Area Obituaries

Rita Faye Bickford, 66, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Thursday, November 24, 2023. Rita was a loving and caring person who loved the lord and will sorely be missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie Bickford; son, Sandy Bickford; and parents, Betty Faye and Bobby Dodson. She is survived by her sons, Bobby…

William “Bill” Henry Rodgers II, 92, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023. He was born February 2, 1931, grew up in Pikeville, Tennessee, and graduated from Bledsoe County High School in 1949. He majored in accounting at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he held an honorary membership to Beta Alpha…

Leona Roberts, 92, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Thursday, November 23, 2023. She was a member of College Grove Church of Christ and retired from Bledsoe County Daycare. She was a 72-year resident of Lee Station. She loved to cook for her family every Sunday after church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James…

Margaret LeVaun Simmons DeBord, 75, of Pikeville Tennessee passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2023. LeVaun was a member of Mt. Crest United Methodist Church. She was a Licensed Practical Nurse and enjoyed helping others when she could. LeVaun loved her family, enjoyed her grandchildren, bird watching, especially her many hummingbirds, and sewing.    LeVaun was…

George Washington Dagley Jr., 97, a resident of Signal Mountain, Tennessee died November 19, 2023 in Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee after a brief illness. He was born August 10, 1926, in Wartburg, Tennessee to George Washington Dagley Sr. and Rebecca Chester Dagley. His childhood in Wartburg during the Great Depression was mostly carefree, and he…

Colt Blankenship, 23, of Pikeville, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at his home. Colt packed a lot of life into his short 23 years. He loved hard and was loved by so many. He was especially good-hearted and always saw the best in everyone. He held his friends and family close in his…

JoElla Blackburn, 85 years of age, passed on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 in Lakewood, Colorado. JoElla was born September 18, 1938 in Pikeville Tennessee to the late Henry Carl Blackburn and Dessie Standefer Blackburn. She grew up with her brother Henry Charles Blackburn, who proceeded her in death in 1993. She attended Tennessee Tech University…

Sarah Katherine Varnum, 28, of Pikeville, Tennessee passed away peacefully Saturday, November 11, 2023. Sarah was a member of First Baptist Church and always enjoyed going to church. She loved family gatherings, car rides, shopping, singing, listening to music, drawing, and doing arts and crafts, and was very sociable with anyone she came in contact…

Michael Eugene Swafford, 64, of Pikeville, Tennessee passed away Sunday, November 12, 2023 at his residence. He loved his family and playing Santa Claus in Pikeville and surrounding areas for all to enjoy. He enjoyed fishing, horseback riding and hunting in his spare time. He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Dorothy…

Joseph Ray Likens, 74, of Pikeville, Tennessee passed away Sunday, November 5, 2023. Joseph served in the United States Army for two terms. He was a truck driver and mechanic, enjoyed woodworking, and could build anything, liked collecting hot wheels, trains, and dragons, and loved listening to classic rock music. Joseph was preceded in death…