Obituaries

Vickie Gail Albert, 69, of Beavercreek, OH, passed away on July 24, 2024, at Kettering Health Main Campus in Kettering, OH.
She was born on March 20, 1955, in Crossville, daughter of the late Billy J. Story and Lajuana F. (Melton) Story.
Vickie was a computer programmer for the Department of Defense and was of the...

Billy Edward Ashburn, 96, passed from this life on Saturday, August 17 at Life Care Center in Crossville. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was a carpenter and builder by trade and a farmer. He worked in Oak Ridge for Union Carbide and Martin Marietta for 32 years. He loved...

Henson Lee Atkins, 82, of Crossville, passed away on December 17, 2024, at Cumberland Medical Center.
Mr. Atkins was born on September 18, 1942, in Crossville, the son of the late Henry Lee Atkins and Nettie Mae (Campbell) Atkins.
Henson proudly served in the United States Air Force for 24 years, retiring with the...

Betty Barnett, 77, longtime resident of Crossville, passed away May 8, 2025. She was born on April 22, 1948, in Crossville and lived there until age 10, when her family moved to Orlando, FL. She graduated from Boone High School in Orlando and later returned to Crossville, where she spent the rest of her life.
Betty...

William Emmett Baucum, Jr., 79, of Crossville, formerly of Tullahoma, passed away on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at Cumberland Medical Center. He was born in Magnolia, AR to the late William E. Baucum, Sr. and Bronis Whittington Baucum. During his life he worked as an electrical engineer for both Y-12 in Oak Ridge, and...

Johnny (John) Alan Bilbrey, 69, of Crossville, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025 in Foley, AL. He was born on March 12, 1956 in Crossville, to James Ervin and Willa Dean Bilbrey. He was a Retired Police Captain with the Crossville Police Department after 30 years of service.
He is survived by his beloved...

Gwynne Carolyn Bohannon-Christopher, 84, of Mt. Juliet, TN, passed away on September 17, 2024, at Vanderbilt Wilson County Adult Hospital.
Mrs. Bohannon-Christopher was born on December 20, 1939, in Mayland, TN, daughter of the late Ernest Phillips and Marietta Phillips.
Gwynne was a Radiology Supervisor at...

We sadly announce the passing of Carl ("Pete") Brennan of Fairfield Glade, TN on March 12, 2025, at the age of 98, surrounded at home by his wife Luanne & family.
Pete was born in Capac, MI on December 16, 1926, to his late father Kenneth Brennan & late mother Ruth Fischer. Pete was raised on the family farm until...

Vivian Brewer passed away on April 1, 2025. Vivian was born on Nov. 15, 1946, in Germany, to Edgar & Inga Olluk. Her days were filled with the joy of watching birds, gardening, or testing her luck with the lottery. Shopping was a particular pleasure, especially when it involved spending time with her daughters,...

Melvin Brown, 88, was born on November 20, 1935 to Clinton and Christine Brown in Dayton, OH. He passed away on August 20, 2024 at his home in Crossville, surrounded by his family and friends.
He is survived by his children, Ricky Brown, Dora (Brown) Sherrill, and Shane Brown; grandchildren, Ashley Sherrill, Mark...

Harvey Jackson Byrd Jr. ("Jack" or "Jackie"), 72, of Kingston, Tennessee, passed away on July 31, 2024.
Jack was born on August 15, 1951, in Crossville, the son of Harvey Jackson Byrd Sr. and Helen L. (Cummins) Byrd.
Jack spent his younger years with his mother at the Cumberland County Playhouse or traveling the...

Jerry Lee Campbell, a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, at the age of 80. Born on November 19th, 1944, in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, Jerry was a resident of Crossville, where he was cherished by his family and community.
Jerry proudly...

Cates, Steve Charles, age 75, passed away on November 3, 2024. Steve was born in Crossville,
Tennessee. He was a Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Brother. Steve retired as a
Metro Nashville Firefighter after 35 years of dedicated service. He was the father of a hero, Lance
Corporal Tyler Cates, a true...

Raymond George Chicoine, 91, of Crossville, passed away at Cookeville Regional Medical Center on June 5, 2024.
Mr. Chicoine was born on January 1, 1933, in Brattleboro, VT, son of the late Henry Chicoine and Alice (Langlois) Chicoine.
Raymond served our country, joining the United States Air Force in February 1969...

Marilyn Kathleen Christensen (Sorensen), 86, of Midlothian, Texas, peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 20, 2025, following a brief illness.
Marilyn was born on December 13, 1938, in Creighton, Nebraska, to the late Soren and Emma Sorensen. She was preceded in death by her...

Vivian Irene Cook (Burgess), 84, passed away on July 10, 2024 in Pahrump, NV. Born on January 4, 1940 in Cumberland County, she moved through life with a nurturing spirit that touched many.
Vivian was the beloved wife of the late Bennie D. Cook (1934-2002) and a devoted mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in...

Roger Frederick Coulther, 89, of Crossville, passed away on November 29, 2024, at Wyndridge Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Roger was born on November 13, 1935, in Newark, NJ, son of the late Harry Roger Coulther and Sarah Louise (Smith) Coulther. Roger and his wife, Judith, were happily married for 66 years.
He...

Long time Flowers Human Resources Director, Joan Crowell passed away Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Charter Senior Living of Cookeville. She was 83 years old, and had been in increasingly declining health.
Joan was born November 6, 1940, in Salisbury, NC, the second daughter of the late J. Roy Goodman and Edna I....

Sherry A. Cunningham, 81, of Crossville, died Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at her residence. She was born on June 29, 1943, in Santa Ana, CA, to the late Albert and Thalia Lewis Mayo. Sherry attended school in California and married the late Bill Cunningham in 1961, eventually moving to Tennessee in 1965. She loved all...

John D'Armond, beloved husband, father, and grandfather of Crossville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the age of 76.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 16, 1948, John brought joy, laughter, and warmth to everyone who knew him.

A graduate of Columbia Military Academy and...

"The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms." --Deuteronomy 33:27
Vern Daugherty, 90, of Crossville, passed away on June 29, 2024, at Life Care Center of Crossville.
Reverend Daugherty was born on Friday, July 28, 1933, in New Madrid County, Missouri, son of the late Herbert...

John S. Davis, 84, passed away on July 19, 2024, in Crossville. Born on February 14, 1940, in Richmond, Indiana, John was known for his outgoing and generous spirit. After his graduation from high school (Hagerstown, IN), John attended Ball State University, graduating with a Business and Marketing degree. He worked...

Edith Jean Davis was born on Sept 25, 1935, in Barbourville, KY and went to be with the Lord on December 28, 2024. She was the daughter of Arthur and Rose Golden Mayne.
She was a schoolteacher in Cumberland County TN for 35 years.
Mrs. Davis was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. Davis; brothers, Vernon...

Bennie Lee Dempsey, Sr., 85, passed away on Friday May 31, 2024, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Born March 2, 1939, Ben was raised in El Dorado, Illinois, the son of a coal miner. After graduating high school, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he met the love of his life, Imogene (Jean) Gogue. Together, they shared 61...

Larry Dale Drager
Illinois State Police Colonel
There is a beginning and an end to all things. In between these two finite points is a story, a journey. Larry's story began on September 25, 1947, in Ottawa, Illinois, with his birth to mother Dorothy Virginia Shipley, and father, Lawrence Albert Drager.
Growing up...

David A. Eldridge of Crossville, Tennessee, went to meet his Lord at the age of 73 on November 1, 2024. David was born on November 16, 1950 in Cumberland County, Tennessee to John and Oma Eldridge. He was raised with three siblings.
David was preceded in death by his father, John, brother and best friend, Doyle and...

Sharon Kay Emerson-Brady, 56, of Crossville, passed away on November 7, 2024, at Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This boring old world was blessed with the arrival of Mrs. Emerson-Brady on April 1, 1968. Yes, April Fools' Day and more than one of her daughters had a bit more fun with this than what...

Donald A. Farmer, 95, of Ashton Grove in Georgetown and formerly of Lancaster, KY, passed away on April 28, 2025. He was born on December 16, 1929, in Crossville, TN, the son of the late Charles A. and Della Tabor Farmer. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Stella, on June 24, 2017, after more than 62...

Jefferson Davis Fox Jr., known affectionately as JD, passed away on August 24, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona, at age 79. He was born on April 17, 1945, in Crossville, to Jefferson Fox and Ida Netherton. JD was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 52 years, Doris Fox; sisters, Joy Ruth White, Lillie Dee...

Kathleen Lynn Galloway, 74, of Crossville, passed away on January 26, 2025, at Cumberland Medical Center.
Mrs. Galloway was born on May 9, 1950, in Akron, OH, daughter of the late Stephen Adam and June (Beadle) Adam.
Kathleen spent several years as an Administrative Assistant at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company,...

Janice Marie Rosback was born in Oak Park, IL and was the first child of Donald & Geneva Rosback (both deceased). She has a sister, Jean (deceased) and a brother, Thomas (Salida, CO).
Janice was married to her college sweetheart, Alan Gillespie and together they have 2 sons, Scot Gillespie (Kodak, TN) and David...

Ruth A. Goldstein, 86, of Crossville, died January 5, 2025 at NHC Sparta.
She was born on October 15, 1938, to Milton and Mary Frances Freeman in Drexel Hill, PA.
Ruth attended Haddonfield High School, NJ and married David J. Goldstein on December 28, 1957. They had six children.
She worked as the Assistant...

Carole Fay Grogan, 87, of Smyrna, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024.
Carole was born on March 3, 1937, to the late Walter Allen Turner and Grace Renina Turner.
She is preceded in death by her brother, Allen Turner.
Carole loved spending time outdoors working in her garden and enjoyed mowing her own...

Wayne Grzonka passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28 at the age of 83.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary Grzonka; Joyce, his beloved wife of 50 years; and Bob Bock, a nephew.
He is survived by his brother, Glenn Grzonka; nieces, Sue Bock (Gordie), Cindy Poole (Dale), Mary James (Chuck);...

Jill Maxine Hall, age 64, of Crossville, went to be with the Lord on June 13, 2024, at Cumberland Medical Center.
Ms. Hall was born on February 25, 1960, in Crossville, daughter of the late Earl Jones and Louella (Cate) Jones.
Jill devoted herself to a lifelong pursuit of selflessly serving others and strove to be...

Carol, 77, of Oak Ridge, TN passed away with her loving family at her side.
Born in OK., raised in N.W. IN., then moved to TN. Her life was defined by sharing her time and love with family. She will be missed terribly.
Carol is survived by her daughters'; Serina (Bill) Olsen and T9C Burke. Grandchildren; Kathrine,...

William "Bill" Edward Hawes, 77, of Crossville, passed from this life on September 15, 2024, at Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville, TN.
He was born on April 23, 1947, in Barton City, Michigan, son of the late Clarence Adam Hawes and Hilda Fern (Durr) Hawes.
Bill, aka "Bear" loved and cherished his family and...

Carleen May Henson, 95, of Crossville, passed away at University of Tennessee Medical Center on July 7, 2024.
Mrs. Henson was born on June 29, 1929, in St. Louis, Missouri, the only child of Karl Schott and Delphia May (Wood) Schott.
She graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis in 1947 and received a...

Larry Anthony (Tony) Hodge passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024.
He was born to Luthor and Cora Hodge on July 23, 1935, in Crossville. They were among the first Homestead families.
Tony grew up in the Cumberland Homesteads, attended Crossville High School and served in the 82nd Army Airborne Division as a...

Darlene (York) Holt, 74, of Union, Missouri, passed away on June 17, 2024 at the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital. She was born July 6, 1949 in Dayton, OH. Funeral services were held on July 3, 2024 at the Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown with Bro. Daryl Rains officiating. Burial followed in the Wolf River...

Dean Howard, a cherished member of her community and a celebrated artist, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at her residence in Cookeville. Born on November 16, 1941, in Putnam County, Tennessee, she was the daughter of Arnold Mackie and Walenia Henry Mackie, who predeceased her, as did her beloved...

Betty Jo Hyde, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Crossville, on March 28, 2025. She was 85 years old.
Born on October 13, 1939, in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, Betty Jo was the daughter of the late James Elmo Roberts and Willie Mae (Pace)...

JoAnn E. Jackson, 82, of Crossville, passed away on November 10, 2024, at Cumberland Medical Center.
Mrs. Jackson was born on April 16, 1942, in Kenton, TN, daughter of the late Henry Eddlemon and Christine (Emerson) Eddlemon.
JoAnn was a secretary at General Motors, then dedicated her life to her children and...

Stephen (Steve) was the son and grandson of Polish immigrants who fled violence and political oppression to find freedom and opportunities for a better life in the United States. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.
Steve earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton, Ohio and a Master of...

Bobbye C. Kemmer, 95, of Crossville, passed away at Cumberland Medical Center on June 16, 2024.
Mrs. Kemmer was born on May 4, 1929, in Harlan County, Kentucky, daughter of the late Walter Burl Cooper and Virgie (Frasier) Cooper.
Bobbye was a homemaker and a member of Grassy Cove Methodist Church.
She is survived by...

Pamela Arleen Wade Kenner died Feb. 6, 2025 in Knoxville, TN.
Pam was born on Palm Sunday, for which she was named, on April 10, 1960 in Chattanooga, TN to the Rev. Thomas M.L. Wade and Betsy Hill Wade, both of whom predeceased her.
Education and lifelong learning were important to Pam. She was a 1978 graduate of...

Charles Melvin Kesser passed away on July 17, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Health Center in Crossville, Tennessee. He was born on April 24, 1926 to Rose and Charles Kesser in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, graduated from Washington Park High School and went on to graduate from the University of...

James "Jim" Joseph Kloer, 73, of Crossville, passed away at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center on December 1, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Jim was born on September 12, 1951, in Fort Wayne, IN to Herbert and Mary Ellen Kloer. He married his best friend and soul mate, Jacqueline Kloer on July 31, 1993. They...

In loving memory of Ronald Lohman, who passed away on July 20, 2023, at the age of 76. Born on June 28, 1947, he grew up on a dairy farm riding tractors and horses. He dedicated a part of his life to serving in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War and worked as a ambulance driver.
During...

Gladys "Christine" Loveday, 80, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2025, at her residence in Crossville. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and dedicated educator. Born on September 7, 1944, in Pikeville, TN, to the late Jesse Myers and Gladys (Melton) Myers.
Christine is survived by her devoted...

Raymond E. MacDonald, 82, of Crossville, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, February 3, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Ray was born on Oct. 12, 1942, in Hyde Park, MA and was the son of the late Alexander and Irma MacDonald. He was predeceased by three brothers and a sister. He proudly served in the Army...

Ruby Maxwell, 92, of Crossville, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and husband, Hooper Maxwell. She was born on June 15, 1932, in Pikeville, TN to the late Luther Hurd and Virgie Rankin Hurd. She married the love of her life, Hooper Maxwell, in 1975, and they celebrated 49...