J. R. Hembree

J. R. Hembree, age 89 of Huntsville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at the Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.  Born February 19, 1932, in Scott County, TN, he was the son of the late Rufus and Alma Griffith Hembree.  

J. R. was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, and a Veteran of the United States Army.  He was a prominent businessman in Scott County, having been the first manager of the Huntsville Utility District, retired from the LaFollette Housing Development, owned and operated his own store, was a member of the American Legion Post #136, and was a Kentucky Colonel.  He enjoyed outside activities, always having a big garden, and going fishing.

In addition to his parents, J. R. was preceded in death by his wife: Anna Ruth Jeffers Hembree; son:  Gary Ray Hembree; parents:  Rufus and Alma Griffith Hembree; an infant sister:  Velda Sherl Hembree; brother:  Howard Henry Hembree; in-laws:  Pina and Milford Jeffers; and three special childhood friends:  Rankin Burchfield, Jr., Hildon Litton, and Charles Buster Sexton.

J. R. is survived by his daughters:  VeRhonda Hembree, and Kim Hammock and husband Jim; sister:  Mary Helen West; brother:  Gerald Hembree and wife Etta; aunt:  Doris Carol McDonald, all of Huntsville; other family members, and a host of friends.

Friends may visit with the Hembree family on Monday, September 27, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, TN.  Funeral service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with Dr. Dennis Falasco, Bro. Jim West, and Bro. Carlie Duncan officiating.

Committal service will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., in the Mossop Cemetery, in Huntsville, TN, with full Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Post #136 of Oneida.  Pallbearers will be:  Mayor Dennis Jeffers, Porter Benjamin (Benji) Rector, Jr., Mark Blakley, James (Jim) Morrow, Rocky Webb, and Greg Chambers.  Honorary Pallbearers will be:  Don Stansberry, Jr., Mike Douglas, Tom Phillips, John Seale, Noble Smith, Arvis Blakley, Roger Sharp, and Gary Burchfield.

In-Lieu-of-Flowers:  donations may be made in his memory to: 
The First Presbyterian Church
 P. O. Box 39
Huntsville, TN.

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of J. R. Hembree.

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