Mrs. Marie Ambrose McDermott

Mrs. Marie Ambrose McDermott, 76, of 229 Old Fishery Road, Erwin, died Sunday, April 26, 1998 in the Unicoi County Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. McDermott was a native of Unicoi County, and the daughter of the late Wade R. and Bessie Boone Ambrose. She was a homemaker, and a former employe of Southern Pottery. Mrs. McDermott was amember of Fishery Community Church.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thurmon McDermott in 1979; one brother, J.L. Amborse, in 1997; and one sister, June Ambrose Salts, in 1962. Survivors include: two brothers, J.K. Ambrose, Erwin, and Brown Ambrose, Unicoi; and one sister, Louise Allen, Erwin; several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Mrs. McDermott is interred in the Fishery Community Cemetery.

Mrs. June Hall McInturff

Mrs. June Hall McInturff, 76, of #1 Brooklawn Court, Johnson City died Tuesday March 24, 1998 in the Johnson City Medical Center.

She was a Crabtree Township, North Carolina native, but had lived in Unicoi County most of her life before moving to Johnson City 25 years ago. Mrs. McInturff was a daughter of Flossie Hughes Hall, Erwin and the late Earl John Hall. She was employed with the Mayflower Moving Company as a secretary before retiring in 1984 after 20 years of service. Mrs. McInturff was a memebr of Central Baptist Church for 52 years.

Other than her father, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Hugh Silver in 1961; her second husband Jack McInturff in 1986; and one brother, Max Hall in 1976. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include: two daughters; Shirley Silver Brown ans Brenda Stanin, both of Johnson City; five step-sons, Chris McInturff, Erwin, and Dwight McInturff, Keith McInturff, Larry McInturff and Robert McInturff all originally of Erwin; one sister, Darlene Coleman, Erwin; six grandchildren; seven great0grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. McInturff is interred at Evergreen Cemetery.

Mrs. Gladys Bell McKinney

Mrs. Gladys Bell McKinney died Saturday, November 1, 1997, at Appalachian Christian Village.

She was a Unicoi County native and a daughter of the late James W. and Celia G. Bell.

Mrs. McKinney was an Avon representative for 36 years and a homemaker. She was a member of Limestone Cove Methodist Church.

Mrs. McKinney was preceded in death by her husband, Cleophus McKinney, one daughter, one sister and one brother. Survivors include two daughters, Carol Lingerfelt and Joyce Garland, both of Johnson City, Tennessee; two brothers, George Bell and Eugene Bell, both of Unicoi, Tennessee; three sisters, Virginia Cochran, Clinton, Tennessee, Minnie Odom, Unicoi, Tennessee, and Florence Potter, Johnson City, Tennessee; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Trula Jane Higgins McNeese

Mrs. Trual Jane Higgins McNeese, 82, 1126 East Erwin Road, Erwin died Monday, June 1, 1998 at the Erwin Health Care Center after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. McNeese was a native of Unicoi COunty and a daughter of the late Starlin and Lori Edwards Hughes. She was also preceded in death by her hunband, Joseph Allen McNeese; and two infant daughters. Mrs. McNeese was a homemaker and a member of Canah Chapel Frewill Baptist Church.

Survivors include: one daughter, Mary Ruth Arrowood, Erwin; two sons, John A. McNeese, Huddleston, Virginia, and Carl F. McNeese, Jonesborough; one sister, Mary Deaderick, Jonesborough; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren, several nices and nephews and other relatives. Mrs. McNeese is interred in the Vincent Cemetery.

Mrs. Mary R. Mardis

Mrs. Mary R. Mardis, 63, of 228 New Avenue, Erwin, died Sunday, December 14, 1997, at her residence.

Mrs. Mardis was a native of Unicoi County and a daughter of the late Monroe and Nellie Booth Clark. She was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC for 10 years, and later was employed by the Unicoi County Memorial Hospital for 14 years. Mrs. Mardis was a member of Ninth Street Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted Clark and Tom Clark.

Survivors include her husband, Darrel Mardis; two sons, William Mardis, Erwin, and David Mardis, Warner Robbins, Georgia; three sisters, Edith Clark Poore, Margaret Clark Dickey, and Helen Clark Bowman, all of Erwin; three brothers, Leonard Clark and Doug Clark, both of Erwin, and Herman Clark, Cape Coral, Florida; one grandson, Zachary Mardis; and several neices and nephews.

Mr. Herbert Troy Masters

Mr. Herbert Troy Masters, 63 of 128 Tyler Street, Erwin, died Wednesday, December 24, at the Johnson City Medical Center.

Mr. Masters was a native of Erwin and a son of the late Alexander and Rebecca Collins Masters. He retired in 1986 from Gordon's Furniture in Johnson City.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Masters was preceded in death by three brothers. Survivors include: his wife, Foster Masters; four daughters, Katrina Masters and Vanessa Masters of the home, Tammy Layne, Erwin, and Regina Martin, Marion, North Carolina; two sons, Rod Masters, Inman, South Carolina, and Toby Masters, Mayo, South Carolina; four sisters, Jeanette Engle, Lorenna Wilson, and Lena Wilson, all of Erwin, and Virginia Hixson, Summerville, South Carolina; one brother, Bernard Masters, Erwin; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Masters is interred at Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. Toney Metcalf

Mr. Toney Metcalf, 86 of 449 Wheeler Road, Flag Pond, died Saturday, February 7, 1998 in the Unicoi County Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Metcalf was a lifelong resident of Unicoi County and a son of the late George and Lavada Hensley Metcalf. He was a farmer and a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church.

Other than his parents, Mr. Metcalf was preceded in death by seven brothers: Backus Metcalf, Dempsey Metcalf, Lattie Metcalf, Ulis Metcalf, Hubert Metcalf, Bart Metcalf and Jake Metcalf; and one sister, Dessie Metcalf. Survivors include: his wife, Eula Woody Metcalf; five sons, Billy Charles Metcalf, Raye Metcalf, Kenny Dale Metcalf, and Jerry Lynn Metcalf, all of Flag Pond, and Glenn Metcalf of Marshall, North Carolina; seven daughters, Charlsa Lee Edwards, Erwin, Bobbie Jean Honeycutt and Mary Joyce Crain, both of Mars Hill, North Carolina, Linda Ann Keissar and Margaret Susie Raven, both of Benton, Kentucky, Judy Gail Briggs, Marshall, North Carolina, and Faye Thorp, Hendersonville, North Carolina; one brother, Zade Metcalf, Flag Pond; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Metcalf is interred at the State Line Cemetery.

William Murrary (Ron)

Received the death of William Murrary (Ron) who departed this life May 3, 1875 age 85 years had been a member of the Baptist Church a bout 25 years he died perfectly easy and left evidence behind that he was going to rest, he left many relatives and friends behind to mourn their loss.

Mrs. Pearl Tipton Ogle

Mrs. Pearl Tipton Ogle, 65, Route 1, Box 9, Unicoi died Monday May 4, 1998 at her residence.

Mrs. Ogle was a native of Yancey County, North Carolina and a daughter of the late William and Letha Phillips Tipton. She was a homemaker and a memebr of Unicoi Baptist Church where she served as a nursery worker.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenny Ogle on March 2, 1996. Survivors include: one daughter, Lisa Lyle, Erwin; one sister, Ellen Johnson, Bidwell, Ohio; one brother, Woodrwo Tipton, Burnsville, North Carolina; and one grandson, Corben Kevin Eller of Erwin. Mrs. Ogle is interred in Roselawn Memory Gardens.

Mrs. Lovena Garland Pate

Mrs. Lovena Garland Pate died Saturday 16 January 1926. The funeral of Mrs. Vina Pate, which was arranged to occur at 10 o'clock a. m. Tuesday, was delayed a few hours, awaiting the arrival of a daughter and two sons from Adrian, Mich. On Tuesday afternoon a great number of people gathered to pay their last respects to Mrs. Lovena Pate, who died Saturday evening in Cincinnati, Ohio. The services were conducted by Rev. A. C. Sherwood of Erwin, Tenn., after which the body was laid to rest in the Swingle cemetery by the side of her late husband, Nathan Pate, who preceded her to the grave some five years and her mother Susan Garland, who was one hundred and four and one-half years old at the time of her death about six years ago.

The flower-girls were: Mrs. A. D. Phillips,Misses Bertie Buchanan, Pearl and Ruby and Opal Britt, Hazel Erwin, Louise McInturff, Louise Street, Jessie Gauge and Kate and Florence Boothe. The pall-bearers were from the young men of the town, Mr. Arthur Pate's friends. As the funeral procession passed down the street, they paused in silence for about five minutes in front of Mrs. Pate's old home. This mute tribute in remembrance of one who so loved and cherished her home and all that pertained to its comfort, its beauty, its duties and its scaredness was touching in the extreme, and it brought to mind how faithful she was in all these relations. It is no tax of memory to recall her ever watchful care of her aged mother and invalid husband for a number of years before their deaths. Although frail herself at the time she never relaxed her diligence day or night to look after their safety and comfort. We do not hesitate in saying, we never saw such loyalty, such devotion, such faithfulness in any one as she exhibited under these trying circumstances as a daughter, a wife, a mother and a grandmother. And her helpfulness was not confined to the home. She was kind to friends, neighbors, acquaintances and strangers. It must be a fact that no one ever went to her home in blossom time, even to a tiny child, just large enough to grasp a flower in its tiny fist, and came away without a nose gay. Her flower garden was a wonder and a beauty never to be forgotten. How fitting the many and beautiful floral offerings at her burial.

The deceased Lovena Garland, daughter of John and Susan Garland, was born and reared in the Limestone Cove, was married in youth to Nathan Pate, and lived her long and useful life in this vicinity. She lived for may years in Unicoi, until the death of her husband. Since then she has lived part of the time here, part in Adrian, Mich. and part in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the time of her death she was making her home with her daughter, Mrs. John Sutphin in Cincinnati.

On Friday last, the physicians, who were attending her in her illness, advised an operation to remove a thyroid tumor which was obstructing her breathing. This was offered as a mere chance of life. She was taken to the Jewish hospital on Saturday where the operation was performed, and while it afforded relief did not avail to prolong the life which was already spent and she passed away Saturday evening.

The deceased was seventy-seven years old and was from her child-hood a member of the Christian church. She is survived by two daughters. Mrs. Fuller Miller of Adrian, Mich., Mrs. John Sutphin of Cincinnati, Ohio; four sons, Messers Perry and John Pate, of Adrian, Mich; George of Johnson City; A. R. Pate of Unicoi, and a great number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mrs. George Pate and daughters are guest of Mrs. Sallie Boothe and family. Messrs. Perry and John Pate and Mesdames Miller and Sutphin are seeing old friends in Unicoi. They are here on account of the funeral of their mother, Mrs. Vina Pate. They will take leave the latter part of the week for their respective homes. All of Mrs. Pate's children were here except Mr. George Pate, who was in Florida and could not be reached in time.

Ora L. Duncan Peterson

Mrs. Ora L. Duncan Peterson, 101 of 1517 Carlotta Road, Jacksonville, Florida died Saturday, March 28, 1998 in the River Garden Nursing Home, Jacksonville, Florida.

Mrs. Peterson was a Unicoi County native, having lived in Erwin before moving to Florida in 1963. She was a daughter of the late Laws and Alice Bean Duncan. She owned and operated the D and P Store, located on Carolina Avenue in Erwin from 1924 to 1943. Mrs. Peterson was a member of Parkwood Baptist Church, Jacksonville, where she was a former nursery worker.

Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bob Peterson in 1955, five brothers, and four sisters. Survivors include : one son, Charles E. Peterson, Jacksonville; two brothers, James Duncan and Roy Duncan both of Erwin; two sisters, Ruby Miller and Ethel Malone, both of Erwin; two grandchildren, Charles E. Peterson, Junior, Jacksonville, and Carol Harrell, Atlanta; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Peterson is interred in Evergreen Cemetery.

Mr. John Dewey Phillips

Mr. John Dewey Philliips, 79 of 1125 Prince Street, Erwin, died Saturday, February 7, 1998 at Lake Bridge Health Care, Johnson City.

Mr. Phillips was a native of Yancey County, North Carolina, and a son of Millie Adkins Phillips, Johnson City, formerly of Erwin and of the late Will Phillips. He owned and operated Phillips Lumber Company, Parrottsville, for more than 30 years. Mrs. Phillips attended Trinity Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy K. Phillips on August 3, 1997. In addition to his mother, survivors include: two sons, Nick Phillips, and Darryl Phillips both of Erwin; one sister, Lena Jones, Erwin; three brothers, Bruce Phillips, M.L. Phillips, and Dee Adkins, all of Erwin; and three grandchildren, Angela Arrowood, Bridget Hughes, and Jerrod Phillips. Mr. Phillips is interred at Roselawn Memory Gardens.

Mr. Tate Ernest Ramsey

Mr. Tate Ernest Ramsey, 76, Route 2, Box 40, Erwin, died Tuesday, November 25, 1997, at his residence.

He was a Yancey County, North Carolina native who lived most of his life in Unicoi County, and a son of the late Jobe and Lydia Miller Ramsey.

Mr. Ramsey was employed by the Tennessee Division of Forestry, having retired after 20 years of service, and also a retired farmer. He was a past board member of the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) and a past board member of the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service (ASCS). Mr. Ramsey was a United States Army Veteran of World War II, having served in China. He attended Pilgrim Freewill Baptist Church.

Mr. Ramsey was preceded in death by two brothers, Niram Ramsey and John Ramsey; and one sister, Myma Bailey. Survivors include his wife, Trula Wilson Ramsey; one son, James A. "Jim" Ramsey, Erwin; one daughter, Joyce Ann Willis, Erwin; one sister, Opal Love, Erwin; two granddaughters, Bethany Ann Willis and Natalie Jill Willis.

Mr. Earl Randolph

Mr. Earl Randolph, 71, if 1126 East Erwin Road, Meadowood Park, Erwin, died Wednesday, March 11, 1998 at Johnson City Medical Center.

Mr. Randolph was a son of the late Robert and Josie Saults Randolph. He was a lifelong resident of Unicoi County. He had been employed with the National Casket Company for 11 years and retired from the Clinchfield Railroad in 1979 after 12 years of service. Mr. Randolph ateeneded the Pentecostal Holiness Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Olen Randolph. Survivors include: one son, Michale Randolph, Baltimore; one daughter, becky Randolph, Greeneville; four sisters, Mary Lee Wilson, Cora Tolley, Betty Effler, and Trula Foster, all of Erwin; four grandchildren, Amber Randolph, Alinda Randolph, Ariana Randolph, and Angela Randolph, all of Baltimore; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Randolph is interred in Roselawn Memory Gardens.

Rube "R.M." Renfro, Junior

Mr. Rube "R.M." Renfro, 72 odf 1126 East Erwin Road, Meadowood Park, Erwin, died Wednesday, February 18, 1998 in the Veteran's Affiars Medical Center, Mountain Home.

He was a Unicoi County native but had lived in Toledo, Ohio for 16 years before returning to Erwin. He was s on of the late Rube M., Senior and Frances Honeycutt Renfro. Mr. Renfro was an Army and Navy Veteran of World War Two, having served in the European Theater and the South Pacific. He was employed with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad before retiring in 1976. Mr. Renfro was of the Presbyterian faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: one daughter, Sandra Lee Ollis, in 1990; one infant son, Wayne Renfro; and one brother, Leon Renfro in 1959. Survivors include: two sisters, Mrs. Azalene Dover and Mrs. Violet Mathes, both of Erwin; one granddaughter, Alexandria Ollis, Jonesborough; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mr. Renfro is interred at Evergreen Cemetery. Military honors were rendered at the graveside by the Kingsport Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Number 3382.

Matilda Caroline Rice

Received the death notice of Matilda Caroline Rice who departed this life June 17, 1871, age 37 years. Professed religion and joined the Baptist Church October 25, 1852 and was an orderly working member up to her death an died in the full triumph of a loving faith, an left a husband an 7 children an many friends to mourn their loss.

Mr. Ray Rice

Mr. Ray Rice, 75, died Monday at North Side Hospital, Johnson City, Tennessee after a brief illness.

He was a lifelong resident of Flag Pond and a son of Elbert J. and Bertha Briggs Rice.

He was a retired employee of North American Rayon, Elizabethton, Tennessee where he worked in the spinning department for 32 years. An Army Veteran, Rice attended Flag Pond Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by one son and five brothers. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Randall Rice; one daughter, Kathy Jones of Kennesaw, Georgia; two brothers, Chester Rice of Flag Pond and Ernie Rice of Jonesborough, Tennessee; two sisters, Mrs. John Hardin and Mrs. George Hensley of Erwin; three grandchildren; one great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kenneth Earl Roberts

Kenneth Earl Roberts, 69, of Sumter, South Carolina died Tuesday, Janaury 20, 1998, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Roberts was a Unicoi native and son of the late Richard Roberts and Nola Cochran Roberts.

He was a retired United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and a World War II veteran.

Survivors include: two daughters, Angela L. Cottingham of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Teresa E. Tracy of Abilene, Texas; two sisters, June Brown, Weaverville, North Carolina and Fay Roberts, Unicoi; and five grandchildren. Mr. Roberts is interred at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery with military honors.

Mr. George Hubert Rogers

Mr. George Hubert Rogers, 86, of 308 Smith Street, Erwin, died Sunday, January 4, 1998 at his residence.

Mr. Rogers was a Washington County native, but had lived most of his life in Unicoi County. He was the son of the late Sam and Pearl Riddle Rogers. Mr. Rogers was employed with the Clinchfield Railroad and retired after 17 years of service. After retirement he worked for Southside Coal as a truck driver. He attended Erwin Church of God.

Other than his parents, he he was preceded in death by three sisters, Mattie Hollifield, Evalee Hollifield and Bertha Miller. Survivors include his wife, Helen Doan Rogers, of the home; one son, Frank Rogers of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania; five daughters, Kathleen Green of Leola, Pennsylvania, Frances Bales of Paragould, Arkansas, Carolyn Pate, Linda Garland, and Merita Edwards, all of Erwin; five sons-in-law, Richard Green, Ronnie Bales, J.M. Pate, Roy "Sonny" Garland, and Ronnie Edwards; one daughter-in-law, Helen Rogers; two sisters, Kate Bailey and Virginia Belle Morrow, both of Erwin; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Rogers is interred at Fishery Cemetery.

Mrs. Irene Lloyd Rogers

Mrs. Irene Lloyd Rogers, 69, of 1127 North Main Avenue died Thursday March 26, 1998 at the Johnson City Medical Center.

Mrs. Rogers was a native of Unicoi County, and a daughter of the late Benjamin and Blanche Tittle Lloyd. Mrs. Lloyd was a homemaker. She was a member of West Park Street Freewill Baptist Church, and also attended Harvestime Apostoplic Church, both in Erwin.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two sons and two daughters. Survivors include: one daughter, Teresa Rogers Powers, Unicoi; five sons, Jimmy Rogers, Erwin, Michael Rogers and Charles Rogers, both of Johnson City, Danny Rogers, Knoxville, and Steven Rogers, Erwin; one sister, Ruby Miller, Erwin, 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Rogers is interred at Garland Cemetery.