You’re reading Threads of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter that remembers and honors our friends and family members who made an impact on Scott County through the ways they lived their lives. Threads of Life is delivered to you courtesy of Jones & Son and West-Murley Funeral Homes. (Want to adjust your subscription settings? Click here.)
Janet Watson, 74
Williams Creek
September 17, 1952 – October 27, 2026
Janet Fay Chambers Watson, of the Williams Creek community, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at her home in Oneida. She was 74.
LIFE
Born Sept. 17, 1952, Janet was the daughter of R.D. and Nila Mae Williams Chambers.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: R.D. and Nila Mae Williams Chambers.
• Son: Jamie Watson.
• Daughter: Annie Watson Gislason.
• Sister: Judy Mason.
• Brother: Jimmy Ray Chambers.
• Aunt: Fay Bayles.
• Uncle: Gene Bayles.
SURVIVORS
• Husband: Jerry Watson.
• Daughters: Jodie Watson.
• Sons: Jeffrey Watson and Justin Watson.
• Sisters: Shelby Lowe and Velva Sexton.
• Father-in-law: Otis Watson.
• Mother-in-law: Doris Neely.
• Son-in-law: B.J. Gislason.
• Daughters-in-law: Colleen Watson and Martha Watson.
• Brother-in-law: Don Watson.
• Grandchildren: Tristen Kimla, Logan Watson, Sawyer Watson, and Athena Watson.
• Great-granddaughter: Kinlee Davis.
• Special nephew: Greg Chambers.
SERVICES
Janet and her family requested cremation. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Notes of sympathy or remembrance may be mailed to the family at 6229 Williams Creek Road, Oneida, TN 37841.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Thermon Jeffers, 87
Oneida
July 31, 1939 – October 28, 2026
Thermon B. “Buddy” Jeffers, of Oneida, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at UT Medical Center in Knoxville, with his family by his side. He was 87.
LIFE
Born July 31, 1939, in Huntsville, Thermon was the son of Arvalee and Lassie Williams Jeffers. He was a deacon at Capital Hill Missionary Baptist Church for many years. Thermon was a good Christian man with a sweet personality who helped many people throughout his life and loved his family dearly. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Arvalee and Lassie Williams Jeffers.
• Sons: Danny Jeffers, Ron Jeffers, and Don Jeffers.
• Grandson: Darron Jeffers.
• Great-granddaughter: Elleonna Jeffers.
• Parents-in-law: John and Alene Allen.
• Siblings: Nadine Bybee, Wanda Walker, Wilma Allen, Eddie Jeffers, Paul Jeffers, Thelma Harness and husband Claude, Norva Young, and Odis Jeffers and wife Walteen.
• Sisters-in-law: Jean West and Pat Jeffers.
• Brothers-in-law: Johnny Allen and wife Wilma, Joe Allen and wife Pat, Robert Allen and wife Annie, and Roger Baird.
SURVIVORS
• Wife of 66 years: Barbara L. Allen Jeffers.
• Son: Rick Jeffers and wife Donna.
• Grandchildren: Dustin Jeffers and wife Julie, Derrick Jeffers and wife Amber, Adam Chambers and wife Kim, Mandy Schoch and husband Bryan, Jennifer Byrge and husband Brandon, and Jake Jeffers and wife Rhealey.
• Sister: Kay McCann and husband Scott.
• Brother: Art Jeffers.
• Brother-in-law: Mike West.
• Sister-in-law: Judy Baird.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 3 p.m. with Bro. Dudley Harness and Bro. Scott McCann officiating.
• Burial: To follow at Allen Family Cemetery in Huntsville.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Marsha Pike, 63
Helenwood
December 19, 1962 – October 29, 2026
Marsha Diane Pike, of Helenwood, passed away Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida. She was 63.
LIFE
Born Dec. 19, 1962, in Oneida, Marsha was the daughter of Tommy and Wilma Cotton.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Tommy and Wilma Cotton.
• Son: Donny Pike.
• Siblings: Thomas Cotton, Sue Risden, and Sandra Sparling.
• Nephew: Mickey Risden.
SURVIVORS
• Husband: Mickey Pike.
• Children: Nickie and wife Marilyn, April and husband Jonathan, and Daniel.
• Grandchildren: Lonny, Donny, Eva, Jacee, Ember, John and wife Emma, Jesse, and Seth.
• Great-grandchild: Nova.
• Brother: Bobby Cotton and wife Wanda.
• Sisters: Shelia Fisher and husband Elmer, Peggy Cotton, Linda Butler, Kathy Risden and husband Frank, Charlotte Norris and husband Larry, Phyllis McKay and husband James, and Judy Smith.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 1 p.m. with Bro. Don Hughett officiating.
• Burial: To follow at Pike Cemetery in Oneida.
• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made to the Marsha Pike Funeral Fund, c/o West-Murley Funeral Home, 18641 Alberta St., Oneida, TN 37841.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Craig Goad, 44
Knoxville, Tenn.
June 11, 1982 – November 2, 2026
Craig Milas Goad, of Knoxville, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. He was 44.
LIFE
Born June 11, 1982, Craig was the son of Frazier and Betty Goad. He attended Oneida High School and Roane State Community College, as well as Tennessee College of Applied Technology Huntsville/Oneida, where he earned certificates in the PC and Network Specialist programs. He was employed for several years by JDS Technologies as a machinist and press operator. Craig touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Frazier and Betty Goad.
• Nephew: Corban Goad.
• Great-nephew: Trae Sexton.
SURVIVORS
• Wife: Aubrey Goad.
• Stepdaughter: Paige Hughett.
• Grandchildren: Everleigh and Parker.
• Brothers: Charles Goad, and Chester Goad and wife Joy.
• Sister: Chrissie Boyatt and husband Jeff.
• Special sister-in-law: Amanda Bertram.
• Special friends: Crissy Davis and Carl Reagan.
SERVICES
Craig’s request was cremation.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Gary Stephens, 79
August 24, 1947 – October 27, 2026
T. Gary Stephens departed this life Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. He was 79.
LIFE
Born Aug. 24, 1947, Gary was the son of Walter McKinley Stephens Sr. and Janette Douglas Stephens.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Walter McKinley Stephens Sr. and Janette Douglas Stephens.
• Brothers: Walter “Bugs” Stephens Jr., Charles “Chuck” Stephens, Oliver “Willie” Stephens, and Buddy Ray Stephens.
• Sisters: Patsy Ruth Stephens, Carol South, Vicky Stephens Smiddy, Geneda Jones, and Shirley Underwood.
• Special friends: Jerry Neal and Avery Douglas.
SURVIVORS
• Children: Monica Danielle Shafer, Tina and husband Matt, Tammy Caudle, and Terri Smith and husband Richard.
• Grandchildren: Maecyn, Sawyer, Tommy, Brandy, and Cody.
• Sister: Mary Hill.
• Sister-in-law: Tonya Stephens Godsey.
• Special friends: Lonnie Smiddy, Carol Smiddy, Jeff Burchfield, and Robbie Godsey.
SERVICES
Gary’s request was cremation. A private service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Stephens Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 410, Huntsville, TN 37756.
Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home.
Norma Jean Potter, 84
Huntsville
October 2, 1942 – October 28, 2026
Norma Jean Potter departed this life Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. She was 84.
LIFE
Born Oct. 2, 1942, in the No Business community in the heart of the Big South Fork, Norma was the daughter of Lee Crabtree and Margaret Slaven Crabtree. She was saved as a young girl at New Haven Baptist Church. Norma was a granny to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Lee Crabtree and Margaret Slaven Crabtree.
• Brothers: Dillard Crabtree and wife Janice, and Shirley “Shirl” Crabtree.
• Sisters: Glenna Collins, Della Bell, and Irene Burke Strunk.
• Nephews: Conway Vaden, John Russell Bell, Ernest Ray “Boots” Bell, Jerry Bell, David “Crockett” Bell, and James Bell.
SURVIVORS
• Children: Dwayne Potter and wife Raisa, Paula Bridges, and Joe Potter and wife Dina.
• Father of her children: George W. Potter.
• Grandchildren: Robert Potter and wife Shelby, Kristin Brewster and husband Logan, Jordan Potter and wife Kayla, Aaron Potter and wife Mari, Hayden Potter and wife Taylor, Kailee Howard, Ashilee Miller and husband Mark, and Saylor Wilson.
• Great-grandchildren: Cason Brewster, Reece Brewster, Briggs Brewster, Craye Brewster, Layne Potter, Easton Potter, Brileigh Potter, Emory Potter, Kenzilee Howard, Kamden Howard, Keiston Howard, Jayilee Coffey, Macon Miller, Haizlynn Miller, Trace Potter, Jenson Potter, Deacon Potter, Wesson Potter, Rydlee Potter, Barrett Potter, Whitlee Potter, Grayden Potter, and Ledger Potter.
• Brother: Ernest Francis Crabtree and wife Dotti.
• Sister-in-law: Wanda Crabtree.
• Special nephew: Donnie Burke and wife Carol.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at White Rock Baptist Church in Huntsville.
• Funeral: Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. at White Rock Baptist Church, with Bro. Jim West, Bro. Dewayne King, and Bro. Jordan Potter officiating.
• Burial: To follow at Cooper Memorial Gardens in the West Oneida community.
• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be made to the White Rock Christian Life Center, P.O. Box 627, Huntsville, TN 37756.
Arrangements by Four Oaks Funeral Home
Threads of Life is sponsored by Jones & Son Funeral Home and West-Murley Funeral Home: Proudly serving the families of Scott County with care, dignity and trust. Visit jandwfh.com.
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Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
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