Sharon Sisco, age 67, was born on July 25, 1956 to James and Ora Pugh in Crossville, TN. She passed away on October 5, 2023 in Crossville.
Sharon is survived by her daughter Victoria Pugh (Crossville, TN); grandchildren Kelsey and Kendra Pugh (both of Crossville, TN); 5 great grandchildren; brothers Michael (Marcella) Pugh (Wartrace, TN), Tracy Pugh (Crossville, TN), and Lloyd Pugh (Conroe, TX); and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald G. Sisco; parents James Harry and Ora Vella (Green) Pugh; brothers Charles Pugh and Gary Pugh; and sister Cleta Pugh.
The Graveside Memorial service will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 in Rinnie Cemetery at 11:00am.
Ralph Walden Blevins, age 82, of Crossville, went to be with the Lord on October 5, 2023. He was born July 5, 1941 to the late Walden Ervin and Callie Katherine (Walker) Blevins. He Is survived by his two daughters; Kris King (Rush), of Knoxville, TN; and Kim Barnett (John), of Thomson, GA. He is also survived by his sisters; Margie Kaylor, Faye Hall, and Joyce Ceraolo as well as his granddaughters Callie Ann Barnett, Anna Fulmer, Ashley Woods, Jaclyn Evans and Audrey McAlpine and great grandchildren Belle Fulmer, Emma Lou Fulmer, Lucas Woods, Shea Mills and Grace McAlpine. Ralph is also survived by many nieces and nephews with special mention of Ronnie Farley who was like a son to him and special family friend Debbie Tollett who took such wonderful care of him in his last year.
Ralph was proceeded in death by his loving wife, Betty Jo “Joy” (née Garrison) Blevins, of almost 60 years. He was also proceeded in death by his brothers Russel Blevins, Herbert Blevins and Charles Blevins and his sisters Bessie Janow, Ruby Goodwin, Ethel Mize, Annie Gravett and Barbara Jean Blevins.
Ralph joined the Marine Corp when he was 17 where he soon became a member of the elite Marine Recon unit. He quickly distinguished himself as a sharpshooter which was in part due to growing up hunting rabbits and squirrels to help feed his family. He served his country with distinction and honor. He seldom spoke of the life changing events he experienced but on rare occasions recounted the dark days of being a leader during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He met and married the love of his life on July 18, 1961 and they raised two daughters to respect God, country and family.
Ralph joined TVA as a groundman trainee and eventually became the Superintendent of TVA Power Construction, helping make sure that electricity was available to Tennessee and the surrounding states. He was an avid fisherman and he went crappy fishing and camping with his family every chance he had. He loved his dogs and eventually he found a terrier he named Scooter from the Crossville Humane Society who loved to fish as much as Ralph did. They were inseparable until Scooter’s last day.
Ralph always had a great sense of humor even though sometimes he tried to hide it, but the twinkle in his eyes always gave him away. He had a story for every situation and lots of entertaining anecdotes with which to entertain everyone. He did so many things to help others in need over the years but would never let anyone tell it. He said he tried to help others because he remembered how hard it had been for his mom growing up as he was only 7 when his dad died. He just wanted to make life a little easier and brighter for those in need. One time a young couple bought a lawnmower from him. He didn’t make any money on it but when he saw their sweet little girl, he gave them part of the money back after making her parents promise to buy her some new clothes for school. That’s just who he was. He was a tough Marine on the outside, but a teddy bear on the inside. He will be greatly missed.
There with be a graveside service with military honors conducted by Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, at 2:00pm cst at the City Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made either to the Crossville Humane Society or to UT Medical Center Comfort Care / Hospice.
Fred Tollett, age 87, was born on April 13, 1936 to the late Fred and Stella (Hassler) Tollett in Crossville, TN. He passed away on October 5, 2023 at his home in Crossville, TN. He did a variety of jobs working for the state of TN. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his greatest joy was having a houseful of family with food cooking in the kitchen.
EPSON MFP image
He is survived by his children- Danny Tollett and Rebecca Bowles (Michael); grandchildren- Daniel James Tollett (Jessica), Jonny Tollett (Shelby), and Desiree Tollett; great grandchildren- Braden, Braxton, Briley, Easton, Axel, Lealand, Langston, Lowen, and Lorna; extended family- Zach, Jenna, Taylor, Zachary, Madison, Gracie, and Grant DeMars. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife- Freda, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
Services will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12-2pm with the service to follow at 2pm, Thom & Don Hassler officiating. He will be laid to rest in Big Lick Cemetery immediately following the service.
Janet Ruth Homan, born near Convoy, OH on January, 15, 1942, daughter of Earl and Inas Mace, passed away on October, 2, 2023. When she was in the second grade her family moved into a remodeled, partial log cabin in Spencerville, OH. Jan grew up on the family farm in Spencerville and graduated from Spencerville High School in 1960. She attended Bowling Green State University and graduated with a degree in Speech Therapy. She was happily and luckily married to Richard Homan in July of 1965. She said it was love at first sight. She worked as a speech therapist first in Dayton, OH and later near Hornell & Rochester, NY. She left the education field after developing type 1 diabetes in 1968. Jan and Dick were blessed with their only child Ruth Noel Homan in 1967.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters Kathy Wojcik and Beth Branstetter. Additionally, Jan is survived by her dear sisters Romaine Whetstone of Van Wert, OH and Earlene Rhodes of Plain City, OH and many loved nieces and nephews.
Jan fought gallantly and diligently to control her diabetes for 56 years. That did not keep her from enjoying walking the paths around Fairfield Glade, reading biographies and uplifting stories. She was a lover of old comedies, musicals and attending plays at the Cumberland County Playhouse. She especially loved sharing stories and spending time at family reunions whenever they could get together. She was a faithful member of Fairfield Glade Community Church where she joyfully sang in the choir for many years. She loved visiting Dollywood and the Smokey Mountains and other national parks. She was a loving, caring wife, mother, sister, aunt, neighbor and friend and will be missed by many in her Fairfield Glade community.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Diabetes in her name.
Boyd Cox, age 76, was born on March 2, 1947 to Link and Mildred Cox in Cumberland County, TN and passed away on September 27, 2023.
Boyd is survived by his wife Margaret Elaine (Flatt) Cox; sons Jeffrey Link (Karen) Cox and Gregory Boyd (Heidi) Cox; grandchildren Justin Link (Ashley) Cox, Boyd Ashton (Brittney) Cox, Nicholas Brandon (Jackie) Cox, Lauren Ashley Nicole Cox and fiance’ Lester Williams, and Hayden Nathaniel Cox; great grandchildren Olivia Lane Cox, Devante’ Lyrick Cox, Margot Link Cox, and Willow Ashton Rose Cox.
He was preceded in death by his parents Link and Mildred Kate (Hamby) Cox; brothers Kenneth Cox, Grant Cox, and Glenn Cox; sister Katie Fern Curtis; and granddaughter Mackenzie Elaine Cox.
There will be a Graveside service, following his cremation, on Monday, October 2, 2023 in Fredonia Cemetery at 2pm, Craig Ward officiating.
Crossville, TN – Normalu Hamilton Brooks, born September 17, 1932, Moultrie County, Illinois, to Frank and Wanda Mitchell, passed away on September 21, 2023 at the age of 91. Normalu grew up on the family farm in Findlay, Illinois, graduated from Findlay High School and attended Burnham School of Nursing in Champaign, IL. She married Richard W (Dick) Hamilton in September of 1951 and worked as a nurse at Oliver Supply Company in Shelbyville, IL until becoming a mother. Normalu loved being a mother and involved her 4 cherished children in gardening, farming, reading, sewing, and enjoying music. She was an active member of the Findlay United Methodist Church her entire life. In the 1960’s, Normalu became an advocate for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, fostering 13 infants and children, as well as providing parenting and household management support to families in need. Upon retiring, she and Dick enjoyed RVing with their beloved pet dogs, traveling to all 48 of the lower United States. Normalu documented her life with 60 photo albums that will be treasured by her family.
Normalu was predeceased by her parents, husband, sister, Winona Mitchell Massey Benedetti, son, Richard Hamilton, Jr, his wife, Bene Svitavsky, two granddaughters, Katie and Sara Hamilton, and her second husband, Bill Brooks. She is survived by her son, Blake (Karen) Hamilton of Tampa, FL; daughter, Jill (Jim) Hamilton Crain Lutz of Crossville, TN; son, Stanton Hamilton of Los Angeles, CA; 4 very beloved grandchildren, Megan (Peter Račko) Crain of Vienna Austria; Allison (James Stoia) Crain, of Bloomington, IL; Laine (Blaine) Hamilton McCurrin of Cambridge, England; Mitchell Crain of Nashville, TN; 2 very beloved great-grandchildren, Oskar and Gideon Račko, sisters-in-law, Doris Thompson and Mary (Mick) Matlock of Shelbyville, IL; and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will always remember her orange cookies.
Interment will be alongside her husband, Dick, at the Findlay Cemetery at a later date.
Normalu’s family is very thankful for the supportive, compassionate care from the staff of Wyndridge Health and Rehabilitation Center and Caris Hospice in Crossville, TN.
In memory of her life, donations may be sent to Findlay United Methodist Church, PO Box 423, Findlay, IL 62534 or made online to Child Protection Network of Bloomington, IL. mcleancpn.org/give
Elbert Wayne Jernigan was born July 1, 1937 son of Ida Lee (Todd) Jernigan and Earl Clark Jernigan. After failing health for three years, Wayne quietly and peacefully surrendered to the call to his Heavenly home on a beautiful Sunday morning at his home on Sept. 17, 2023 with his loving wife Maralyn watching over him as she had always done throughout their marriage. Wayne knew where he was going as he did sing the gospel songs that he loved too well, singing near to his leaving for his Homecoming and Wayne was ready to go.
When he first saw Maralyn Simmons he knew she was the one he was going to marry and she was the love of his life. He made the move from Rutherford County TN to Cumberland County TN when they married and lived here until God said Wayne’s work was done and to come home.
Wayne and Maralyn married Sept. 29, 1963 and this Sept. 29 they would have been married 60 wonderful blessed years. Aug. 9, 1964 they welcomed their son Timothy Wayne with open arms and loving affection to fill their home.
A farmer all his life and he did love to farm with his wife working with him side by side each and every day. He worked at Carter’s Ink for four years, Maralyn worked Carter’s Ink five years while getting their farming operation going. They worked on the farm and milked cows, 60 herd for thirty two and half years, raised calves, they grew corn and hay. Always having a big garden each year, Wayne helped Maralyn with the canning and freezing what they grew and they also gathered the eggs from the chickens they raised. When they no longer milked cows, they then continued with beef cows, and still to this day. A many of good meals were prepared and served at their table from the abundance of their labor of the food they raised and harvested to their family and friends. They welcomed everyone who came to their door. As Wayne heard as he entered his new life, Welcome home! Wayne was a good and faithful servant. Wayne also enjoyed serving on the Farm Service Agency Committee for thirty nine years. He received the Outstanding Conservation Farmer of The Year Award in 1996 which he proudly accepted. When he was asked when do you go on vacation his reply would be “I just farm.”
Wayne was a wonderful person, husband, father, and a friend to many. He was a farmer that worked from dawn to setting sun and enjoyed every minute of it. It was very hard on him when he was no longer able to work as he had done all his life, he wanted so much to be able to work and get back on his John Deere tractor. All who knew him, loved him. He will be greatly missed.
As good as Wayne loved his family and farming he loved his Lord first and was thankful of his many blessings. He was a deacon at Zion Hill Baptist Church where he attended for many years.
He is survived by his wife Maralyn, son Timothy (Zilphia), sister Wanda Ewell and a hosts of nieces and nephews.
Proceeded in death by his Father and Mother Earl and Ida Lee Jernigan, brother W. C. Jernigan, sisters Evelyn Faulks, Jean Bickle, and Dean Holt.
A LOVING ONE FROM US IS GONE, A VOICE WE LOVED IS STILL, A PLACE IS VACANT IN OUR HOME THAT NEVER CAN BE FILLED.
A Graveside service will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at Akins Cemetery at 12pm.
Muriel Milke, age 94, was born on November 24, 1928 to the late James Frederick and Gladys Elizabeth (Plum) Rose in Pohatcong, NJ and passed away on September 4, 2023 in Crossville, TN.
She was a loving homemaker that took pride in raising her family.
She is survived by her children Jean M. Hresko, Linda Kelly, and Louis Milke; caregiver and girlfriend of 17 years Doris Fulk; 5 grandchildren; and a multitude of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Muriel was preceded in death by her husband Howard Frank Milke.
Willadean Spangler, age 68, was born on December 18, 1954 to Ralph and Martha Olvey in Greenfield, IN and passed away on September 8, 2023 in Knoxville, TN.
She is survived by her husband Ronnie Spangler; children Mary, Vickie, Sherry, and Michael; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; sisters Debbie, Darla, and Dorothy; and brother Charlie.
Willadean was preceded in death by her parents Ralph Clarence Olvey and Martha Beryl (Prickett) Olvey.
The Memorial Service will be held at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 1-4pm.
Mamie Lou Green, age 84, was born on December 17, 1938 to the late Casto and Daffie (Ledbetter) Pugh in Crossville, TN and passed away on September 11, 2023 in Crossville, TN.
Mamie is survived by her husband Austin Green; children Sandra Tipton Griesbach, Cecil (Amy) Tipton, James Paul (Fran) Tipton, and Ronnie (Jane) Tipton; step-daughters Sandy (Brent) Russell and Shelby (Joey) Reeder; grandchildren Brian Griesbach, Amye (Jarrett) Parsons, Madison Ros Tipton, Dakota Crosby, Tyler (Jody) Crosby, Kelli Tipton (Drew) Buchannon, Jordan (Haley) Luttrell, Jeremy (Amanda) Garrett, Jacob Norris, Justin Norris, Brandon Tipton, Kristin McNew, Savannah Kerley, and Matt Winningham; great grandchildren Michael Griesbach, Cameron Parsons, Luke Parsons, Dontae Parsons, Kingston Crosby, Cooper Crosby, Kaiden Luttrell, and Magnolia Kerley; and siblings Earl, Otis, Oscar, Andrew, Jr, Elbert, Linley, Sue, and J.D.
She was preceded in death by her parents; 1st husband Roscoe Tipton; son-in-law Paul Griesbach; and siblings Earlene Pryor, Jack Pugh, Mattie Jernigan, Cordell Pugh, and Randy Pugh.
A Graveside service will be held at Crossville City Cemetery on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00am.
