Known to many as Dad or JT, James Thurman Sexton aged 88, of Harriman passed away at home on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Dad stayed busy. He was a long-time member of Harriman Baptist Tabernacle and for years drove the church bus or church van. He retired from Y-12 after a long career running back to 1976 and K-25 plant. He was one of two who received an Award of Excellence for Significant Contribution to the Nuclear Weapons Program for Recognition of a Major Component Failure from Martin Marietta Y12 Plant, Assembly Division in 1985. Prior to that he worked simultaneously at Roane Hosiery Mill and Wampler’s Gas Station as mechanic, and before that as driver for Pepsi and the family’s taxi service and lumber mill in Oneida. He was also a member of Walden Ridge Car Club.
Dad joined his beloved wife, Edith Jeffers Sexton, parents Archie Sexton & Bessie Phillips, aunt Geneva Phillips & husband Barney Newport, grandparents Mount and Oma Phillips, uncle George H Phillips,
brothers Luther E Sexton (infant)
& Paul T Sexton, niece Paula Yancey, cousin Hubert Blaylock, and many friends in the presence of his Lord. He left behind:
Children:
James R Sexton & wife Dinah L Livengood of Knoxville, TN
Bill R Sexton & wife Kathy J Loy of Atlanta, GA
Phyllis A Sexton of Knoxville, TN
Janet E Sexton & husband Rickey L Wallace of Oakdale, TN
Barbara L Sexton & husband John W Gandy of Burke, VA
Grandchildren:
Stacey M Sexton & husband John P Farrell of Atlanta, GA
Alexander (Alex) Q Wallace of Oakdale, TN
Lindsey N Sexton & husband David P Martin of Atlanta, GA
Kevin N Wallace of Oakdale, TN
Andrew J Gandy of Burke, VA
Great-Grandchildren:
John (Jack) P Farrell, Jr of Atlanta, GA
Liam C Farrell of Atlanta, GA
Pafford (Ford) D Martin of Atlanta, GA
Benjamin Ray Martin of Atlanta, GA
More family and loved ones:
Ines Sexton Lane, Irene Sexton Yancey, and Charles Sexton of Oneida, TN
James, Sandra, Steven, Rachel, and Anna Ruth Jones
David Reed
Clint, Amber, Tyler, Hunter, Taylor, Jordan, and Hanna Boyer
Missi Lemmons Scandlyn
The Youth (and former youth) of Harriman Baptist Tabernacle
Many close friends, neighbors and coworkers, too many to list
If you know Dad, you know it had to be a special event to wear a tie. He didn’t want to wear a tie for his funeral and didn’t want anyone to feel required to either. Come dressed like yourself to the receiving of friends on Tuesday, 10/22/24 at 5 PM followed by the Funeral at 7 PM at Kyker Funeral Home chapel in Harriman with Revs. James Jones and Clint Boyer officiating. Interment will be in Roane Memorial Gardens. If desired, donation in lieu of flowers may be sent to Harriman Baptist Tabernacle Youth fund at PO Box 575 Harriman, TN 37748. Kyker Funeral Home of Harriman is serving the Sexton Family.