Carl E. McKheean, 69, of Athens, died Sunday, July 15, 2007, at Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.

A native and lifelong resident of McMinn County, he was of the Baptist faith, and was retired from Athens Utilities Board after 34 years of service as a supervisor.

He had a great love for horses and a special one, Sadie. He was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association, the Spotted Saddle Horse Association and the Breeders Racking Horse Association.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Della Mae Jordon McKheean; one sister, Betty Peel; one special niece, Lecia Knox; one nephew, Garry Knox; and one brother-in-law, Wayne Thompson.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 50 years, Earline McKheean of Athens; one son and daughter-in-law, Ricky Lynn and Susana McKheean of Athens; one step-granddaughter, Brittany Freeman; one brother, Bobby McKheean of Athens; one sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Bobby Duggan of Athens; five sisters-in-law and three spouses, Shelby Knox, Lou Palmer and Kathy and Larry Morrow, all of Athens, Markie and Eddie Malone of Ten Mile, and Vickie and John Page of Athens; three brothers-in-law and spouses, Claude and Betty Thompson and Johnny and Gloria Thompson, all of Athens, and Buddy and Linda Thompson of Lenoir City; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Thomas and the Rev. Johnny Hope officiating. Burial will follow in McMinn Memory Gardens.

Active pallbearers will be Lonnie Allen, Mike Norwood, Don Tallent, Roy Hutsell, Buford Baxter and Gene Belk. Honorary pallbearers will be employees and retired employees of Athens Utilities Board.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blood Assurance in Carl McKheean's name.

Those not able to attend may send condolences to mailto:condolences@laycock-hobbs.com