Dr. William David Sullins Jr.
Dr. William David Sullins Jr., Rear Admiral USN, Ret., 62, loving husband, father, grandfather, devoted optometrist and serviceman, died peacefully on Sunday morning, Feb. 6, 2005, at Baptist West Hospital in Knoxville.
A lifelong resident of Athens, he graduated from McMinn County High School in 1960. He attended Tennessee Wesleyan College and the Southern College of Optometry.
Practicing optometry in Athens for almost 40 years, he cared for thousands of patients and held privileges at three area hospitals. He was director of eye care services at Woods Memorial Hospital.
His contributions to the field of optometry and to the U.S. Navy were vast, rewarding him with the highest honors in both. He was a prolific author and noted speaker in optometry, contributing to the clinical education of two generations of America´s eye doctors. Over the course of his remarkable career, he served as the national president for the American Optometric Association, and was later inducted into the National Optometry Hall of Fame. He chaired the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the Tennessee Optometric Association, as well as numerous committees in the American Academy of Optometry. He also received the Carel Kock Medal for inter-disciplinary activity.
While serving his country, he became the first optometrist to ever attain the rank of Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy, serving later as deputy director of the Medical Service Corps until 1995, when he retired from the Navy. He was a founding member of the Armed Forces Optometric Society. The “Admiral David Sullins Award” was created in his honor by the U.S. Navy to annually honor the most outstanding junior officer in the Medical Service Corps.
Since 1965, he had been a leader and innovator in optometry. One of his most cherished programs developed into a nationwide public eye care program to promote healthy eyes in infants, known as InfantSee. He was a pioneer in cooperative management of surgical cases between optometrists and eye surgeons, pairing local doctors with gifted surgeons to bring the best eye care to patients in rural and underserved areas. He was co-medical director and board member of The Laser Center (TLC), the largest provider of laser vision correction services in North America.
Civically, he contributed much to Athens and McMinn County, serving as Mayor of Athens from 1979 to 1982. He was named Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce in 1977, and later served as president. He was also president of the Athens YMCA and chaired the Capital Campaign to fund its new facility in 1971. He directed the Boy Scouts´ Unaka District, served as president of Athens Kiwanis Club, winning the Distinguished Club President Award, and was Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 1927. He served on numerous civic and corporate boards, including Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association; Springbrook Golf and Country Club; First National Bank and Trust; and BB&T. Last May, he was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from Tennessee Wesleyan College for his universal humanitarian contributions. Sullins was a lifelong member of Keith Memorial United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school and served on numerous committees.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Fair Sullins.
Survivors include his wife, Leslie Methvin Sullins of Niota; his father and stepmother, Dr. William David Sr. and Martha Ann Sullins; two sons and daughters-in-law, Drs. William David “Trey” III and Christa Sullins, and Dr. Stuart and Amy Sullins; five grandsons, Timothy Blake Sullins, Jonathon David Sullins, George William Sullins, Samuel Harrison Sullins and Andrew David Sullins, all of Athens; his former wife, Judith Jones Sullins of Athens; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Fair and Robert Bowmaster and Susie and Peter Dufresne, all of Marietta, Ga.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Keith Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Hubble and the Rev. Jason Gattis officiating. Burial will follow in Sullins Cemetery with full military honors at the graveside provided by the U.S. Navy.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the American Optometric Association and co-members of the Naval Medical Corps.
The family will receive friends from noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. William David Sullins Jr. Scholarship Fund, c/o American Optometric Association, 243 North Lindberg Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7881, or the Rear Admiral Sullins Jr. MSC Scholarship Fund (SCH-120), c/o The Virginia Beach Foundation, P.O. Box 4629, Virginia Beach, VA 23454.
Those unable to attend the service may sign the guest register book at www.jerrysmithfuneralhome.com
Jerry Smith Funeral Home of Athens is serving the family of Dr. William David Sullins Jr.
Rosa L. Campbell
Rosa L. Campbell, 79, of Decatur, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 1, 2005, at Athens Regional Medical Center.
A native of Etowah, she was a daughter of the late Henry Harrison and Ella Hollifield Cook. She was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church and was active in Retreads, a group for senior members of the church. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and sewing and was preceded in death by her husband of 15 years, James L. Key; her husband of 10 years, Henry “Hank” Campbell; five brothers, Fred Cook, Warren Cook, Bill Cook, Dallas Cook and John R. Cook; one sister, Nancy Cook; and one infant grandson, Kelly Malone.
Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Doris and Ronald Malone of Englewood, and Virginia Key of Rocky Face, Ga.; one son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Jan Key of Ten Mile; one sister-in-law, Billie Cook of Englewood; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Elizabeth Miller of Athens, and Lou Ella and Jimmy Green of San Antonio, Texas; two grandchildren, Rhonda R. Holder and Joshua Key; two great-grandchildren, Amanda Holder and Nicole Holder; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Thursday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg McCosh and Brother Will Hughes officiating and concluding with the Celebration of Life video. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Friday and proceed to Sunrise Cemetery for the 11 a.m. burial.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, sign the guest registry at www.bordwinefuneralhome.com
Ronny Martin Haney
Ronny Martin Haney, 59, of Ringgold, Ga., died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, at a health care facility in Rossville, Ga.
He was formerly of Athens, where he attended Englewood High School and was a graduate of the Class of 1966. He was the second son of the late Kittie Sue Haynes Haney, formerly of Athens, and the late Marshall Reed Haney, formerly of Chattanooga. He moved to Rossville, Ga., where he worked for the Discount Market, the former Atkins Supperette, for 15 years.
Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Brenda Haney of Ringgold, Ga.; one son, Kenneth Marshall Haney of Athens; two daughters and one son-in-law, Stephanie and Ronnie Stokes of Resaca, Ga., and Sabrina Haney of Athens; one brother and sister-in-law, Don and Wanda B. Haney of Rossville, Ga.; one sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Tom Lail of Staunton, Va.; four grandchildren, Nicole Stokes, Nathan Stokes, Chelsey Haney and Alexis Haney; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Evangelist Don Haney officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Athens, with the release of a flock of white doves concluding the service.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Send a message of condolence and view the Haney family guest book at www.ralphbucknerofetowah.com
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Jo “Bug” Jacobs Davis
Virginia Jo “Bug” Jacobs Davis, a friend of everyone, 78, of McMinn County, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Sonya Davis.
A native of Sweetwater and a resident of McMinn County for most of her life, she was a daughter of the late Henry Hatcher “H.H.” and Josie Belle Bright Jacobs, and was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, the Rev. J. Floyd Davis, on Dec. 23, 2000, who had pastored Baptist churches in Illinois, North Carolina and McMinn County. She was also preceded in death by one brother, H.H. Jacobs Jr.; and two sisters, Madge Rudd and Josephine Whitman. She was a member of Marshall Hill Baptist Church and served along with her husband in many churches, having taught Sunday school, working in the W.M.U. and as church pianist for many years.
Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Rod and Beth Davis of Hixson, Greg and Sonya Davis of Niota, the Rev. Joe and Marjorie Davis of McMinn County, and Aaron and Roberta Davis of McMinn County; one sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and Billy C. Ridenor of Sweetwater; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Marshall Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Joe Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Niota Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Corey Wilson, Matthew Watson, Doug Casteel, Tony Moore, Matt Stansberry and Brad Colloms.
The body will lie in state from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the church. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home.
Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.
Jeannie W. Robertson
Jeannie W. Robertson, 62, of Etowah, left here to be with our Father on Saturday morning, Nov. 5, 2005, at her residence.
A native and lifelong resident of Etowah, she was a daughter of the late Hugh Wallin, who died in 1955. She was a LPN, was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by one infant son.
Survivors include her husband, Thane Robertson of Etowah; one daughter and son-in-law, Amber W. and Sean Sewell of Marietta, Ga.; two grandsons, Greyson and Preston Sewell, both of Marietta, Ga.; her mother, Polly Wallin of Etowah; one brother and sister-in-law, Teddy and Lee Wallin of Brentwood; one niece, Heather Wallin; several aunts, uncles, cousins and her husband´s family; and special friends, Janet Carver, Kim Holt and Bonnie Green.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Monday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Pete Morgan officiating. Family and Friends will assemble at the funeral home at 9 a.m. Tuesday and proceed to Green Hill Cemetery for the 10 a.m. burial.
Pallbearers will be Buddy Martin, Jason Robertson, Terry Rose, Stanny Robertson, Dennis Rayburn and Matt Webb.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, call the office at 263-7033 for further information, or sign the guest registry at www.bordwinefuneralhome.com
Jack R. Conner
Jack R. Conner, 75, of Englewood, died early Monday morning, June 5, 2006, at Woods Memorial Hospital.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was a graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College and was retired from Bowater Southern Paper Corporation. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War, and was a son of the late John and Sallie Zimmerman Conner. He was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by one son, Jack Byron Conner; one daughter, Yvonne Marie Bryant; and one brother, Paul R. Conner.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Davis Conner of Englewood; five sons and two daughters-in-law, Jack Edward Bryant of Green River, Wyo., Johnny and Jan Haun and Joe and Nikki Conner, all of Etowah, Tony Ray Haun of Englewood, and Terry Wayne Haun of Jamestown; 10 grandchildren, Shanna Crabtree, Drew Haun, Seth Haun, Josh Haun, Sydney Conner, Joshua Felker, T.J. Haun, Cullen Conner, Camden Jones and Dustin Conner; four great-grandchildren; two nieces, Amy and Lisa Conner; one sister-in-law, Linda Conner of Rice Lake, Wis.; and several cousins.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Tuesday in the south chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home with the Rev. Shaun King and the Rev. Dewey Feezell officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday and will proceed to McMinn Memory Gardens for the 9 a.m. burial.
Rex Runyon, sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Bordwine Funeral Home of Etowah is in charge of arrangements. If you are unable to attend this visitation or service, call the office at 263-7033 for further information, or sign the guest registry at www.bordwinefuneralhome.com
Beatrice “Bea” Cagle Ratledge
Beatrice “Bea” Cagle Ratledge, 90, of Niota, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, following a lengthy illness.
A daughter of the late Paul and Louie Cagle, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dave Ratledge; three stepchildren, Reed and Bruce Ratledge and Bessie Webb; two sisters, Reba Sloan, and Hazel Palmer; and six brothers, Clyde, Lee Roy, Jay, Ray, Beecher and Arvin Cagle.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Toby Ratledge of Niota; two daughters and one son-in-law, Diane Hickman of Porum, Okla., and Velma and James Gentry of Harden, Mont.; six grandchildren, Amy and Andy Ratledge and Kevin Hickman and Jennifer Farner, all of Niota, Rebecca Gentry of Arizona, and Jeff Gentry of Harden, Mont.; eight step-grandchildren, all of Detroit Mich.; four great-grandchildren, Makayla and Cole Hickman, Scott Farner and Miranda Johnson, all of Niota; 12 step-great-grandchildren, all of Michigan; two brothers, Glenn Cagle of Niota, and Bill Cagle of California; and several nieces and nephews.
The body is at Kyker Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends on from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Lawrence Waller officiating. Burial will follow in Niota Cemetery.
Kyker Funeral Home of Sweetwater is in charge of arrangements.
George “Joey” F. Colbaugh Jr.
George “Joey” F. Colbaugh Jr., 46, died suddenly on June 6, 2006.
He was born Jan. 10, 1960.
Survivors include his parents, George F. Colbaugh of Decatur, and Jean and Buddy Kohler of Forest Park, Ga.; three children, Angela Kay Colbaugh and John Michael Colbaugh, both of Dallas, Ga., and Travis Reese Colbaugh of Fort Pierce, Fla.; three grandchildren, Mitchell Allen Prance, Mason Reid Prance and Marleigh Tyler Rein; nine sisters, Kimberly Vecchio of Fort Pierce, Fla., Robin Michelle Fowler of Stockbridge, Ga., Shannon Simpson of Cumming, Ga., Nichole Jennings of Stockbridge, Ga., Kelly Colbaugh Foster, Holly Colbaugh Harsson, Christy Colbaugh, Yvonne Shultz of Carrollton, Ga., and Shelley Parrott of Newnan, Ga.; and five brothers, Michael Scott Colbaugh of Locust Grove, Ga., Sean Kohler of Fairburn, Ga., Tony Colbaugh, Ryan Colbaugh and Cody Colbaugh.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Thomas L. Scroggs Funeral Directors.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Thomas L. Scroggs Funeral Directors of Morrow, Ga., is in charge of arrangements.
Willie Eugene White
Willie Eugene White, 51, of Athens, died Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at a Chattanooga hospital.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Minnie Simpson; his father, Ernest White; two brothers, Erby Simpson and Bob White; his grandparents, Jake and Willie Byrd Simpson; one uncle, Jake Simpson; and four aunts, Polly Roby, Clara Mae Simpson, Shirley Love and Junie Simpson.
Survivors include two children, Myron Roberts of Decatur, and Shaquille White Moore of Nashville; one sister, Ernestine “Sally” White of Cleveland, Ohio; three uncles and one spouse, Billy and Penny Simpson, Jimmy Simpson and Jesse Roby, all of Athens; one aunt, Ella Mae Moore of Niota; several beloved cousins; devoted friends, Naomi Johnkins and Helen Cox; and special friend, Rebecca Moore.
Funeral services will be Sunday in the chapel of M.D. Dotson & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Arnold Snowden officiating. Burial will follow in Hammonds Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
M.D. Dotson & Sons Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.
Henry Grissett
Henry Grissett, 82, of Madisonville, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 8, 2006, at his home following a long illness.
He was of the Baptist faith and was a truck driver, retiring in 1991 from CASE Trucking Company in Athens. He will be remembered as a great and devoted husband, a loving father and papaw. He was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Burchfield; his parents, Jeff and Mae Grissett; and one brother, Willie C. Grissett.
Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Reva Burchfield Grissett; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Betty and Gary Peddycoart of Birmingham, Ala., Jane and Jeff Davey of Sweetwater, and Kathy “Cissy” Burchfield of Madisonville; one son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Kaye Grissett of Troy, Ala.; grandchildren and spouses, Jim and Gail Lott and Jennifer and Bryan Cable, all of Maryville, Lynn and Doug Powers, Jodi Grissett and Rick Lang, all of Alabama, and Jamie, Jason and Jeremy Burchfield, Jessie Hull and Travis and Deaundra Hull, all of Madisonville; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Cleavester and Elmer Grissett of Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Biereley-Hale Funeral Home with the Rev. Kevin Miller and the Rev. David Atkins officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Biereley-Hale Funeral home of Madisonville is in charge of arrangements.
