Born:

Helen Tilley Bissell (age 94), one of Oak Ridge’s pioneers passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at Greenfield Retirement Center of Oak Ridge. She was preceded in death by parents John and Hettie Tilley, Sister Ruth Tilley Johnson, and by husband, Alvin Keith Bissell. Mrs. Bissell was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on February 10, 1915 where she lived before moving to Oak Ridge in December, 1943. She was a founding member of the ’43 Club and a member of the Pilot Club. Having studied elocution in high school she had memorized many poems and dramatic readings often recited for the enjoyment of her family. She will be remembered as gracefully supporting her husband during his long tenure as Mayor of Oak Ridge and the hospitality she offered to family and friends with her cooking and baking.

Survivors include daughters, Jane Wright (Coleman), Betty McCarty (Colon) and Elaine Boncutter (Bruce) and sons Keith Bissell (Patricia) and John Bissell. Grandchildren Debbie Farris (Larry) of Nashville, TN; Jeff Wright (Kitty) of Cary, NC; Erin Sherlin (Joe) of Jonesborough, TN; Wendy Smith (Eddy) of Knoxville, TN; Kelly Bissell Clarke of Nashville, TN; Mandy Cross (Bryan) of Knoxville, TN; Brooke Reynolds (Lentz) of Lookout Mtn, GA; and Becca Spears (Wick) of Chattanooga also survive. Surviving great grandchildren are Natalie and Jack Farris of Nashville, TN.; Caroline Clarke of Nashville, TN; Nate and Jennifer Wright of Cary, NC; Josh, Annie, And Laurel Smith of Knoxville, TN; Emma and Elizabeth Sherlin of Jonesborough, TN; Cooper and Grant Cross of Knoxville, TN. Lentz IV and Lainey Reynolds of Lookout Mtn, GA; Tatum, and Strauder Spears of Chattanooga, TN.

The family will receive friends at First Methodist Church on Sunday, June 14th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm with the funeral following at 3:30 pm. The family has requested that memorials be sent to First United Methodist Church to be used in their Missions/Habitat program or to Caris Healthcare: 130 Mabry Hood Road, Suite 108, Knoxville, TN. 37922
Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 10 am at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.