Gary Wakefield, age 71, was born on May 6, 1952 to Willie and Zella Wakefield in Oceanside, CA and passed away on February 19, 2024 in Crossville, TN.
Gary’s biggest passion was being involved with Missions with the church.
He is survived by his children Matthew Wakefield, Rebecca Hall, Jennifer Sisco, Brad Wakefield, and Brandon Wakefield; grandchildren Natalie Sisco, Drew Sisco, Levi Sisco, Zayleigh Swafford, Aubrey Wakefield, and Christopher Wakefield; brother Roger (Linda) Wakefield; and aunt Alma Jean Wilson.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents Willie Arnold Wakefield and Zella Belle (Turner) Wakefield.
Services will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Oak Hill Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 12-2pm, with the service to follow at 2pm, Pastor Jim Mersereau officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crossville Memorial Funeral Home to help cover funeral expenses.
Ray Bush was born on August 20, 1930 in Pontiac, Michigan, fifteen days before his future wife, Betty Nisbett. He grew up in Pontiac and then Waterford, Michigan and graduated from Pontiac High School (later Pontiac Central) in 1948. Afterward, he served in the US Army during the Korean War where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Upon returning from service, he married Betty on July 26, 1952. That marriage lasted for over 65 years. They had three daughters and one son. Diane (the late Benjamin Kratz), Lawrence (Alice), Kimberly (Garry Moses), and Kathleen (Scott Saffron). Ray has a total of twenty grandchildren, and 28 great-grandchildren (so far).
As an avid ballplayer, Ray got a try-out with the New York Yankees when he was in his late teens. Any pro baseball ambitions were stunted by his enlistment in the Army. For several decades after his service, he played softball—first playing fast-pitch, and later playing a form of slow-pitch called blooper ball in Waterford. Other sports he took an interest in were table tennis, badminton, bowling, and he and Betty played golf. For a few years, Ray took up long-distance running, and finished all 26.2 miles of the Detroit International Marathon in 1983.
After the service, he enrolled at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Michigan and became an engineer for the Pontiac Motor Division of GM. He worked there for 35 years, and during that time, garnered a patent for himself and GM. He earned one dollar for that accomplishment. However, an investment he made at work in a Michigan lottery ticket earned him $10,000 in 1980.
Ray and Betty traveled. In fact, they visited five of the seven continents in the world. His offspring fondly remember camping road trips throughout the United States and Canada. They flew to Hawaii for a week and their trip to Alaska was legendary (and the first one after he retired). Other excursions include cruises on the Danube River and through the Panama Canal; visiting New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand. During a trip to Spain, they crossed the straits and visited Morocco. But mainly, they took road trips around the United States and eventually visited all fifty of them.
Ray retired from GM in 1985. Shortly thereafter, he and Betty moved to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee where they lived in a condominium unit for a short time. Ray designed a large three-bedroom house with an attached apartment for the two of them to live and entertain. That house became the go-to place for their children’s and friend’s vacations. Most of the time, they were visited by one family at a time. For their collective 80th birthdays they were surprised by a visit by all four children and their families (twenty-two family members total). It went from Dad-house to mad-house in short order for a few days.
Betty and Ray took courses through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and became master gardeners. Among their accomplishments, Ray taught children at Crab Orchard Elementary School about gardening. Betty wrote the “Gardening Almanac for the Plateau” book, copyright 2005, since updated and offered by the Cumberland County Master Gardeners. She is remembered at the Plateau Discovery Garden in Crossville by a dogwood tree planted in her memory. Ray also was instrumental in creating a Memorial Garden at their church, Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church. The two of them always had plenty of flowers around their homes in the Glade and Ray raised vegetables in a communal garden near Dorchester Golf Course. Eventually, the grounds around Good Samaritan were groomed by Ray until he could no longer care for them.
Ray and Betty golfed—a lot. Betty stopped when she was in her 70s, and Ray stopped golfing when he was 80 years old. He complained that the pain from playing was not worth the exercise and fellowship that came with the game. When Betty broke her hip, they decided to live in the newly opened Good Samaritan Senior Living Complex in Fairfield Glade in a two-bedroom apartment. Soon after Betty died in 2017, Ray moved into assisted living at Good Samaritans where he could get better care. As his health deteriorated, he was moved to skilled care in 2023 where he eventually died February 8, 2024. As with most of us, there is some legacy to our lives. His engineering skills went into Pontiac Catalinas from the 1950s to its last year of production in 1981. Many of those cars are now collectibles because of how they were built. The grounds at Good Samaritan are maintained by others, but their layout is still as Ray planned them from the beginning. And of course, the offspring, now numbering in the dozens, continue to live as they were influenced by their forebears, Ray and Betty Bush.
Ray is survived by his four children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Also, three sisters, Pat Hooker, Nancy Finn, and Boots Sutton, all in Florida. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; parents Ray and Elizabeth Bush, brother, Jack; in-laws, Stuart and Helen Nisbett; great-grandson, Patrick Moses, and two of his best friends Bill Svenkesen of MI and Jerry Rood of Fairfield Glade TN.
Ray enjoyed novelty things like peanut butter and onion sandwiches, silly rhyming songs, crazy ties, and/or colorful socks. In his memory we encourage you to wear a crazy tie and/or colorful socks on May 3rd.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 3, 10am at the Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church, 231 Westchester Dr, Fairfield Glade, TN 38558, Pastor Lanita Monroe officiating. This will be followed with military honors, burial, and visiting. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church Memorial Garden Fund (at the above address) or to Cumberland County Master Gardeners, c/o Alan Baker, 524 Tabor Loop, Crossville, TN 38571.
James Redman, age 77, was born on July 15, 1946 to John and Hassie Redman in Claiborne County, TN and passed away on February 14, 2024 in Crossville.
He is survived by his wife Lucille (Templeton) Redman; children Jack Templeton, Mike Roberts, Gregory L. Redman, Carmen Eugene Redman, and Wanda Roberts; 16 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents John and Hassie (Maddox) Redman; son James Quentin Redman; and siblings John Redman, Reldon Redman, Joy Redman, Huey Redman, Mary Fleeman, Christene Patman, and Dora Moss.
Services will be held on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12-2pm, with the service to follow at 2pm, Pastor Craig Ward officiating. His remains will be buried in Redman Family Cemetery at a later date.
David Keith Ham, age 78, of Crossville, TN passed away on Jan. 30, 2024. He was born June 23, 1945 in Stillwater, OK.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter all his life and enjoyed his many adventures to Alaska with his lifelong friends. He was always up for a new adventure. He loved riding his Harley and spent many hours on the road traveling the country including Sturgis. He had many hobbies in life including bowling, poker, woodworking, and working on anything with a motor from a chainsaw to v8 hotrod.
After retiring from Flexicore he moved from Texas to The Ham Farm in TN where he spent his time taking care of his Bee Hives, Jasmin his prized Texas longhorn and his dogs Molly and later Sasha.
David is survived by brother Rockie (Beverly) Ham, sisters Brenda Owens, Cathy Gafford and Deborah Richardson. He is also survived by sons Sheldon (Samlee) Ham, Jarad (Christy) Ham and daughter Lael (Dane) Cardenas and grandkids Suway (Nathan) Blaylock, Alex Ham, Samara Ham, Cody Saylor, Tanner Ham, Laurynn Ham, Trystn (Trey) Kutach, Kiala Cardenas, Betheni Cardenas. He also enjoyed spending time with his great grandchildren, Kayson Blaylock, Adrina Blaylock, Kai Ham, Savannah Ham and Leilani Perry.
He left this world knowing that he always had a loving family by his side.
Special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at The Life Care Center of Crossville, TN.
Odes Lee Cook, age 87, was born February 14, 1936 to Walter and Edna Cook in Banner Springs, TN and passed away Sunday, February 11, 2024 in Crossville, TN.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Janelle (Baldwin) Cooke; sisters Julie Copeland of Livingston, Ethel Ramsey of Banner-Roslin, Joyce Adkins of Jamestown, Reba & Joe Inman of Oak Ridge; brother Dewey Cook of Grimsley; extra special nephew Eddie Corrie Cook of Clarkrange, who was always like a son to him; a host of other nephews, too numerous to mention; extra special nieces Edwina Cook of Clarkrange, Jennifer Walker of Mount Juliet, Beverly Atkinson of Jamestown, and Karen Emmert of Knoxville; a host of other nieces, too numerous to mention; special sisters-in-law Breneda Livingston of Cookeville, Peggy Cook of Clarkrange, Sharon Davis of Jamestown, Sandra Culp of Fort Mill SC, and Gail of Crossville; extra special brother-in-law Bud Todd of Kingston, who has been like a brother; special brother-in-law Darrell Baldwin of Atlanta, Tommy & Sue Baldwin of Banner-Roslin, and Neil Baldwin of Atlanta.
Odes was preceded in death by his sweet and loving daughters Alisa Cook and Angel Cook of Crossville; parents Walter and Edna (Owens) Cook; brothers-in-law Bobby & Greg Baldwin; brothers Lester, Melvin, and Earl Cook; sisters Ruby & Thomas Price of Oak Ridge, Blanche Todd of Kingston; along with other dear family members.
A heartfelt thanks to all the family and friends for all of their prayers and support.
Services will be held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12-2pm, with the service to follow at 2pm, brother Lonnie Cook officiating. He will be laid to rest in Springs Chapel Cemetery (Banner Springs) immediately following the service. Pallbearers include: Kevin, Brent, Bradley, Blake, Randy, Ricky, and Jamie Cook, with Robert Grimsley of Crossville Memorial Funeral Home handling the service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Springs Chapel Cemetery can be made at Crossville Memorial.
Wilma Hammock, age 74, was born on February 26, 1949 to the late William Riley and Mary Lee (Sullivan) Goddard in Crossville, TN and passed away on February 9, 2024 at her home in Crossville.
A Graveside service will be held in Linary Cemetery on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 3:00pm, Boyd Brown officiating.
Ronald Garrett, age 56, was born on November 18, 1967 to Harold and Frances Garrett in Crossville, TN. He passed away on February 5, 2024 in Crossville.
Ronnie loved motorcycles, car shows, camping, living the lake life, but most of all, he loved hanging out with his grandkids.
He is survived by his mother Frances Dolores (Cottrell) Garrett; companion Jennifer York; children Matthew (Brooke) Ashburn, Stephen (Emily) Garrett, Casey (Phillip) Rollins, and Gracie Garrett; grandchildren Baylor, Charlotte Kate, Haley, Emma, Garrett, and Grady; and brother Randy Garrett.
Ronald was preceded in death by his father Harold Glenn Garrett.
Services will be held at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5-8pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at 12pm, Mark Hall officiating. He will be laid to rest in Hayes/Kerley Cemetery immediately following the service.
Judi Mae Akins passed on peacefully at Wyndham Health & Rehabilitation Center in Crossville, TN, on February 3, 2024.
Born in Houston, TX, on May 9, 1949, Judi was a longtime resident of San Diego, CA, before relocating to Crossville in the early 1990s.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Thomas Akins of Crossville, TN; her son, Greg Hawthorne, 57, of San Diego, CA; granddaughter, Judith Hawthorne, 22, of Las Vegas, NV; and her sister, Barbara Peterson of San Diego, CA. Judi was one of five children and is remembered for her wisdom and exceptional sense of humor.
Throughout her career in the construction industry as an accountant and controller, and in real estate, Judi was respected for her professionalism and keen intellect. Her hobbies included cooking and gardening, through which she expressed her love and creativity.
Judi was renowned for her wisdom and great sense of humor, characteristics that endeared her to many.
Her remains will be shared between her husband, Thomas Akins, her late mother Kathleen Mills, and her siblings, ensuring her memory is honored among her family and loved ones.
Judi Mae Akins’s life was marked by her indomitable spirit, warmth, and the deep connections she forged. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
Joyce House, age 82, was born on April 4, 1941 to Luther and Edna Duncan in Swifton, AR. She passed away on January 15, 2024 in Crossville after a battle with Covid.
She was beloved mother of Paul Gregory House and Pamela House; and beloved sister of Isabel Candeleria, Carlos Duncan, Jimmy Duncan, and Opal Ahrens.
Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved parents Luther Paul and Edna Ruth (Pinkston) Duncan and her son Marty Lynn House.
She worked for Fairfield Glade until her retirement.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Joseph Emmitt Silcox, Jr. passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the age of 88 and just 5 days before turning 89. He was counting down the days!
Silcox was born on January 26, 1935, in Fairhope, Alabama, to Joseph Emmitt Silcox, Sr. and Stella Chavers Silcox. On December 24, 1955, he married Bonnie Voncile Ward at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church in McDavid, Florida, and together they raised 5 children. They were married for 67 years.
Silcox served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. His career began at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, moving on to Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. He was based both stateside and abroad, living in Sacramento, California, France, Marysville, California, and Wiesbaden, Germany. His first retirement came while stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Following a move to Cantonment, Florida, where he worked with his brother Floyd in the home building industry, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend Tennessee Temple University. Later, he and Bonnie settled on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau finally making their permanent home in Crossville, Tennessee.
Silcox enjoyed a 10yr career with AME Siding in Crossville and retired in 2000. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed many hours helping out his friends at Plateau Metal. He could often be found working away in his own workshop crafting small pieces of furniture or enjoying his favorite pastime inventing useful gadgets to make life easier and sending several items to patent agencies for assistance. Most of all he enjoyed reading his Bible and studying scripture. Silcox became a Christian as a teenager and grew a strong foundation of faith in Christ; he had an enduring faith which he passed down to his family. He was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, in Crossville TN.
Silcox is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Emmitt Silcox, Sr.; Stella Chavers Silcox; his brothers, Wayne Silcox and Floyd Silcox; his sisters, Carlotta, and Edna; his wife, Bonnie Voncile Ward Silcox; his daughter, Noella Renee Silcox Westman; and granddaughter, Stephanie Christine Bell.
Affectionately known as Papa Joe, he is survived by his children, and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, daughter Rebekah Louise Bell and husband, Steve, their children, Katherine Irene Hill (husband Christopher), Jennifer Dianne Huggins (husband Christopher); grandchildren Jason Westman (wife Kristin), Laura Westman Hawks (husband Michael), Bobby Westman, Paul Westman; son Joseph Emmitt Silcox III and wife, Vangie, their children, Naomi Slavish (husband Michael), Natalie Dorfsmith (husband Daniel), Nikki Silcox, and Emili Silcox;
son Daniel Thomas Silcox, his daughter Katie Nutt (husband Brandon); and daughter Lydia Rainell Silcox, her children Jenna Kenshin, Jared Burgess and Jacob Burgess (wife Erin).
The family would like to thank the many nurses and hospice care staff who visited with and cared for Joe in his final days.
Visitation will be at Crossville Memorial Funeral home on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 5-7pm.
