Stubblefield Funeral Home & Hamblen Memory Gardens & Mausoleum

03/07/2026

Marjorie “Gail” Westhaver Newman born July 17, 1945 in Milford, CT, passed peacefully on March 7, 2026 at Serenity House.

Gail was preceded in death by her father Howard Westhaver, mother, Marjorie “Marge” Westhaver, and sister Barbara West.

Gail worked for the Hamblen County Board of Education for 30 years. Gail battled RA for most of her adult life, but never let it keep her from enjoying the things she loved. She enjoyed watching her grandsons play ball and enjoy her 6 great grandchildren. She loved the Vols and the Lady Vols. Through it all she was always there with a smile on her face. Gail loved her church, First United Methodist of Morristown and especially her Sunday School class, The Friendship Class.

Gail is survived by son: Dan (Maggie) Newman and daughter: Marjie Lee (Mike) Griffith. Her 3 grandsons, Trey (Alisha) Griffith, David (Sammy Jo) Denim, and Daniel (Keysa) Williams. Her 6 great grandchildren: Avery, PJ, Carson, River, Ruby, and Georgia. Nephews: Jeff (Lori) West and Brian West of Vicksburg, MS. The Burrus and West family of Wilmington, NC. She had many friends that were special to her.

The family would like to thank her dear friends for their support during the last days of her life. Also, sincere thanks to Gentiva Hospice and Serenity House for their care and compassion during her final days.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness."

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to The Boys and Girls Club of Morristown or Serenity House in Gail’s memory.

Receiving of friends will be Friday, March 13, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Stubblefield Funeral Home. A Celebration of Gail's life will follow at 7:00 pm.
Graveside services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Hamblen Memory Gardens.

03/07/2026

Merlene (Mert) Jennings, 82 of Whitesburg passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026 surrounded by family. She was saved at an early age at Slate Hill Baptist Church and was a long time member at Midtown Missionary Baptist Church. She was known for her kind and loving heart.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Grover Jennings, her parents, Enos and Hazel Harville, her brothers, Frank Atkins, Marshall Atkins, and Daniel Atkins.

Mert is survived by her children, Rhonda (Donald) Cox, Pam Jennings, and Terry (Lisa) Jennings, grandchildren Eric (Jessica) Cox, Shane (Brooke) Cox, Paislee Jennings, great grandchildren Macie Cox, Sara Cloer, Silas Cox, Lane Cox, and Luke Cox, siblings Ola Wilson, Brenda Lyons, and Michael Atkins, several nieces and nephews. And Michael Hixon, who she loved like a son. Special thanks to Tammy Hamrick, sister-in-law Dorothy Short, and Jessica Haun.

Receiving of friends will be Monday, March 9, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Midtown Missionary Baptist Church. Funeral services to follow at 7:00 pm with Reverend Aaron Alder and Reverend Darrell Alder officiating.

Graveside services will be Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Hamblen Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Eric Cox, Shane Cox, Michael Hixson, Jesse Atkins, Gary Wilson and Roger Seals.

03/02/2026

02/27/2026

We are beyond proud of our very own Tracy Mayes Summers, a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club!

Tracy works tirelessly to support and uplift the youth in our community, helping guide the mission and vision that make such a powerful difference in young lives. Her leadership, commitment, and heart for service truly inspire us all.

Thank you, Tracy, for your dedication to our community and for investing in the next generation. We are so proud to call you one of our own!

Tuesday, Alayna Baes realized a dream by being named the 2025 Boys and Girls Club of Morristown Youth of the Year.

02/23/2026

Congratulations to Brandon Duckworth, our Cemetery Maintenance Supervisor, on celebrating five years of dedicated service to Hamblen Memory Gardens & Mausoleums.

Brandon and his team take great pride in caring for our grounds each day, ensuring that every family who visits experiences a place of dignity, beauty, and respect. Their commitment reflects our promise that every detail is remembered.

Please join us in thanking Brandon for his hard work and for the difference he makes in serving our families and our community.

01/15/2026

We understand that the recent announcement of a local funeral home closing may create uncertainty for families who had pre-arranged funeral plans in place.

Please know that at Stubblefield Funeral Home, we are here to help. We will be honored to assist families who had preneed funeral arrangements with the closing funeral home, and we are happy to review those plans with you to ensure your wishes are understood and respected.

If you or a loved one had arrangements in place, we invite you to bring your documentation by our office. Our team of Buddy Mayes, Margo Lamb, Tracy Mayes Summers and Larry Stubblefield will take the time to walk through everything with you, answer questions, and help provide clarity and peace of mind.

Our commitment has always been to serve this community with care, dignity, and compassion. We are here when you need us.

423-586-2611