Penny Gail Cothran
, Tennessee
Penny Gail Cothran (née Krzyske), born November 27, 1950, in Waltz, Michigan passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, in Rockwall. Penny grew up in Waltz, and was known for her kindness, warmth, and welcoming spirit. She loved God deeply, cherished her church family, and found great joy in loving and serving others.She especially loved being a beloved mother and grandmother, creating joyful memories for her family through thoughtful gifts, Easter basket hunts, Christmas celebrations, and the little details that made every holiday and birthday feel meaningful and full of love.Penny also had a special passion for Operation Christmas Child. She amazed many with her ability to stretch a dollar through sales and bargain hunting so that more children could be blessed through each shoebox gift.Her smile, thoughtfulness, generosity, and servant’s heart warmed the lives of many. She faithfully loved others, pointed people toward Christ, and lived with the quiet…
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Kristin Suzanne Schaller
, Tennessee
Kristin Suzanne Schaller, 46, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, May 1, 2026. Her time with us was far too short, but Kristin filled the lives of those around her with warmth and compassion.Kristin will be deeply missed by her friends and loved ones. She was passionate, genuine, and had a special love for animals, especially dogs. She brought comfort and joy to every life she touched - human and puppy alike. Her gentle heart and caring spirit will always be remembered.She is survived by her loving parents, Bill and Karen Schaller; her sister, Kimberly Grant; her nieces, Alex, Kaitlyn, and Hailey Grant; and her beloved fur baby, Max.In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Kristin's memory to the Loudon County Animal Shelter.Kristin's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
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Ronna Jones Nelson
, Tennessee
January 29, 2026
Ronna Jones Nelson, formerly from Lenoir City, passed away on January 30, 2026 surrounded by her family. Ronna played the clarinet in the Lenoir City High School marching band and graduated from Lenoir City High in 1968 and Hiwassee Junior College in 1970. She met and married the love of her life, Kirk Nelson in Atlanta.She was preceded in death by her father, John A Jones; mother, Audrey Lee Jones, and her husband, Kirk Nelson. Ronna is survived by her brother, Johnny Jones (Trish) and her sister, Linda Jones Victory (Frank).Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23rd at Click Funeral Home in Lenoir City. Burial will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery in Lenoir City. Click Funeral Home, 109 Walnut Street, Lenoir City is in charge of arrangements.
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Cecil William "Bucky" Smith Jr.
, Tennessee
May 13, 2026
Cecil W. “Bucky” Smith Jr., age 72 of Lenoir City passed away on May 14, 2026. He was a member of the Oak Ridge Rotary Club, Tennessee Society Sons of the Revolution, and Riders of the Silver Screen Cowboy Club. Bucky was currently serving as the Program Director of the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum and a former Program Director of Tanasi Council of Girl Scouts USA. He enjoyed everything in the outdoors: working with horses, backpacking, canoeing, and gardening.He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil W. Smith Sr.; mother, Lula Mae Littleton Smith; sister, Cecilia Ann Smith Luckett, and special mother-in-law, Mable Marshall Westbrook.Survived by his devoted wife of 26 years, Janice Snider Westbrook Smith; niece, Angie Luckett Demoski (Ernie); nephew, Geoff Luckett (Kori), and niece, Amanda Luckett Spangler (Joe); great nieces: Cecilia, Sydney, Chloe, and Katie Mae; special friends, Sam and Lori Maner.The family will receive friends…
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Shirley Malone Hickman
, Tennessee
Shirley Malone Hickman age 71 of Lenoir City passed away Monday, May 18, 2026. Shirley retired from JTEK and currently worked at Tellico Village Wellness Center. She was of the Baptist faith. Shirley loved to bake and spend time with her grandkids.Preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Alice Hicks Malone.She is survived by her husband, Jim Hickman; daughter, Missy Hickman Kline (Courtney); grandchildren: Parker Alice Swain, Reagan Swain, Cameron Swain, Kyndal Swain, and Karter Kline; sister, Brenda Poynter along with several nieces and nephews.The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20th at Click Funeral Home in Lenoir City. Funeral services will be follow at 7 p.m. in the Click Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ty Brewster officiating. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home by 10:30 Thursday morning and proceed to the Loudon Co. Memorial Gardens for graveside services at…
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Thomas Dyal
, Tennessee
Thomas Dyal - age 72 of Knoxville, passed away suddenly May 14, 2026. He was a loving father and grandfather.Preceded in death by his parents, John and Lennis McCullough Dyal; brothers, W. H. Dyal, Burrlan Dyal and Leon Dyal; sisters: Billie Grigsby (Bill), Carol Reeves (Chuck), Ann Davidson (Ted) and Liz Morgan (Lloyd); granddaughter, Taila Kneiser; and the mother of his children, Diana “Suzy” Hamlett.Survived by his daughter, Lennis Dyal (Paul Hughes); son, Thomas Dyal (Ashley); grandchildren; Mason Hughes, Zane Kneiser, Emily Dyal, and Sierra Dyal; great-granddaughter, Natalie Dyal; sister, Jean Ledbetter (Steve) along with numerous nieces and nephews.A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced by Click Funeral Home, 109 Walnut Street, Lenoir City.
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Gary Allen Ballard Jr.
, Tennessee
August 28, 1971
Gary Allen Ballard Jr. age 54, of Knoxville died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 13, 2026. Gary was born on August 29, 1971 to Gary and Debbie Ballard in Knoxville, TN. Gary lived life to the fullest and on his terms. He was always a pillar of fun with his Family and Friends. Those many many family members, friends and his dogs (past and present) were central to who Gary was. He will be remembered fondly by all and will be missed dearly.Gary was a good step-father to Jesse Hall who passed away in 2018.He leaves behind his loving wife of 25 years, Becky Ballard; parents, Debbie and Gary Ballard; sister, Kristi Kerr (Chip); nephews, Chase Kerr and Tyler Kerr; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bruce and Pam Price; as well as an army of very close relatives and friends.A Celebration of Life is being planned and will be announced…
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Jerry Edwin Kidd
, Tennessee
Jerry Edwin Kidd, born October 14, 1951, left this mortal realm on May 14, 2026.Preceded in death by his parents, Edwin M. Kidd and Nila C. Kidd, and his beloved dog, Walter.Jerry was born in Jellico, Tennessee, spent his youth in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, later making Loudon County his home.While here, he graced us all with his wisdom, strength, generosity, and humor. He truly exhibited the characteristics of a good, strong man.He held many positions of work — a General Motors factory worker in Cincinnati, served six years in the Army Reserves, a long haul trucker, and his greatest passion — an educator. He inspired thousands of students over his 30 years in education and valued every one of them, as they did him.He was a source of kindness, strength, and grace for his sisters and brother Sherry Stewart (Larry), Nora Black (Clifford), Katrina Kidd, Kevin Kidd and Jerry’s cherished…
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