Robert (Bob) Lee Cardwell

Robert (Bob) Lee Cardwell, Sr. of Powell, was escorted to his heavenly home by Jesus on Friday, February 27, 2015 at 11:05pm at Tennova Hospice Care in Halls. Robert was born on May 11, 1933, raised in Knox County and member of Third Creek Baptist Church. After graduating from Bearden High School, he served in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge in 1955. He retired after working more than 50 years as an East TN store manager for Firestone and commercial tire salesman for Universal Tires, where he won many awards for top sales. Robert was a loving husband, daddy, granddaddy, and great granddaddy. He loved old cars, camping at Cades Cove, walking on the beach, U.T. Lady Vols basketball and football, but his greatest love and achievement was his family. He is preceded in death by parents Edward Lee Cardwell, Sr. and Velma Watkins Cardwell; sisters Katherine Churchman and Wilma Coleman; sister-in-law Nancy Waggoner Cardwell; brother-in-law Jimmy Churchman. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sherleen Smith Cardwell; four daughters and one son: Sherry and Jim Oxendine, Susan and Tony Shipley, Kathy and Rick Shipley, Bobby Cardwell Jr., and Margie and Ron Manning; 13 grandchildren and grandchildren-in-laws: Lamar McBrayer, Alisha (Shipley) and Kirk Graves, Kristen Lawson, Brian and Merry Shipley, Wesley Lawson, Ashley (Manning) and Tyler Smith, Cassie Cardwell, Kimberly Manning, Julie Manning and Valentina Sotkina (adopted Russian granddaughter of the heart); three great-grandchildren: Seaerra Barker, Ayden Shipley, and Evie Graves; one brother, E.L. Cardwell, Jr.; brother-in-law Glen Coleman, and many special nephews and nieces. A heart-felt thank you to all the doctors and nurses for their compassionate care of Robert and their thoughtfulness toward the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to Unto the Least of These, Inc., 2298 Las Fuentes, Port Orange, FL 32129 (daughter Sherry’s Ministry to children of the world) or CASA of East Tennessee, Inc. P.O. Box 10752 Knoxville, TN 37939-0752 or the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation. You are invited to a celebration of life, officiated by Dr. Jim Oxendine at Mynatt Funeral Home in Fountain City Monday at 7 PM. Family and friends will meet 1:45 PM Tuesday at Highland Memorial Cemetery for interment at 2 PM. The Family will receive friends 5-7 PM Monday at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel.