Burton Douglas Reed Jr, 87, of Maryville, TN, passed away peacefully after a short illness on January 15, 2019. Burt, as he was known, was born to the late Burton and Margaret (Watson) Reed in Hartford, CT, and was raised in West Hartford, CT.

He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in business from Boston University in Massachusetts. It was there that he met his wife of more than 63 years, Carolyn Blake. After graduating college and completing ROTC requirements, he joined the United States Air Force, attained the rank of First Lieutenant, and as a pilot was stationed at bases in GA, TX, and TN.

After his discharge, Burt became a reservist in the Air Force, attaining the rank of Major, and began a long and successful career in the insurance industry working for The Travelers, Peerless Insurance, and Northern Neck Insurance. Burt’s hobbies and interests included fishing, oyster farming and playing golf, traveling the country and world with Carolyn, and spending time with his family.

His wife Carolyn, daughter Margaret, sons Robert, Charles, Lawrence, and Douglas, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive Burt.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Blount County Animal Shelter, 233 Currie Avenue, Maryville, TN 37804.

Robert J. (Uncle Bob) Schirack, age 80, passed away at home in Townsend on Jan. 17, 2019, after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Julia A. Schirack; his brothers, William and Louis (Debora) Schirack; five nieces and nephews; plus many good friends.

Gerry Wade Holman Jr. passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019. He had rededicated his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized in 2018 at Freedom House Church in Knoxville.

He is survived by his father, Gerry Holman Sr.; his step-mother, Sandi Holman; his children, Scotty Holman, Tonya Lane, Sonya Holman, Christopher Holman, and Carley Taylor; 19 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild.

A memorial service is set for 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, at Grace Covenant Pentecostal Church, 5022 Inskip Road, Knoxville. Pastor Charlie Craig officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested for Youth With a Mission/Charlotte, 410 E Talleyrand Rd, Monroe, NC 28112.

Robert B Blanchette (Rob)  January 11, 1965 – February 16, 2019 born in Providence, RI. He lived in Maynardville, TN. He is survived by his Wife and soulmate, Tamara (Tami) Blanchette. His son Robert and his wife Jessica. His daughters, Allison Blanchette, Lauren Blanchette, and Kailey Varner. His sister, Cathy Parks, and her husband, Dean. His brothers, Richard Kugler and his wife Katie, and Jimmy Kugler. His granddaughters, Sarah Blanchette and Elizabeth Blanchette. His grandson Conrad Varner. A special Uncle and Godfather, Bernard Lucia, and a host of nieces and nephews and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Marty Kugler.

Rob left his earthly home on Saturday, February 16th, at age 54, after a long, hard battle with Pancreatic Cancer to ascend and re-spawn in heaven to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In his life, he made many friends through working as a mechanic and dump truck driver for more than 35 years. He made many friends thru his online gaming world as “PoppaXSmurff” and cherished every one of his friends.

Those who knew him quickly would realize he was always true to his word and a very honest person about his perspective in life.

He never had idle hands; he was always building something or fixing something he kept his hands busy all the time.

He loved to have fun and joke around with people and could always make anyone having a bad day smile. He would never intentionally hurt anyone, and if he did, he would quickly right his wrong.

His love for God and his family was truly remarkable and unshakable. He loved with all of his heart and his family and friends could always count on him to be there for them.

He was a devoted, loving, and faithful husband, and as a father, he was always stern, steadfast, and fair, with so much love for his children and grandchildren. He would have protected them with his life.

A celebration of his life will be announced in the near future.

Jacob S. Watson 12/14/1935 – 03/15/2-19. A well-liked businessman and friend went to be with the Lord on March 15, 2019. He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Cathy Watson; daughter, Shannon Underwood; two stepsons, Ronnie and Rob Solomon; grandson, Jacob Loy; and granddaughter,  Madison Collier. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who truly loved him. His Celebration of Life will be set at a later date.

Michael W. Coker, 66, of Knoxville, TN, passed away at home Sunday, March 17, 2019. He was a plumber by trade. Mike was an avid fisherman and loved all animals. He was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his special friend Martha Ward, brother Steve M. Coker Sr., and sisters Gwen and Peggy.

Michele Marie Radford, age 74, passed away quietly in her sleep on Thursday, March 21st, in Maryville, TN.  Michele was born on April 5th, 1944, in Altadena, CA, to the late Mildred Geraldine (Phillips) and Francis Michael Olszanski. She was baptized Catholic on May 28th, 1944, at Holy Angels Church in Arcadia, CA, and graduated High School in Chula Vista, CA.

During her lifetime, Michele had many careers, including working for the US Postal service as a mail carrier, owning her own in-home daycare, and caring for the elderly.  She was a hard worker, and her greatest passion was her family.  Michele enjoyed many years on her farm in Sultan, WA, and loved her horses. One of her greatest enjoyments was scouring for antiques in Snohomish, WA. She also enjoyed photography, the ocean, and her many rescue dogs, including her beloved Lady, Puddles, and Doodle.

Michele was preceded in death by her son, Christopher Michael Smith. She is survived by her devoted partner, Jack Freeman; 5 children – son William “Butch” Jergesen and wife Peggy (WA), daughters Catherine Usher (WA), Debbie Sackman and partner Dan (WA), Sheryl Robbins and husband Clint (WA), and Jaime Simon (TN); 12 grandchildren – Brianna, Macy, Brittany, Dominique, Adam, Amanda, Bryce, Cheyanne, Brandon, Joshua, Shaley, and Ryleigh; and 8 great-grandchildren; her brother Bernard, and sisters Annie, Mary, Nellie and Rose.

Michele has touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all.  The family would like to thank Hospice of Blount County, TN, for their support. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa, TN, on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 6:00 PM.

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear. -Author unknown.

In loving memory of Betty L. Hawkins, 76, who passed away at U.T. Hospital on March 28th, 2019. She is survived by her son, David H. Galyon; daughter, Sandy Ingle;  grandkids, Wesley and Olivia Childress, Alicia Childress, Scott Ingle II, Hunter Wayne Galyon; great-granddaughter, Ella Childress.

Robert Paul Taylor, born March 9, 1953, passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2019, after an extended illness. Rob was born in Gastonia, North Carolina, but moved to Knoxville as a young child. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he spent many years in New Orleans, Louisiana, working in the hospitality industry.

Benjamin Taylor Hannah Jr., age 76, of South Knoxville, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 7, 2020, at Select Specialty Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born on March 14, 1944, in Tampa, Florida, while his father was in the US Navy, and the family also lived in Southern California before settling in South Knoxville. His father, Benjamin Taylor Hannah Sr., was the Vice President of Park National Bank. His mother, Ruth Elise Ruhl Hannah, was a teacher at Mount Olive Elementary School for 23 years. He graduated from Young High School in 1962, where he excelled in academics and sports. After high school, he joined the US Navy and served in Vietnam. Once out of the Navy, he attended college at Clemson University before transferring to the University of Tennessee. After college, Benjamin joined the City of Knoxville Police Department, where he served for seven years. In 1973, he married Melissa Williamson of Knoxville and, shortly after, became a United States Deputy Marshal. The family resided in Illinois, Texas, and North Carolina before permanently moving to South Knoxville after retirement. Benjamin was considered a multisport athlete and scholar. He was a devout Christian and enjoyed ministering to others through letters. A lover of animals, Benjamin made many contributions to their welfare. He loved to study nutrition and spent most of his time enjoying nature.

Benjamin was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Taylor Hannah Sr. and Ruth Elise Ruhl Hannah; brother-in-law, James Derda; son, Daniel Aubrey Hannah.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 47 ½ years, Melissa Williamson Hannah; daughter, Sarah Hannah Lilly and husband Sherman; son, Richard Ian Patrick Hannah; son, Joby Marcus Brendan Hannah; daughter, Stacy Hannah Ott; daughter, Shannon Hannah Damian; brother, Michael Stephen Hannah; sister, Sherry Elizabeth Hannah Derda; sister, Elise (Lisa) Marie Hannah Huff and husband Paul; brother, Peter Jeremy Hannah and wife Gina Powell Hannah; grandchildren, Alexander Gabriel Morgan, Delilah Rose Hannah, Hanna, Mason, and Abby Ott; Isabella, Giancarl, and Gabriella Damian; nieces, Roxanne Elise Derda, Emily Elise Huff, Katie Huff Cline, Rachel Huff Poland, and Erin Li Hannah. A Celebration of his Life will be named at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to the ASPCA in honor of Benjamin Taylor Hannah Jr.

David was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Christine Phillips and Earl Crawford Smith. David graduated from Upper Arlington High School, where he played trombone in the band. At the Ohio State University, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in mathematics and physics and later a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. This is where he met his wife, Janice.

David worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, as a registered medical technologist for several years. At North American Phillips, David worked on the optics for their version of a DVD player. He was honored to be hired as a senior engineer at the Oak Ridge National Lab, where he worked for 25 years at X10. He worked with the Border Patrol on security. He attended the Sony Institute of Applied Video Technology and worked closely with the Air Force to make a training simulator for guiding the Patriot Missile. David loved his Country and hoped his work helped to keep it safe. David received too many awards and accommodations to list.

David enjoyed sailing and was a member of the Ohio State Sailing Team. He loved family vacations at the beach and the Big Smith Family Christmases at his sister Kathy’s house. His joy was watching his sons play baseball and seeing them grow into wonderful men. He loved his grandchildren and will miss seeing them grow up. David could build and fix darn near anything, and he actually liked to cut grass. He spent his retirement years with his wife, Janice, but not vacationing or traveling. Instead, it was doctor appointments, surgery, tests, and therapy.

David was preceded in death by his mother, Christine Starr; stepfather, Phillip Starr; stepfather, William Myers; father, Earl Smith; stepmother, Gene Smith; and sister, Kathy Smith Wolfe.

David will be deeply missed by his caring and devoted wife of 47 years, Janice Roginski Smith; sons, Nicholas Dean Smith and Andrew Russell Smith; grandson, Adam Smith; twin granddaughters, Amelia and Charlotte Smith; brothers, Bill Myers and wife Lynda, Bruce Smith, and Brian Smith (Danny Wright); brother in-law Gary Wolfe; nephews Steven and James Vanhoose (Billy Kalemba), and Shane Smith; nieces, Leslie Vanhoose and Melissa Myers; cousin, Pam (Bob) Simurda; also long-time friends Dave Guthrie, Bob Skinner, and best friend Jerry Thomas who not only shared a love of shooting with David but also a birthday.

The family is immensely grateful to all who helped David during his final years, especially Teresa, India, and his wonderful hospice nurses, Courtney and Chanda.

Dogwood Cremation is handling the arrangements. Because of the COVID-19 virus, the family will have a private memorial service at a later date.

Lawrence Ray Spencer, 73, passed July 25, 2020. Lawrence never knew a stranger and was always trying to make someone laugh. He had a special love for his Punk-A-Doo (Truu). Survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Lerae (Marcus) Brooks, Roseanna and William; brothers, Joe (Frances), Terry (Kathy), Rickey (Cathy) and Kenneth (Judy); grandchildren, Kayla (Nevin), Will, Jordan and Alexis (Ray’zhaunn); 6 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 29th, from 3-4 pm at Redemption Life Church with a Celebration of Life Service at 4 pm.