All Obituaries

Charlie “Bigfoot” Smelcer, age 81 of Newport, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022. A mechanic and body man, Charlie was an avid NASCAR enthusiast; and once did a fair amount of dirt track racing throughout the region. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie & Vinna; his wife, Margaret; son, Timothy; siblings, Marcelle, Dink, Leanor, & Betty; and grandson, Lee. He is survived by his daughter, Janice; siblings, Johnny, Kenneth, Dolly, & Geneva; grandchildren,...

Charles Edward Queen, age 72 of Bybee, passed away Monday, May 9, 2022.   Charlie loved life, and always enjoyed traveling around the area to see new things. Before moving to Newport, he grew up in Cherokee, North Carolina. He retired from International Paper Company, but will also be remembered for his career in semi-professional wrestling; where he was known as “The Renegade”.   He was preceded in death by his mother, Sara Parker; his wife of more than 40 years,...

Arvil Lee “Gene” Napier, age 81 of Newport, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Gene retired last year after working in the service department at Stinnett Automotive Group for 35 years. As a young man, he worked in the coal mines of Harlan, Kentucky. He came to Newport in the early 1970s as the produce manager at Cas Walker’s grocery store. He also worked for Bush Brothers and the 411 Exxon Truck Pit. He was an avid NASCAR fan, and had the honor of changing the oil for...

Scott “Snake” Williamson, age 66 of Dandridge, passed away Tuesday, April 19 2022 at his home. Scott was a quiet man, but enjoyed laughter with those closest to him. A talented car enthusiast, he spent several years as a member of the pit crew for local NASCAR legend, L.D. Ottinger. He also worked in construction for the Hommel family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ordell & Ada Faye Williamson; grandparents, Homer and Lillie Bradley & Wilse and Nancy...

    Eunavee Dotson,80, passed away on April 12,2022. Eunavee was a beautiful, sweet, funny soul that was beloved by everyone who knew her. “miss Bea” was an extra special blessing to countless children she so enthusiastically worked with at NorthWest Elementary School for over 20 years. Bea worked at the school, not with staff, but with her friends and her best friend and sister Josephine Ellison.     Eunavee was preceded in death by her...

Scott Bigler, age 78 of Newport, went home to be in the presence of our Lord Jesus in the early morning of Wednesday, April 6, 2022. He had a full life including his childhood he loved so much in St. Anthony not far from the the Teton Mountains in Idaho. He was in the Air Force and Navy and flew helicopters in Vietnam. He went to Boise State and became an x-ray technician. Later he learned computer programming and had his own business for 25 years creating inventory control and point of...

James Arthur “Jim” Kesterson, age 79 of Dandridge, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Vietnam Era. He was an avid gun collector, and loved animals. Jim will be remembered for his jovial personality and sense of humor. He never met a stranger, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam & Nannie Mae Kesterson; and his firstborn son, James Arthur Kesterson, Jr.; a...

Sadie Louise Stokely Sutton, age 76 of Newport, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Morristown-Hamblen Hospital. She loved her family dearly, and will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Milford & Carrie Stokely and Ida Church; brothers, Robert, Billy, & Ray Stokely; children, Curtiss Ensley & Chrissy Caldwell; and grandson, Jonathon Caldwell. She is survived by her children, Darlene Myers, Carl “Sam” Caldwell (Tiffanie...

Imogene Black Grooms, age 81 of Newport, passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of Tuesday, March 22, 2022. A graveside service will be held at 11AM Monday, March 28, 2022 in Union Cemetery. Family & friends may offer condolences online at www.brownfuneralhomenewport.com Brown Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Imogene Grooms.

Donald Bugg, age 77, of Newport, passed away Monday, March 14, 2022 at Tennova Newport Medical Center. He was passionate about landscaping; and loved to plant and design layouts. He was also handy with plumbing and electrical projects; and could be described as the typical “jack of all trades”. Donald was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Luvada Bugg; parents, Sue Ella Lovell & Alex Jenkins; his beloved wife, Brenda Sue Bugg; brother, William David Messer; and...