Obituary for Phyllis Jean Hurst
Phyllis Jean Hurst, age 77 of Tazewell, Tennessee, was born on January 28, 1943, and was called to her Heavenly Home on July 24, 2020, surrounded by her son, David, family and friends.
She had been in poor health for quite some time, but she always had a smile on her face and joy in her heart every Sunday, as she listened to Rev. Jerry Epperson and his family on WNTT. What a blessing she received from those services! Her faith in God started at an early age, as she continued to talk with Him, to walk with Him and to have faith in Him, always. Dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ led her to become a member of Clinch Valley American Christian Church. She was so thankful for her gift of Salvation!
At age 16, she married Kenneth Edward Hurst, and they had three beautiful children, David Edward, Gary, and Denise Jean. Her husband passed in 1986, and she poured her love, guidance and care into being a single parent. Throughout the years, she worked as a cook at the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office; as a cook/server at Skyview Restaurant; as a sleeve setter for Signal Knitting Mills; and as a trainer to set sleeves at Claiborne Textile Mill, until she retired. Her love, dedication, and care were never ending for the wellbeing of her family. She worked many tiring hours to take care of them.
Family and friends were held dear in her heart. She was very quiet spoken, but her smiles and hugs spoke volume to all who knew her. Whenever her grandson, Avery, visited with her, she could wipe away his tears with her hugs, kisses, and gentle words. These qualities not only nourished her grandson, but also nourished her children into the fine adults they grew into because of their mother’s love given to them beyond measure!
As the years went by, her heart was deeply hurt by the loss of her son, Gary, and her daughter, Denise. Throughout this difficult time, she depended on her son, David, who had tried his best to fill his father’s shoes by taking care of her, his sister, and brother. She was so proud of the man he had become and was equally proud of the achievements that all three of her children had accomplished.
When her illness got progressively worse, she was surrounded with loving support, thoughts, prayers, and caring hearts from many people who loved her. In addition to all the healing comfort provided by God, she was so blessed to have David, who cared for her every need. She was blessed with family and friends who helped so very much during her much-needed care. Among those who gave her their loving words of encouragement, many hugs, and special caregiving were Michael Swanner and Russell Gibbons who became her loving family; Smokey Mountain Home Health and Hospice, owner, Tammy Francis, and her entire loving and caring nursing staff who gave her personable, as well as professional care; Chaplain Lee who shared the Word of God with her; Anita McAnally who attended to her personal needs and gave her special attention with heartfelt love.
God has been with her during her earthly path, and He is now with her on her spiritual path. There will be a happy reunion as she enters the gates of Heaven and gives hugs to her husband, Kenneth Edward Hurst; her beautiful daughter, Denise Caudill Hurst; son, Gary Hurst; parents, Theodore and Mary Powell; sisters, Corrina Mullins, Bonnie Reece, Louise Atkins, and Helen Epperson; brothers, Edgar and Earl Powell. Her loved ones left with an abundance of love and beautiful memories include her son, David Edward Hurst; grandson, Avery Benson Caudill; son-in-law, Michael Caudill; sisters, Linda Atkins and Judy Epperson; sisters-in-law, Berneda Hipsher and Faye Powell, all of Tazewell, Tennessee. Many other family and friends will hold her dear in their hearts.
Services celebrating her life will be held on 3 P.M. Sunday, July 26, 2020, at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary Chapel, Maynardville with Rev. Jerry Epperson and Rev. Tommy Russell officiating. The Epperson Family (Jerry, Carolyn and Mark) and Karen Mutter will be the singers. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Immediately following the service, there will be a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in Tazewell, Tennessee, where doves will be released in remembrance of her.
Pallbearers are Jimmy Atkins, Jerry Atkins, Caden Atkins, Logan Atkins, Rocky Manning, and Russell Gibbons. Special honorary pallbearer is Avery Benson Caudill.
Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.
She had been in poor health for quite some time, but she always had a smile on her face and joy in her heart every Sunday, as she listened to Rev. Jerry Epperson and his family on WNTT. What a blessing she received from those services! Her faith in God started at an early age, as she continued to talk with Him, to walk with Him and to have faith in Him, always. Dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ led her to become a member of Clinch Valley American Christian Church. She was so thankful for her gift of Salvation!
At age 16, she married Kenneth Edward Hurst, and they had three beautiful children, David Edward, Gary, and Denise Jean. Her husband passed in 1986, and she poured her love, guidance and care into being a single parent. Throughout the years, she worked as a cook at the Claiborne County Sheriff's Office; as a cook/server at Skyview Restaurant; as a sleeve setter for Signal Knitting Mills; and as a trainer to set sleeves at Claiborne Textile Mill, until she retired. Her love, dedication, and care were never ending for the wellbeing of her family. She worked many tiring hours to take care of them.
Family and friends were held dear in her heart. She was very quiet spoken, but her smiles and hugs spoke volume to all who knew her. Whenever her grandson, Avery, visited with her, she could wipe away his tears with her hugs, kisses, and gentle words. These qualities not only nourished her grandson, but also nourished her children into the fine adults they grew into because of their mother’s love given to them beyond measure!
As the years went by, her heart was deeply hurt by the loss of her son, Gary, and her daughter, Denise. Throughout this difficult time, she depended on her son, David, who had tried his best to fill his father’s shoes by taking care of her, his sister, and brother. She was so proud of the man he had become and was equally proud of the achievements that all three of her children had accomplished.
When her illness got progressively worse, she was surrounded with loving support, thoughts, prayers, and caring hearts from many people who loved her. In addition to all the healing comfort provided by God, she was so blessed to have David, who cared for her every need. She was blessed with family and friends who helped so very much during her much-needed care. Among those who gave her their loving words of encouragement, many hugs, and special caregiving were Michael Swanner and Russell Gibbons who became her loving family; Smokey Mountain Home Health and Hospice, owner, Tammy Francis, and her entire loving and caring nursing staff who gave her personable, as well as professional care; Chaplain Lee who shared the Word of God with her; Anita McAnally who attended to her personal needs and gave her special attention with heartfelt love.
God has been with her during her earthly path, and He is now with her on her spiritual path. There will be a happy reunion as she enters the gates of Heaven and gives hugs to her husband, Kenneth Edward Hurst; her beautiful daughter, Denise Caudill Hurst; son, Gary Hurst; parents, Theodore and Mary Powell; sisters, Corrina Mullins, Bonnie Reece, Louise Atkins, and Helen Epperson; brothers, Edgar and Earl Powell. Her loved ones left with an abundance of love and beautiful memories include her son, David Edward Hurst; grandson, Avery Benson Caudill; son-in-law, Michael Caudill; sisters, Linda Atkins and Judy Epperson; sisters-in-law, Berneda Hipsher and Faye Powell, all of Tazewell, Tennessee. Many other family and friends will hold her dear in their hearts.
Services celebrating her life will be held on 3 P.M. Sunday, July 26, 2020, at Cooke-Campbell Mortuary Chapel, Maynardville with Rev. Jerry Epperson and Rev. Tommy Russell officiating. The Epperson Family (Jerry, Carolyn and Mark) and Karen Mutter will be the singers. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Immediately following the service, there will be a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery in Tazewell, Tennessee, where doves will be released in remembrance of her.
Pallbearers are Jimmy Atkins, Jerry Atkins, Caden Atkins, Logan Atkins, Rocky Manning, and Russell Gibbons. Special honorary pallbearer is Avery Benson Caudill.
Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.