Obituaries

Jan 1, 2024

JW “Jay” Thurman, 94, of Decatur passed away on January 1, 2024.

Jay was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church, Decatur.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years Joy Bell Thurman; parents, Leon and Dollie Thurman and siblings.

Survivors include daughters, Faye Hawkins, Decatur, and Margaret Calfee, Cleveland;...

Dec 19, 2023

Johnny “Lowell” Goforth passed from this life on December 19, 2023 and entered his Heavenly home!

He loved the Lord and encouraged his friends and family to humbly seek the Lord! He wanted all his loved ones to join him in his eternal home!

Lowell was born July 12, 1942, to John Coil Goforth and...

Dec 10, 2023

Elmo Shepherd passed away Sunday, December 10, 2023, at UT Medical Center surrounded by his family.

He was a truck driver for many years traveling across the United States.

Preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Velma Kirkland Shepherd; brothers, Jerry, Joe, Lewis (Junior), and Wicky Shepherd; sisters, Bernice (Floyd) Peels, Burmel (Dewayne) Cathey,...

Nov 30, 2023

John Nathaniel (Jack) Garner, 80, of Athens and formerly of Madisonville passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Jack was an active member of First Baptist Church for 46 years, an educator for over 30 years (Ingleside, North City, E.K. Baker, and Mountain View). He loved his students, and they...

Nov 11, 2023

Mary Helen Kirkland, a beloved resident of Niota, TN, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 11, 2023. She has now joined her husband, Robert Kirkland, in eternal rest.

Mary Helen was born on August 5, 1940 to Walter Lee Carroll and Helen Jewell Wallis. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Throughout her...

Nov 5, 2023

Michelle Magee, age 69, passed away Sunday November 5th at NHC Athens.

She was born in Cedar Falls, IL and later moved to California. It was there where she met the love of her life and was soon married. Michelle spent the next few years in Fort Dix New Jersey, where she served our nation in the...

Nov 4, 2023

Sommer Eaton, 53, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023.

Sommer was very creative and artistic with a great sense of humor and loved caring for her cats.

Preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Fox and mother, Susan Toney.

Survivors include her daughter, Sky Eaton; sister Shawn Goff; brother Kirk (Stacy) Elledge; father,...

Nov 3, 2023

Susie Mattson, 51 of Niota, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023.

She loved all her family, and she took pride in taking care of them. She enjoyed homeschooling her children.

Preceded in death by her father, Austin Roberts Sr. and brother, Austin Roberts Jr.

Susie is survived by her husband of 20...

Oct 24, 2023

James Ralph Colboch, 87, passed away Tuesday October 24th at Dominion Senior Living.

J.R. was an avid gardener and belonged to the Daylily Society. He also loved collecting and making arrowheads, pipes, and flutes.

Preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Earsie Colbach; wife, Faye Colboch; sister, Lola Axley; brother, Ronnie Colboch; son in...

Oct 18, 2023

Bonnie May, 94 of Decatur, passed away Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Preceded in death by her parents, John and Jennie Spangler; sister, Wilma Wilson; brother, Douglas Spangler; husbands, Billy Williams, Edward Clabough, and Jack May; grandson, Benny Gamboa.

Bonnie was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, very creative for writing award winning poetry, reading and crossword...

Oct 1, 2023

Barbara Vincent Mashburn, 70 of Riceville, TN went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Parkwest Hospital.

Barbara was the only daughter of five children born to Jesse and Mazie Vincent. She loved gardening, canning, was an avid quilter, she was an excellent cook, famous for her banana pudding and being a...

Sep 8, 2023

Charli Clark, 36 of Georgetown, passed away unexpectedly Friday, September 8, 2023.

Charli enjoyed listening to music, spending time with her children, fishing, and riding motorcycles in the mountains.

Preceded in death by her grandparents Al and Linda Henry; uncle and aunt Tony and Martha Henry; cousin Greg Henry.

Survivors include her fiancé,...

Sep 5, 2023

Bobby Devine, 59, of Englewood, Tennessee, passed away on the morning of September 5th, 2023 at Parkwest Hospital.

Bobby was a 1982 graduate of Central High School of McMinn County. He was a former member of the Tennessee Army National Guard and a former volunteer fireman of the Englewood Fire Department. Bobby was a very good mechanic....

Sep 2, 2023

Angela Evans, 46 of Athens went home to be with her Heavenly Father Saturday, September 2nd, 2023.

Angela loved gathering with her family and friends, most of all her grand daughter Saylor. She enjoyed spending time on her porch watching birds as they fed and played as well as working with her flowers. Angela was a member...

Aug 25, 2023

Stephen Nathaniel Cates was born August 22, 1990, and passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023.

Stephen was a lifelong resident of McMinn County. He was an avid Georgia Bulldogs football fan. He loved being outdoors and tinkering with anything he thought he could fix. He loved animals of all kinds. He loved to play and spoil...

Aug 11, 2023

George Marc Bernatti, 83, of Tellico Plains, TN passed away August 11, 2023.

Marc was born on July 24, 1940, in Riga, Latvia. Marc served faithfully for the United States Army, graduated with a master’s degree from The Citadel, and raised two sons. Marc retired from the Department of Defense and lived his remaining years in Tennessee....

Aug 2, 2023

Ida Miller Anders, 83 Of Athens passed away at her home Wednesday August 2, 2023.

She was preceded by her husband Robert Bobby Anders, two daughters, Katherin Anders Daugherty of Athens, Linda Anders Grant of Decatur, two grand daughters, Casey Daugherty of Athens, Eara Anders of Athens, five brothers, two sisters, parents, Naomi and Earon...

Jul 30, 2023

Patrick Lynn Boyd, a native of Niota, TN went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 30th, 2023 at 4:36 p.m. Patrick was a member of Pond Hill Baptist Church, Niota, TN. He was an employee of Ironcraft in Decatur, TN.

Patrick loved his job, he loved farming, tractors and working in his garden. He loved...

Jun 28, 2023

Margaret Ann Houston Lamb, 73 of Athens, TN passed away on June 28, 2023.

She was the daughter of the late Eddie and Dorothy Houston. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Thomas “Tommy” Lamb.

She is survived by her children, Teri Lamb, Greg Lamb, and Tony and Laura Lamb; grandchildren...

Jun 25, 2023

Callie Jean Hearron, 89, of Niota, TN went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Jean was a faithful member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. She enjoyed the outdoors, flower gardens and canning.  She loved her church and anyone she met.

Preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Lucille Smith; husband,...