Obituaries

May 17, 2023

Betty Jean Hicks Hickman, age 91, of Decatur passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at the Hospice of Chattanooga Care Center. She was born in McMinn County, Tn on August 6, 1931 to the late Harry and Violet Neotia Watson Hicks. Betty grew up in the Hillsview Community where she attended the Hillsview School and later graduated...

Apr 25, 2023

Betty Ross Miller Letner, age 85, of Niota, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at her residence.

She was a member of the Church of Niota, loved Elvis, and going to auctions.

She is preceded in death by son: C.A. Letner, Jr., granddaughter: Amber Chrisman, brother: R.L. Miller.

She is survived by...

Apr 24, 2023

Barbara Lewis Reed, age 71, of Decatur, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023 at home, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was the daughter of the late Robert S. “Bob” and Melba Green Lewis. Barbara was the happiest being a wife to Larry and a Gran to her grandchildren. She hugely supported her grandchildren in...

Apr 22, 2023

Mary Katherine Kyker Hale, age 90, a lifelong resident of Decatur, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023. She was a member of the Ladies Alhambra Shrine, Jokers, and Hillbilly Unit, along with a 50-year member of Spring City #209 Order of the Eastern Star. She is preceded in death by her husband: James D. Hale, infant son: Donald James...

Apr 22, 2023

Charles Alvin Childs II, (Cacy to his family, and Chip to his clown family), age 35, of Decatur passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Park West Medical Center in Knoxville, TN. He was born on June 29, 1987, in Chattanooga, TN, and graduated from Meigs County High School in 2005. Alvin was a member of Walnut Grove...

Apr 21, 2023

Albert William Orr, age 68, of Decatur, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents: Harvey Orr and Elise Penry, baby brother: Buddy. He is survived by his wife: Beverly Rogers Orr, children: Donna Baggott, Amy Samuel, Daniel Orr, brothers: Bobby, Jeffery, Gary, Duane, sisters: Sue, Betty, three grandchildren, and other extended family....

Apr 19, 2023

Earl Richard Boles, Sr., age 79, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. He was a member of APA Pool League, and avid fisherman and loved by his children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents: Earl Webb Boles and Earlene Hall Boles. He is survived by his sons: Earl Richard Boles, Jr. and Andy Boles, daughter:...

Apr 12, 2023

Stella Opal Smith, age 90, of Kingston, passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Stella was a daughter to the late Clarence and Ida Kenner Smith. She was preceded in death by husband: Leonard Smith, children: Opal Purlee, Steve Harvey, Charles, Harvey, sisters: Dorothy Goodson, Mildred Lovelace, brothers: Woodrow, Sam, Marvin, Johnny, and Wilburn Smith, grandchildren: Christiana Burton, Frances Duff,...

Apr 9, 2023

Laura Lee Petitt Scott, age 96, of Decatur, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023, at her residence. She was born on September 11, 1926, to the late Floyd and Maggie Sneed Petitt. She was a member of Goodfield United Methodist Church. Known as a wonderful cook, famous for her chess pies and contagious laughter, she made sure her family...

Apr 9, 2023

Rita Joanne Wheaton Morris, age 77, of Decatur, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023. She was preceded in death by her father: Herman Wheaton, mother and stepfather: Myrtle and Archie Buck, husband: Bob Morris, siblings: Frank, Peggy, John, Larry “Butch”, Doug, Stacy, Linda, Audrey, Clara, Dolly. She is survived by her boyfriend: Gary Mosher, children: Mary Monroe, Billy Washburn,...

Mar 26, 2023

Ryder Lee Mason Smith, 7-week-old son of Krista Adams and Kenneth Smith, of Georgetown, passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023. He is preceded in death by his great grandparents: Eddy Finke, Dennis Simonds, Jean Barron, R.D. Adams, Cleland McClain and Gary Klaiss, Jr., aunt: Tiffany Alongi and her Baby Lyric. In addition to his parents he is survived by...

Mar 23, 2023

Michael Anthony “Tony” Letner, age 55, of Athens, passed away on Thursday, March 23, 2023, surrounded by his family. He loved dancing, helping the less-fortunate, antiques, sports, and his family. He is preceded in death by his father: James Letner, son: Shane Letner, infant brother: Billy Letner, grandparents: Dale and Maudie Letner, Joe and Melba Moore. He is survived by...

Mar 16, 2023

James Allen Brown, Jr, age 63, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2023 from a short battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his dad: James A. Brown, Sr and his mom: Della Ruth Cardin Brown. He is survived by his sister: Cindy Bivens, nieces: Michele Locker and family, Chelsy McDermott and family, Aunt: Jane Bowers, several cousins...

Mar 5, 2023

Captain’s Log Stardate 12303.14 (March 14, 2023): Historical Research of Renee Yvonne Bryant Lynn of the planet Earth The ship has returned to Earth to research the life of a dedicated crew member, Renee Yvonne Bryant Lynn, of the City of Decatur in the State of Tennessee. While orbiting the planet with our deflector shields up to keep us unobserved,...

Feb 20, 2023

Milton Allen Garner, age 66, of Ten Mile, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023 at his residence. He was a son of the late Oliver and Lucille Rebun Garner and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Rena Burke, Ronnie Garner. He is survived by his son: Tyler Garner, siblings: Carl Garner, Linda Smith,...

Jan 18, 2023

Rev. Herbert Stokes, age 88, of Harrison, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. He served the Lord faithfully since 1957, his prayer was to be a blessing to someone today. He was a true hero of the faith and a member of the Greenwood Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents: Floyd and...

Jan 16, 2023

Clifford Ronald Elkins was born on January 14, 1938 to the late Reverend Haverd and Ruby O’Daniel Elkins and joined them in heaven on January 16, 2023 at the age of 85. He was preceded in death by his wife: Shizuko “Miki” Elkins, a son: Steve Elkins, and a grandson: Austin Steven. Clifford was a Veteran of the United States...

Jan 9, 2023

William John Hotchkiss, age 54, a native of Binghamton, NY and resident of Decatur, TN for the past 4 years, passed away on Monday, January 9, 2023. He was a master fabricator of sheet metal and a member of Sheet Metal Local #5. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, known as the “Wheelie King”, and was passionate about dog rescue....

Jan 8, 2023

Chuck “Chucky” Vaughn Letner, age 55, of Ten Mile, passed away on Sunday, January 8, 2023. He was the son of the late Vaughn Letner and Mary Letner Thomas. He is survived by his sons: Mark Letner and Chris McCoy, a brother: Calvin Letner, several aunts, uncles, and other extended family. A memorial service will be held at a later...

Jan 6, 2023

Barbara J. Crisp, age 84, of Harrison, passed away on Friday, January 6, 2023. A private graveside was held at Short Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Decatur Funeral Home & Cremation Services is honored to serve the Crisp Family.