Published: July 10, 2007 08:08 am      

July 10, 2007 obituaries

Rose Magaraci

Sept. 9, 1924 — June 19, 2007

Rose (Soldivieri) Magaraci, 82, of Crossville, passed away June 19, 2007.

Mrs. Magaraci was born Sept. 9, 1924, in Bayonne, NJ, the daughter of Angelo and Catherine (Gilberti) Soldivieri.

Survivors include her husband, Paul J. Magaraci of Crossville; son and daughter, Leonard and Dyann Magaraci of Crossville; sister, Faye Russo of Plantation, FL; and brother, John Soldivieri of Palm Bay, FL.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Connie Phillips and Terry Caminiti.

Bilbrey Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of the arrangements.



Clinton H. Pearson Jr.

Oct. 24, 1935 — June 29, 2007

Clinton Hardin Pearson Jr. passed away June 29, 2007. Funeral services were conducted July 2 from the chapel of Crossville Memorial Funeral Home, with Chip Meadows and Harry Sabine officiating. Burial was in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville on July 3.

Mr. Pearson was born Oct. 24, 1935, in Nashville, the son of Clinton H. Pearson Sr. and Leila Owen Pomeroy Pearson.

He lived his younger life in Nashville. He played football and coached basketball. He had a long list of accomplishments, some of which included bring a graduate of Duncan College Preparatory School, Battle Ground Academy and the Citadel Military College of South Carolina. He became an Eagle Scout at age 15, in the Order of Arrow Scouting Honorary Fraternity.

Mr. Pearson had a very serious automobile accident in 1958, which left him with brain damage and a handicap. It altered his life forever, as he had a very promising future in journalism as well as other things. His recovery was about three years because the doctors didn't think he would ever walk or have a normal life again. With a lot of therapy and hard work, he did learn to walk and talk again. He did odd jobs before coming to Crossville to live and work at the state vocational training school as a counselor until his retirement in 1992.

He was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner in Nashville and was also a member of the Corinthian Lodge #414. He attended Peabody College for Special Education. He earned a Secondary English teaching certificate and a renewal of the same from Tennessee Technological University.

He was the president of the Cumberland County Chess Club from Oct. 6, 1978, to Feb. 15, 2001, and had many chess articles in the Crossville Chronicle for several years. He won many trophies and awards for chess throughout the years.

Many people may remember Mr. Pearson going to Dairy Queen and playing chess with whoever may have given him the honor of a challenging game, because everyone knew he liked to win.

Due to several falls and broken bones, he moved to Wharton Nursing Home in Pleasant Hill in May 2004.

He had many good friends throughout the years. Those most dear to him were Harry Sabine, as friend and confidant, and Roy and Faye Meadows as friends and caregivers.

Thanks to all who have shown kindness to Mr. Pearson in spite of his handicap. Thank you, Wharton, for the excellent care, the kindness and the patience, for he was not always easy to care for, nor easy to understand. For the special attention from some of the staff, as in the kisses and the hugs, he greatly appreciated you.

Mr. Pearson is survived by his daughter, Ann Elizabeth, of South Carolina.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Harden Pearson.

Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. was in charge of the arrangements.



William J. Randolph

May 22, 1949 — June 26, 2007

William Jerry Randolph, 58, of Crossville, passed away June 26, 2007. Funeral services were conducted June 28, from the chapel of Hood Funeral Home, with Bro. Vern Daugherty and Bro. Gary Howard officiating. Burial was in Pomona Cemetery with full military honors given.

Mr. Randolph was born May 22, 1949, in Cumberland County, the son of William Cecil Randolph and Ann Payne Dayton.

He was employed at the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge and attended New Hope Baptist Church. He had also served on the Crossville City Police Department and was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during Vietnam. He was a man who loved God and his country. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and deer hunting. He was a member of the NRA. Spending time with the family he loved so very much was the most important part of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Randolph of Crossville; sons and daughters-in-law, William Earl Randolph of Crossville, Jimmy Ray and Nikki Randolph of Crossville, and Jason and Jodi Watts of Hilton Head, SC; daughters and son-in-law, Amy and Harold Allen and Ashlee Ritzko, all of Crossville; sister and brother-in-law, Judy Randolph Vitatoe and Lynn Vitatoe of Crossville; stepbrothers, Michael Dayton of Knoxville and E.W. Dayton III of Dayton, OH; niece, Cassie Vitatoe of Crossville; 14 grandchildren; and a host of friends who loved him very much.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Cecil Randolph; and stepfather, E.W. Dayton.

Pallbearers were Glenn Pesnell, J.R. Robbins, Harrison Pryor, Chuck Rector, Larry O'Toole, Lynn Vitatoe and Harold Allen.

Hood Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC was in charge of the arrangements.

www.hoodfuneralhome.com



Lanora L. Smith

Jan. 17, 1929 — July 3, 2007

Lanora Lee Smith, 78, of Crossville, passed away July 3, 2007. Funeral services were conducted July 6 from the chapel of Crossville Memorial Funeral Home, with the Rev. Pete Ullmann officiating. Special music was provided by Adrian Longoria. Burial was in Green Acres Memory Gardens.

Mrs. Smith was born Jan. 17, 1929, in Mayland, TN, the daughter of Jessie and Matte Novella Ford Wilbanks.

She was a homemaker and was retired from Carter's Ink in Crossville. She attended Calvary Presbyterian Church of Big Lick and really enjoyed cooking, taking short trips, music, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Tressie Smith of Crossville; daughters and sons-in-law, Judith Lanora and Bill Parks of Knoxville, Donna Sue and Robin Hall of Crossville, Katherine Anita and Lynn Tollett of Crossville and Barbara Gail and Jim Spriggs of Crossville; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis Smith; and her sisters and brothers.

Pallbearers were Michael Smith, James Swanson, Brian Hall, Josh Hall, Jake Tollett, Joe Tollett, John Smith, Ryan Spriggs and Kristopher Parks.

Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. was in charge of the arrangements.



Thelma R. C. Swift

March 17, 1918 — July 9, 2007

Thelma Ruth Cooper Swift passed away July 9, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at Bilbrey Funeral Home, with graveside services and burial following at Clarkrange Methodist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Tom Warren will officiate. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, at the funeral home.

Mrs. Swift was born March 17, 1918, the daughter of Dempsey and Ollie Cooper of Morgan County.

Her family moved to Clarkrange where she grew up and granduated from Clarkrange High School. She moved to Ohio where she worked and retired from General Motors. She returned and lived in Crossville where she and her husband, Paul Swift, ran the Jenkins and Darwins store in downtown Crossville.

Survivors include her children, Wilda Golob of Crossville, Shirley Walker and husband Brent of Crossville, Carolyn B. Mallory of Fairfield Glade, Joe Buck and wife Polly of Soddy Daisy and Mike Buck and wife Cindy of Fairmount, IN; sister, Lydia "Tommie" Bogard of North Carolina; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and one niece.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Swift; brother, Homer Cooper; son, Sydney Barrett; great-granddaughter, Ava Buck; and nephew, Paul Bishop.