Born:

Carmen Elbert (C.E.) Houston (Sam), age 95, of Oak Ridge passed away Tuesday December 30, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospice in Knoxville, Tennessee.
C.E. was born on August 27, 1913 in Parsons, Tennessee to the late William E. and Nora Duke Houston. As a young man Sam had worked at several places in Parsons including Parsons Mortuary before coming to Oak Ridge in 1944. He was a security guard at Union Carbide retiring in 1976 after 32 years of service. C. E. was a member of Woodland Park Baptist Church where he had served as choir director. He was also a member of Faith Masonic Lodge #756 in Oak Ridge. He worked at Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home from January 1988 until his death. We at Martins found Sam to be a man of great honor, a very valiant man with great integrity. He was a hard, honest worker never wanting to be idle. He went far beyond his call of duty. We adored him and lovingly called him ‘Pap”. His love and kindness will be greatly missed by each of us. He was our mentor.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by brothers Olen and Royce Houston, sister Clois Woods, son-in-law Max Bawcum, and sister-in-law Beulah Houston.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years Aileen Houston of Oak Ridge, daughter Ima Jean Bawcum of Parsons Tennessee, son and daughter-in-law Gary and Cathy Seal of Sneedville, Tennessee, grandchildren; Vicky Bawcum Collins, Johnny Bawcum both of Parsons, Tennessee, Melissa Adkins, and Christen Sestor both of Sneedville, Tennessee, great grandchildren; Jennifer Collins Reape, Amanda Bawcum Swan and husband Tim, Mackenzie Bawcum, David Collins, Johnathan Bawcum, Craig Bawcum, Sarah Atkins, Emily Atkins, Cassie Sestor, and Carrie Ann Sestor, great-great grandchildren; Savannah Reape, Sean Reape, and Summer Swan, sisters-in-law Lura Mae Houston and Edith Seal, several nieces and nephews, a great friend and neighbor Jewell Snodgrass, his extended family Glen, Joe, Shirley, and Stephen King.
Funeral services will be held Friday January 2, 2009 7:00pm in the chapel of Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Herbert Lee and Rev. Ronald Guthrie officiating. Graveside service will be held Saturday January 3, 2009 11:00am at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the funeral home.