In memoriam
LaVaughan Heath
LaVaughan Pulliam Heath, of Knoxville, has passed at age 94. She and her husband, Harold Heath, were school counselors at Clinton Junior High School in Anderson County. She also worked at Norwood and Karns junior high schools in Knox County. LaVaughan Heath attended Carson-Newman College before graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1953. She later earned her master’s degree from UT and continued her education to whin a dissertation of completing her doctorate. The Heaths were married for almost 72 years and together they raised three sons. LaVaughan and Harold ware devoted University of Tennessee sports fans and longtime football season-ticket holders. After retirement, the couple traveled extensively together throughout the United States and overseas. Services were held on August 18, 2026, at Click Funeral Home, Middlebrook Chapel. Obituary is here.
John W. Morton
John Winslow Morton, of Norris, Tennessee, formerly of Campbell County, passed away at age 87 on August 8, 2026, at UT Medical Center in Knoxville. He spent 48 years in education, retiring from Anderson County Schools in 2017. He served in the U.S. Army and obtained his bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Cumberland College. Later in life, he completed his master’s degree at Union College. John married Patti Danner in 1986 and they shared many adventures, including pulling a tiny camper with a motorcycle on a cross-country trip. A celebration of life was held on August 17 at Cross-Smith Funeral Home in LaFollette. The obituary is here.
Elaine Steele
Elaine Davis Steele passed on Friday, July 24, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee, at age 77. A Knoxville native, she was a product of the Knoxville City Schools, graduating from Austin High in the class of 1966. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Knoxville College and a master’s degree from Lincoln Memorial University. She taught in the Knoxville City Schools for several years before retiring from teaching in Atlanta, Georgia. Family members include a daughter, Maureska Steele, and a sister and brother-in-law, Natalie and George Underwood. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 22, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 414 W. Vine Ave., Knoxville. The obituary is here.
Notes & quotes
Cars for Canines will be Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST at Melton Lake Park. Sponsored by Explore Oak Ridge, the classic car show will benefit Oak Ridge Animal Shelter and Anderson County Humane Society. Food trucks, live entertainment, low-cost microchipping and rabies vaccinations. Free admission for spectators. Pets on leashes or in carriers welcomed. Info here.
Bluegrass Festival at Big Ridge State Park is set for Friday, August 21, 6-10 p.m. Free admission, food trucks, craft vendors and music by five local groups. Bring your lawn chair. Info and updates here.
Knox Asian Festival is Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at World’s Fair Park. Tickets and details here.
Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.
Quote: Someone will tell the story of the school. Be the author of that story. Use social media to share successes, be transparent when “bad” things happen and visit classrooms/hallways regularly. – Todd L. Brist, middle school principal, Watertown, South Dakota.
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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes daily at KnoxTNToday – the Let’s Talk series includes topics of law, neighbors, schools, leaders and outdoors. Enjoyed this article? Read more Let’s Talk – Schools by Sandra Clark.
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