Joe Hutton

Joe Hutton

Athens, TN

Mr. Joe Ernest Hutton, age 74, of Athens, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2016 at Starr Regional Medical Center in Athens. A native of Cleveland and resident of Athens since 1958, he was a son of the late John and Louise Moore Hutton and was preceded in death by a brother, Rev. Jim Hutton and a sister, Mary Ruth Burrell. He was a member of West View Baptist Church and formerly attended Athens First Baptist Church and Crossroads Baptist Church in Benton, where he served as choir director. He served on the Athens Utilities Board for 22 years from 1985-2007, the longest serving member following Chuck Redfern. At his retirement, fellow members were Charles "Buddy" Liner, Carter Runyan, Linda Morrow, and William "Bo" Perkinson. He served on the Jimmy LIner Memorial Christmas Parade Board for many years. He was partner of Johnson's Home Furnishings for 25 years, owned and operated Cherokee Hardware and Furniture for 15 years, owned the first car-washes and laundry mart in Athens, owned McMinn Check and Title, Athens Check and Title, and Cherokee Check and Title. He owned Cherokee Sundry Stores in Athens and Spring City and was a licensed plumber and electrician. He was a former member of Athens Lions Club; served on the board and as a member of the McMinn County Rescue Squad; served as President of the CONTACT Board; and was a former member of Meridian Sun Lodge # 50 F.&A.M.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Susie Pugh Hutton of Athens; four sons, Tim Hutton of Niota, Chris Hutton of Orange Grove in Chattanooga, Paul Lee Pugh II and wife, Angie of Sale Creek, and Gregory Scott Pugh and wife, April of Palmer, Alaska; two daughters, Kathy Pugh Smith and husband, Tim of Evensville and Tammy Cagle and husband Todd of Spring City; twelve grandchildren, Tabitha Hutton Debety and husband, Travis, Holly Hutton McKenzie and husband, Phillip, Jessica Cagle Dye and husband Harrison, Newt Cagle and wife Brittany, Chasity Higdon and husband, Danny, Zach Pugh and wife, Megan, Bailey Pugh, Harlee Harvey and husband, Alex, Melaine Holland and husband Michael, Delania Pugh and Giana Pugh, McKenzie Reynolds; seven great-grandchildren, Legend Debety, Adaline Williamson, Gibson McKenzie, Harper Harvey, Greysen Holland, Riley Holland, and Elijah Griffith; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Gardner, Rev. Terry Ailor, and Rev. Richard Mason officiating. Graveside services will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 19, 2016 in McMinn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Jon Burrell, Tim Smith, Tony Janoe, Bobby Hutton, Doug Burrell, Harrison Dye, Todd Cagle, and Newt Cagle; Honorary pallbearers will be Charles "Buddy" Liner, Eric Newberry, Wayne Scarbrough, Randy Ayres, Ross Carroll, Carter Runyan, William "Bo" Perkinson, Dr. William R. Foree, Jr., Harold Powers, Janice Hardaway, Margaret Mahery, Linda Morrow, Burkett Witt, John Proffitt, Hal Buttram, Elbert Willson, Ray Priest, Lewis Curtis and former Board Members of AUB. The family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home. Those unable to attend may send condolences to www.laycock-hobbs.com Memorial contributions maybe made to Orange Grove Center, 615 Derby St., Chattanooga,TN 37404. Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home of Athens is in charge of arrangements.