Friday, October 30, 2009

 

Hensel L. “Hank” Johnson

 

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, Hensel L. “Hank” Johnson, 88, of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed from the arms of his devoted family at home into the arms of his heavenly Father and was reunited with his beloved wife of 54 years, Alma Grace “Tincy” Love Johnson, who preceded him in death on March 9, 2000. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, A. Cling and Eleber Johnson; two sisters, Alma Powell and Eva Bennett; and three brothers, Ed, Oden and George Johnson. To his family he is affectionately known as “Hink,” a loving husband, brother and uncle, our family patriarch, who we love, admire, respect and will miss beyond measure. A faithful Christian servant, Hensel was dedicated to the spiritual guidance and leadership of Borderview Christian Church and God’s Kingdom. He was a member for 63 years serving as a Sunday School teacher for over 40 years and on the church board as a deacon or elder for 36 years. He was an inspiration and witness to countless individuals both prior to and throughout his 15-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Uncle Hink was a soldier of his faith, having put his trust in God and his family, he fought with the utmost courage, dignity and grace. Hensel graduated from Elizabethton High School in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He loved his country and proudly served as a member of the US Pacific Fleet Radio Unit in Combat Intelligence during WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Upon returning from the war, Hensel worked in the accounting and payroll department at Bemberg in Elizabethton, Tenn. He later owned and operated a service station and restaurant in Hampton, Tenn. He made the decision to sell his business as it took him away from church service too often. Hensel worked the remainder of his career with and retired from the U.S. Post Office in Elizabethton, Tenn. We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Todd Whitaker, Dr. Fernado Bendfeldt and wife Audry, Dr. Scott Caudle, Dr. Robert Clemons and Dr. Charles Witkowski for their compassionate care for Uncle Hink as well as their care and support of us over the past several years. We would also like to thank James and Ardy at Lincare; Lori at Mediserve Medical; and Jama, Jennifer, Marsha and Wendy at Tri-County Medical Supply. Thank you to Dr. Phil Jones and nurse Teri; nurses Martha, Kim, Carolyn, Amber, Ros and the other ICU nursing staff at Northside Hospital; Deb, Glenn and other members of the respiratory team also at Northside; and Sarah, Misty, Cindy, Doris and Elizabeth at Amedisys for their exceptional care and support during the past few weeks. We owe a debt of gratitude to our dear friend and Hank’s buddy, David Collins, to our minister Kirk Langston, to Paulette and Walter Norris and Irene Lewis for so generously giving of their love and time in visiting Uncle Hink and in helping us care for him. We also wish to express our love and appreciation to our church family for lifting Uncle Hink and us up in prayer and, despite the toll of his illness, continued to faithfully demonstrate their love and respect by honoring and remembering him on birthdays, holidays, special occasions and just because. It mattered to him, and to us, more than you know.

 

Hink leaves behind to honor and cherish his memory his sister, Dorothy Cole; his brother-in-law, who cared for him as a brother, Howard Love and wife Mary; nephews, Jack Love, Russell Love and wife Kathie, and Rick Love; his special great-niece and nephew, Denise and Joel Norris, who were blessed with the honor and privilege of caring for him for the past nine and a half years; and his pets, who shared their love, affection and toys, Winfrey, Gracie and Moses. Other nieces and nephews also survive.

 

Services honoring Hensel L. “Hank” Johnson will be held Saturday, October 31, at Borderview Christian Church, 1338 Bristol Highway, Elizabethton, Tenn. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. followed by the funeral service beginning at 3 p.m. Graveside services will be conducted on Sunday, November 1, at 2 p.m. Those wishing to go in procession to Happy Valley Memorial Park are requested to meet at Memorial Funeral Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Joel Norris, Denise Norris, David Collins, Russell Love, Rick Love and Walter Norris. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Love, Jack Love, Lawrence Pearson, and the elders, deacons and elders emeritus of Borderview Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Borderview Christian Church Special Projects Fund. We wish to thank Junior Stalcup and Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton, Tenn., for serving our family.

 

 

Rev. Clarence E. Love Jr.

 

Rev. Clarence Edward Love Jr., 88, of Bristol, Tenn., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Johnson City Medical Center. He was born September 1, 1921 in Sullivan County, Tenn., a son of the late Clarence E. Love Sr. and Rosa Mae Worley Love. Rev. Love was retired from Campbell Enterprises and was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II. He was the Founder and Minister of Assemblies of Jesus Church for 44 years. He was a Jesus man and he belonged to the Jesus Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Donna Dae Bentley Love.

 

Survivors include a daughter, Cynthia Fritts and husband Garry, and granddaughter, Cynthia and husband Alfonso Hernanz; a son, Jerry Love and wife Thelma, and granddaughter, Edwina and husband Mark Caldwell; a great-grandson, Morgan; two great-granddaughters, Megan and Mandy Caldwell; a sister, Ethel Virginia “Eve” Vitale; and a special friend, Rosa Harrison. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

 

The funeral service for Rev. Love will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 31, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. George Hall officiating. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 1, in the Rooty Branch Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been made with Weaver Funeral Home, Bristol, (423) 968-2111.

 

 

Dwayne J. Duckworth

 

SEVIERVILLE — Dwayne Jonathan Duckworth, 43, of Sevierville, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2009. He was devoted to his family and was a loving husband and father. Dwayne loved singing and was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and many sports, his favorite being golf. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Odom Duckworth.

 

Survivors include his wife, Poppy Duckworth; sons, Devan Duckworth and Brett Knappen; his father, Wayne Duckworth and wife Ann; brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Hazel Duckworth; sister and brother-in-law, Tonia and Chris Hughes; niece, Amber Hughes; nephew, Austin Duckworth; half brother, David Duckworth; mother-in-law, Joyce Lowe; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Stacey and David Campbell.

 

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 1, with a memorial service to follow at 4 p.m. in Atchley’s Smoky Mountain Chapel, Pigeon Forge. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thompson Cancer Survival Center, 1915 White Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916 (designate to assist families to pay for treatment). Cremation arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville, (865) 453-2835. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)