Roger William Gribble

On the 26th day of August, Roger Gribble breathed his last breath on earth and his first breath in Heaven. He looks forward to seeing you there. He was born in Newport, TN January 3, 1948 and was born again in Atlanta, GA December 7, 1977. He graduated from Cocke County High School in 1966. He received his Bachelor of Science from TN Tech University (TTU) where he was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. At TTU he was treasurer of the student body, a founding member of Sigma Chi Fraternity in which he held numerous positions. He was chairman of Freshman Week for two years at TTU and he was a co-op education student. Roger did post graduate work at John Marshall Law School and received a Doctorate of Humanities from Emmanuel Baptist University. Roger was a financial consultant serving as a Loan Broker for the last 30 years of his life. He was honored to serve in four presidential administrations with Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford Ronald Regan and George H. W. Bush. He was appointed Deputy Regional Administrator of the US Small Business Administration by Patricia Saiki and later Regional Administrator of the eight South Eastern states by George H.W. Bush. While serving in SBA he was awarded the Administrator's Award for Service to Small Businesses. He spent many months overseeing the construction of the current Small Business Administration's current headquarters building in Washington D.C. From 1980 until 1988 Roger owned and operated Traditional Jewelers in Jefferson City. He served his lord and Savior Jesus Christ at several churches including Rehoboth Baptist Church (Atlanta), First Baptist (Jefferson City), Manley Baptist Church (Morristown) Walnut St. Baptist Church (Louisville, KY), First Baptist Church (Atlanta), Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church (Newport), Chilhowee Hill Baptist Church (Knoxville), and was a current member of First Baptist Church Newport. Roger served on various committees in local organizations. He was a founding member of Jefferson County Gideon Camp where he served as Bible Secretary and spoke at churches throughout Jefferson County, Cocke County, and Grainger County. He was a founding member and President of the Rotary Club, President of the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce, co-founder and first President of the consolidated (Jefferson City and Dandridge) Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. He was President of the Carson Newman Eagle Club for two years. Roger served as Deacon and Chairman of the Deacons at two churches. He was CFO of Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church for four years. After his father's (S.A. Gribble) death, he and his mother (Helen Gribble) founded the Newport Alzheimer's Support Group. Following that he became active in Alzheimer's Tennessee where he served six years as treasurer and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He was currently an alderman for the City of Newport. Roger married his high school sweetheart, Charlene Holt Gribble, whom he loved on earth and will love throughout all eternity. He has one child, Dr. Angie Gribble Hedlund and a great son-in-law, Dr. Richard Hedlund of Roswell, GA. He was blessed with two wonderful granddaughters, Victoria (Tori) Charlotte Hedlund and Alexandria (Lexi) Ellen Hedlund. He was the youngest child of the late Sidney Allen and Helen P. Gribble of Newport. He had two siblings, Curtis Gribble and Brenda Sluder, a great-sister-in-law, Ronda S. Gribble and a wonderful brother-in-law Ted Sluder. He has one nephew, Tracey Gribble, and one great-nephew, Dawson Gribble. He loved Israel and traveled there on four special occasions. He often was heard to say, "We should love the things God loved" and he loved the Israelites and the land he called Holy Israel. The family will receive friends from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm with the Celebration of Life service following at 5:30 pm Monday, August 28, 2017 at First Baptist Church, Newport. Dr. David Green, First Baptist Church, Greeneville, Dr. Tony Crisp, Eastanallee Baptist, Riceville, and Dr. Rich Lloyd, First Baptist Church, Newport officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919-6340 or First Baptist Church of Newport, 261 East Broadway, Newport, TN 37821. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home.

Roger William Gribble

January 3, 1948 - August 26, 2017