Obituaries
Dr. Bill Joe Swan
January 7, 2021
Dr. Bill Joe Swan, 89, passed away Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, after years of declining health due to Parkinson’s disease at The Gardens of Taylor Glen in Concord. North Carolina.
A private funeral service was scheduled for 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, at Lady’s Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Steve Hargett officiated. Interment followed at Carolina Memorial Park Mausoleum in Kannapolis. The service was streamed starting approximately 10 minutes prior to the service. Visit https://www.ladysfuneralhome.com/live/
Bill was born Aug. 6, 1931, in Martel, Tennessee. He was a son of the late Paul Watt Swan and Mildred Russell Fox Swan. He graduated from Farragut High School in 1949 and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for two years.
He then entered the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis. While he was in medical school, he was elected president of his medical class, president of the All Students Club and president of his medical fraternity, Alpha Kappa Kappa. He graduated with his medical degree in 1954. After graduation, he moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, for his internship at Confederate Memorial Hospital. He married Lillian Bevins on Oct. 8, 1955, in Concord, Tennessee. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage.
Bill’s medical career began in Hammond, Louisiana, where he worked at Lallie Kamp Hospital. He was then drafted as a captain into the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he served two years as an anesthesiologist at Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania and at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Following his military service, he completed a two-year residency in anesthesiology at Ohio State University. In 1960, he came to Concord, North Carolina, to practice anesthesia at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital. He cared for many patients in the 29 years he served there. Having passed the required examinations, Bill became board-certified in anesthesiology. He served terms as president of the Cabarrus Medical Society, as well as the North Carolina Anesthesia Society.
Bill enjoyed working with Boy Scout Troop 3, sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Concord. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and was awarded the Silver Beaver for his volunteer service. He was grateful that his two sons became Eagle Scouts.
He worshipped at Concord First Assembly where he was a longtime member. He served on the Church Steering Committee and as chairman of First Assembly School Board. He memorized and received great comfort from his favorite scripture passage, Psalm 23.
After retirement, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, making furniture and traveling with his wife. He wrote a copyrighted book, “The Life of a Boy from East Tennessee,” because he wanted his children and grandchildren to have an appreciation for their roots and family background. A copy of the book is in the library at The Gardens of Taylor Glen, where he and his wife had been residents since 2014.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Barbara Swan Guinn; and brother, Paul Russell Swan.
Dr. Swan is survived by three children, Brenda Swan Hammill (Curt) of Burke, Virginia, retired U.S. Navy Capt. Kenneth Allan Swan (Karen) of Yorktown, Virginia, and Paul Robert Swan (Lisa) of Mount Gilead, North Carolina; 11 grandchildren, Kristyn Swan Beam (Andrew), Wesley Swan, Brandon Swan (Cara), Travis Hammill (Rachel), Katie Swan Hickey (Robert), Masha Swan (Carlos), Austin Swan (Sara), Kendall Swan, Maggie Swan (Alex), Carson Hammill and Quinton Swan; and six great-grandchildren, Cillian, Vitaly, Amalia, Katerina, Hallie and Rowan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Multiply Church (formerly Concord First Assembly), 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N, Concord, North Carolina, 28027 (https://multiply.church/concord/).
Taylor Glen provided such loving care for Bill in his last days. The family is grateful for the kindness and dignity the staff afforded Bill.
Remembrances may be sent to the family at www.ladysfuneralhome.com.
Nancy Castleberry Fugate
December 31, 2020
Nancy Castleberry Fugate, age 82, passed away two weeks after a diagnosis of COVID-19 at her home at River Oaks Place, Lenoir City. She was a loving Wife, Mother, Sister and friend to many.
Nancy and her husband of 62 years, Charles, lived for more than 30 years in the Farragut community. Prior to that time, they lived and raised their children in LaFollette.
Upon graduation from LaFollette High School, Nancy was accepted into St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Knoxville. Instead, she married her sweetheart, Charles, and supported him during obtaining his degree from University of Tennessee.
This theme of supporting others resonated throughout Nancy’s life, supporting her husband in business and her children in their lives. Nancy possessed humane qualities of goodness, decency, kindness, compassion and a fervent love of children and babies. She was a people person, a nurturer. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, LaFollette. She supported her children in church, scouts, school, etc.
There are many good memories.
She and Charles made Christmas so special; it was like no other. Her goodness and love will be sorely missed by so many.
While at River Oaks Place, she was a favorite/well-loved resident. She and fellow residents enjoyed many Chick-fil-A Fridays and weekly flower bouquets, as well as fun times and friendship, along with daughter, Rebecca. These times were priceless.
Special gratitude is offered to loving caregivers Betty Hamm, Cortney Griggs, Gina Dishner, Jodi Samples, Elena Moser, Sam Sterling and Renee Harris, as well as others at the facility.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles Edward Fugate; infant son, Kenneth Scott Fugate; parents, Hershel and Dorothy Petree Castleberry; brother, Jim Castleberry; and brother-in-law, Jeff Dossett.
Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Fugate; son, Marty Fugate (Missy); granddaughter, Mandi Fugate; sister, Judy Dossett; and sister-in-law, Lorenda Castleberry. She has eight nieces and nephews and several good friends.
Nancy’s graveside service was held at noon, Dec. 12, at Powell Valley Cemetery and Memorial Gardens. Rebecca also will be hosting a Celebration of Life/Music Service during mid-2021.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc, East Tennessee Office, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. Online condolences also may be made at http://www.waltersfuneralhome.net or in this legacy.com listing.
Tamara Rae “Tammy” Godolphin
December 17, 2020
Tamara Rae “Tammy” Godolphin, age 50, passed peacefully of cancer Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Farragut.
She was born June 12, 1970, in Naperville, Illinois, to parents Jerald and Shelli (Michele) Godolphin. Tammy attended Farragut Primary School, Christian Academy of Knoxville and graduated from Farragut High School in 1989.
About age 10, at First Baptist Concord, Tammy invited Jesus to be in her heart. She followed with Baptism and steadily grew in her faith, which was evident to all who knew her.
Tammy was noted for her sweet, sweet spirit and positive attitude. She had a great work ethic. She worked for several years at Goody’s warehouse. She was delighted to be able to drive school busses for JLL Transportation where she made many friends.
Tammy is survived by: her husband, Robert Legans; her mother, Shelli Vries; her father and step-mother, Jerald and Dottie Godolphin; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Felicia; sister, Christine Osborn; step-sisters, Tiffany Cartwright, Andrea Kirkpatrick and Meredith Noah.
Surviving aunts are Margot Godolphin and Rubena Wright; and cousins, Amelia, Savannah, Andrew, Lionel and Karin Godolphin.
Tammy is preceded in death by her grandparents, Harvey and Lorraine Ivie, Sylvia and Lionel S. Godolphin and John and Ruth Liner.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony is planned for early January, (to be announced) at her church: Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 400 Everett Road (near Smith and Everett roads intersection) in Farragut.
Updates will be posted on Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church or St Jude’s Research.
Mary Esther Hatmaker
December 17, 2020
Mary Esther Hatmaker was more affectionately known as “Essie Mae” by her loving husband of 47 years, Hubert (1917-1994); “Mom” by her daughters, Donna (Scott) Fraley of Lenoir City and Brenda (Rick) McColl of Knoxville; “Nanaw” by her granddaughters, Susan (Brad) Horn of Knoxville, Holly (Jason) Zachary of Knoxville and Brandi (Brandon) Williams of Sevierville; “Mamaw” and “Granny” by her favorite grandson, Joe (Tonya) Pierce of Lenoir City; “GG” by her great-grandchildren, the pride and joy of her life, Austin and Addison Pierce, Madeline and Reagan Horn, Tyson Zachary and Zoe Morgan and Hunter Williams; and “Essie” by her sister, Bunny Thomas of Lenoir City, and her siblings who preceded her in death, Grace Everett, Wayne Burnette, Nine Ruth Summitt, Annis Hudson, ML Wilkerson, Barbara Luther, Woody Wilkerson, Helen McCabe, and Midge Newberry.
Esther was born into the home of Floyd Woodrow and Mary Watt Wilkerson in Lenoir City Dec. 21, 1925. She graduated from Lenoir City High School in 1944 and married the love of her life Dec, 29, 1945. They built their home on Grigsby Chapel Road, and that is where she spent the happiest days of her life.
God created her to be a homemaker, and everyone who entered her home can testify that she thrived in that role. Hospitality was her passion; creating beautiful spaces, delicious dishes and a welcoming atmosphere came as naturally to her as breathing. Her days were spent in the kitchen and garden, and at night she enjoyed playing cards and backgammon with her family and friends, watching Tennessee football or Atlanta Braves baseball or making the most gorgeous hand-stitched quilts.
Esther left her earthly body, and her faith was made sight on Dec, 10, 2020, just 11 days before her 95th birthday. As beautiful as her life was, the glory that she is experiencing in the presence of the Lord is greater that any treasure this world could offer.
Because of COVID-19, the family held a graveside service beginning at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14, at Loudon Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to East Tennessee Office of Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. Website is www.alztennessee.org
Judy Elaine Taylor
October 8, 2020
Judy Elaine Taylor, age 69, passed away Sept. 26, 2020, at her home in Knoxville after a brave battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 12, 1951, to Gene and Delphia Taylor in Marion, North Carolina.
Judy was a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Asheville. She proudly served her country in the U.S. Army, where she was an ordinance officer before retiring her commission to work as a military plans analyst with the federal government, conducting war games and exercises.
She was a voracious reader who loved to go on historical and literary tours. Judy traveled frequently for work and continued into retirement to many European countries. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and looked forward to her annual family trips home to Asheville for Thanksgiving.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents in 2002 and 2019. She is survived by her son, John, and his wife, Katie, and their children, Madelyn and JJ, all of Knoxville; daughter, Julie, and her husband, Dan, and their daughters, Harper and Brooke, all of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; sister, Kaye, of Knoxville; and sister, Abbie, and her children, William and Charlotte, all of Atlanta, Georgia. Services for Judy were held Oct. 3 at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel.
Thomas G. Canan
August 13, 2020
Thomas G. Canan, 74, passed away peacefully July 30, 2020, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born Jan. 30, 1946, in Muncie, Indiana, Tom was the third of four children born to Phyllis Badders Canan Harter and raised by Phyllis and Everett Earl Harter.
Tom graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1964, where he played baseball and basketball. Tom was a member of the First Baptist Church in downtown Muncie. In his young years, Tom was employed by Muncie Delco Battery, then sold autos and RVs for a local Muncie dealer, which led to his career start at Prudential Insurance. He was married twice: first to Joy Kay Catron of Muncie (from August 1966 to July 1985) and later to Lynne Collins Canan of Blacksburg, Virginia (from November 1986 to March 2015).
Tom lived in the Muncie area until moving to Boca Raton, Florida, in 1974 with Prudential. He then moved to Knoxville in 1979 with Prudential after being promoted to District Manager. Prudential moved Tom, once again, to Centerville, Ohio, in 1989. He retired from Prudential in 1993 in Knoxville. He earned many accolades during his long tenure. Tom had a second career as a real estate agent with Lynne Canan as his partner at Realty Executives, Knoxville.
Tom had a wonderful gift of work/life balance throughout his life. He was a prominent leader at Prudential where he held a lifelong career and was all inclusive with his family. Tom also loved to enjoy his family with activities and travel, especially to the ocean and lakes where the family enjoyed fishing, boating and picnicking together.
Tom loved music, dancing, reading, sports and dogs. Tom loved to entertain his family, work family and friends throughout his life. He also was a leader, coaching his sons’ baseball teams, including Tommy’s Orioles team and Ty’s Copperheads travel league team. Tom was the best Girl Dad to Kristi and Kelli and empowered them both to aspire to achieve their dreams. He introduced his children to the endless possibilities in the world, showed them beautiful places to live and visit, demonstrated responsibility and accountability and taught them how excuses had no place in their lives. Tom loved his grandchildren deeply and spent much of his time watching sports with brother, Mike.
Thomas G. Canan is survived by his children, Thomas B. Canan (Anne), of Kansas City, Missouri; Kelli A. Canan (Anthony), of Knoxville; Hylton Tyler Canan (Juliane), of Atlanta, Georgia; and Shawn R. Bailes of Knoxville. Grandchildren are Katherine Annaliese Bailes, Harter Thomas Crisp and William Hayden Crisp of Knoxville; His brother, Michael Eugene Harter of Knoxville; Lynne C. Canan and Joy K. Catron, of Knoxville.
Tom recently was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Kristi C. Bailes of Knoxville. He also was predeceased by his parents, Phyllis and Everett Harter; his brothers, James John Canan of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Raymond Bradford Canan (Trish) of Crawfordsville, Indiana. Tom leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members and close friends.
The family received friends and family outdoors at Concord Park waterfront (near the boat ramp and Lakeside Tavern) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8.
The sudden passing of his daughter, Kristi, was a profound loss for Tom; therefore, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Vibrant Emotional Health, the nonprofit administer of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, was instrumental in creating the 988 Direct-Dial hotline, which will be active in 2022. Your donation will help implement the three-digit number to provide easier and more widespread access to mental health services.
Donors may contribute in memory of Kristi C. Bailes at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/donate and request that a notification be sent to: BailesCananSuicidePrevention@outlook.com.
Everett (Bud) Giles McLean Jr,
July 9, 2020
94, of Woodman, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020.
Everett was born Feb. 6, 1926, in Elgin, Illinois. After graduating from Elgin High School, his higher education included a B.A. from Lake Forest College in 1949 where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and an M.S. from Northern Illinois University in 1969 where he was instrumental in developing an outdoor education program for the Lorado Taft Field campus.
Everett served in the United States Army. During his career, he taught at the Chicago Junior School in Elgin and later for Glen Ellyn Junior High School (renamed Hadley Jr. High), retiring in 1986. As Director of Environmental Studies and Outdoor Education for Glen Ellyn Public Schools, he supervised science programs for the district, and developed and ran an extremely popular summer outdoor education program. While teaching, he also enjoyed working with his father at McLean’s Bait and Tackle in Elgin, raising soft-shell crabs and seining minnows to supply area fishermen and several exhibits at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
A lover of the out-of-doors, including hunting and fishing, Everett was passionate about preserving the environment and protecting wildlife. He regularly took extended camping and fossil hunting trips with his first wife, Nancy, and their three daughters to explore and fish the wild remote areas of the Midwest. When his grandchildren visited, they often went on long hikes at his farm, fishing trips and enjoyed traditional evening campfires.
In his later years, he resided part time in California with second wife, Carol. He enjoyed volunteering at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, competing internationally as a member of the Santa Barbara Lawn Bowling Club, traveling the British Isle and retreating to his farm in Wisconsin during the summer for some quiet time. He regularly attended services and participated in Bible studies at The Marion Immanuel United Church of Christ in Woodman. Everett recently enjoyed a Father’s Day Zoom call from his daughters and nephew, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his first wife, Nancy L. Collingbourne.
His daughters are Lorna J.M. Rosson of Farragut, along with those outside of Farragut: Mary (Ben) Schmidtke, Julie (Jim) McPike and his second wife’s daughter, Rebecca (James) Carbone.
His granddaughters are Audra A. Rosson and Lorna E. Rosson of Farragut, along with those outside of Farragut: Heidi Lalowski (Dr. John Gaskill), Andrea McPike, Katy McPike (Col. James) Burack, Sue McPike (Siguard) Utgaard, Caitlyn Carbone (Justin) Dillon and Jessica Carbone.
His grandsons are Dr. Christopher (Brittany) Rosson of Farragut, along with those outside of Farragut: Ben Schmidtke III (Victoria Griesdoorn), Andrew McPike and Dr. Jim (Jenette) McPike II.
Great-grandchildren from Farragut are Everett Rosson, Nolan Aarant, Jack Aarant, Jenna Crowley and Charlotte Hays. Great-grandchildren outside of Farragut are Tristan Lalowski, Mary Lalowski, Johnny Gaskill, Jade Bayer, Forrest Bayer (great-great granddaughter Aiva Bayer), Audrey Bayer, Chloe Bayer, Isaac Bayer, Charlie Utgaard, Maggie Utgaard, Liam Burack, Finn Burack, Madalyn McPike, Angela McPike and Noelle McPike.
His nephews, Rick (Lili Ann Agustin) Breytspraak, John Breytspraak, Bill (Misue Fujimoto) Breytspraak, and nieces, Mary (Jim) Valerio (children Juno and Maryann) and Ann Breytspraak, visited him often in California.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorna Elaine Lussenhof and Everett Giles McLean Sr.; sister, Mary Lorna Breytspraak; younger brother, William Herbert McLean; grandson-in-law, Donn Lalowski; and second wife, Carol Price McLean of Santa Barbara, California.
The family plans to schedule a celebration of his life when gathering in person is possible. Please make a donation to a charity of your choice or plant a tree in Everett’s memory — Buckeyes were his favorite.
Margaret “Peggy Sue” Cypherd
July 2, 2020
73, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and family Friday, June 19, 2020, in Farragut, Tennessee, after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Family received friends from 1 to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 27, at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel with a service celebrating Peggy following.
Afterward there was a reception next door at Milestones Event Center.
Peggy was born in Williamston, North Carolina, to William Mullen and Elsie Hyman Schultz, and raised in Robersonville, North Carolina, where she was the homecoming queen and graduated from Robersonville High School in 1964.
After her high school graduation, Peggy attended Richard Bland College for two years. Peggy was a four-time cancer survivor and a pioneer in trying experimental treatments at John’s Hopkins University Hospital that helped save her life and further cancer research.
In 1973, Peggy moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, and was hired by Burnup & Sims, Inc, a nationwide infrastructure construction company, and soon met her future husband, John. Peggy happily married John M. Cypherd Jr. June 28, 1974.
In 1980, they started their own engineering and xonstruction company, STS, Inc., located in Orlando. In 1995, they sold the company and retired to the mountains of North Carolina.
In 2016, they wanted to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren and moved to Farragut. Peggy loved spending time with her family and pets.
She enjoyed adventure and travel, gardening, playing golf, Purdue football games and Corvettes.
Peggy touched many lives with her inspirational stories and passion for life, and her Southern accent captured the hearts of everyone she met.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, William Mullen and Elsie Hyman Schultz; father-in-law, Donald Schultz; brothers, Thomas Mullen, James T. Taylor and Kenneth H. Taylor; aunt, Elizabeth Hyman Taylor; and uncle, James W. Taylor Jr.
Peggy is survived by her husband of 46 years, John M. Cypherd Jr. of Knoxville; daughter, Kathryn R. Nagy and husband, Philip, of Knoxville; sons, Christopher T. Cypherd and wife, Ronda, of Orlando; Robert Gregory Cypherd and wife, Gail, of Fishers Island, New York; John M. Cypherd III and wife, Stacy, of Tampa; daughter, Sonya Gauer, of Orlando; brother, Dallas W. Taylor, and wife, Ann, of Greenville, North Carolina.; sister-in-law, Toni C. Taylor, of Greenville; niece, Bebee Mullen Bugge and husband, Adam, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; surrogate son, Peter Zike and fianceé Sonia, of El Paso, Texas; 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to UT Hospice and the Pancreatic Cancer Research.