Tennessee, U.S., Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909
MILLS, CONCETTA "CONNIE" STELLA - of Knoxville passed away June 16, 2001 at home. She was a faithful member of Bearden United Methodist Church, and a retired Certified Professional Secretary. Preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Mabel Stella of Gainesville, Fla. Survivors: husband of 47 years, J.M. (Jack) Mills, Jr.; daughters and sons in law, Sheryl and Bruce Ammons, Ooltewah; Darlene and Mark Bledsoe, Knoxville; Cynthia and Richard Davis, Charleston, SC; and Rhonda and Kirk Hyder, Knoxville; beloved grandchildren, Billy Packard; Jacob Ammons; Luke Bledsoe; Connor, Casey and Lee Davis; and Emma, Claudia and Nicholas Hyder; sister, Anita Minck, Gainesville, Fla., and brother and sister in law, Tony and Micki Stella, Houston, TX; and five nephews and nieces. Her body will be cremated. A memorial service will held at the church at a later, undetermined date. At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bearden United Methodist Women, P.O. Box 11065, Knoxville, 37939. Arrangements by Highland Memorial Funeral Home.
MURPHY, ELMER D. (BILL) - age 64, of Powell, passed away at his home Sunday morning, June 17, 2001. He was a member of Dante Baptist Church and Brother Wise Discipleship Class. Preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lula Murphy; sister, Mary White; brothers, Teddy and Mack Murphy. Survived by his wife of 40 years, Wanda M. Murphy; daughter and son-in-law, Kacey and Jay Hunt; sons and daughters-in-law, Carl and Kim Murphy, Ronnie and Selina Murphy, and Donnie and Diana Murphy; 15 grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Charity and Tip Hensley, Frankie and Erle Andrews, Birdie and Gene Whitlock, Dorothy and J. C. Cox, and Magie Smith; brothers and sisters-in-law, Hobert and Christine Murphy, Floyd and Juanita Murphy, R.B. and Carol Murphy, and Kenny Murphy; mother-in-law, Daisy Breeden, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service 2 p.m. Wednesday at Dante Baptist Church, Rev. Phillip Murphy officiating, then go in procession to Halls Memory Garden for interment, nephews will be pallbearers. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Dante Baptist Church. Arrangements by Gentry-Griffey Chapel.
MYERS, WILLIAM CHARLES, SR. - age 84, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 17, 2001, at NHC Farragut. Mr. Myers was a retired Army Captain and a Veteran of World War II. Preceded in death by his wife, Ascension Julia Myers. Survived by son and daughter-in-law, William C., Jr., and Shirley Myers of Knoxville; daughter, Julia M. Ottinger of Knoxville; grandson and grand daughter-in-law, Aaron and Rebecca Greenwood of Knoxville; granddaughter, Katherine Myers of Atlanta. Services and interment
will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Gentry-Griffey Chapel.
PRYOR, JACK CHARLES "OCKABY" - age 65, formerly of Knoxville, passed away June 17, 2001. Retired from Bellsouth with 33 years of service. Member of South Knoxville Church of God and former member of Lincoln Park Methodist Church. He was an avid golfer. Preceded in death by parents, Fred L. Pryor and Faye Elva Reynolds. Survivors: wife, Carolyn Headrick Pryor; children, Kelly P. Williams and husband, Mike L. Williams, James C. Houser and wife, Kim Harris, Angela P. Hill, Jamie P. Maddox and husband, Kevin Maddox, Sr.; grandchildren, Jason Cates, Angel Williams, Lauren Houser, Jim Houser, Jr., Victoria Maddox, K.J. Maddox, Corrine Maddox; great grandchildren, Dazia Williams and Michael Williams; former wife, Deloris C. Pryor; cousin, Robert E. Pryor and family; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Funeral service Wednesday 8 p.m. at Berry Chapel with Rev. Tommy Bellamy officiating. Pallbearers: Robert Pryor, Robert Pryor, Jr., Mike Williams, David Burstron, Kevin Maddox, and Jason Cates. Family and friends will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Berry Funeral Home and proceed in procession to Carpenters Campground cemetery for a 1 p.m. graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to South Knoxville Church of God. The family will receive friends Wed. 6-8 p.m. at Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Hwy.
RANDOLPH, JACQUEOLYN FAYE - age 52 of Knoxville, passed away Saturday afternoon at UT Hospital. Member of West Haven Ministries Church. Survivors: son, Jerry Moore; mother, Nina Randolph; sisters, Kathy Lowery and Debbie Mucke; brother, Don Randolph. Service 7 p.m. Monday at West Haven Ministries Church, Rev. Jimmy Moore officiating. Family and friends will meet at Bookwalter cemetery for interment
2 p.m. Announcement by Mynatt's
RAYBURN, ROBERT LEE - age 47, of Knoxville, died Saturday, June 16, 2001. He was of the Baptist Faith. An employee of Boeing Aircraft in Oak Ridge. Member of Machinist Union in Oak Ridge. Preceded in death by wife, Christine Legere-Rayburn. Survivors: son, Joseph Lee Rayburn; daughter, Elizabeth Legere; grandson, Tristan Wallace, all of Knoxville; parents, Homer and Lucille Rayburn of Powell; brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Karen Rayburn of Seymour, Tenn.; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Charlie Cardwell of Heiskell, Tenn.; nieces, Charlsea Lee Cardwell of Heiskell, Tenn., and Misty Bittle and husband Kinny, and great-nephew, Timothy Bittle, all of Andersonville, Tenn. Funeral service 8 p.m. Tuesday, Stevens Mortuary Chapel, Rev. Darrell Griffis officiating. Family and friends will meet at Stevens Mortuary at 9 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to Woodhaven Memorial Gardens for a 10 a.m. Graveside Service and Interment. Pallbearers: Steve Clapp, Phil Clapp, Richard Clapp, Andy Reid, Duweyn Sellers and Roscoe Perry. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Stevens Mortuary, Oglewood Ave. at Broadway.
RAYSON, THOMAS DAUGHERTY - age 2, beloved son of Caroline Phalen Rayson and George Scott Rayson of Nashville, died suddenly Sunday, June 17, 2001 Other survivors include two brothers, George Scott Rayson, Jr., and John Phalen Rayson; grandparents, Norma and Robert Phalen of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and E. H. Rayson of Knoxville and Betty Lathrop of Lake Toxaway, N.C. The family will receive family and close friends at their residence on Tuesday, June 19, from 4-6 p.m. An additional visitation will take place at Christ Church Cathedral, 9th and Broad on Wednesday, June 20, 2001, from 10 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m., The Very Rev. Kenneth B. Swanson will officiate. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to The Thomas Daugherty Rayson Fund at The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, 210 23rd Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37203. Roesch Patton Austin Bracey & Charlton, 1715 Broadway, 615 244-6480. A Dignity Memorial Provider.
ROBINSON, JOHNNIE MAE RAY - age 88, of 318 McConnell Ave., Apt. #265, departed this life on Saturday, June 16, 2001, at Hill Crest West Nursing Home. She was of the Baptist faith. Preceded in death by her husband, Henry Robinson, Jr.; parents, John and Ellen Benson Ray. Survivors: extended family, Mary Cade, Dick Johnson, J. Geraldine Donaldson, William Kinnebrew and Walter P. Taylor Homes Development neighbors. A special thanks to the following for their excellent care, Hillcrest West Nursing Home Staff, U. T. Hospital, Dr. Karl Klein and staff, Senior Citizens Home Assistance and Mobile Meals. Open visitation Tuesday, June 19, 2001, 12 Noon - 8 p.m. at Jarnigan's Chapel. Jarnigan & Son Mortuary, in charge.
SEYMOUR, RICHARD CASWELL, SR. - age 80, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2001, in Nashville. Mr. Seymour was born in Knoxville on May 26, 1921. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Caswell Seymour, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Marilynn M. Seymour; daughter, Sally (Fred) Frey; son, Randy M. (Patricia) Seymour; granddaughters, Ashlee Green and Meredith Seymour; six grandsons; two great-grandchildren; three brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Seymour graduated from Sewanee Military Academy and the University of Tennessee, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the U. T. Marching Band. He served in the South Pacific during World War II, as a member of the United States Army, and received a Silver and Bronze Service Star. He was the son of the late Charles M. Seymour, a prominent Knoxville attorney, and mother, Flora Nell Gloster, and was an active member of the Episcopal Church. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2001, at the Church of the Advent, Franklin Road, Nashville, with the Rev. William Sharkey and the Rev. Herman Pomy officiating. Grandsons serving as active pallbearers will be: Michael Frey, Ryan Seymour, Justin Seymour, Tyler Seymour, Alex Seymour, and Richard Seymour, III. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Telephone Pioneers of America, Warren Schede, Lucian Swint, Jim Hawkins, Lee Taylor, and Davis Gong. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Memorial Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Church of the Advent. Arrangements by Woodlawn Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, 383-4754. A Dignity Memorial Provider.
SMIDDY, PEARL LEINART - age 97 of Kingston, passed away Sunday June 17, 2001. She was a member of Clear Branch Baptist Church and retired from Magnet Mills in Lake City. Preceded in death by her husband, Goddard Smiddy; sons, Lydall and Bill Smiddy; parents, Rufus and Catherine Goins Leinart; three brothers, and three sisters. Survivors: son, Charles E. Smiddy of Kingston; son and daughter in law, Kenneth and Angela Smiddy of Straw Plains; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; sister, Veindeela Size of Lake City. Funeral 8 p.m. Tuesday in Kyker chapel with the Rev. Randy Griffis officiating. Burial 11 a.m. Wednesday at Lesch cemetery in Lake City. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston. Pallbearers will be Bob, Gary, Ronnie, Robbie, and Jeff Humphreys, Bobby Bedwell and Don White.
STEELE, JULIA ELIZABETH - age 85 of Halls went home to be with the Lord on Sunday June 17, 2001. She was a member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church. Julia was a loving mother and friend to three surviving daughters; Margaret Capozzoli and her husband, Ralph of North Arlington, NJ, Julia Brown and husband, George of Halls, Tenn., and Patricia Neri of Belleville, NJ; she was also "Nana" to 8 grandchildren whom she loved very much; Maria Schmitt and husband, Michael, Ralph Capozzoli, Matthew Neri and wife, Suzanne, Anthony & Vincent Neri, Patti Pisano and husband, Jeff, Julia Allen, George Brown and wife, Michelle; her loved ones also include two great grandchildren, Matthew Jr. & Michael Neri and a host of friends. Funeral service 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel with Rev. Randy Plummer officiating. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 4329 Emory Rd. 37938. The family will receive friends 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
STOOKSBURY, ROBERT TEMPLIN - of North Knoxville, died Monday morning, June 18, 2001. He was a longtime active member of St. James Episcopal Church and a U. S. Army Veteran. Mr. Stooksbury had retired as vice president and sales manager from Chapman Drug Company. His survivors include his wife, Daphine Chase Stooksbury; son and daughter-in-law, Robert T. and Judy Stooksbury, Jr. of Knoxville; five grandchildren, Amy Ayres and her husband, Michael, Ashley, Abby, Anna, and Allison Stooksbury; great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Donald; sister, Mrs. Bruce (Katherine) Ogle of Knoxville; nieces, Mrs. Robert (Betty) Koon and Mrs. William (Bobbie) Garrison. There will be a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church, 1101 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Friends may call at their convenience at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.
TOWE, MR. LAWRENCE WADE, JR. - age 71 of Knoxville, passed away on June 16, 2001, at the Ft. Sanders Regional Hospital. He was retired, past President of Towe Iron Works, Incorporated. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Knoxville, the South Knoxville Rotary Club, the Charles McKinney Masonic Lodge #433, Kerbela Temple, the Knoxville Chapter #69 Order of the Eastern Star, The Worthington Investment Group, The Aces Investment Group, and a veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Hux Towe. He is survived by his father, Lawrence Wade Towe, Sr.; his wife, Willayne Easterday Towe; 1 sister, Francis Towe Jenkins and husband, John; 3 brothers, Richard Towe and wife, Jewel, Donald Towe and wife, Shirley, and David Towe and wife, Faye; many nieces and nephews, family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19, 2001, with the service to follow at 8 p.m. at the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Dave Ward will officiate. Burial will be Wednesday June 20, 2001, at the Highland Memorial cemetery at 10 a.m. The family will meet at the cemetery at 9:45 a.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Towe, Jr., Steve Towe, David Towe, Jr., Jeff Towe, Chris Towe, John Jenkins, Jr. Weaver Funeral Home, 5815 Western Ave. is in charge of arrangements.
VESTAL, JANICE WOLFE - age 59, of Jacksboro, passed away Monday, June 18, 2001, at her home. Preceded in death by her parents, William C. and Leah Monroe Wolfe of Maynardville. She was a member of LaFollette United Methodist Church and was a school teacher for 25 years. Her last 19 years of teaching were at LaFollette Middle School. She enjoyed her time spent with the children and her fellow co-workers. She will be sadly missed by Family and Friends. Survivors: husband of 40 years, Harry Vestal; son and daughter-in-law, Vann and Suzanne Vestal of Jacksboro; daughter and son-in-law, Valerie Vestal and Billy Wilson of Jacksboro; grandchildren, Peyton and McKenna Wilson and Cody Gannon, and several special aunts, uncles and cousins. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at LaFollette United Methodist Church with funeral service following at 8 p.m., Revs. Malcomb Wansley and Ron Williams officiating. Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Wednesday for graveside service and interment
at Campbell Memorial Gardens. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Komen Foundation (for Breast Cancer), P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, Texas 75265-0309. Arrangements by Cross Funeral Home.
BANKS, FRANCES M. - of Knoxville, formerly of Maryville - Alcoa, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2001, at Fort Sanders Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Foothills Funeral Home, Maryville.
WARD, WILLIAM (BILL) C. - age 72, of Corryton, passed away Sunday June 17, 2001 at St. Mary's Hospital after a lengthy illness that was bravely fought with courage and hope. Member of Fairview Baptist Church and Bright Hope Lodge # 557 F&AM, veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired from KUB. Preceded in death by parents, John I. & Ethel Ward. Survivors: loving & devoted wife of 48 years, Katherine "Katy" Major Ward; sons & daughters in law, Mike & Kelli of Corryton, Major & Michelle of Powell; very special grandchildren, Alison, David, Jonathan and Logan with the anticipated arrival of Cameron in July; sister, Ethel "Goo Goo" & Jimmy McDaniel of Strawberry plains; sisters in law, & husbands, Mae & Hubert Majors & George "Twistie" & Johnny Johnson all of Knoxville; very special niece, Elizabeth Johnson serving as a missionary in Middle Asia; several other nieces & nephews and close friends whom he loved dearly. Family & friends will meet at Mynatt's by 10:15 a.m. Wednesday and proceed to Greenwood cemetery for interment
at 11 a.m. Rev. Bryan Wright and Rev. Toby Everett officiating. Pallbearers: Bill Anderson, D.C. Thomas, Wayne Davis, David Borden, Gene Clift, and Bill Evans. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairview Baptist Church Kitchen Fund, 7424 Fairview Rd., Corryton, Tenn. 37721 or Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Ave. Knoxville, Tenn. 38918. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Mynatt's.
