Marie Sharp Leonard
Surrounded by her family, Marie Sharp Leonard, age 96, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 20, 2023.
She was born on Jan. 17, 1927 in Knoxville to Milburn T. Sharp and Elizabeth Hines Sharp. She had an idyllic childhood growing up on Oglewood Drive in North Knoxville. Marie graduated from Old Knoxville High in 1945.
After graduating high school, she attended and graduated from The University of Tennessee, where she was a proud member of Tri-Delta sorority. In 1950, Marie married Robert H. (Bob) Leonard, and their marriage thrived until Bob’s death in 2012.
Their marriage resulted in three children: Robert, Elizabeth and Patrick. Throughout their marriage, Bob and Marie traveled to almost every state and several foreign countries, often through Bob’s affiliation with Optimist International.
Marie was active throughout her life in numerous charitable and community organizations. Among other affiliations, she was heavily involved in establishing the Girls Club of Knoxville, volunteered with Ossoli Circle, taught art history in Knox County Schools, was a proud and active member of the CWF (Christian Women’s Fellowship), the Village Green Garden Club, Golden Girls, P.O.E.T.S., FCC Book Club and served as Elder Emeritus at First Christian Church.
In 1972, Marie and Bob moved from South Knoxville to the Village Green subdivision in Farragut where they resided until their respective deaths. At that time, Marie took a job with orthopedic surgeon Charles Gouffon, who soon partnered with Dr. Sam Marcy in the orthopedic group that became Gouffon, Marcy, Jackson and Cates — and that is now known as Tennessee Orthopedic. Marie enjoyed 22 years of working for “Charlie & Sam” and maintained their friendship throughout the rest of her life.
With Bob’s election as Farragut’s first Mayor in 1980, Marie served with class and dignity as Farragut’s First “First Lady” until Bob’s retirement from politics in 1993, so they could spend more time with their grandchildren: Seth, Maggie and Robbie.
Marie’s love for Farragut continued throughout her life, participating in numerous Town activities and serving for years on Farragut’s Beautification Board and as a volunteer docent at the Farragut Folklife Museum until reaching the age of 95.
Marie stayed active and continued to make new friends through the YMCA’s Silver Sneakers program. Throughout her life, Marie was an avid UT Vols Football and Basketball fan. She continued to attend basketball games into her 95th year.
Marie was a devoted Christian who attended First Christian Church from birth until the church closed in 2015. To a large extent, Marie’s and Bob’s lives centered around FCC and the Disciple’s Sunday School Class, which they helped establish.
Marie faithfully believed in the power and grace of Christ. Next to her Lord and Savior, the most important thing in Marie’s life was her family and friends. She celebrated their successes and comforted them in times of sorrow.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Milburn and Elizabeth Sharp; her of husband of 62 years, Bob Leonard; and her son, Robert M. Leonard.
She is survived by her children, Elizabeth (Beth) Bledsoe and husband, Jerry, and Patrick J. Leonard and wife, Sheri; her grandchildren, Joshua Seth Bledsoe, Robert Ellis Leonard and wife, Morgan, and Maggie Mariah Bledsoe. Great-grandchildren are Molleigh, Cali, Dani, Nash and Dax. She also is survived by much-loved cousin, Kay Moore, and husband, Robert, and cousins David Sharp and Ellen Davis.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Click’s Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, with a memorial service to follow. Officiating will be the Rev. CJ Bays.
Interment at Pleasant Forest Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Optimist Club of Knoxville’s Henry Naff Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 358, Knoxville, TN 37901).
Harmon “Harold” Stockhoff, age 81, a longtime resident of Farragut, passed away peacefully Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, surrounded by family.
He was born on Jan. 15, 1941, to Betty and Harold Stockhoff in Seymour, Indiana. When still a young boy, Harold and his family moved to Indianapolis, where he spent his formative years.
Harold graduated from Washington High School in 1959 and went on to play football at Indiana State University in Terra Haute, where he received his degree in business education. Harold continued his education and ultimately received his master’s degree in business from Butler University.
Harold had an exemplary career in pharmaceutical sales with Eli Lilly & Company that spanned more than three decades, with stops in Ohio, Pennsylvania and finally to Tennessee, where he has made his home for the last 40 years.
He is fondly remembered as a mentor, advisor to many and a friend to all who met him.
Harold married the love of his life, Shirley Dean Alderson, on May 4, 1962, and they had four children: Pam, Jill, Kelly and Michael.
He was an avid golfer and an accomplished woodworker, but what he enjoyed most was spending time with his family: Pam and Scott Daly of Delaware, Ohio (Nora); Jill and Kent Childs of McDonald, Tennessee (Cotter and Cassie); Kelly and Art Stephenson of Knoxville (Macklin); and Michael and Patrice Stockhoff of Brentwood (Kathryn, Anna Claire, William). He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Betty Mahoney Stockhoff Kasting; his father, Harmon Harold Stockhoff; his stepfather, Louis Kasting; and his sister and brother-in-law, Ruby and Marvin Hickox.
He was welcomed into heaven by Shirley (his wife of 57 years), who preceded him in death in 2020.
Harold had an amazing and accomplished life, instilling faith, kindness, honesty and work ethic in his children and those who knew him.
A special thanks to the staff of Autumn Care of Farragut, and most recently Morning Pointe East Hamilton of Chattanooga. Your love, support, care and kindness meant the world to him and his family.
A private family service and burial will be held to honor and celebrate Harold’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Alzheimer’s Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919.
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Carl W. Stiner passed away peacefully surrounded by family and loved ones Thursday, June 2, 2022. Carl was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend. He also was a proud Army veteran for 35 years, serving as a distinguished soldier, a courageous leader and a dedicated, God-fearing man.
Carl Wade Stiner believed strongly in the values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church LaFollette. He was born on Sept. 7, 1936, in LaFollette. He was the son of Emit and Hassie Stiner and grew up a farmer. He graduated and was commissioned in the infantry from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute on May 30, 1958. He met his lifelong companion and loving wife, Sue, at Fort Benning, Georgia.
His first Special Operations tour of duty was from 1964 to 1966 with the 3rd Special Forces group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following graduation from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1967, he served in Vietnam as both an Infantry Battalion and Brigade Operations officer with the 4th Infantry Division.
During his military career, Gen. Stiner commanded U.S. Military’s preeminent contingency strike forces, including the Joint Special Operations Command, the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps and US Special Operations Command.
As Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, he was designated Commander, Joint Task Force South, and served as the Operational Commander of all forces employed on Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama in December 1989. In June 1990, he was promoted to the rank of general and became the second Commander in Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command. In this role, he was responsible for the readiness of all Special Operations Forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force, both active duty and reserve, during Operation Desert Storm. Gen. Stiner retired in May 1993 and moved back to his hometown of LaFollette.
Carl is preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers, Glen and Tom Stiner, and sister, Jo Ann Sharp. He is survived by his wife of 62 years and two loving daughters and their families. Carla (Jim) Reel (son, Jackson), of Knoxville, Tennessee; Laurie (Robert) Lancaster (son, David and daughter, Kate), of Leesburg, Virginia; brother, Emory Stiner (Carolyn) (daughter, Shannon); nephews Mark Stiner, Derrick Stiner and Mike Glisson; and nieces Tommi Allen, Shannon James and Kathy Jordan.
Family will welcome friends from noon to 2 p..m., Saturday, June 11, in First Baptist Church of LaFollette along Central Avenue. Following the visitation, the service will be held at the church with full military honors. Formal Interment will follow at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Gen. Stiner will lie in state at Cross-Smith Funeral Home from 10 a.m until 5 p.m., Friday, June 10. Family requests donations in lieu of flowers go to Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.cross-smithfuneralhome.com
Arrangements by Cross-Smith Funeral Home, LaFollette.
and lived 70 abundant and adventurous years before suffering a stroke and going home to rest with Jesus on April 27, 2022.
Ken grew up in Western Kentucky and Tennessee, married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Price, and graduated first in his class of civil engineers at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide). He was an avid intellectual and self-labeled nerd, whose hunger for information was only eclipsed by his passion for sharing the intricate beauties of God’s creation with everyone he met.
Ken’s life touched thousands of others as he traveled to more than 40 countries and all 50 states. He had a rare enthusiasm for people and made friends wherever he went, wielding his keen sense of humor to put people at ease.
Ken’s quick wit enhanced his qualities as the ultimate “girl dad,” and he constantly displayed his pride for his three daughters and 10 grandchildren. A teacher at heart, Papa’s hobby was his family, instilling in his children and grandchildren a lifelong curiosity and courageous heart to engage with God’s beauty through fishing, hunting, snow skiing, hiking, tennis and basketball.
Ken is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Teresa; daughters, Kimberly (Rusty) Woody, Christy (Mark) Knight and Emily (Chuck) Hooten; and grandchildren: Riley, Blake and Ty Woody; Caleb, Grace, and Joshua Knight; and Lily, Ava, Mae and Josie Hooten; his parents, brother, sister and beloved nieces and nephews.
His celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Concord, 11704 Kingston Pike, Farragut, Tennessee, with receiving of friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and the service following, on Friday, May 6.
David DeWayne Shelden, age 49, passed away April 15, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends.
David bravely and courageously fought cancer for 15 years. His battle was won when the angels sang him home.
David is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Whitney C. Shelden; children, Christopher Conrad Shelden, Sierra Drew Shelden and Piper Graziella Vassallo; mother and step-father, Louise and Douglas Stallings; father and step-mother, Joseph and Lily Shelden; siblings, Lee Fulkerson II and Crystal (Tim) Seul; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and loving extended family members.
David was honest, loyal, brave and true, and always told it like it was. His dedication, protection, strength, courage and undying love for his family will be greatly missed. He will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, friend and motorcycle-riding music lover.
Memorial service was held at Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church, 1201 E Elk St., Dexter, Missouri, on Saturday afternoon, April 23, and will be held at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday, April 30. A Celebration of David’s Life will be held on Monday, July 4, on the Farm at Cross Creek in Kingston, Tennessee.
Sarah Ellis Burke passed away Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, from cancer. She was a life-long member of Grassy Valley Baptist Church. Sarah was a graduate of Farragut High School, Class of 1952, where she was a cheerleader and played basketball. She studied cosmetology in Nashville and Orlando, Florida, but decided that was not for her, and returned to office work.
Sarah was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Edward L. Burke; and son, Edward L. (Rob) Burke Jr.; father, Martin Ellis; mother, Ethel Ellis Tidwell; stepfather, Louis Tidwell; and brothers, Alvin and Ken Ellis.
She enjoyed being at the family farm in Crossville, known as “Winter Place,” and enjoyed deer hunting with her husband on Catoosa Wildlife Area.
Sarah is survived by granddaughter, Kelly Sarah Burke; daughter-in-law, Martha Grecco Burke; brothers, Marshall and Scott Ellis, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In honoring Sarah’s request, there will be no service. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BerryHighlandWest.com for the Burke family.
