Attorney Robert Roe “Bob” Campbell died Dec. 6, 2024, at age 94. A lifelong Knoxville resident, Campbell graduated from the University of Tennessee, both undergraduate and the College of Law. After college, he served on active duty as an Army officer, including a tour of duty in Korea before admission to the bar. Campbell began his law practice in 1956 and practiced with Hodges Doughty & Carson for over 60 years. During his career he served as president of the Knoxville Bar Association, chair of the Tennessee Appellate Court Nominating Commission, chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation and was a life member of the 6th Circuit Judicial Conference. Campbell also was active in state politics, including serving as Sen. Howard Baker’s statewide campaign chairman. Memorial gifts may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37215.

Former judge and Shelby County prosecutor Donna Fields died in a car accident at age 76 on Dec. 16, 2024, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. Fields joined the district attorney’s office after retiring as a judge, working part time with a focus on animal cruelty cases. Fields earned her undergraduate degree in marine biology from the University of Tennessee and her law degree from the University of Memphis Law School. She began practicing law in 1976, representing children in the juvenile court system. In 1978, she started her private law practice, which she continued until 2004 when she was appointed to the bench by then Gov. Phil Bredesen. Her family has asked that memorial donations go to organizations that support and protect animals.

Memphis attorney Ronald Maury Harkavy died Dec. 6, 2024, at age 90. Other than attending Vanderbilt University for his undergraduate and law school degrees, Harkavy spent his entire life and career in Memphis. He was involved in various professional and community organizations, including serving on the board of directors of the Memphis Bar Association and a hearing committee for the state disciplinary board. He also served in leadership roles with a variety of community organizations including Anshei Sphard Beth El Emeth Synagogue, the Memphis Jewish Community Center, the Memphis Jewish Federation and the Jewish Foundation of Memphis, which he founded. In his law practice, Harkavy focused on business and financing transactions, real estate, land use planning and zoning matters. Donations may be made to the Memphis Jewish Federation, 6560 Poplar Avenue, Germantown, TN 38138 or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Matthew Stephen Heiter died Nov. 29, 2024, at age 64 after a difficult bout with cancer. Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he graduated from the University of Mississippi and Vanderbilt Law School. Heiter practiced law in Memphis for many years, first at Waring Cox and later at Baker Donelson. He also served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for NN Inc., a Charlotte, North Carolina-based global manufacturer. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1669 Central Ave., Memphis, TN 38104, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Doyle E. Richardson died Dec. 28, 2024, at age 89. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1957 and entered Vanderbilt Law School that same year. In 1958, he was called to active military service and assigned to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Among his duties was vetting German scientists brought to the U.S. to work in the rocket program. After completing military service, Richardson re-entered law school and graduated in 1964. He practiced law at several Tullahoma firms, was mayor of Tullahoma from 1986-1987 and served as a member of the TBA Board of Governors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to George W. Malcolm Cemetery, 3725 Old Monroe Madison Hwy., Madison, GA 30650 or First Christian Church, 516 Madison St., Clarksville, TN 37040.

Charles “Chuck” Sterling Sexton died Jan. 21 at age 71. He graduated from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, in 1978 and went on to practice law in Sevierville until his retirement in 2020. Sexton served 10 years as Sevier County’s first public defender and also served eight years as trial justice judge. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church, Sevierville (music ministry, missions, media ministry or Christmas store) 317 Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862; to the donor’s home church; or to a family in need.

James William “Bill” Stinnett Jr. died Jan. 10 at age 96. A U.S. Navy veteran, Stinnett served as city judge in Ashland City until his death, possibly making him the oldest serving judge in Tennessee until his recent illness. Stinnett earned his law degree from YMCA Night Law School (now Nashville School of Law [NSL]) and in 2012, he and his partner, Bill Wilkinson, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from NSL. Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

Eugene W. Ward, Nashville attorney and husband of Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely, died Dec. 13, 2024, at age 92. He received his undergraduate degree from Lincoln Memorial University in 1956 and his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1959. Ward practiced law in Morristown for two years before being appointed assistant general counsel at the Tennessee Public Service Commission. He later served as general counsel, and then in 1986, moved to Nashville Electric Service. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or the Opry Trust Fund, One Gaylord Dr., Nashville, TN 37214. |||