janice Sexton and grandparents. Dusty is survived by his father, Jerry Sexton and step-mom, Brenda Sexton; his children, Aubree and Konnor Sexton; his siblings, Toni (Tim) Brown, Chris (Kayla) Sexton, Gina (John) Hale, Jennifer (Jeremy) Brake and his nieces and nephews.

Jody Lee Eastridge-age 51 of Sharps Chapel passed away Monday, January 3, 2021 at his home. He was a member of Taylor’s Grove Baptist Church. Preceded in death by father, Fred Lee Eastridge.

Bert “Black” Smith, Jr. passed away at his home surrounded by family on December 31, 2021. He was a member of Chestnut Grove Church. Bert worked at East Tennessee Packing Company, TMSI and was a beloved bus driver.

Rev. Glen E. Beeler went home to be with his heavenly Father on Friday December 31st . More than anything Glen loved Christ fiercely and reflected his love for Christ through the way he adored his family, served his community through pastoring, and encouraged others to get to know his risen Savior.

Barbara Sue (Wyrick) Rutherford-age 71 of Maynardville, born October 25, 1950 passed away Thursday morning, December 30, 2021 at North Knoxville Medical Center. She was a member of New Friendship Baptist Church. Preceded in death by son, Russell Luke Tolliver; daughter, Rebecca Pierce; parents, Calday and Francis Wyrick; brothers, Fred Wyrick, O. G. Wyrick, Theodore Wyrick; sisters, Carolyn Kitts, Othella (Sally) Corum, Pearl Atkins, Hester Atkins.

Nellie Wynn – 48 of Maynardville, passed away December 26, 2021 with family by her side. She was born March 27, 1973 to Willis and Mildred Wynn. Your life touched so many others and will be remembered forever more, to leave the world a better place than it had been before.

Peggy Lou Sharp Bates was born July 13, 1936 and passed away December 22, 2021 due to pancreatic cancer at the age of 85. She was a member of Cedar Ford Baptist Church in Luttrell. Peggy was a 1954 graduate of Horace Maynard High School, cheerleader for four years and captain her senior year, and a member of the school paper staff.

Mamie Jo “Wood” Collins – age 91 of Maynardville, passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, with her sister by her side. She was a member of Alder Springs Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Collins; son, Michael Collins; and parents Fonzie and Vileto Wood. Mamie is survived by her sisters Wanda Vandergriff of Maynardville and Clara Ramsey of Kentucky, several nieces, and nephews.

James Henry Owens-age 64 of Sharps Chapel went home to be with the Lord Tuesday evening, December 21, 2021 at North Knoxville Medical Center. He was a member of Oak Grove Primitive Baptist Church. Preceded in death by mother, Panzie Sherritze; brother, Robert Owens; grandson, Alton McKeen.

Some people only walk this earth for a short time. Their departure reminds us that God knows when he is ready to take his children and turn their trials and tribulations in for Angel wings. Our loved ones are now our protectors, watching over us from above.
Jennifer Rena (Hickman) Shepherd, age 45, of Luttrell, went home to Jesus to gain her angel wings on December 18th, 2021 at North Knoxville Medical Center.

James David Edwards-age 64 of Sharps Chapel, born January 11, 1957 passed away Friday, December 17, 2021 at Claiborne Medical Center. He retired from Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo, Indiana. He was a very loving husband and father. He loved everyone he met and never met a stranger. David was saved at Lily Grove Baptist Church at a very early age. Preceded in death by parents, J. R. and Nadine (Johnson) Edwards; brother, Douglas Alvin Edwards; sister-in-law, Sharon Moyers Edwards; aunt, Jo Ann (Edwards) Bailey; grandparents, Roy and Ruth (Shoffner) Edwards; Ed and Ocie Johnson.

Tony Franklin Carter-age 54, of Sharps Chapel, born December 30, 1966 passed away Thursday morning, December 16, 2021 at Claiborne Medical Center. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Daisy Carter, step-father, Claude Munsey; grandparents, George and Sinthia Pearce; brothers, John and Charles Carter; brother-in-law, Audy Keck.

Kenneth Eugene Hankins-age 81 of Luttrell passed away 11:41 p.m. Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at North Knoxville Medical Center. He was a member of Blaine Chapel Baptist Church. Kenneth was a graduate of Horace Maynard High School Class of 1959, U. S. Army Veteran. Preceded in death by father, Claude Hankins; mother, Velma Hankins; sister, Helen Weaver; brother, Ricky Hankins; great-grandson, Abel Alexander Blair.

Earl J. Lovelace – age 52 of Seymour, passed away December 10, 2021. He collected die cast cars, loved playing chess and was an animal lover.

April Dawn Coffey Gilliam-age 44, of Luttrell, born on April 15, 1977 passed away suddenly on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at the home of her parents. Preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Ruby Coffey, Robert and Frances Rutherford; aunts, Janet Dyer, Brenda Ayers; uncle, Bobby Rutherford.

Sharon Kay Johnson Washam- age 51 of Maynardville gained her wings, became free, and entered heaven after years of struggling with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) at her home on Sunday, December 12, 2021.

ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.
In this disease, nerve cells break down, which reduces functionality in the muscles they supply.
The main symptom is muscle weakness.
Medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, The cause is unknown and there is no cure.