From the Oak Ridger 9 Jan 2006 Betty Jane Shearer Ellis, age 77, of Oliver Springs, James Hardigree, age 68, a resident of Oliver Springs, Robert Jason Lay, 34, of Oak Ridge, Alonzo Rashad Slater, 22, a native of Oak Ridge, Tenn. Rodney Bowen, 69, of Oak Ridge, Betty Jane Shearer Ellis, age 77, of Oliver Springs, passed into the arms of the Lord at home Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006. She was born in Sumter, S.C. Mrs. Ellis was an active member of Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge for over 53 years. During this time, she was an interpreter for the Deaf Ministry, helped her husband with the Singles Ministry, and was involved in the Media Ministry of the church. She was also a member of the Missions Committee and made several mission trips to various countries including Brazil, Guatemala, Russia and Romania. Mrs. Ellis retired in 1988 having worked for 18 years as an ORNL employee, first in the Mammalian Research Facility at Y-12 and later transferring to the Health and Safety Group at ORNL. She was a member of an art group and enjoyed painting and arts and crafts. Mrs. Ellis is survived by her husband of 58 years, William Ray Ellis; six children and their spouses, Stephen and Olga Ellis of Puerto Rico, Glenn and Marcia Ellis of Oliver Springs, Dale and Pat Ellis of Statesville, N.C., Joy and Doug Rogers of Colorado, Dawn and Bill Strunk of Knoxville, and Scott and Melissa Ellis of Sevierville. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Randy Ellis of Puerto Rico, Justin Ellis and wife, Sheila, Joshua and Terra Ellis of North Carolina, David Ellis and wife, Leslie, of Memphis, Angela Ellis of Nashville, Jordan and Jessica Jones of Colorado, Stephanie Hickey and husband, Charlie, of Knoxville, David Strunk and fiancee, Laura Sanders, of Knoxville, Sarah Strunk of Knoxville, Kristina and Erik Ellis and mother, Karen Ellis, of Oak Ridge, Katie Ellis and mother, Kathie Ellis of Knoxville; and one great-grandson, Andrew Ellis of Memphis. Mrs. Ellis is also survived by three brothers, Jerome Shearer and wife, Bonnie, of Walterboro, S.C., Jerry Shearer and wife, Martha, of Columbia, S.C., and Curtis Shearer and wife, Bonnie, of Waldorf, Md. Mrs. Ellis was preceded in death by her parents, Hal and Cannie Shearer of Anderson, S.C. Weatherford Mortuary of Oak Ridge is in charge of the funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory be made to Central Baptist Church, 130 Providence Road, Oak Ridge TN 37830. The receiving of friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2006, at Central Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 8 p.m. at the church. Dr. Bobby Mullins and Rev. Bob Gray will officiate. A private graveside service for family members only will be held on Tuesday. An on-line guestbook can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com. James Hardigree, age 68, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. Mr. Hardigree was born Jan. 17, 1937, in Hyden, Ky. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Rowdy, Ky. James was retired from the Rogers Group after working for 22 years as a heavy equipment operator. He was preceded in death by his parents, General Hardigree and Gladys Stubblefield; and by a brother, Kenneth Hoskins. Survivors include his wife, Janie Hatfield Hardigree of Oliver Springs; daughters, Tammy Workman of Oliver Springs, Vickey Davis and husband, Harry, of Clinton, Valarie Hardigree of Oliver Springs, and Samantha Hardigree of Oak Ridge; grandchildren, Jessica, Melissa, James Wesley, Jennifer, Amber, Jon, James Julian, and Dustin; great-grandchildren, Shannon, Dylan, Ethan, and Adian; brothers, James G. Hardigree of Newport, Ky., William Hoskins of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Donald Beagley of Florida; and a sister, Kay Wenger of Newport, Ky. The family received friends Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. Funeral services followed at 8 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Clyde Bass and the Rev. Don Daugherty. Burial and graveside services will be held Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, at 9 a.m. at Anderson Memorial Gardens. Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Robert Jason Lay, 34, of Oak Ridge, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, at his home. He was born Jan. 26, 1971, in Oak Ridge. He worked with the Ridgeview Stepping Stone Center. Mr. Lay was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed music and all kinds of electronic gadgetry, especially his computer. His family was very important to him and he enjoyed being with them. He was preceded in death by his father, Bobby Joe Lay, who died Feb. 8, 1995; and his grandparents, Edith and Harry Gillespie and Ailene Lay. He is survived by his mother, Ann Gillespie Lay of Woodstock, Ga.; brother, Michael Alan Lay of Oak Ridge; uncles, James Lay and wife Betty, and Floyd Lay and wife Nancy, all of Oak Ridge, and George Lay and wife Moira of Mt. Juliet; niece and nephew, McKenzie Lay and Jacob Lay of Oak Ridge; and cousins, Scott Lay and wife Ginger, and Brent Lay, all of Oak Ridge, Jimmy Lay of Knoxville, Gabe Lay of Cookeville, and Teresa Lay and Andy Lay of Mt. Juliet. The memorial service was held Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary with the Rev. Bill Mooney officiating. The family asks that any memorials be in the form of contributions to the Epilepsy Foundation, Attn: Accounting Dept., 4351 Garden City Drive, Landover, MD 20785-7223. The family received friends on Sunday from noon until 2 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com. Alonzo Rashad Slater, 22, a native of Oak Ridge, Tenn., died Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006. Alonzo was born on March 17, 1983, in Oak Ridge, the son of Dexter Mitchell and Dorothy Slater, both of Oak Ridge. Alonzo was a dedicated uncle and loved by many. He loved cars and basketball. He was given the name "Showboat" for his finesse on the basketball court. He was also known as "Lil One" and "Zo." His family said, "He always had a smile on his face and never frowned. He was silly and could always make you laugh. Zo will be missed and will always be remembered for his sexy eyes." He is survived by his parents, Dexter Mitchell and Dorothy Slater, both of Oak Ridge; brothers Dexter Slater, Desmond Slater, Malcolm Slater, Marvin Slater and Miguel Pettus of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; sisters, Lasheanda Slater, Jeanesha Slater, Jasmine Slater, Tara Slater, Ebony Capshaw and Toya Capshaw, all of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Shantle Mitchell and Shakira Boyd of Knoxville, Tenn.; numerous aunts, uncles, and a host of cousins; very special friend, Rasnay Hall of Oak Ridge; and special home boys, Astante Ward, Chas Ivy, Nicholas Mitchell, Jermaine Mitchell, Thel Duff and Freddie Black. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at Weatherford Mortuary with the Rev. T. L. Mims officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Weatherford Mortuary. An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com. Rodney Bowen, 69, of Oak Ridge, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. Weatherford Mortuary is handling the arrangements, which were incomplete at press time. =========================================== SUPPORT OUR TROOPS---FLY THE FLAG "Genealogy is like playing hide and seek. They hide I seek!!! www.byrge.com/genealogy/ Searching: BYRGE/BUNCH/DAUGHERTY/DUNCAN/KENNEDY/ PATTERSON/PHILLIPS/SEIBER/TACKETT/WARD