A well-known United Methodist pastor of the Holston Conference has passed away. John Edwin Ripley will be memorialized at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, at Church Street United Methodist Church. 900 Henley Street, Knoxville. A native of Greene County, Tennessee, he graduated from Doak High School as valedictorian and captain of the basketball team.
He then graduated from Emory and Henry College and received a master’s degree from Chandler School of Theology at Emory University. He pastored churches in Knoxville (Trinity UMC) and Oak Ridge (First UMC) as well as Chattanooga. He served as superintendent of both the Knoxville and Chattanooga districts.
In retirement, John and wife Mary Jane moved to Knoxville, attending Church Street United Methodist Church. His family noted in his obituary that he often returned home from mission trips without a suitcase. He had given away everything he had taken. His full obituary is here.