COUSIN RUTH SELF BRYANT HAS PASSED AWAY

My mother called me a few minutes ago to let me know Ruth Bryant had died. Cousin Ruth had been ill for some time. I last saw her on June 6 at Blount Memorial Transitional Care Center. She was a very special lady and loved family very much. She thoroughly enjoyed the Self Family reunions. She was looking forward to the 2009 reunion and spoke of it when I saw her on June 6. Ruth hosted the annual Self Family reunions for as long as I can recall. She once told me she was anxious to go to heaven and see all her loved ones who had died. Now she is enjoying a truly wonderful reunion. I feel very sad that she has died, but I know heaven is sweeter now that she is there. She will be missed. Her obituary is below.

Ruth Bryant age 84 of Maryville, TN passed away Monday, July 13, 2009 at Blount Memorial Hospital. She was a faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church. She was a loving, precious mother and friend. Preceded in death by: Husband, James H. Bryant; Parents, Simpson & Julia Self; Son-in-law, Steve E. Taylor Jr.; Brothers, Douglas, Austin, Sanford, and Bluford Self; Sisters, Ellie McLemore, Angie Self, Bertha White. Survivors include: Daughters, Sandra Dominico of Kentucky, Marie Haven, Jamie & Rick Best and Kelley Taylor all of Maryville, Jody & Perry Oliveira of Vonore; Grandchildren, Kristi Tipton, Heather & Ben Bean, Andy & Meshone Oliveira, Joey Oliveira, Staci & Johnnie Hill, Coy Best, Tami & Jerry Morrow, Stacey & Michael Strain, Tonia & Mark Royse, Karrie & Brandon Whitehead and Nicole & Jozy Cole; 8 Grandchildren, 6 Great-Grandchildren; Brothers, Charlie & J. Self; Sister, Bonnie Rogers. Family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 15, 2009 with funeral service to follow at 7:00 PM at Smith Trinity Chapel with Rev. David Hammonds officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 1:00 PM, Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens for the entombment. Memorial donations may be made to: Gideons International, Blount County South Camp, P.O. Box 4035, Maryville, TN 37802-4035. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000.

JOSHUA GRANT SEWELL OBITUARY

Joshua Grant Sewell, 29, of Athens, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, in Sanford, Fla.
A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he loved life, music and playing his guitar and loved every minute of it. He wasn't here with us very long, but with every step and every mile, he made friends along the way. He will always be with us in our hearts and our prayers. He attended Short Creek Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Herman Sewell.
Survivors include his father, Rickey Sewell of Athens; his mother, Lisa Tallent Martinez of Harrogate; one son, Jackson Blake Sewell of Niota; one brother, Joey Dale Sewell of Athens; his paternal grandmother, Gertrude Self Sewell of Athens; his maternal grandparents, Joe and Sammie Stokes Womac of Riceville; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Ziegler Funeral Home with the Rev. Jimmy Lewis and the Rev. Tommy Self officiating. Burial will follow in Short Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Kasey Skidmore, Marvin Woods, David Ray Hicks, Zac Hamilton, Josh Rayfield and Chris Mason. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Carouthers, Ben Merriman and Wesley Swafford.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Ziegler Funeral Home of Athens, TN is in charge of arrangements.

JOSHUA GRANT SEWELL HAS DIED

Cousin Joshua Grant Sewell, age 29, passed away suddenly, Tuesday, July 7, 2009 near Daytona Beach, Florida. He is the son of Ricky Sewell and the grandson of Gertrude Self Sewell and the late Herman Sewell. Josh is a native of McMinn County, Tennessee. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced as soon as they are finalized.