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Obituaries

Current Obituaries

Robert H. Fain Jr.

by DFH Inc. on 03/19/24

Robert H. Fain, Jr., 98, passed away on March 15, 2024.  The eldest of nine children, he was educated in the Knoxville public school system before continuing his education at Lane College, Morristown College, and The University of Tennessee.  

 

Robert was a veteran of World War II with service from 1943-1946 in the European Theatre of Operations.  He was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he received when he was hit by a piece of shrapnel.  

 

On August 31, 1947, while riding on a bus from Knoxville to Morristown where they would be attending Morristown College, Robert met Irene Clark.  She became the love of his life and from that day until August 31, 2021, when Irene passed, they were always together.  They were wonderful parents who supported, inspired, and encouraged their six children to achieve their goals during their nearly 73 years of marriage.

 

While seemingly reserved to many, Robert had a keen sense of humor and he loved a good laugh. He was interested in studying history, traveling, providing for his family, advocatingfor others, and providing community service.  He had a strong interest in others’ wellbeing.  

 

Being born during the Great Depression and growing up during the Jim Crow Era left a lasting mark on Mr. Fain.  He often said that he did not accept being treated as a second-classcitizen, and he actively sought to end discrimination with or without the help of others. He often expressed resentment and resistance to the fact that he and other African Americans were marginalized simply because of the color of their skin.   This treatment caused him to work hard to contribute to his community in an effort to remove barriers to the success of African Americans and to serve as an advocate for others who were similarly affected but who did not feel empowered to change the status quo.

 

Robert was a skilled brick mason, and he worked for several years on union jobs in that field, working on projects in Morristown and other nearby cities.  After he left brick masonry, hworked for the Morristown Housing Authority from 1970 to 1987, when he retired from the position of Director of Social Services. He was the first African American to be employed at the Morristown Housing Authority in a professional capacity, and he left a lasting impression on several people whose lives were forever changed because of his mentorship and encouragement to help them set and reach for goals that pushed them beyond their comfort zones.  Always an advocate for education, Mr. Fain’s influence led all of his children to obtain at least a Master’s degree and several women beyond the age of 30 who lived in the Housing Authority’s projects to return to high school, get their diplomas, and to go on to earn college degrees.  He worked personally with these women who needed help in working their waysthrough the educational system and who wanted to gain independence that comes from steady employment.

 

In the ‘60s he organized a concerned citizens group that made the black vote more effective when consolidated with liberal white voters.  That action led to the election of the first black city alderman as well as first-time appointments of African Americans to most major Morristown boards of directors.  

 

Mr. Fain was a member of TARAC, an organization of combined Morristown agencies, and the Morristown Exchange Club.  He was the founding president of the local NAACP and served from 1968-70.  As president, he re-organized the local chapter that led to many first-time opportunities for African American men and women by taking them out of the prevailing roles of maids and janitors and other marginalized positions and advocating for them to move into more lucrative positions.  He served as state chair of the Tennessee NAACP Freedom Fund for two terms during this same time period.  When his children were small, he coached a little league baseball team in Morristown, and several of his players fondly recalled those days and his positive influence over 50 years later.  He was president of the Progressive Business Association and the Morristown College Alumni Association in the College’s final two years of campus operation, giving the institution additional funding beyond what was provided by the United Methodist Church.  He also served on the board for MATS (Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter), the board of trustees for Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, and the board of directors for CEASE (Community Efforts Against Spousal Abuse).

 

Robert began downhill skiing at the age of 65.  He later became a member of the Sugar Mountain Ski Resort Septuagenarian Club—an organization comprised of active skiers age 70 and above.  He skied every winter in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Colorado until 2003when his health no longer permitted it.  A serious part of his physical therapy was dedicated to regaining his capabilities in order to return to the sport that he grew to love.

 

Robert was predeceased by his parents, Irma and Rev. Robert H. Fain, Sr.; his wife Irene C.Fain; his sons Robert H. (Pat) Fain, III and Wayne C. Fain; and grandson, Kwame Pierce; his brothers Theodoric, William, Nathan, and Harold; and his sisters Anne Williams, Vivian Madison, and Doris Huff.  He will be missed and lovingly remembered by his remaining relatives, sister, Elaine Whiteside; daughters, Dr. Althia Ali; Rosaland Tyler; Angelia Fain, Anna Fain, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Juanita Fain as well as 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  A part of his extended family are Lisa Brooks and his caregivers, Crilla Tyler and Patricia Profitt.

 

The Celebration of Life service will be at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 12:00pm until the start of the service.  He will be buried with full military honors.


George C. Simpson Sr.

by DFH Inc. on 03/18/24

George C. Simpson Sr.

July 14, 1952 – February 6, 2024


He was proceeded in death by his parents Lewis and Bertha

Lee Rogers.  Daughter: Bertha R. Simpson-Banks, Sister: Shirley Allen,

Brother: Billy Simpson and Niece: Debbie Jones.

He leaves behind his sons George C. Simpson Jr., Ronald L. Simpson, Daughter: Monica F. Simpson and Destiny L. Simpson ; Brother Walter Simpson.  He also leaves behind his grand children, great grand children and a host of nieces, nephews family and friends.


Military Services at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery  John Sevier Highway, Knoxville Tn. Services Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM.

Family and Friends will gather at Dockery-Senter Funeral home at 12:45PM to proceed to Cemetery.

Robert Day (Bobby Jr.)

by DFH Inc. on 03/04/24

Robert Day, (Bobby Jr) aged 71, of Bean Station, TN, passed from this world into the arms of the Father

on February 21, 2024. He was born on November 18, 1952 in Welch, WV.


Bobby was a devoted member of the Pentecostal faith and found solace in his worship. Second only to

God, he cherished his family above all else and was known for his caring, loving, mischievous, funny,

sassy and generous nature. Bobby was a man of strong convictions; if he didn't like you, you knew it, but

if he did, you had a friend for life.


Bobby retired after holding many jobs throughout his life including Coal Miner, business owner,

construction worker and farmer. His hobbies included farming, gardening, and woodworking. He had a

deep love for animals and cared for many throughout his life.


Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Nancy Rose Day, his children Teri (Jeff) May, Crystal Day

Bales (Kevin Barber), and Bobby Day (Gabrielle Maynard and Kaydee), Grandchildren Aaron May, Kaitlin

May (Anthony Siminski), Matthew White, Emily Bales (Josh Haun), Rebecca Bales, Blake Day, Alyssa May,

Cassandra Horn, Tanya (Kyle) Everett, Jessica Baker (Nicholas Steele), and 4 great-grandchildren Alex

Horn, Turner Markham, Whisper Baker and Marcus Steele. He is also survived by Sister Charolette

(Lawrence) Maggard, Brother Bryan Hall, Beloved in-laws that were more like brothers and sisters, Joyce

(Lawrence) Crigger, Charles (Sharon) Rose, David (Brenda) Rose, Carolyn (Billy) Crigger, Billy (Millie) Rose,

Rodney (Crystal) Rose, Justin Rose, Kay Day, and Bufford Maggard. Additional siblings Wayne Day, Debbie

Dotson and James Day. Also many special nieces and nephews.

Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Robert Day, his mother, Ruby Baker Day Hall, Mother and

father-in-law, Reverends Bill and Alice Rose, whom he loved as his own, Sister Doris Fay Maggard,

Brothers Larry Day and Jeffrey Day, Son and daughter of the heart Mark and Scarlett Baker, son-in-law

William Carlus Bales, sisters-in-law Judith Willingham and Dorothy Vance.


A service to celebrate Bobby’s life will be held on April 13, 2024 at 2pm. Service held at Circle C Cowboy

Church 4682 Old Lowland Rd Morristown, TN. Bishop TH Farrell and Pastor Charles Rose officiating.


The family would like to give a special thank you to Pastor TH Farrell and Pastor Phillip Ruth, our angel

Channing Crain and all of the nurses and staff at Tennova Health who treated him and his family with

such dedication and true compassion.

Honoring Those We Have Served


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