>From the Oak Ridger 26 Jun 2007 Mrs. Ida Margaret Brackins of Oak Ridge Kendra Cannon, 40, of Oak Ridge, Lura Nelson Ellis Prewett Howard Lee Vandergriff Sr., age 80, of Oak Ridge formerly of Jacksboro, Mrs. Ida Margaret Brackins, a longtime resident of Oak Ridge and formerly from Youngstown, Ohio, passed away on June 24, 2007, at her home. She was 96 years old. Ida graduated from the University of Tennessee and taught at Daniel Arthur as a special education teacher. She was also an excellent seamstress who learned her craft from her father. In her later years, she spent time helping with alterations at the Oak Ridge Senior Citizen Center. She loved to travel and traveled extensively. Ida enjoyed telling stories of her Lebanese heritage and her teaching and traveling experiences. Ida is survived by her husband, Warren Brakins, his five children, two nieces and a nephew residing in Ohio, and numerous extended family members and friends. In keeping with her wishes, no services were held. Jackson-Oliver Mortuary in Oliver Springs is in charge of arrangements. Kendra Cannon, 40, of Oak Ridge, has peacefully joined our Holy Father in Heaven on June 24, 2007. She leaves her daughter, Ashley Cannon, 17, and father, Harvey Cannon, 67, both of Oak Ridge; sister, Triste, 43, and husband, Gary Finnigan, of Oliver Springs; brother, Chad, 37, and wife, Shanna Cannon, of Redding, Calif.; and sister, Janel, 35, and daughter, Lindsey, 3, Cannon of Santa Maria, Calif. Kendra was pre-deceased by our mother, Sandra Jean Cannon, of Pismo Beach, Calif. Kendra moved here with her daughter to be a caregiver for her father in 1997. Kendra's big heart and concern for all she loved, whether it was a friend, neighbor, or stray animals that she fed on the front porch, set her apart from all others. She will be dearly missed. Miss Cannon leaves many aunts, uncles, and cousins in California, Montana, and Connecticut. She loved her time with her family, animals, Nascar, and women's college softball. A memorial service, following cremation, will be held for family and friends at Weatherford Mortuary, 158 S. Jefferson Circle, Oak Ridge, Tenn., on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary, Wednesday evening. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashley Cannon Scholarship Fund via Bank of America Branch, 795 Main Street West, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. An online guest book may be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com. Lura Nelson Ellis Prewett died at her home on Saturday, June 23, 2007, at 8 a.m. Lura was born in Cherokee County, N.C., on March 19, 1908. She relocated to Oak Ridge, Tenn., in 1945 with her husband and children. Affectionately called "Bigmama" by grandchildren and friends, she loved gardening, cooking, music, singing and all babies. Her dedication to her family superseded all other priorities and was passed on to those she loved. She lived by the philosophy that you could find good in anyone and was often referred to as an angel. Lura was a nursery worker for 12 years and then moved on to become a full-time homemaker. She retired at 70 years of age from the Holiday Inn. Lura was a member of Beech Park Baptist Church and Eastern Star. She was a contributor to many charitable and Christian organizations. "Bigmama" was a spiritual woman that met ever-changing times with open-mindedness and grace. She stressed to her loved ones patience, tolerance and acceptance. She instilled in her family a strong work ethic and the importance of education. Lura sacrificed for her family's successes and was the driving force that held them together during their struggles. The family of Lura Nelson Ellis Prewett wishes to invite all family and friends to the celebration of a life that touched so many. Lura Prewett is survived by her husband, Eddie Prewett; her daughter, Brenda Ellis Joyner, both of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; grandchildren, David Wheeler, Daralyn Reynolds, Kelly Ann Joyner, Randy Bruner, Theresa Smith, Mary Ellis, Julie Miller, Leslie Chenoweth and Rose Davis, as well as many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Lura is also survived by very dear friends, Joseph F. McCamish, Thomas Womack and Tonya Oster; two special nieces, Wendy Bolton and Marline Taylor, and several other nieces and a nephew. Lura was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Fidilly Nelson and Rebecca M. Postell; brothers, William Guy Nelson, Arnold Nelson, Theodore Nelson and Herbert Nelson; sisters, May Nelson, Lenna Derryberry, Inez West, Hattie Bell Postell and Idell Worley. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Theodore R. Ellis Sr.; son, Theodore R. Ellis Jr.; daughters, Phyllis Ellis Stakes and Opal Ellis Wheeler; grandson, Howard Scott Stakes; and great-grandson, Connor Sullivan; best friend, Marie Davis; very dear friend, Martha Oster; and son-in-law, George Hollis Stakes. The receiving of friends will be Wednesday, June 27, 2007, from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. An Amaranth service will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 8 p.m. Chaplain Clay Mulford of Adventa Hospice will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. Remembrances may be sent to Adventa Hospice of Knoxville, 1420 Dutch Valley Road, Suite 3, Knoxville, TN 37918. Many thanks to her daughter Brenda Joyner, grandson David Wheeler, and Adventa Hospice. An online guest book may be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com. Howard Lee Vandergriff Sr., age 80, of Oak Ridge formerly of Jacksboro, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2007, at the NHC in Oak Ridge. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and of the Oak Ridge Masonic Lodge No. 756 F & AM. Mr. Vandergriff enjoyed gardening, roses, and cooking. He was a veteran of World War II having won several metals and ribbons. He was preceded in death by mother, Georgia Vandergriff; and father, Burley Vandergriff. Survived by his wife of 57 years, Anna Lou Vandergriff; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and James Abele of Oak Ridge; son, Howard "Buck" Vandergriff Jr. of Jacksboro; son, Paul Vandergriff of Oak Ridge; brother, Johnie "Buddy" Vandergriff of Harrogate; sisters, Katie Vandergriff and Katherine Bolinger, both of Jacksboro; Betty Matlock of Seminole, Fla.; grandson, Brandon Abele of Oak Ridge; and a host of relatives and friends. Funeral service will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at the Midway Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Dabney officiating. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Campbell Memorial Gardens with the Campbell County Honor Guard in charge of graveside services. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. at the church before the funeral service. Martin Wilson Funeral Home of LaFollette is in charge of arrangements. =========================================== SUPPORT OUR TROOPS---FLY THE FLAG "Genealogy is like playing hide and seek. They hide I seek!!! Searching: BYRGE/BUNCH/DAUGHERTY/DUNCAN/KENNEDY/ PATTERSON/PHILLIPS/SEIBER/TACKETT/WARD ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.