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.)
Ethel Babb, 74
Oneida
April 30, 1952 – August 12, 2026
Ethel Mae Sexton Joseph Babb received her eternal healing on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at her home surrounded by her family. She is now walking the streets of gold pain free with her brand new body while rejoicing in the sight of her Heavenly Father.
LIFE
Born April 30, 1952, Ethel was the daughter of the late Glenn and Emma Sexton. Throughout her life, she was one of the hardest workers you would ever find. She had a strong work ethic and even stronger desire to make sure that everything around her was clean and spotless. Her famous quote was “that’s not good enough, clean it again.” Throughout her life she earned many titles, but her favorite one was “Mamaw.” Her grandbabies will always remember her next famous quote “I have a cream for that.” If we tried to include everything that made her special this obituary would go on for miles. There are countless memories and even more things that made her special. She will be missed beyond measure and loved beyond the years.
Ethel was a born-again Christian. Her love for the Lord is something she never failed to share with anyone that would listen. She is a member of the Big Ridge Road Missionary Baptist Church in Oneida. Due to her failing health, she has not been able to attend in quite some time but still prayed daily and remained faithful in her belief that her healing would come.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Glenn and Emma Sexton.
• Son: Michael Babb.
• Brother: Columbus Sexton.
• Sisters: Ruth Strunk and Paula Boshears.
• Sister-in-law: Sharon Sexton.
• Brother and sister-in-law: Earl and Betty Walker.
• Special friend and aunt who was her mentor in her walk with Christ: Geneva Sexton.
SURVIVORS
• Lifelong love and husband: Leland Babb.
• Daughter: Stacey Young and husband Billy.
• Stepson: Daniel Babb.
• Grandchildren: Morgan Strunk and husband Raiden, ZoieAnne Young, Nathan Young, James Keltner, Brandi Babb, and Shae Summers and husband Nick.
• Great-grandchildren: Samuel, Matthew and AvaLynn.
• Daughter-in-law: Carla Newport.
• Brothers: James Sexton, and David Sexton and wife Swannee.
• Sister: Mattie Waters and husband Bruce.
• Sister-in-law: Kathy Sexton.
• Brother and sister-in-law: Kenny and Charity Babb.
• Caregivers who became like daughters: Donna Griffith, Judy Lowe and Stephanie Wolford.
• Special friend who she loved like a son: Mike Webb.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 2 p.m. with Bro. Melvin Stephens and Bro. Jody Harness officiating.
• Burial: To follow at the Babb Family Cemetery.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Josh Collins, 77
Salem, S.C.
Oct. 28, 1948 – Aug. 9, 2026
Edward Joshua ‘Josh’ Collins, of Salem, S.C., passed away Aug. 9, 2026, at the age of 77.
LIFE
Born Oct. 28, 1948, in Collins, Ga., Josh grew up in Belvedere, South Carolina where he met his wife, Patti. He attended Clemson University where he was a two-sport athlete and received All American honors. He earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Clemson. He retired from the City of Oak Ridge after nearly 30 years as the Director of Recreation and Parks. He was an avid fisherman and spent many hours wetting a line in lakes and ponds across the Southeast. He also loved the Clemson Tigers, especially when they were winning.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
Parents: Edward and Marilyn Collins.
SURVIVORS
• Wife of 57 years: Patricia (Patti), who shared the same birthday.
• Daughter: Amy Milner and husband Jason.
• Son: Dr. Marc Collins.
• Grandson: Carter Milner.
• Brother: Bob Collins and wife Terri.
• Brother: Dr. Jonathan Collins and wife Pat.
• Sister: Donna Rush and husband Peter.
• Mother-in-law: Jean Marcum.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home, 20059 Alberta St., Oneida, TN 37841.
• Burial: To follow at the Sunny View Cemetery in the Pine Creek community.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Lyman Jones Jr., 85
North Augusta, S.C.
September 11, 1940 - August 9, 2026
Lyman Curb Jones Jr., age 85, passed away Aug. 9, 2026, at NHC in North Augusta, S.C.
LIFE
Born Sept. 11, 1940, in Birmingham, Ala., Lyman was the son of Lyman Curb Jones and Evelyn Mae Lynn Jones. He grew up in Greensboro and Athens, Ala. He graduated in 1958 from Athens High School. He married Sara Elizabeth Smith of Oneida in 1963, and they had two sons, Matthew Dean and Benjamin Todd. The Jones family lived in Texas, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and TN before making North Augusta, S.C., their home from 1989.
Lyman attended Tennessee Technological University on a football scholarship, graduating in 1962 with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. While at TTU, he was in the Army ROTC and served as president of the Scabbard and Blade organization. Following college, he served two years of active duty as a second lieutenant working for NASA engineering at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. In 1968, after two years of post-graduate study, he received his M.S. in industrial management from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Ga.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Parents: Lyman Curb Jones and Evelyn Mae Lynn Jones.
SURVIVORS
• Wife: Sara Jones.
• Son: Matt Jones and wife Jennifer.
• Son: Ben Jones and wife Buffi.
• Granddaughters: Savanna and Sierra.
• Grandsons: Logan and Luke.
• Sister: Lynn Jones Paracca and husband Bill.
• Brother-in-law: Milton Smith and wife Carolyn.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home.
• Funeral: To follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. Roy Kiser officiating.
• Burial: To follow at the Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery in Robbins.
• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by West-Murley Funeral Home.
Pauline Newport, 84
Helenwood
July 26, 1942 - Aug. 14, 2026
Pauline Griffith Newport, age 84, of Helenwood, passed away on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Somerset, KY.
LIFE
Born July 26, 1942, Pauline was a child of Jesus and a member of the First Baptist Church of Huntsville. Until her illness prohibited it, she was involved in many church activities.
SURVIVORS
• Husband of 67 years: Billy Joe Newport.
• Daughters: Diane Newport, Anetta Newport and Tina Newport.
• Son: Eddie Newport.
• Daughter-in-law: Jilleen Newport.
• Granddaughter: Emily Newport.
• Sisters: Irene Pratt, Allene Morris and husband John, Betty Dunn and Una Long and husband Jerry.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the chapel of Jones & Son Funeral Home.
• Burial: Graveside service to follow at Daniel Memorial Cemetery with Bro. Kevin Terry officiating.
• In Lieu of Flowers: Pauline requested no flowers be sent to her services. Donations may be made in Pauline’s honor to the First Baptist Church of Huntsville, 3096 Baker Hwy., Huntsville, TN 37756.
Arrangements by Jones & Son Funeral Home.
Tommy Pierce Jr., 59
October 19, 1966 – August 14, 2026
Ronald “Tommy” Pierce Jr., age 59, departed this life on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.
LIFE
Born on Oct. 19, 1966, Tommy was the son of the late Ronald Thomas Pierce Sr. and Merita Jean Newport Pierce. He graduated from Oneida High School. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.
PRECEDED IN DEATH
• Wife: Deanna Smith Pierce.
• Son: Darry Smith.
• Parents: Ronald Thomas Pierce Sr. and Merita Jean Newport Pierce.
SURVIVORS
• Children: Chemeea Adkins and husband Matthew, and Bianca Pierce.
• Grandchildren: Bentley Pierce, Grayson Adkins, River Adkins, Cohen Foster and Lennix Lowe.
• Siblings: Judy Phillip Blevins and husband Phillip, Teddy Pierce and Dedra Pierce.
• Special companion: Debbie Mitchell.
SERVICES
• Visitation: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the chapel of Four Oaks Funeral Home in Oneida.
• Funeral: To follow at 2 p.m. with Bro. Bradley Kidd officiating.
• Burial: To follow at the Hazel Valley Memorial Cemetery.
• In Lieu of Flowers: Donations can be made to the Tommy Pierce Memorial Fund, in care of Four Oaks Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 410, 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.
Thank you for reading. Our next newsletter will be The Weekender tomorrow. If you’d like to update your subscription to add or subtract any of our newsletters, do so here. If you haven’t yet subscribed, it’s as simple as adding your email address!
◼️ About the IH • IH Sports Network • The Encyclopedia of Scott County
◼️ Subscribe • Sponsor • Manage Your Account
◼️ Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube
Our Newsletters:
• Monday morning: The Daybreaker (news & the week ahead)
• Tuesday: Echoes from the Past (stories of our history)
• Wednesday: Threads of Life (obituaries)
• Thursday evening: The Weekender (news & the weekend)
• Friday: Friday Features (beyond the news)
• Sunday: Varsity (a weekly sports recap)