Area Obituaries

Arvil “Al” Pursley Arvil “Al” Pursley, 77, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, died Tuesday, March 3, 2026. He was a United States Army veteran, serving in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He worked 36 years as a railroad engineer for Norfolk Southern. He was a state legislative representative for the BLE. He loved the outdoors, horses, and spending…

Teresa Swafford Teresa Swafford, 76, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Friday, March 6, 2026. She enjoyed making candy, cooking, gardening, and canning throughout her early life. She always had a knack and interest for working on “The World’s Most Difficult Puzzles” and collected books. Family and local history were always of her interest, but she seldom…

Larry “LLL” Loyd Larry “LLL” Loyd, 74, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Saturday, February 28, 2026. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to ride horses. He had a great interest in Native American, Civil War, and Bledsoe County history. He was preceded in death by his son, Dustin Tidwell; and parents, Robert and Dorothy Loyd.…

Jesse Levon Mercer III Jesse Levon Mercer III, 56, of Pikeville, Tennessee, was born on December 16, 1969 in Dayton, Ohio. He left this world on February 26, 2026. He graduated from Bledsoe County High School Class of 1988 and continued to reside in Bledsoe County thereafter. He became a businessman in 2009 when he…

Russell Edmund Thurman Russell Edmund Thurman, 70, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Emmitt Thurman and Martha Sue Thurman, along with multiple beloved siblings. Russell is survived and deeply loved by his two sons, Chris (Tisha) LeDonne and David (Melissa) Thurman. He leaves behind cherished…

Lydia K. Bice McDaniel Lydia K. Bice McDaniel, 62 of Pikeville, Tennessee passed away Monday, February 23, 2026 at Bledsoe County Nursing Home. She loved her family and was of the Church of God Faith. Lydia enjoyed adult coloring, working word puzzles, and playing Bingo. She loved watching wrestling and some good old westerns. Preceding…

Willie Ray Johnson Willie Ray Johnson, a devoted family man, proud veteran, and skilled craftsman, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on February 19, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on April 26, 1935, to the late Nevan and Ina Johnson, Willie grew up with a foundation of hard work and integrity.…

Ralph D. McClain, Jr. was born October 12, 1946. He was the first born to the union of Ralph D. McClain Sr. and Addie Leola McClain. Ralph passed away, February 11, 2026. Ralph was a 1965 graduate of Bledsoe County High School and attended Tennessee State A & I University. He moved to Ohio and…

Clayton Garner Fields, 86, of Pikeville, Tennessee passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026 at home. Clayton graduated from Bledsoe County High School in 1957. He really didn’t know what to do so he worked in several occupations and then on October 11, 1961 he was called to serve his country in the United States Army.…

McMinnville, Tennessee resident and Bledsoe County, Tennessee native Ralph Gordon Brock, 83, was born February 3, 1943 and died February 12, 2026 at his residence following an extended illness. A retired truck driver and a member of Smyrna Church of Christ, he was the son of the late Maxie Odell and Emma Edna Dolberry Brock.…