Obituaries

Raymond Ralph Hurst, Jr., 82, of Friendsville passed away on July 31, 2023. Raymond was a much-loved father, brother, and friend, as well as a jokester, a gambler, and an avid poker player. A lover of playing pool, watching sports and game shows, and doing crosswords, he traveled often as a young man and lived across the country from Tennessee to Boston to California. Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee with 6 brothers and sisters, Raymond served in the army in his younger years and went on to work as a carpenter for Metro Nashville Public Schools for 20 years before retiring. Raymond was affectionately called Junior by his siblings, Ray by his many friends at the bars, and Daddy by his children. He was predeceased by mother, Georgia Mills, father, Raymond Hurst, Sr., brother, Dennis Hurst, half-brother, Tommy Hurst, and special family members, Woody Ward, Patty Dockery, Shirley Ward, and June Gribble. He left behind children Ronald Hurst, Cheryl Hurst, Raymond “Peanut” Hurst, Gena Hurst Rogers (Mike), Jerry Ray Hurst, Holly Hurst Mulvey (Craig), and Emily Hurst (Emily Quinn); siblings James Hurst (Stella), Anne Anzalone (Joe), Eleanor Donovan (Billy), Shirley Donahue, Raye Kirby (Benny); half siblings Sue Hurst, Eddie Hurst (Joyce), Sandra Rinker (Howard), Donna Deputy (Jake), Howard Hurst, Michael Hurst; grandchildren Rachel Hurst, Nancy McKee, Korey Hopkins, Mikey Rogers, Alex Hurst, Stevie McKee, Matthew Rogers, James Mulvey, and William Mulvey; wife and mother of children Jean Hurst; wife and mother of children Jennifer Denney Hurst; and special family Charles Ward (Ruth), Johnny Ward (Mary), Roy Ward (Nancy), Alfred Ward, Joe Dockery, Mickey Gribble, Maxine Thomas (Charley), Mary Ward, and Jason Ward.