From The Oak Ridger 15 Jul 2004 Harold James Braden, 75, of the Coalfield Thomas Robert Messere, 35, of Lake Charles, La., Harold James Braden, 75, of the Coalfield community, died Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He was born April 2, 1929, in Anderson County. After marrying, he moved to Ohio where he worked in construction, moving back to Tennessee in 1958, where he worked in the coal industry. He was a U.S. Army veteran, who served in Germany during the Korean conflict. Several years later, Mr. Braden went to work for Carlisle-McCall Coal Co. as a foreman, retiring in 1991. From 1994 to 1999, he and his brother owned and operated B&B Used Cars in Coalfield. Mr. Braden was a member of Middle Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a church trustee for approximately 30 years. His family said he loved his church and everyone in the Coalfield community. He was loved in return by his community and never met a stranger, only friends not yet known. According to his family, he was also was very proud of the new Coalfield Park, which he helped to establish. He was a member of the Coalfield Lyons Club for over 40 years. His family said he was also an avid gardener and enjoyed woodworking. According to his family, Mr. Braden loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and one of his favorite pastimes was spending time with his great-granddaughter, Maci, who shared their home. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Edward Carroll; a great-grandson, Ian Carroll; and by his parents, Clarence and Nina Jett Braden. Mr. Braden is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mildred Dalton Braden, and by his children, Tim Carroll and wife, Marie, of Harriman, Rebecca Kicklighter and husband, Karl, of Dallas, Ga., Michael Carroll and wife, Donna, of Kingston, Ruthe Sinclair of Calhoun, Ga., and Jeanette Northrup and husband, Vince, of Ranger, Ga. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Brad Jimison, Staci Braden, Sean Carroll, Charity Carroll, Chad Jimison, Timothy Carroll, Eric Carroll, Joshua Carroll, Ashley Smith, Benjamin Northrup and Miranda Northrup; seven great-grandchildren, Amber Jimison, Erin Jimison, Maci Braden, Katie Carroll, Gage Carroll, Eden Carroll and Ethan Smith; his brother, Edwin Braden and wife, Mozelle, of Mossie Grove; three sisters, Naomi Farmer and Sunnie Walls, both of Oak Ridge, and Lillian McKamey of the Batley community; his brother-in-law, Stanley Dalton and wife, Mattie, of Harriman; his foster son and niece who shared the Braden home, Johnny Cross of Coalfield and Diane Braden of Mossie Grove; and by a host of extended family members and special friends. The funeral will be at 8 p.m. Friday, July 16, 2004, at Middle Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Beech and the Rev. Ron Guthrie officiating. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, at Anderson Memorial Gardens on Oliver Springs Highway in Clinton. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs is in charge of arrangements. Thomas Robert Messere, 35, of Lake Charles, La., died Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in a local hospital. Mr. Messere had lived in Lake Charles for the past 11 years. He was a graduate of Silver Creek High School in Silver Creek, N.Y. Mr. Messere attended Sowela Technical Institute. He previously worked as an aircraft mechanic at Northrop Grumman. Mr. Messere was a member of St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. His family said he enjoyed hockey, softball, football, four wheeler riding and painting. Mr. Messere is survived by his wife, Linda Canning Messere, of Lake Charles; his mother, Mary Elizabeth Messere; his father, Jon Arthur Messere and stepmother, Debbie; his brother, Jon Michael Messere; and his sister, Michelle Marie DeJesus, all of Dunkirk, N.Y. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Susan Fiacco, of Savannah, Ga.; his niece, Genavieve Charise Figueroa, of Dunkirk; three nephews, Hector DeJesus Jr. of Clarksville, Carlos Joseph Figueroa of Dunkirk and Dominic Joseph Fiacco of Savannah; his mother-in-law, Mary Cooke Canning, of Oak Ridge; and by his dog, Ruger, and his three cats, Taz, Snowball and Orange Juice. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2004, at St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karl Klaus officiating. The body will be cremated. Visitation will follow the memorial service at the church. Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles is in charge of arrangements. ============================================ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS---FLY THE FLAG "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death, your right to say it" Voltaire