Memorial Service
We gather today, not for the purpose of grieving, but rather to celebrate the careers of, and to honor, applaud, and express our gratitude to, these cherished members of the Knoxville Bar we now remember with fondness.
Friday, the 21st of November 2025 | 3:00 PM | Supreme Court Courtroom
Memorial Service
W E L C O M E
Justice Dwight E Tarwater, Tennessee Supreme Court R E M E M B R A N C E S
Jonathan D Cooper, KBA President
Rev Charles W B Fels
JOSEPH GRI FFI N COOK
Remarks by John L Sobieski, Jr
THOMAS CARL CRAVENS I I I
Remarks by Pete Claussen
DAVID H DUPREE
Remarks by George T. Underwood
E. BRUCE FOSTER, JR.
Remarks by G. Mark Mamantov
BARBARA CATHERI NE FREELS
Remarks by Terry Woods
JOHN THOMAS GREENE
Remarks by Dan Channing Stanley
JIMMY HOLBROOK, JR
Remarks by Hon Timothy W Conner
FREDERI C SCHUMANN LE CLERCQ
Remarks by Frederic Theodore Le Clercq
JOSEPH J. LEVI TT, JR.
Remarks by James A.H. Bell
JANI CE KAY KELL
Remarks by Beth R. Ford
DEBRA ANN POOLE
Remarks by Bruce A. Anderson
CHRISTOPHER AARON POSEY
Remarks by John F Weaver, Jr
HERBERT S. SANGER, JR.
Remarks by Charles S Sanger
Joseph Griffin Cook, age 85, passed away on January 21, 2025 He was born on September 24, 1939, in Gulfport, Mississippi, to Everett England Cook and Irene Griffin Cook Joe received his A B from the University of Alabama in 1961 with a major in philosophy and a record as an outstanding debater He was selected for the two-person U S International Debate Team and toured the British Isles in 1962, debating at Oxford, Cambridge, and other universities In 1964, he was awarded a JD from the law school at the University of Alabama In June of that year, he married Norma Lee Cox They had met in 1960 through the Alabama Debate Team In 1965, he received the LLM degree from Yale University
Joe had planned to enter law practice, but an interview with the University of Tennessee College of Law marked a change of direction. He was the youngest member of the faculty when he accepted the position of Assistant Professor in 1965, and he would discover that he loved teaching and the academic world, one which he would enjoy for 51 years. In 1972, he was promoted to the rank of Professor of Law, and in 1979 he was named the Williford Gragg Distinguished Professor of Law, which he held until his retirement in 2016 as Professor Emeritus
In addition to his teaching and prolific scholarship, Joe was faculty advisor to the National Moot Court Team, a role which began in 1966 and extended throughout his career The highest honor the University can give to a member of the faculty is University of Tennessee Macebearer, and Joe received that honor for 2004-2005
Joe had a wide range of interests but none more ongoing than reading He was a football fan and a loyal fan of his favorite professional baseball team. He enjoyed listening to jazz and attending concerts, going to plays and movies, touring museums, and traveling in the United States and abroad. He cared about many things, and among them were justice, meeting the needs of others, caring for our animals, and protecting wildlife and the planet.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved bearded collie, Tess He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Norma Cox Cook
T H O M A S C A R L C R A V E N S
Thomas Carl Cravens III passed away on April 20, 2025. He was born on September 2, 1949, in Atlanta, GA, to Thomas Carl Cravens, Jr. and Grace Schneider Cravens. Tom was raised in Northbrook, IL. After graduating from Glenbrook North High School, he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he earned his Bachelor of Science and his Master of Business Administration He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity He attended the University of Tennessee where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence
He was a partner at the law firm of Kennerly, Montgomery and Finley He co-founded World’s Fair Beer He then worked for real estate developer, Walter Wise After that he and his wife Penny worked together at their travel agency, Plaza Travel After retiring, he worked at Mayo’s Garden Center
Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, a brilliant lawyer, wonderful athlete, avid baseball fan, and loved by all that had the privilege of knowing him. He loved life and people and never said an unkind word to anyone.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 37 years, Penny, his sons Thomas Carl Cravens IV (Marsha), Dean Edward Cravens (Liz), his sister, Carol Cravens Munro (Steve Coons), his brother John Edward Cravens (Laurel), and Grandchildren, Mae, Annie, Henry, Wil, Grace, and Wyatt
2025, age 88, surrounded by family and friends He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Betsy; children, Bailey Foster and wife, Marcia Tobin, and Benjamin Foster and wife, Emiko Kunita; sister and brother-inlaw, Lee and Bill Monroe; niece, Meg Stone; and his four grandchildren, Henry, Maggie, Kaya, and Sho
D A V I D H . D U P R E E
Bruce was a well-regarded business attorney and community leader known for his self-effacing nature and skill at building consensus. Bruce earned his bachelor’s degree (BS in Business Administration, 1957) and law degree (LLB, 1958) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, at age 22.
Following law school, Bruce received a commission as a 1st lieutenant in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving on active duty in France from 1959 - 1963, as the Berlin Wall was built. While in Europe, he did not miss an opportunity to ski the Alps or tour the backroads of France. After discharge with the rank of Captain, Bruce returned to Knoxville as an Associate at Frantz, McConnell & Seymour. He rose to partner as a trial attorney serving the legal needs of corporate clients.
In 1991, Bruce joined Bass, Berry, and Sims, opening its first Knoxville office Among his many achievements, Bruce was a lifelong member of the Tennessee Bar Association, served as President of the Knoxville Bar Association, was a member of the Tennessee State Constitutional Convention of 1977, and served as a Special Justice on the Tennessee Supreme Court during Lamar Alexander’s administration Bruce retired in 2016 at age 80, bidding farewell to his last remaining client, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, which he had served for 30 years
Personal relationships and his faith meant a great deal to Bruce, as did a sense of duty and responsibility toward his family and community After his retirement, he delivered a regular route for Mobile Meals until the month before he died For more than 30 years, Bruce hosted a covenant group from 2nd Presbyterian Church at his home for breakfast, study, and prayer
Barbara Catherine Freels died on January 19, 2025. Born in August of 1952 and raised in Oak Ridge, Cathy received a B A in English, magna cum laude, from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1974, where she was elected to the Alpha Scholastic Honor Society and served as president of Mortar Board
After receiving her J D from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1978, she served as law clerk for the Hon Allen R Cornelius on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals
Cathy entered law school with a passion for environmental law, and in 1983 she returned to Knoxville to join a team of lawyers in the Office of the Field Solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior enforcing environmental laws regulating coal mining. Her work included an appointment as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney by the Department of Justice, suing to enforce reclamation orders and collecting unpaid civil fines assessed against recalcitrant coal miners.
In 1994, she transferred to the Field Solicitor’s Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and continued to enforce coal mining regulations while also working with other federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs
She loved Albuquerque but felt the call of family obligations and was able to transfer back to Knoxville in 2009 Her work with agencies at the Department of Interior continued and included rulemaking for off-shore oil rigs after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill She retired from the Department of the Interior in 2016
Cathy’s dedication to preserving our environment was cultivated by her mother, who taught her children to observe and embrace the natural world. That appreciation of nature never abated and was most apparent in the cultivation of her gardens, her love for animals, and her deep spirituality. In retirement, Cathy volunteered with Bridge Refugee Services and pursued a remarkable range of artistic and other creative activities along with satisfying a voracious appetite for literature.
Cathy’s family included four cats: Coda, Oakley, Ronan, and Scout, all of whom she rescued from an assortment of predicaments She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion Hickey Freels and James Harvey Freels, and by her niece Brittany Adkins Tinker and nephew Brandon Adkins She is survived by her siblings James Lawrence Freels (Brenda Virtues), Gregory Allen Freels (Ivy RogoffBarnes), Anne Elizabeth Freels, and Emily Freels Cox (Winston), her niece Laura Freels, great-niece Bailey Tinker, a coterie of cousins, and a host of friends
John Thomas Greene, 83, of Lake Ozark and St. Peters, Missouri, died peacefully on January 30, 2025, after a struggle with Parkinson's disease dementia. John had practiced law in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, for many years before moving in 2007 to Missouri, where his wife, fellow Knoxvillian Kay Henderson Greene, has family
John will be remembered for his warm and genial manner; a love of baseball, billiards, and golf, all of which he played, along with senior league softball; an enthusiasm for multiple musical genres combined with an exceptional bass voice that stood out in church choirs and karaoke sessions, not to mention family singalongs and country solos covering George Jones and other greats; and an irreverent sense of humor paired with a sometimes quizzical mind he said more than once he wanted his epitaph to read, "What was that all about?"
John was born May 30, 1941, the first child of John William and Senta von Schrenk Greene. He attended the former St. Mary's School, then Knoxville Catholic High School. Once graduated, he served in the United States Marine Corps, was based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and spent time with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean. He was also part of a force deployed during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962
After his service, he earned bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Tennessee, worked at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and as a lawyer for the company in New York City, then returned to Knoxville to represent plaintiffs in personal injury cases through the Law Offices of J D Lee He was deeply committed to seeking justice for his clients
Besides his wife, Kay, he is survived by daughters Sharon (Doug) Greene Bitzer of Knoxville, and Rachel Leah Greene, of Irvington, New York, and Knoxville, both from a previous marriage to Marianne Kelly Greene, of Knoxville; stepsons Charles (Terri) Raymond Henderson III and Timothy (Lesli) Frederick Henderson, both of the St. Louis area; and brothers and sisters Susan (John) Alma Bennett, of Lexington Park, Maryland, Catherine Virginia Greene, of Knoxville, Richard (Alice) William Greene, Knoxville, Robert (Elizabeth) Trifon Greene, Arlington, Virginia, Thomas Anthony Greene, Memphis, and Senta (Jonathan) Victoria Greene, Nashville; and many more loving friends and relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, John William Greene II J
J I M M Y H O L B R O O K , J R
Jimmy Holbrook, Jr., age 54, of Knoxville, died on Friday, May 2, 2025. Jimmy was a beloved son, husband, father, and Papaw. He was known for his unwavering determination and love of cars.
Jimmy was born in Johnson City, Tennessee, on March 8, 1971. He was a graduate of Farragut High School Class of 1989, The University of Tennessee, and The University of Tennessee College of Law. He practiced law in East Tennessee for 28 years
He was preceded in death by his brother, Christian Michael Holbrook; father, Jimmy Holbrook; and his grandparents
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lana Holbrook; his children, Brandon Holbrook, Drew Holbrook (wife: Delaney), Hannah Archer (husband: Kevin); his grandchildren, April Archer and Alex Archer; his mother, Sandy Holbrook; and many other loving relatives and friends
Frederic Schumann Le Clercq died Sunday morning, January 12, 2025, in Rome, Italy, while on vacation with two of his sons and one grandson
A retired UT College of Law professor, Fred was the son of Honore Le Clercq and Byrl Price Le Clercq He was born in Columbia and grew up in Denmark, South Carolina Fred attended the University of South Carolina, Class of 1959, majoring in political science and philosophy He was president of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and student body president his senior year While in college, Fred was a champion debater, traveling nationally with the USC debate team He was an ardent Gamecock fan his entire life and a Tennessee Vol for most of his life
Fred worked from an early age In elementary school, he sold peanuts outside the Denmark cinema In high school, he spent summers working for Southern Railway, installing signal switches in the Altamaha swamp in Georgia In college, Fred supported himself by selling encyclopedias door-to-door as a national sales leader for P.F. Collier. Fred got a Master's Degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1960, then attended Duke Law School, receiving his J.D. in 1963. Fred worked his way through law school at Duke, teaching political science at NC State most mornings before his law classes in the afternoon.
Following his graduation from Duke Law School in 1963, Fred was briefly employed by his father-in-law Ben Scott Whaley, at the Barnwell Whaley Law Firm in Charleston. He was also hired by the Citadel to teach political science in the Fall of 1963. Fred was an outspoken supporter of the civil rights movement and was never shy in voicing opinions. After writing a letter to a South Carolina newspaper expressing support for proposed civil rights legislation (passed as the Civil Rights Act of 1964), on Citadel stationary (not having yet taught any classes), he left South Carolina in the Summer of 1963
Fred and his wife Angie moved to Berkeley, California, where Fred was a fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Society After having a family to support, Fred began his career as a law professor Fred was employed by Emory Law School from 1967 to 1969 Fred was hired by the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1970 He started at the UT Legal Clinic, and shortly thereafter became a law professor, which position he held until his retirement in 1996 Fred educated an entire generation of Tennessee lawyers He taught many courses, with his favorites being constitutional law and civil procedure He was a firm believer in the Socratic method Fred was a "hot bench," and kept his students on their toes with a heavy barrage of incisive questioning Fred expected and demanded excellence from his students and his sons Fred loved his students like his children and regularly invited his classes over to the family house for supper and singing
Fred was predeceased by his beloved wife Angie. He is survived by his brother Honore, to whom Fred was devoted all of his life, his three sons and their wives, Ted (Courtney), Ben (Allston), and Kershaw (Anne), six grandchildren: Douglas, Price, Susan, Will, Peter, and Ned, and his close friend and sweetheart Margaret Lawson. Although his death came as a shock to the entire family, there is some beauty in that, in the end, Fred was with family, exploring and walking the streets of Italy.
J O E L E V I T T , J R .
d on the morning of Friday, January 24, 2025 Joe earned his law ee College of Law in 1956 During his long career as a litigator and of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and was
Janice Kay Kell, 78, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025 She was born on September 12, 1946, to the late Roy Max and Dorothy Carmanetta Lowe in Casper, Wyoming She had degrees from Casper Junior College, the University of Wyoming, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee School of Law
She taught science at Suitland Senior High School and Gwynn Park High School in Maryland and at Pecos Junior High School in Northglenn, Colorado She worked in energy education at the Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and in all of East Tennessee training secondary school teachers in energy education
Following law school graduation, she clerked for Judge Joe Duncan on the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals Subsequently, she worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Knoxville, Tennessee office After that, she practiced criminal defense with Attorney Ralph Harwell For the last number of years of her legal career, she served as a permanent law clerk to United States Federal District Judge Leon Jordan in Knoxville, Tennessee, until her retirement in 2010.
She was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension and served in various roles at the church, including singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, assisting the office staffing, providing church banners for baptisms, serving on the Vestry and on discernment committees, serving as a Stephen Minister, leading the needlepoint altar cushions project, and co-chairing the church’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2007.
Janice was a true friend to many, and loved her family, country, church, theater, symphony, needlework, Lady Vols Basketball, and social gatherings She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, Greg Lowe She is survived by Greg’s family, by her husband of nearly 50 years, Robert A (Robin) Kell, and his family
Debra Ann Poole, 70, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Columbus, Georgia, following an extended illness, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born November 12, 1954, in Murray, Kentucky to James and Fay (Hurt) Poole. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 32 years, Ray L. Pierce, her father James Poole, and her grandparents Hugh and Lottie (Hendrick) Hurt and Albert and Marell Morris Poole.
Debra is survived by her mother Ila Fay Poole, her brother James Allen Poole (Leah), sister Deleza Poole, nieces and nephews, J Aaron Poole, Mallory Poole Estes (Addison), Alice Poole, and Millie Poole, brothersin-law Randy Pierce and Ricky Pierce, great nieces Allison Rae Estes, Erin Pierce and Julia Pierce, and greatnephews Jonah Estes and Jason Pierce
She was a graduate of Carroll High School, Ozark, AL, University of Mobile, Mobile, AL, and University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, TN She was a founder of the Smoky Mountain Planned Giving Council and was active in the nonprofit community through service as a board member and foundation staff Her favorite place to be was outdoors She was a member of Erin Presbyterian Church
Debra’s family and many friends miss her wit, intelligence, kindness, creativity, deep love of all things music, and certainly her spirit of adventure D E B R A A
C
Christopher Aaron Posey, age 45, died on February 3, 2025, after a long-challenging battle with pancreatic cancer He was born in Oneida, Tennessee on March 30, 1979, to Everett and Barbara (Chambers) Posey He was saved on March 19, 1989, and baptized on April 16, 1989 He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Everett Sr and Vanie Posey, Hurstle and Leora Chambers (Acres), and step-grandfather Argie Acres
Aaron attended Farragut High School in Knoxville, received his B S in Business Administration from Tusculum University in Knoxville, and continued his education in Naples, Florida at Avé Maria School of Law, became a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, obtaining his Juris Doctorate, passing the Tennessee Bar in February 2024, and was sworn in at the Knox County Courthouse as an attorney on August 7, 2024. Three weeks later, Aaron was informed that his previously-diagnosed cancer had spread, and he began a second round of treatments.
Before changing his career focus to law, Aaron had a love of cars back to the days before he started kindergarten, which led him to a twenty-year career as a sales consultant, starting with Rodgers Cadillac, both GMC dealerships in Knoxville – Clinton Highway GMC with Meg Rodgers Lonon and Rice on Kingston Pike, to being part owner with Joe Whaley of Quality Auto Sales on North Broadway in Knoxville, and then to Naples with high end luxury brands: Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, and Maserati
In addition to his parents, Aaron is survived by his only sister, Candace "Candy" Posey; one niece: Faith Erin Burnette; uncle: Landis Posey and wife, Dixie of Oneida; aunt: Margaret Davis and husband Herbert of Oneida; special great-aunt: Devorah Lovett, whom he dearly loved; uncle: Randy Acres and wife, Sandy of Naples, Florida, and numerous friends and family Aaron never met a stranger He had an extraordinary gift of connecting with everyone he encountered
Jr , age 88, passed away on February 9, 2025 Herbert was born to Herbert S Sanger, Sr nger, and was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his siblings: Patsy Hinte, Frank h Sanger
ind his cherished wife of 66 years, Rita Baumgartner Sanger. He is also survived by his four Maureen) Sanger, Carole (Jim) Brink, Warren (Jennifer) Sanger, and George (Tracie) Sanger. grandfather to 10 grandchildren: Edward Brink, Maggie Sanger James, Claire Brink Chance, s, Ford Sanger, Josh Sanger, James Sanger, David Sanger, George Sanger Jr., and Mary ell as three great-grandchildren: Mary Pate, Hattie, and James. Herbert is also survived by his brother, Reverend Ronald Sanger.
Herbert’s distinguished career in law spans nearly six decades, marked by significant contributions in both private practice and public service He began his legal journey with general counsel work and later moved into private practice He was consistently recognized in “The Best Lawyers in America” and featured in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in American Law ” He retired after 57 years of practicing law, leaving a lasting legacy in the legal community
Herbert’s professional journey also includes a long tenure with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), where he started as a staff attorney in 1961 and rose through the ranks to become General Counsel in 1975 During his time at TVA, he held key positions such as Deputy General Counsel and Associate General Counsel He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the TVA Retirement System from 1975 to 1986 In 1986, Herbert transitioned to private practice, partnering with Wagner, Myers & Sanger, a Knoxville-based legal firm His expertise in legal matters led him to serve on various boards, including Regal Cinemas Inc , Paribas Concorde Trust, Limited and the American Corporate Counsel Association
In addition to his professional achievements, Herbert and Rita were deeply committed to charitable work and philanthropic causes. Herbert played an instrumental role in supporting the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, serving as president of the Knoxville Symphony Society from 1977 to 1998, and as chairman of the board of directors of the Knoxville Symphony Foundation. The Sangers also created scholarships for high school graduates in West Virginia to attend Concord University and other state institutions. Herbert was a lifetime member of the Concord University Alumni Association. Their philanthropy extends to their church, YMCA youth programs, and the East Tennessee Foundation, reflecting their long-standing commitment to community service and giving. H
F I N A L B L E S S I N G S
It is therefore fitting that today, as we mark the end of the career of our departed colleagues, we reflect on the many contributions made by them and rededicate ourselves to those ideals that impelled them to the noble profession of law in the first place. Let us leave here not with a sense of loss but with a sense of gratitude for the services to society which they rendered.