Obituaries
Knoxville, TN Obituaries
Local obituaries for Knoxville and Knox County, TN
Ruth Almeda Bruner
May 8, 2023
Ruth Almeda Bruner, born 18 April 1937, passed away peacefully at her home.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, James Reuben Bruner (Bud); father, Rufus Massengill; mother, Roxie Almeda Massengill; sisters, Louise, Gola May, Sharon; brothers, David and Charles (Shorty).
She is survived by her children, James (Jr.) and wife Lois, Darrell and wife...
Mary Irene Hicks
May 8, 2023
Mary Irene Hicks, 82, of Knoxville, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 8, 2023. She was born September 14, 1940, in Knoxville, the daughter of the late William and Lydia Wright. She was the middle child of 9 siblings and the last to pass. In 1961, she married Raymond Harless Hicks, the late. Mary is survived by...
Nancy Westerhold Burgess
May 6, 2023
Nancy Westerhold Burgess, age 71, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 6, 2023. She was of the Baptist faith. Graduate from Fulton High School in 1969. She led a successful life where she accomplished whatever she wanted to do. She was preceded in death by beloved sister, Linda Westerhold; parents, Chuck Westerhold and Helen Julian; and...
Alvin Curtis DeFord
May 6, 2023
De Ford, “Bud” Alvin Curtis - passed away May 6, 2023 peacefully at home in his 91st year. He was a long time member of Smithwood Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife the love of his life “Bonnie” Hall De Ford, parents Charles and Helen De Ford, and sister Thelma Wilkerson. He is survived by son...
Rosalie Garcia
May 6, 2023
Rosalie Garcia, age 84, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, May 6, 2023. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her family dearly. She was preceded in death by beloved daughter Elida Garcia, and sons Frankie Trujeque and Trini Rivera. She is survived by loving husband, Mauro Garcia Jr.; daughters, Rose Garcia, Marla Garcia, Katherine Garcia, and...
Ethel Mae Lett
May 6, 2023
Ethel M. Jeffries Lett, age 98, born 09/29/1924, died 05/06/2023. She was a long-time member of Gillespie Ave. Baptist Church where she served faithfully in the church nursery and the church choir. She was preceded in death by beloved parents, Elmer S. Jeffries and Deborah C. Jeffries; step-mother Nanny B. Jeffries; step-father in-law Ed and mother in-law Edrei Smelcer; father...
Patrick Matthew Meighan
May 5, 2023
Patrick Matthew Meighan, 55, died suddenly at home on May 5, 2023. Born on August 20, 1967, he was a 1985 graduate of Halls High School and attended the University of Tennessee before joining American Airlines where he worked for 32 years before retiring. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph C. Meighan, Jr. as well as his...
Lauranita Fugate Young
May 5, 2023
Lauranita Fugate-Young, of Knoxville, age, 75 passed away peacefully at her on May 5, 2023, at her home.
Lauranita was a graduate from Flushing High School, in New York City. She born to the late James Author Fugate and Beverly Tyree. She moved to Knoxville, Tennessee at an early age to be closer to her family. She worked at...
Jamie Geraldine Gibby
May 5, 2023
Jamie Geraldine Gibby, age 36, of Knoxville, TN, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023.
She was a West High Rebel.
Preceded in death by her father, James (Jimmy) Gibby, Jr.; papaw, Richard Bowlin; uncle, Jay Gibby.
Survived by her extraordinary children, Jennifer, Haley and Jed (Bubba).
“Our beautiful mom has gained her wings and is no longer suffering. Just...
Jackie C. Butler
May 5, 2023
Jackie C. Butler, age 89, or Corryton, TN, passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023.
Jackie was a member of Clear Springs Baptist Church, graduated Gibbs High School, attended UT-Knoxville, worked at Robert Shaw and retired from TVA and Jackie & Terri’s Collectibles.
He is preceded in death by parents, Thurman and Bernice Butler; wife, Nova (Terri) Butler; sons, Tim...
Amber Rudd
May 4, 2023
Amber Leona Rudd age 24 of Knoxville passed away on Thursday May 4th 2023. She is preceded in death by Papabear James Campbell and Nanna Denise Campbell.
She is survived by her Mom Amanda Hodge, Sister Rebeca, Brother Cody, Daughter Leah Jane, Cousins Kaylie and Alex, aunt, Freda Campbell, niece Hollie Uncles Paul, Joey and Richard, Best friend Bethany,...
Sharon Kay Taylor
May 4, 2023
Sharon Kay Taylor, age 68, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Preceded in death by parents, Ray and Mary Murphy; Ex-husband, Lawrence Arthur Taylor; daughter, Amanda Kay Taylor
Survived by daughter, Jessica Taylor; grandchildren, James Lawrence Taylor and Bella Pearl Taylor; brothers, Steve Murphy and Michael Murphy; several other family members and friends.
Friends may visit with the family...
Phyllis Vineyard Edwards
May 3, 2023
Phyllis Vineyard Edwards, 89, of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. She was the last surviving daughter of K L and Nora Walker Vineyard. Preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Betty McGaha and Ruth Skeehan, and niece Deborah Bowman.
Phyllis is survived by her loving husband of over 60 years, Russell D. Edwards, Sr., daughter,...
Janice Putnam
May 3, 2023
Janice Marie (Lowe) Putnam, age 66 of Knoxville TN, went to be with the Lord on May 2, 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband John T. Putnam Jr.; parents, Albert and Annabelle Lowe; sisters, Rebecca Maiden, Ezzie Garner, Flora Lee Wilson, Peggy Lawson, Patricia Couch, Mary Weaver, Jeannie Kelley. and Betty Coley; brothers, Albert Lowe Jr.,...
Shaun Anthony Ellis
May 1, 2023
Shaun Anthony Ellis, 44, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away at his home with his wife, Shanna Ellis and his children, Cameron and Addison Ellis by his side on Monday, May 1, 2023 after a courageous 6 year battle with cancer. Born September 3, 1978, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Shaun was employed with ESC Spectrum for 24 years and developed many great...
Ronald Eugene Johnson
May 1, 2023
Ronald "Ron" Eugene Johnson, age 73, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully Monday, May 1, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at his home. Ron was a member of Salem Baptist Church. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Rubyl and Kenneth Johnson; mother in law, Neva DeFord and Daughter, Crystal Johnson. He is survived by his loving and devoted...
Ricky Ray "Shotgun" Merritt
May 1, 2023
Ricky Ray “Shotgun” Merritt, age 64 of Knoxville, went to be with the Lord on May 1, 2023.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Merrit, stepfather, Dewey Devault, and daughter-in-law, Tiffany Merritt.
He is survived by his brothers, Mike Merritt, and Bobby and Neung Merritt; niece, Kayela Merritt; nephew, Shane Merritt; father, Junior and Mary Merritt; aunts,...
Gracelynn Faith Bates
May 1, 2023
Gracelynn Faith Bates age 3 of Luttrell, TN passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Monday, May 1, 2023. Gracelynn was a momma's little girl. Preceded in death by great-grandfather, Joseph Mills, Sr. and aunt, Makalya Perry. Survivors: mother, Kristin (Dyllan DeBusk) Mills, sister, Aubreigh Bates, brother, Byron DeBusk. Grandfather, Joseph Mills, Jr., great-grandmothers, Neva Mills and Kathy Wright,...
Shonda Michelle Mayfield
Apr 30, 2023
Shonda Michele Mayfield, 53, of Knoxville, passed away unexpectedly on April 30th, 2023. Originally from Scott County, Shonda was adored by everyone she met. She was a beloved wife, a dedicated mother, and a caring teacher, but she wore many other hats, including being everyone’s cheerleader and a secondary mom to many. She was a selfless woman and wonderful Christian...
Robin Dawn Spencer
Apr 29, 2023
Robin Dawn (Brennom) Spencer, age 64 of Knoxville TN, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carey, and mother, Margaret. She is survived by her step-son, Eric and family. Robin was self-employed as an Indexer for many years. She enjoyed reading and traveling with her husband. She found joy and peace in her faith in Jehovah.
