Obituaries
Dustin Blake Edward Slaven, age 38 of Oneida, TN, passed away on Monday, July 31, 2023, in Knoxville, TN. Born
in Muncie, IN on October 23, 1984, he was the son of Durita Bowling Slaven and the late Eddie Slaven.
In addition to his father, Dustin was preceded in death by his son: Marcus Swartz; grandmother: Gladys Owens; grandfather:
Claude Bowling; and mother of his child: Jennifer Chambers.
In addition to his mother, Durita Bowling Slaven, Dustin is survived by his daughter: Savannah Slaven; grandson:
Bentley Cox; uncle: Billy Joe Bowling; and Russell Honeycutt, whom he thought of like a father; as well as many other
family members and friends.
Friends may visit with the Slaven family on Friday, August 4, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 4:00
p.m. in the Chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home with Bro. Jerry Byrge officiating. Music will be provided by the Black
Creek Singers.
Committal service will follow in the Black Creek Cross Roads Cemetery in Robbins, TN. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
West-Murley Funeral Home is serving the family of Dustin Blake Edward Slaven.
Kathryn Joyce Lawson (Garrett) – went peacefully to be with the Lord at home on Friday, August 4, 2023, surrounded
by loved ones. Kathy was born in Oneida, Tennessee, on September 3, 1963, to Clifford and Onlee Garrett.
She was the youngest sibling to three doting older brothers. Kathy grew up in the Baptist faith, where she learned to
love the Lord, trust His ways, and praise His name in all circumstances. She was a gifted pianist and musician, playing
for numerous churches throughout her life. Kathy married her lifelong sweetheart, Dexter Lawson, in 1981. Her
most treasured role was mother to two sons Jonathan and Nathan and Nan Nan to three grandchildren Evan, Asher,
and Jacob. Kathy taught her family how to love on this earth through her kind ways, generous nature, and servant’s
heart.
Kathy was a graduate of Scott High, Roane State Community College, and Tennessee Technological University. She
was a faithful employee at Armstrong Flooring for twenty-two years and later at Big South Fork Medical Center for
eight years. Kathy valued continually striving to better oneself, learning new disciplines, and pursuing education at
any age, having been a non-traditional college student. She loved seeing others succeed in goals, great and small, ever
encouraging those around her to persevere and prosper. More than most, she lived to serve the Lord by serving the living around her – taking friends and
family to activities and appointments, helping others solve problems, and nursing countless sick and wounded animals back to health. Her best friend was
her mother, with whom she cherished every moment.
Kathy was preceded in death by her father Clifford Garrett and brother Larry Garrett. She is survived by husband Dexter Lawson, sons Jonathan (Sara)
Lawson and Nathan Lawson, grandchildren Evan, Asher, and Jacob, mother Onlee Garrett, siblings Rick (Helen) Garrett, Tim (Dodie) Garrett, and sisterin-
law Diana Garrett. Kathy loved her abundant family of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may visit with the Lawson family on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of
West-Murley Funeral Home with Bro. Jeff Davis officiating. Music will be provided by the Brimstone Boys.
Committal service will follow in the Honeycutt-East Robbins Cemetery in Robbins, TN.
West-Murley Funeral Home is serving the family of Kathryn Joyce Garrett Lawson.
Vanie Byrd Newport, age 93 of Oneida, TN, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at her home with
her loving family by her side. Born April 21, 1930, in Scott County, TN, she was the daughter of the late John Riley
and Cora Sexton Byrd. She was a member of the High Point Baptist Church where she played the piano for many
years; and was employed by the Oneida Special School District as cafeteria cook for over 30 years. Vanie always had
a smile and loved and cared for all she met. Her faith in God never wavered, and her family was the love of her life.
In addition to her parents, Vanie was preceded in death by her husband: LeRoy Newport; father and mother-in-law:
Morris and Beulah Douglas Newport; three brothers and three sisters.
Vanie is survived by her children: two sons: Johnny and Danny Newport, both of Oneida; two daughters: Janet
Soldner and husband Bill of Wartburg, TN, and Debbie Turner and special friend John Holt of Forest City, North
Carolina; seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren; two sisters; one brother;
two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law; two special caregivers: Dorothy Watson and Cora Queener, and the
many special people who were placed in her life throughout her illness; as well as a host of other family members and
friends.
Friends may visit with the Newport family on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of
Jones & Son Funeral Home with grandson Timothy Turner, and great grandson Wesley Horne officiating.
Committal service will follow in the Hazel Valley Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Vanie Byrd Newport.
Mark Margolis was an actor in film and television for nearly 50 years, with roles in such popular hits as “Breaking
Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Scarface,” and “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” He passed away on August 3, 2023, at Mount
Sinai Hospital in New York City of at the age of 83.
Born in Philadelphia, Margolis moved to New York City as a teen to pursue acting, studying under luminaries like
Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, and Barbara Loden. Margolis initially began his career on stage, but after a few bit roles, he
was cast as Albert the Shadow in Brian De Palma’s 1983 gangster classic, “Scarface,” a small but memorable role that
arguably launched his career.
Margolis would go on to have supporting roles in dozens of films and television shows, including “Glory,” “The Thomas
Crown Affair,” “Requiem for a Dream,” “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Black Swan,” and many others. On TV, he
appeared in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Law & Order,” “The Equalizer,” and more.
His most notable role came when he was cast as Hector Salamanca in “Breaking Bad.” His compelling portrayal of the formidable don overseeing a drug
organization cemented Margolis as one of the best-known TV villains of the time. After his character was rendered unable to speak, Margolis further captivated
audiences without uttering a word of dialog, communicating by using a tiny bell. He would reprise the role for the prequel series, “Better Call Saul.”
His work as Salamanca earned him an Emmy nomination in 2012 and made him a pop culture icon.
