Tennessee, U.S., Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909
John G. Berliew II
John G. Berliew II, 88 of Athens, died Saturday, March 14, 2009, at his residence.
A native of Springfield, Ill., a former resident of Weirsdale, Fla., and a resident of McMinn County for three years, he was a son of the late John Glenwood and Maud Abbot Berliew, and was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Hughes Frye Berliew; one stepdaughter, Doris Williams; one brother, Earl "Coke" Berliew; and one sister, Marion Elliot. He was owner and operator of Berliew Industries, and was of the Presbyterian faith. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II.
Survivors include one daughter, Vicky Drainer of Sullivan, Mo.; two sons, John G. Berliew III of Sullivan, Mo., and Roy Eugene Berliew of Mayer, Az.; three stepsons, Jim Frye of Pierce, Ariz., Don Frye of Phoenix, Ariz., and Rodney Frye of Athens; one sister, Sue Miller of Bremerton, Wash.; 28 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation or funeral services.
Addie Estelle Dunn Gennoe Coe
Addie Estelle Dunn Gennoe Coe, 88, of Decatur, and formerly of Athens, died Monday, March 16, 2009, in Decatur.
She was a native of Putnam County, a resident of McMinn County for most of her life, and was a daughter of the late Robert Jasper and Frances Lilly Thomas Dunn. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bryant Franklin Gennoe, on July 6, 1991; one daughter, Vivian Morgan; one son, Franklin Gennoe; one grandson, Michael Kennedy; and one great-granddaughter, Rebekah Gennoe. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Oneness Pentecostal Church in Sweetwater.
Survivors include her husband, Taylor Coe of Decatur; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dorothy and Johnny Kennedy of Decatur, and Frances and Larry Hughes of Sweetwater; three sons and daughters-in-law, Charles and Patsy Gennoe of Cleveland, and Shaver and Linda Gennoe and Dallas and Rosa Gennoe, all of Decatur; two stepdaughters, Carol Long of West Virginia, and Mary Gail Hicks of Etowah; one stepson, Kenneth Coe of Stuart, Fla.; two sisters, Viola Smith of Decatur, and Adelle Trout of Athens; a special niece, Ercel Powers of Athens; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. William Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Kenneth Eugene Minge
Kenneth Eugene Minge, 73, of Athens, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at his home with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late James Polk Minge Jr. and Dora Elliott Minge, and was preceded in death by four sisters, Helen Powell, Marie Clayton, Edith Hickey and Joyce Johns; and several half-brothers and half-sisters. A faithful member of the Athens Church of Christ for more than 50 years, he had served as a deacon and elder. He retired from Bowater, where he worked for more than 40 years. After his retirement, he was known at all the local gyms for his daily two-hour workouts. He was an avid gardener and was known for his beautiful flower beds and vegetable garden.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Violet Elizabeth King Minge of Athens; two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen Minge Brown and Greg Brown and Donna Minge Whitted and Darryl Whitted, all of Athens; one grandson and his fiancée, Zachary Benjamin Brown and Angie Carpenter; three granddaughters, Jessica Dannielle Whitted and friend, Aaron Lee, Hannah Aleah Brown and fiancé, Robert Johnson, and Olivia Brynne Whitted; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday at Athens Church of Christ with Minister Tim Gunnells officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Friday at McMinn Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Luke Sewell, Philip Womack, James Summers, Robby Nesbitt, Sean Jaquish and Stuart McKinney. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Torbett, Jim Allison, Mike Tallent, Ross Harrod and Lloyd Matthews.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Athens Church of Christ, P.O. Box 494, Athens, TN 37371-0494.
Norman Dale Howard
Norman Dale Howard, 49, of Athens, died Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Kindred Hospital in Chattanooga.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was of the Baptist faith, and was preceded in death by his father, Hugh Victor Landon Howard; one infant sister, Rhonda Faye Howard; his maternal grandparents, Gus and Sylvia Dennis; and his paternal grandparents, Ruth and Hardin Howard. He was a former employee of Wayne's Batteries.
Survivors include his mother, Mary Alice Hyde of Athens; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Randy Hyde, Dennis and Belinda Howard and Victor and Juanita Howard, all of Athens; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Sandra and Michael Nipper of Knoxville, and Patricia Shelton of Athens; special friends, Junior, Lisa and Amber Shelton, all of Athens; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Howard White officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Clearwater cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Calvin Wattenbarger, Matthew Wattenbarger, Tylor Wattenbarger, Jeremiah Shelton, Jamie Shelton and Junior Shelton.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Norman Dale Howard Memorial Fund, c/o Mary Alice Hyde, 384 County Road 105, Athens, TN 37303.
Billy Joe Knox
Billy Joe Knox, 66, of Niota, died Friday, April 3, 2009, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Robert Lee and Zelma Lee Jones Knox. He was preceded in death by one son, Jeffery Lynn Knox; and one great-grandson, Caiden Knox. He was a member of Niota United Methodist Church and was an employee of Crescent Hosiery Mill for 42 years.
Survivors include the love of his life of 37 years, Kitty Kyle Knox of Niota; three sons and four daughters-in-law, Billy Ray and Lisa Knox of Athens, Hoyl Travis and Rebecca Knox and Raymond Scott and Kimberly Knox, all of Niota, and Valerie Knox of Sweetwater; his mother-in-law, Ollie Sue Kyle of Athens; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Sam and Deloris Knox and James Henry and Aleen Knox, all of Niota, Alvin Erskin and Shirley Knox of Englewood, and Pat and Evelyn Knox of Niota; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nell and Johnny McCollister of Niota, and Alice and James "Bud" Moses of Englewood; six grandchildren, Joseph Knox and wife, Rachel, Ryan Knox, Trevor Knox, Joshua Knox, Jonathan Knox and Stephanie Knox; special friends, Ronald and Nellie Price; a special niece, Linda Arnwine; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were 8 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Ensminger officiating. Burial was 11 a.m. Monday in Niota cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jeff King, Joseph Knox, Ryan Knox, Dewayne Moses, Gary Clayton and Bobby Clayton. Honorary pallbearers were Jack Ewing, Tommy Maynard, Johnny Woodby, Mitchell Beckler, Johnny King and Robert Lane.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their care on B Wing of Athens Regional Medical Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Joe Knox Memorial Fund, c/o Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, P.O. Box 428, Athens, TN 37371-0428.
Robert E. "Bob" Matthews
Robert E. "Bob" Matthews, 74, of Niota, died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, in Athens.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Bruce Matthews and Blanche Raper Matthews Knox, and was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Jane Bryant Matthews, on July 16, 1990; and one brother, Arthur Don Matthews, on Sept. 20, 2008. He was a retired carpenter, having worked locally and in Knoxville and Chattanooga. He was a member of East Niota Baptist Church.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Kim E. Matthews of Athens; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Hubert and Alice Ann Matthews of Niota, and Ann Matthews of Sweetwater; one grandson and wife, Michael and Kristine Strope of Athens; one great-granddaughter, Addison Strope of Athens; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Kelley and the Rev. Ray Maynard officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Friday at Niota cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be O.B. Cobble, Yale Knox and Paul Brakebill.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Edwyna Faye Zimmerman Moses
Edwyna Faye Zimmerman Moses, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, 64, of Athens, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, and a daughter of the late Ed and Gussie Womac Zimmerman, she was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Robert McDonald Jr.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A wonderful Christian strong in His word and faith, she attended Woodward Avenue Church of God.
Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Willie L. Moses Jr. of Athens; one daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Daniel Watson of Athens; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Rhea Zimmerman of Etowah, and Kay and Earl Bartlett of Charlotte, N.C.; one sister-in-law, Lucy McDonald of Athens; four grandchildren, Chad Ramsey, Devin Ramsey, Hunter Watson and Natalee Watson; one aunt, Geneva Moses of Athens; one niece and her husband, Sharon and Bill McDonald of Niota; and four nephews and their wives, Eddie and Della Bartlett of Houston, Texas, Tommy and Charlie McDonald of Riceville, Chris and Tiffany Bartlett of Charlotte, N.C., and Timmy and Sylvia McDonald of Madisonville.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Pastor Emeritus Wayne Fritts and Pastor Clifford Watters officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Tommy McDonald, Bill McDonald, Timmy McDonald, Brian McKinney, Eddie Bartlett, Chris Bartlett, R.B. Crowder and Chaplain Tim Davis Sr. of the Englewood Police Department.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
FAYE WALLACE
FAYE WALLACE, age 61 of Niota, Tenn. went home to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at her residence.
A native and life-long resident of McMinn County, she was a daughter of the late George H. Jack and late Nina Landers McKinney and was preceded in death by 2 half-brothers, Bill Maxwell and Charles Maxwell.
She was of the Baptist Faith and attended Marshall Hill Baptist Church , Union-McMinn Baptist Church, and Niota United Methodist Church.
Before her illness, she had owned and operated Faye's Beauty Shop.
Survivors: Her husband of 45 years and loving caregiver, Wiley M. Wallace of Niota. One Daughter and son-in-law, Michelle Dawn and Tommy Brock of Niota; One Son, Thomas Scott Wallace of Niota and friend, Lisa Harper and her son, Bryson; Four Grandchildren, Taylor Wallace, Tanner Wallace, Brandon Reed Wallace, and James Logan McKenzie; Two Sisters and Brother-in-law, Gail and David Mason of Athens and Jill Roderick of Athens; Two half-sisters and Brothers-in-law, Betty and Mansel Roderick of Athens and Judy and Alan Wade of Decatur; One half-brother and Sister-in-law, James and Sherry McKinney of Niota. Several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8:00 P. M. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Clayton Dunsmore and Rev. Charles Ensminger officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.
Interment will be 11:00 A. M. Saturday at McMinn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers Dusty McKinney, Greg Mason, Chris Roderick, Michael Roderick, Anthony Cochran and Donnie Willis.
Katherine "Jane" Seymore
Katherine "Jane" Seymore, 64, of Niota, died Friday, May 1, 2009, at her residence.
A native of Loudon County, and a resident of McMinn County for 39 years, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Margaret Frances McKelvey Harris. She loved to fish and camp, and was a member of Union-McMinn Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Johnny Raymond Seymore of Niota; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Veronica and Charles Small of Sweetwater, Lisa M. Shankle and Denis Smith of Paint Rock, and Mellissa Dalton of Niota; one son and daughter-in-law, Stoney and Teresa Tilley of Knoxville; two sisters, Judy McMurtrey of Loudon, and Peggy Cox of Athens; her best friends, Connie and Robert Lowery, Media Wicker, Bill and Marie Cody and Jodie Charles; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Monday at Union-McMinn Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Alexander and Brian Coffey officiating. Burial followed in Union-McMinn cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Billy Pierce, Jake Lemons, Jon Lemons, Brian Drinnen, Dillon Clayton and Zack Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Charles Small and Daniel Watson.
The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.
William "Bill" Earl Willis
William "Bill" Earl Willis, of Niota, died Friday, May 8, 2009, at his residence.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late Earl and Nellie Marie Frisbie Willis. He was preceded in death by one son, Billy Ray Willis; and one brother, Roy Willis. He was a member of Union-McMinn Baptist Church and was retired from McMinn County Schools. He fostered many children in his life. He loved to help others and had battled cancer for several years.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Shirley Devine Willis of Niota; two daughters and sons-in-law, Crystal and Travis Vogus of Athens, and Candie and Ernie Gravett of Niota; four sons and one daughter-in-law, Ricky Willis, Ned John and Leslie Jones, Josh Willis and Buck Wagner, all of Niota; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Kenneth and Margareta Willis and Donald Willis, all of Niota; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Mary Ruth and Calvin Hester and Marie Stephens, all of Niota; seven grandchildren, Alexia, Ryan and Jaida Vogus, Caden Willis and Kyler, Malachi and Ezekiel Jones; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were 8 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Howard White and the Rev. Scott Brewster officiating. Burial was 11 a.m. Monday in Union-McMinn cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jeffery Dawson, Darrell Cook, Lynn Cook, Chris Ratledge, Michael Willis, Donnie Willis, Jerry Sharp, Rex Jones III and Scotty Willis.
The family received friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Franklin George Bohannon
Franklin George Bohannon, 85, of Athens, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at SkyRidge Medical Center in Cleveland.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a son of the late John and Julia Stanton Bohannon, and was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Sherlin Bohannon; one son, Terry Bohannon; one great-grandson, Ben Vincent; four sisters, Maudie B. Watson, Liza B. Perry, Fairadell B. Elrod and Julia B. Perry Nelson; and four brothers, Dailey G. Bohannon, Allie Bohannon, Virgil Bohannon and Creed F. Bohannon Sr. He was a farmer and an employee of Mayfield Dairy for 15 years. He was a member of Idlewild Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Patsy and Owen Vincent of Athens, and Linda and Glen Davis of Cleveland; four grandchildren and spouses, Tracy and Denise Vincent, Darren Davis, Blake and Rachel Vincent and Jack and Kristen Bohannon; four great-grandchildren, Kinsley Vincent, Becca Vincent, J.P. Vincent and Jin Bohannon; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Thomas and the Rev. Don Wattenbarger officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday in Idlewild cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jack Bohannon, Darren Davis, Tracy Vincent, Gil Sherlin, Foster Bohannon and Milton Simpson.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Grace Johnson Carney
Grace Johnson Carney, 76, of Riceville, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at Life Care Center of Athens.
A native and former resident of Meigs County, she was also a former resident of Rockwood, Antioch and Athens. A daughter of the late Cleve and Mary McCaleb Johnson, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Elvin Carney, on Feb. 6, 1997. She attended Greater Deliverance Ministries of Athens, and was a member of the A.M.E. Zion Church in Rockwood. She was a former employee of the Rockwood Housing Authority and a member of the Rockwood Housing Authority Board when she lived in Rockwood. She was a member of the Mid-East Youth Program and Senior Citizens Program in Rockwood, and the Red-hatters of Antioch.
Survivors include one son, James William Carney of Honolulu, Hawaii; two daughters, Patricia Carney Holt of Nashville, and Martha Carney Arnwine of Riceville; one sister, Minnie Gadson of Knoxville; seven grandchildren, Leslie Santos Carney, Ashley L. Carney, Jessie Carney and Jessica Carney, all of Hawaii, Shavonne Holt Hardy and husband, Yuri, of Nashville, and Justin Arnwine of Athens; one great-granddaughter, Stori Hardy; and a beloved host of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Greater Deliverance Ministries with Pastor Angela D. Arnwine officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Flatts cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be nephews and flower girls will be nieces and friends.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Ricky Lee Cook
Ricky Lee Cook, 44, of Niota, died Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at UAB Birmingham Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was an employee of the McMinn County Highway Department, was a member of Union-McMinn Baptist Church and was volunteer for the Niota and Union Grove Fire Departments. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Nevdia Umphrey Cook, on Oct. 2, 2008; and one sister, Marilyn West.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Irene Clark Cook of Niota; one son, Dewayn Lee Cook and his fiancée, Melanie Sewell, of Sweetwater; one sister and brother-in-law, Janet Gail and Allen Galyon of Athens; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Roger Dale and Joyce Cook, Larry Dean and Vickie Cook and Danny Cook, all of Niota; his father, Jack Cook of Niota; three grandchildren, Brady Sewell, Kayleigh Cook and Tinslee Cook; and several special friends, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Union-McMinn Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Alexander and the Rev. Ronnie Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Union-McMinn cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Jeff Derrick, Ryan Harris, Josh Davis, Joey Reed, Mark Plaster and Bryan Coffey. Robert Lowery will be an honorary pallbearer.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.
