West High School of Knoxville,TN Class of 1962

Cynthia Miller Comer, age 79, peacefully went to Heaven on June 20, 2025, surrounded by her three daughters, as her favorite hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, filled the room. With grace and love, she was guided home to be reunited with the love of her life, Johnny Comer – her husband of 61 years – who passed away nearly two years ago. Known lovingly as “Grammee,” Cynthia’s greatest devotion was to her family. She was a deeply cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. Her marriage to her high school sweetheart, John “Johnny” A. Comer, was a true love story—rooted in faith, laughter, loyalty and unwavering support. Her heart never stopped missing him since the day he went to Heaven.
Cynthia was a devoted mother to her three daughters and their husbands: Kellee Comer Lively (Tony), Mendee Comer Hopper (Wally), and Johnna Comer Felton (John). She was an adoring Grammee to her ten grandchildren: Austin Lively (Stephanie), Hunter Lively (Sarah), Mary-Lennox Hopper, Madison Lively (Spencer), Addie-Grace Hopper, Hannah Felton, Kate Felton, Sadie Felton, Jack Felton, and Lily Felton, who passed away at just 19 days old and now rests in her grandmother’s arms. Cynthia was also a proud Great-Grammee to Abigail, Henry, Caroline, and Chelsea Lively.

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Cynthia graduated from West High School. Throughout her life, Cynthia held various roles, but her most meaningful work was alongside her beloved Johnny at Comer Cedar Bluff Pharmacy where their shared dedication left a lasting impact on the community. In her later years, she found great joy and fulfillment working at the LOFT in Turkey Creek, where she shared her impeccable sense of style and passion for fashion with everyone she met.

Cynthia treasured her many friendships including lifelong bonds with her West High School friends, adventures with Tennessee Troup and Travel families, her remarkable and supportive neighborhood community and her sweet LOFT work family. Her gracious spirit and warm smile touched everyone who knew her.

Among her most treasured memories were the special cruises she and Johnny (PopPop) took with each grandchild on their 13th birthday, annual beach vacations with the whole family under one roof, and the fun-packed “Grammee and PopPop Summer Camps.” Cynthia was a proud and passionate University of Tennessee fan, always cheering on the Vols – especially the football and baseball teams in her most stylish orange.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Comer, her parents, Dorothy Price Miller and Robert Daniel Miller, as well as her granddaughter, Lily Felton. She is survived by her brother, Robert “Dan” Miller.

Cynthia’s family extends their deepest thanks to the many dear friends who surrounded their mom with love, prayers, and support. We are especially grateful to Marilee, the compassionate comfort care nurse at UT Medical Center, whose tender presence was a blessing in Cynthia’s final days. Your kindness was a reflection of God’s love, and it brought great peace to our hearts. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 28, from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel.

Linda Carol Lemons Wert, age 81, of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2025.

Born on January 4th, 1944, she grew up in Marble City, went to Perkins Elementary, Tyson Middle, and West High, graduating in 1962. Linda was a past member of the Ft Dickerson ABWA, and a 33-year employee of Carborundum/Kennecott/Standard Oil of Ohio, etc. which then became Alstom Power until her retirement in 2011. She loved to sew, craft, and treasure hunt at all the thrift stores, and loved to give away things she made or found. If you knew her, you have something she forced on you; sewed, crocheted, appliqued, or found at a thrift store. She said it kept her out of trouble but it didn’t always :). She didn’t do hip replacements well; she had 6. She is preceded in death by her children's father, Donald E. Wert, parents, Arthur Lee Lemons, Grace Easter Sharp Lemons, and Brother Dewey Douglas Lemons.

She leaves behind her son, Barry Elliot Wert of Knoxville; daughter Laura Michelle (Chris) Lopez in Phoenix; Arizona grandchildren Ashley (Nick) Parkos and Austin (Molly) Lopez of Phoenix, AZ; Great-Granddaughter Penny Elizabeth Parkos; and her sister Dolores Ann Smith. Linda loved all the Lemons, Smiths, Gwinns, Wilsons, Dodsons, Johnsons, and all members of her extended family. She was blessed with more friends than she ever thought possible and loved them dearly.

A celebration of life was held Sunday, June 1st at Piney Grove Baptist Church.

20th or 25TH Class Reunion at Jon McWhorter's Home. .I WILL USE CAPS ON THE NAMES OF THE CLASSMATES WHO HAVE PASSED AS OF MAY 2025.

Class of 1960.

William "Bill" Deaderick Snyder, 79, died on March 28, 2024.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, to the late Lynn Robert and Elizabeth Deaderick Snyder. Bill attended Webb School of Knoxville and graduated from Tennessee Military Institute. He played football at Mississippi State University and Middle Tennessee State University from where he graduated and was also a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast. He loved to hunt and was very involved with Ducks Unlimited. As a college athlete himself, he coached Irmo Intramural football as a way to give back with his college experience. He also followed his favorite football team -- the University of Tennessee Volunteers while being a season ticketholder for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.

Bill, at 6'3" tall with a booming baritone voice, seemed larger than life. Bill was an extrovert who enjoyed meeting new people and had a gift for being able to talk to just about anybody about anything. This skill translated into a successful career in sales at the Mead Corporation and Georgia Pacific, as well as the ability to cultivate and maintain close bonds with friends from childhood and his adult life. Many of these friends observed milestone birthdays together with parties that Bill enjoyed planning for the group. But beyond the sports, the outdoors, and a wide circle of friends, Bill treasured his family.

One of his favorite spots in the world was Edisto Island, SC. For the past 25-30 years, he, Joy, and his sister, Betsy, have enjoyed their vacation there with all the children and grandchildren. He taught all the children how to go crabbing in the creeks around Edisto.

His family includes his wife Joy Paine Snyder and three children, William "Brett" Deaderick Snyder II, Bartlett Kincaid Snyder (Rachel), and Gretchen Snyder Hope (Shannon), as well as five grandchildren, Madison Gretchen Snyder, William "Caid" Kincaid Snyder, Robert Landon Snyder, Wyatt Deaderick Hope, and Reese Tennison Hope, all of Columbia. He is also survived by his sister Betsy Snyder Roberts of Knoxville and her sons, William Clark Roberts (Shannon) of Knoxville and David Jeffrey Roberts of Birmingham, AL and four great-nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Trinity Cathedral, with a reception immediately following in Satterlee Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Linda McGill, (who went to Sequoyah and Tyson with us before moving to Nashville) and Alice Ray Setliffe.

Another West High angel. Johnny L. Irwin, age 79, of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023 one day shy of his eightieth birthday. Johnny was a member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church for 40 years where he sang in the worship choir and served as an usher. Johnny was retired from the United States Post Office with 42 years of service. He also served in the United States Army in Vietnam where he was a Purple Heart recipient. Johnny had a warm smile and a servants heart and enjoyed helping others. He was fondly known as Gramps to his grandchildren and to many others. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara; son, Chris Corum; grandchildren, Taylor (Mallory), Kelly (Marion), Jill (Paul Michael) Peeler; great grandchildren, John Walt & Virginia Grey Peeler, Dell & Keith Corum; sister, Leisa (Howard) Stanley; special nieces, Sadie and Lori.

Family and friends will meet at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier on Tuesday, January 2, 2023 for graveside services with full military honors. Rev. Jon Cormack officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. P.O. Box 22802, Knoxville, Tn 37933. Arrangements by Berry Funeral

Another West High Angel: Diana Smith Flaherty passed away last week after a courageous battle with cancer.