2021

Clayton was born in Crossville, TN May 22, 1935, to James and Maggie Randolph. He moved to Toledo, Ohio, and started R&R Trucking. R&R Trucking was a postal contractor that he owned and operated for 47 years.

​Clayton passed away on April 14, 2021, at Tennova North Hospital. Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Wanda Faye Pippin, and grandson Randy Randolph Jr.  Clayton is survived by loving wife Linda (Weaver). They were married on October 4, 1954. Children: Glenda (Glen) Martin, Dannie Randolph, Russ Jr (Grace)Randolph, Randy (Julie) Randolph. Clayton had 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and niece, and nephew, and a special friend, Donna Brewster.

​Clayton’s family would like to thank the Tennova North Hospital staff for the wonderful care he received.

​There will be no visitation. The memorial will be private.

David Allen Smith, born December 29, 1967, passed away on April 6, 2021. He was a hands on type of person who spent his life doing mechanical and automotive body work. This is what he loved to do. David leaves behind his beloved family members, relatives, and many friends who loved him dearly. The family will have a private ceremony.

Carole Stephens Taylor, age 75 of Knoxville, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021, after a brief and very courageous battle with Cancer.

Carole was a great friend and a wonderful mother and grandmother. She never met a stranger and was affectionately known by many as ‘Sweet T.

She was born in Knoxville and graduated from Farragut High School, where she played basketball and volleyball. She worked at Kohl’s West Town for the past 15 years, as well as at Cokesbury United Methodist Church. She was such a positive person who loved her job, her family, and attending football and basketball games for her grandsons. She was also an avid Tennessee fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Harold Stephens. She is survived by her two children, Edana (Brian) Herrell and Jason (Susan) Taylor, both of Knoxville, along with two grandsons, Alex Taylor and Jace Herrell.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2021, from 11:00 am- 1:00 pm at 12950 Highwick Circle, Knoxville, TN 37934.

In lieu of flowers, please do something to make someone smile and think of Carole.

Daniel Fuller Rosser, 59, of Knoxville, went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2021, at his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Anita Rosser.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Rosser; brother and sister in-law, Kenneth Manuel Rosser Jr and Celia, and several other relatives and close friends.

The family is not receiving any formal services at this time.

Tony Allen Ahrens, May 25, 1968, to April 1, 2021, in Newport, Tennessee, originally from Rockford, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Billie Nell Ahrens, his sister Irene/Alix Ahrens, and his nieces, Samantha and Scarlett. Survived by his daughter Diamond and 3 grandchildren, his sisters Jodi (Paul) Gentry, Cindy Gentry, and Becky Boling and their families, along with many other special family members to continue to celebrate his life.

Tony was already a hard worker and would give anything to help someone out if they needed it. His family meant everything to him.

Stanley Stokey, age 86, of Knoxville, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 24. Stan was born May 1, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were the late Cyril and Helen Stokey. A true man of God, and he faithfully served his country, his community, and his church.

Stan served his country in the Army during the Korean War as well as the Merchant Marine. During the time with the Merchant Marine he developed a love of travel that he kept throughout his life.  He later graduated from Vanderbilt University with a master’s in City Planning.

Stan dedicated his life’s work through serving the community. He made the region a better place to work, live, and raise a family for over thirty years as a City Planner with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).  He developed a ride-share and express bus system for TVA during his tenure. He was a member of President Jimmy Carter’s Transportation Task Force and attended both President Carter’s and President Clinton’s Inaugurations.

Stan truly had a servants heart. He served his church in many capacities. He was a Trustee for Cokesbury United Methodist Church. He turned retirement into a passion to serve others through Manna House, the church food pantry. While there no child left without Stan registering them for DollyParton’s  Imagination Library, the non- profit free book gifting program providing much needed books to children. He was happiest when serving others.

Stan is survived by his wife Diana, children Paul Stokey and wife Michele, Edward Stokey and wife Cheryl, Dennis Sprous, Douglas Sprous, Darla DeRosa and husband Michael along with a host of adored grandchildren. The family would like to thank Michael DeRosa for the love and encouragement he shared with Stan in his later years.  Stan lives on in the gifts of humility, true kindness, and warmth given freely to all he came in contact with.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with burial at the Veterans Cemetery.

Ronald Ray Bowling, age 67, was born on July 29, 1953, in Knoxville, TN. He passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 26, 2021, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Annis Bowling, siblings Jerry, Frankie, David, Teresa, and Margie.

Ronnie is survived by his son Ronnie and two grandchildren; siblings Donna, Judy, Diane, Benny, Johnny, and Steve; along with a host of nieces and nephews. A special thanks to Tommy, Jami, Jolen,e and DayDay for your help with Ronnie during his battle, also a thank you to Ronnie’s brother-in-law David for all his help during Ronnie’s final days. Services are being provided by Dogwood Cremation.

Robert H “Bobby” Cox, also known to friends as “Chromer,” age 65, passed April 15, 2021, following a brief battle with cancer.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert “Dutch” Cox and mother, Louisa Tiller Cox; his wife, Mary Catherine Cox; and his daughter, Tara Cox Davis.  He is survived by his sister Gay Morgan, two nephews, Sean and Kristian Morgan all of Nashville.

He was an avid Harley Davidson owner and loved the camaraderie of biker life as well as the tattoos in which he was covered.

Friends may leave condolences online at Dogwood Cremation.  Please make remembrances to your favorite charity.

Janis Elizabeth Schneitman (age 85; born October 1st, 1935 in Birmingham, AL) went home to be with the LORD after a brief illness on May 4th, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Bob Schneitman; her parents, Henry and Evelyn Buttram; her brother Jeff Buttram; her son Bobby Schneitman; and her granddaughter, Brooke Schneitman. Janis graduated from Karns High in 1953. She entered nursing training at Fort Sanders Hospital and worked for East Tennessee Baptist Hospital for 25 years. Janis was well known for her love of God’s creation – especially her love for trees and birds. Her greatest love, however, was reserved for Jesus . . . as she put it in her own words: “No one here on earth can compare to the beauty and glory of my Jesus, my Lord and lover of my soul. Here on earth, I can feel your love; it lights my path, and its glow lights my soul and hopefully, I reflect it to others. But when at last my Jesus I see, He will be looking at me with eyes full of love.” Janis is survived by her son Dale & wife Mandy Schneitman; her son Dean & wife Jodie Schneitman; granddaughter Casey Schneitman; great-granddaughter Kaia; and her sister, Mary Byers. Services will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery (4401 Sutherland Ave.) at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 6th, 2021. The Reverend Clarence Gresham will officiate. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Timothy Initiative.

Mary L. Zick, 83, passed away on April 16, 2021, with her granddaughter, Shannon, by her side.

Having lived previously in Michigan and Florida, Mary moved to Knoxville in 1987. She had been employed at Baptist Hospital in the food service department.

Mary was preceded by her father, Donald E. Boulton, and stepmother, Ruth Ann Boulton, as she was abandoned by her mother at the age of 2.

Mary’s surviving family includes her partner of 28 years, Glenn Green; brother, Donald Boulton (Elaine); granddaughter, Shannon Perry-Weber (Stephen); and 4 great-grandchildren, Ethan, Leland, Adelynn, and Braelynn.

Mary’s children included Ron, Len, Tammy, and Long-Lost Patty; 4 abandoned sons, and the Forgotten one.

Mary loved the outdoors and all you could do in it: gardening, porch sitting, and bird watching. Mary and Glenn owned a boathouse at Straight Creek boat dock, which they visited often with her family. She loved God, lighthouses, and her great-grandchildren. She wore this hideous yellow bumble bee sweater, which went with her to the afterlife.

Mary stepped into the mother role for Shannon at the time of birth. Shannon is lovingly grateful that Mary took that role as her mom and dad, allowing her to become a better mother to Mary’s great-grandchildren. She will be forever loved and missed!

Karon Marie Proctor West, of Knoxville, TN, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2021, and was welcomed into Heaven and made whole. She was born September 3, 1969, in Pomona, CA. She grew up and attended high school in Henderson, NV. She moved to Knoxville in 2008. She adored her grandchildren: Anacella, Xzavier, Isabella, and Will, her nephew; Matthew, and her fur babies. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Proctor. She is survived by her husband; the love of her life, Jamie West. She is also survived by her children: Robert Cook and Tiffani Smith, her mother; Sharon Proctor, sisters and their spouses; Kathy Parnell (Doug) and Kimberly Proctor (Tarl), Uncle; Jim Proctor (Maryann), and many cousins. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Melvin R. Kress, 83, passed away on May 7, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents Gerard and Eleanor Kress and; brothers Kenneth Kress and Dr. Gerard Kress.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores “Dolly” Kress; sons, Gregory Kress and Brian Kress (Danielle); grandson, Alex Martin; granddaughter, Mackenzie French; sister, Shirley (Tony) Watt; and many nieces and nephews.

The family plans on having a service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.