All Obituaries

Thelma Almarae Cook Roderick, age 92, of Athens, died peacefully, Saturday evening, January 23, 2021 with her family at her side. A native of Monroe County and longtime resident of Athens, she was a daughter of the late Sherlin and Sarah Moses Cook. Thelma was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, William Ross Roderick, on August 26, 1984. Also preceding her in death was a son, Jerry Roderick and wife, Jill; a daughter, Bernice Sneed and husband, Sam; grandson, Samuel Ross Sneed;...

              Lorene Morgan Burton, 95, passed away Friday, January 22, 2021, at her home in Englewood surrounded by loving family members.              A lifelong resident of McMinn County, she was the oldest living member of Clay Hill Baptist Church.  A daughter of the late Hemard and Ollie Bacon Morgan, she was preceded in death by her husband Claude Burton; son...

CWO4 Charles “Chuck” Riedel USN (RET), age 88, of Athens, passed away Monday, January 18, 2021, at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville. A native of Ellis, Kansas and longtime resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Leo and Stella Landauer Riedel.  He was preceded in death by son Nicholas Lee Riedel and sister Marlene Olheiser. Charles was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.  He retired from the U.S. Navy after 22...

J.C. Vaughn, age 90, of Cleveland, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2021, at his residence. A native Athens and longtime resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Luther and Bertie Rogers Vaughn.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 plus years, Edna Erwin Vaughn on June 29, 2019, Sisters Della Vaughn Carpenter and Edna Vaughn Watkins, Brothers Ed and William Vaughn.   J.C was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church and attended Hopewell Baptist Church in...

James Clayton “Bo” Jackson, age 75, of Athens, passed away Sunday, January 10, 2021, at his residence. He was a native of Opp, AL and was a son of the late General and Opal Bass Jackson.  He was preceded in death by his wife Tina Louise Aderholt Jackson in June 2018, and sisters Mavis Waldon, Lillie Cayson and Helen Mikis. James worked for the City of Clewiston, FL in the Sanitation Department. He is survived by his Brother Darrell Jackson of Englewood; Several Nieces...

Johnny Oscar Yarbrough, age 90, of Athens, passed away Saturday, January 09, 2021, at his residence, surrounded by his family. He was a native and lifelong resident of Athens, and was a son of the late Oscar Hubert “O.H.” and Nannie Newman Yarbrough. His loving wife of 60 years, Wilma “Jean” Puett Yarbrough, preceded him in death on Dec 06, 2012.  He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Judy Kristin Yarbrough and several sisters and...

Jimmy Paul Graham Sr., age 62, of Athens, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at his residence. He was a native and longtime resident of Athens, and was a son of the late Robert and Mary Wiseman Graham.  He was preceded in death by his wife Sandy Martin Graham, son Jimmy Paul Graham Jr, brothers Johnny and Bobby Graham and sister Lillie Odum. He is survived by his Sons Bobby, Jeffrey and wife Sara, and Chris Graham all of Athens; Grandchildren Tara, Skyler, Eddie, Jacob, Cynthia...

Nola Janetta Cook Bushman, age 75, of Athens, and former resident of Mt. Ayr, IN for 29 years, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga She was a native of Athens, resident of McMinn County and a daughter of the late Albert Junior and Nancy Almeda Ferguson Cook.  She was preceded in death by her first husband, Trennis G Yoder, second husband, Eugene Bushman and son Kenneth Rondale “Dale” Yoder. Nola retired from Jasper County Hospital...

Monte Gray, age 72, of Athens, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021, at his residence. He was a native and longtime resident of Athens, and was a son of the late Herbert “Red” and Ruby Jean Jones Gray.  He was preceded in death by son Michael Gray. Monte was a welder with Heil Trailer International for over 30 years. He is survived by his Wife Linda Louise Ruckle Gray of Athens; Daughter Monica Gray Benjamin of Sharpsburg, GA; Sons Chris Gray of North Augusta, SC, and...

Brenda Ann Glover Beshears, age 68, of Riceville, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021, at her residence She was a native of Cleveland and longtime resident of McMinn County and was a daughter of the late Wesley and Dorothy Nichols Glover.  She was preceded in death by brothers Ray Glover, Billy Glover and Jimmy Davis. Brenda was a member of Bethal Holiness Church in Dayton. Brenda is survived by her Husband of 49 years William “Bill” Beshears Sr.; Daughter Michelle...