Gilbert Soesbee

Gilbert Soesbee, 1956-2026

Gilbert Soesbee, 69, of Newport, died on Saturday, March 28.

Soesbee retired in 2000 as the managing editor of The Newport Plain Talk. He had also served for a number of years as the news editor of the local newspaper. He retired early due to his health, but he returned after about a year to cover local court for a few years.

Before reporting for the Plain Talk, Soesbee worked as an intern in Lenoir City, where he covered the infamous snail darter fish that halted construction of the Tellico Dam for a time.

At the Plain Talk, Soesbee was well-known for his coverage of local court and government. Court coverage extended into a story that continued for years: the Pigeon River's pollution by the former Champion International paper mill in Canton, North Carolina. For his coverage, Soesbee won two first place awards presented by the Tennessee Press Association.

In retirement, Soesbee was a voracious reader, especially of history and constitutional law. He particularly had enjoyed combining both interests when he joined the Newport Theater Guild as Hornbeck in "Inherit the Wind." He also collected rock and alternative music, especially on vinyl.

He was a drummer in the Pisgah High School band in Canton before going to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

He was raised in the Baptist faith in his hometown of Canton, North Carolina, where he sang in a variety of productions at First Baptist of Canton.

Soesbee was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Bertie Soesbee, and his brother-in-law, Michael White.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nancy Oberst Soesbee; their son, Ian Soesbee, of Newport; and his sister, Sheron White, of Chattanooga. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Dottie Oberst Pruvenok, of Rossville, Georgia; brother-in-law Joe Oberst and his wife Patty Oberst, of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law James Oberst and wife Peggy Oberst, and Darleene Oberst.

A memorial Mass will be announced later by the Church of the Good Shepherd at Cosby Highway.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Good Shepherd, which distributes help to people in Cocke County. Please mail donations to 2361 Cosby Highway, Newport, TN 37821.