Smyth County obituaries for Oct. 8, 2008

Burkett

Carole J. Burkett, 65, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 in the Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, Tenn. 
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and was an avid walker. She was a loving wife, mother, and exceptionally involved grandmother. 
Survivors include her husband, T.W. Burkett of Marion; one daughter and son-in-law, Dee Dee and Chris Evans of Emory; one son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Lynn Burkett of Marion; one brother and sisters-in-law, Neil and Rita Johnson of Saltville and Phyllis Burkett of Rich Valley; five grandchildren, Chryssie Evans-Swanner and husband, Chris, Christopher Evans, Caroline, Tommy, and Will Burkett; one niece, Cindy Burkett; and three nephews, Mark Burkett, Steve Johnson and Tim Johnson. 
Funeral services were conducted Monday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Mike Teague officiating. Burial followed in Rose Lawn Cemetery.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, Carole would have been most appreciative of any donations being made to the National Down Syndrome Congress, 1370 Center Drive, Suite 102, Atlanta, Ga. 30338. 
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.

Gross

Charles Clifford “Jim” Gross, 55, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 in the Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn.
He was born on March 21, 1953 to the late Jones G. Gross and Lettye Harrington Gross. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Teddy Eugene Gross, John W. Gross and Jones “Snip” Gross Jr., and a sister, Katherine Gross.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Vietnam War. He had been employed at Utility Trailer and was of the Presbyterian faith.
Survivors include two sons, Ronnie Lee Gross of Marion and Joel Grant Gross of Ceres; two daughters, Melissa Ann Gross Sheets of Sugar Grove and Crystal Lynn Gross Anders of Chilhowie; two brothers, Sherman H. Gross of Marion and William F. “Joe” Gross of Marion; two sisters, Ellen C. “Liz” Parks of Marion and Evelyn “Betsy” Blackwell and husband, Harold, of Marion; grandchildren, Dustin Lee Hayden Gross, Alli Danielle Gross, Erin Marie Sheets, Brennan Grace Anders, and Kendyl Marie Gross; a special friend and caregiver, Carol; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Herman Cress officiating. Interment followed in the Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery with full military honors rendered by Francis Marion V.F.W. Post 4667.
The family received friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Oakley

Carlton B. Oakley, 82, died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at his home in Atkins.
He was born in Stem, N.C., on Aug. 12, 1926 to the late Rufus and Thelma Veasy Oakley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Mattie Powell Oakley.
He was a mechanic and a member of the Groseclose Church of God, where he served on the Church Benevolence Committee.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Wayne “Skip” Oakley and wife, Linda, of Rural Retreat; one daughter and son-in-law, Shirley Smith and husband, Dennis, of Blacksburg; three grandchildren, Terry Edwards, Lisa Peer, and Brantley “PoPo’s Buckety Buck” Oakley; two great-grandchildren, Charlie Peer and James Peer; sisters, Loretta Bullock of Stem, N.C., and Elizabeth Beal of Stem, N.C.; and special friends, Gail Buck, Punk Powell, Jackie Fisher, Ronnie Tucker, Dr. Robert Hale, Mark Ferrell, Daniel and Donna Musser.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, from Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with the Rev. Ronnie Tucker officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion was in charge of arrangements.