Current Obituaries
Cathy Celeste (Bell) Blevins
by DFH Inc. on 07/08/23
Cathy Celeste (Bell) Blevins shed her earthly body on [July 6th]. She is preceded in death by her husband Wayne E. Blevins, parents, Wallace Bell and Blanche Baskerville, and sister Dena Bell. She was a loving faithful mother and leaves to cherish her memory, her son Michael (Jessica) Blevins, daughter Kendra Blevins, grandchildren Grace Evans, Brie & Mekhi Blevins; her stepdaughters Debbie (Jeff) Bruce, Tanya Hailey, and Tammy Blevins-Holmes along with their children and grandchildren. She was the eldest and most beloved sibling to her brother, Barry J. Bell (Jorge) and sisters Netfah Bell and Emily (Neil) McDougald. She is survived by her aunts Mabel Gilliam and Marion Koonce; Sisters in Christ Jerri Friend Rucker, Dena Greenlee, Louise Quarles, Shelia Clark, Rita Boseman, Tesa McKinney, Debra Robinson and Mary Miller.
Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Cathy graduated from Riverhead High School before starting a job with Sweater Bee corporation. There she met and married her husband of almost 40 years, before relocating to Morristown TN, in 1980. Shortly after the move, Cathy began working for Wallace Hardware where she was a dedicated employee of Wallace Distribution for over 40 years. She loved her job and co-workers and did not like to take time away from it. When she was not working, she was participating in activities of her assembly, Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Throughout her many years of devoted service to Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She served as assistant church secretary, Sunday School teacher, Bible Study and Vacation Bible School teacher, a member of the choir and praise team, greeting committee and an usher. She even helped in the kitchen and was an unofficial member of the committee. You could usually find her on self-appointed clean up duty once an event was winding down.
Cathy was not much for traveling to new places, but she enjoyed trips to Virginia to visit her father and her mother in New York. She also made frequent trips to Cookeville to visit her son and his family. While not a fan of flying she and her husband made a trip to San Francisco, CA, in 2010, to visit her brother and had a great time.
She loved cleaning. Most people would be insulted if they were gifted cleaning products for their birthday. Not Cathy. Nothing else made her smile more than to get Clorox wipes, various cleaning sprays and rags. She enjoyed gardening and helping others by letting her light shine. Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 37: 3-4
The family would like to give special thanks to Victoria Reaves-Valentine, Kathy Noe, and others at Amedisys Hospice Morristown.
In lieu of plants and flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to The Triple B Family Trust for her grandchildren’s college expenses.
Services will be …. Sunday, July 9, 2023, at 4pm Family receiving friends from 3-4pm at Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Burial Monday July 10, 2023, at 10am Hamblen Memory Gardens. Elder Ventrus Norfolk officiating.
Dockery Senter Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Diane Dyer
by DFH Inc. on 06/16/23
Diane Dyer, loving daughter, devoted Mother and outstanding MiMi. She was born on November 20, 1961, in Bean Station, TN to Beatrice Dyer and AR Parkey. Diane was a bright shining star. She was fierce, strong and a force to be wreckon with. She could light up any room she entered. She knew excactly how to make you laugh and feel loved instantly. She worked hard serving the community for years at the Smoke House Café. Her spunky attitude sense of humor, and heart of gold made it hard for her to meet a stranger. She had a special way with children and they loved her deeply. She loved her mom and family unconditionally and real hard. Her love for her children and grandchildren was unmatched. She was their Super Hero! .. In her later years, Diane flourished in helping take care of her grandchildren. That’s what made her the happiest. Diane was loving, fearless, understanding and a fighter all while being the life of the party. Her presence will be truly missed.
Preceded in Death is her Father AR Parkey, siblings; Billy Wayne Dyer, Dorothy Jean Parkey.
Grandparents Howard & Elnora Collins.
Left to Cherish her memory is her Mother, Beatrice Dyer. Sibilings; Paul (Susie) Dyer, Ricky (Tammy) Parkey, Flo (Rodney) Houston, Susie (Michael) Washington. Her children; Chnae Griffin, Trey Howard, Shakia Howard, Grandchildren; Lyonna and Lanya Costello, Zy’Aire Howard Phillips. Bonus Daughter and Grandchildren; DaMeka Garrett , Amir Rogers, Harmony Rogers. A host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and cousins.
Special loved ones Phyliss Walker, Lisa Kyle, Edna Moore, Kathy Knight.
Celebration of Life Service Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Receiving of Friends 1:00- 2:00 at PM
Dockery – Senter Funeral Home, officiating Rev. John Jones.
Jennifer Renee Dunson
by DFH Inc. on 06/08/23
Jennifer Renee Dunson, 45, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of June 6, 2023, following a ferocious battle with cancer. A wonderful wife and mother, she lived every day as if it were her last, long before her diagnosis. She was an extraordinarily loving person, anyone’s shoulder to cry on, and she always left the person feeling better than they were before.
Her fur babies were some of the greatest joys of her life and she loved breeding them to share that joy with others. She was always happiest when making other people happy.
Jennifer was a Member & Affiliate of the East Tennessee Historical Society, creator of The Old History Project – Facebook page, YouTube channel, and Podcast. Recipient of the 2019 Preservation Award, from the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, Recipient of the 2022 Community History Award, from the East Tennessee Historical Society. Also on the Board of Directors with the Hayslope Preservation Fund.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Baker, and her adoptive parents, Mary Gaye and Worley Sturgill of Eolia, Kentucky.
She is survived by her husband, John Dunson, Three children: Isaiah Dunson, David Dunson, and Nikkia Caldwell, her grandson, Oliver Coy Carmichael, Her three brothers, Rodney Warren, Joey, Dwayne and Vernus Sturgill as well as her 3 sisters, Glenna Fields, Yvonne Skeen and Annette Warren.
Services will be held at Dockery – Senter Funeral Home. Family and Friends Visitation from 1:00-2:00 PM, Funeral at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 10, 2023, with Dr. Rev. William Butler officiating. Burial at Emma Jarnigan Cemetery. Family and Friends Visitation from 1:00-2:00 PM.
