Donald S. DeFord Jr. (Mike), 84, passed away June 21, 2016 at his residence. He is survived by his beloved daughters, Beth (Steve) Hodgin, Amy (Mike) Slifko, Jo (Danny) Deckard and Meg (Ross) Raines; sisters, Pat (Doug) Hix and Margie (Don) Hauck; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; special friends, Danny (Sherry) Newport; and companion, Glenda Hendon.…

Thomas Ras Cooley, age 70, of Whitwell passed away Friday, June 24, 2016.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie Ancle and Agnes Henry Cooley; infant grandchild, Tasha Higgins; infant sister, Elzada Cooley; brother, Jessie Ancle Cooley, Jr.; niece, Cathy Jo Cooley; and nephew, Stephen Cooley. Those left to cherish his memories are…

Hugh Baker, age 79, of Lusk Community in Pikeville, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at his home. He was a member of Mooneyham Freewill Baptist Church and was retired from Carpenter Local 74.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sue Baker; parents, Emory Baker and Mildred Roberts; three sisters, Bobbie Roberson,…

Christopher Davitt, 69, of Pikeville, went home to be with the Lord Friday, June 17, 2016. He was of the Catholic Faith. Preceding Christopher in death was his father, James Davitt; sister, Bonnie Koske; brother, Lawerence Davitt. Left to cherish Christopher’s memories are his wife, Kathy Davitt, Pikeville; mother Molly Davitt, Pikeville; son Matthew (Sol)…

Willis Johnson,  94, of El Paso, Texas passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Mr. Johnson was born April 13, 1922. He helped his father on the farm and sawmill. He was a machine operator when called to serve in the Army during WWII, at which time he was awarded The American Theater Ribbon with Three…

Carol Colvard, 67, of Pikeville, went home to be with the Lord Monday, June 13, 2016.  Carol was of the Christian faith and attended First Southern Baptist Church.  She worked with the Bledsoe County Board of Education for 29 years.   Carol also loved reading, cross-stitching, embroidery, and painting.   Preceding Carol in death were…

Keith Billingsley, age 20, of Dunlap, passed away Tuesday night, June 7, 2016.  Most everyone knew him as Keith Billingsley. To his family he was known as Travis Keith, and to a select few he was called Little Man. No matter who had the pleasure to meet him, they all walked away with a smile.…

Betty L. Rains, age 84, of Lusk Community in Pikeville, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.  She was a member of Bethel church of Christ, enjoyed cooking for family and friends, had a love for the outdoors, which included spending time working with her flowers, and loved to quilt.  She was preceded…

Irene Kelly Griffith, local educator of Sequatchie County Schools, passed away June 3, 2016 at NHC Sequatchie.  She was 108 years old.   After graduation from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1929, she spent 37 years in the teaching profession in Bledsoe and Sequatchie counties.  She was a reserve member of the Delta…

Christopher Wade “Chris” Axmacher, 33, of Signal Mountain died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 4, 2016. He was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Morris and Melba Britt. He is survived by his parents, Wade and Tammie Britt Axmacher; brother, Kevin Axmacher; sister, Jennifer Axmacher; nephews, Cameron and Takota; niece,…