Lena Tilda Lewis, 86, was born on January 15, 1935 to the late Victor and Vera Thompson Smith in Celina, TN. She passed away on February 10, 2021.

She is survived by her husband, Hulon Paul Lewis; children, Ricky Lewis (Lucille), Karen Lewis, and Gary Lewis (Kelly); 17 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and 8 great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and son, Michael Lewis; great granddaughter, Shalynn Hawks; and siblings, JR Smith, Ave Maynard, Ova Reagan, Eva Vaughn, Lilly Burgess, and Adel Reagan.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 2:00 at First Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Gary Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Leffle Webb Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 12:00 – 2:00.

Lowell Simmons, age 72, was born on October 12, 1948 to Cecil and Minnie Thomas Simmons in Cumberland County, Tennessee.

A farmer all his life, Lowell started working on his dad’s dairy farm in the 1950s at a young age.  They started with 30-40 cows and milked two cows at a time.  On October 1, 1970, Simmons Brothers Dairy Farm was established by Lowell and his brothers Paul, Powell, and Sheldon.  They began with a milking herd of 30 cows and increased to 60, then to 150. Their double-six barn milked twelve cows at a time.  In June of 1989, they completed the construction of and started milking in their new dairy barn, in which at one time they milked a herd of 400.  Their new barn was the first of its kind in the state of Tennessee.  It was capable of milking 30 cows at a time as it was a double-fifteen parallel stall-style barn.  The barn still milks a herd of 230 cows today.  In 1990, the business expanded by adding another dairy farm in Bledsoe County.  The dairy barn in Bledsoe County was upgraded in 1999 from milking eight cows at a time to twelve.  Lowell and his brothers also milked cows on a dairy farm which they rented from Walter Hale for some years as well.  Lowell bought a herd of cows from Howard Selby and milked them in his barn until the cows were moved.  Not only did Lowell milk cows, but for a few years he also grew green beans and tobacco.

Lowell served on several boards of directors for the farming and dairy industries throughout his career; he served on the Cumberland Farmers Co-op board, Dairymen Milk Producers board, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers board, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association board (American Dairy Association), and he was serving a 38-year term with the Farm Service Agency Committee which ended with his death.

In addition to Lowell’s other impressive accomplishments, he received some awards over the years acknowledging his excellence in his career.  In April of 1981, he received the honor of being The Greater Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce’s Featured Farmer Of The Month; in February of 1982, he was given recognition for his faithful service on the Board of Directors in the American Dairy Association; in 1983, he earned an award of appreciation from the Dairymen Milk Producers board for his outstanding service within the board; and in 2018 (and a few more years in the past), Lowell received the Pioneer Award from the Cumberland County Livestock Producers Association which recognized all of his work and advocation for the farming industry over this years.

Lowell was a wonderful person, husband, father, Pa, friend to many, and a one of a kind farmer.  He taught his children, grandchildren, and other children who were lucky enough to spend time with him how to work and what the value of hard work is. Lowell was also he was a true Republican through and through.  He never voted Democrat but, without naming names, if a Democrat friend was running for an office he didn’t vote against them.

Lowell loved farming, but working in general is what he enjoyed most.  He was particularly fond of enjoying God’s beauty around him as he loved just getting out and riding around.  He was always thankful for the blessings God bestowed upon him and his family and often thanked the Lord for everything He had done for him.

Lowell was diagnosed with stage five renal failure five years ago and was put on kidney dialysis there at his home.  He worked until he physically could not any longer, which is when his love for getting out and riding around spurred up.  Lowell and his loving, dedicated wife Linda set out for a drive almost every day, never knowing where their travels would take them.  The two of them probably traveled every road in Cumberland County together, and some times they even made it out as far as Spring City, Rockwood, Cookeville, and Chattanooga.

On the afternoon of February 9, 2021, Lowell heard the voice of his Heavenly Father calling him home; his long, abundant, blessed life here on earth came to its peaceful end with his family gathered around him.  Lowell started his beginning of eternity on God’s farm happily as we know his family and friends welcomed him home.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Simmons; sons, Jason Simmons (Chrishell), and Cecil Simmons (Lisa Erskine); daughter, Kristie Winningham (Gary); grandchildren, Kenzie Simmons, Autum Simmons, and Carly Winningham; sisters, Helen Burgess and Maralyn Jernigan; brothers, Paul and Sheldon Simmons; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Minnie Simmons; son, Chip Simmons; grandson, Lowell Scott Winningham; and brother, Powell Simmons.

Funeral services for Lowell will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 at 11:00 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in Akins Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, February 11, 2021 from 5:00 to 8:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lowell Scott Winningham FFA Memorial Fund at First National Bank.

Bruce Lynn Monday, age 33, was born on June 11, 1987 to Terry and Janet Reeves Monday in Crossville, TN. He passed away on January 31, 2021.

He is survived by his parents; daughter, Hallie Monday; brother, Terry Paul Monday; sister, Rachel Garrett (Jeremy); nieces, Learah and Lesley Garrett; and a host of family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Burl and Mattie Mae Reeves and Bonnie Mae Monday; and niece, Graci Mae Monday.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services for Bruce will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 11:00 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with Johnny Reeves officiating. He will be laid to rest in Mayland Cemetery.

Erica Moriah Cunningham, age 28, was born on December 25, 1992 to Eric and Barbara Jones Cunningham in Crossville, TN. She passed away on January 30, 2021. Erica enjoyed hanging out with her friends, fishing, camping, listening to music, and coloring.

She is survived by her parents; daughters, Riley and Kylie Cooper; brother, Aaron Cunningham (Ioana); grandfather, Clayton Jones; several aunts and uncles; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her grandmother, Faye Jones; grandfather, Wiley and Marty Cunningham; and grandmother, Nannie Cunningham.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 12 to 2 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services for Erica will also be held on Wednesday following visitation with Pastor Joey Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest in Crossville City Cemetery.

Mary Lorine Brewer was born the third child to Vergil and Elva (Aytes) Kelley and passed away January 28, 2021 in Crossville, Tn. She was a loving wife to her husband, Jeff, for many, many years. She was a seamstress, farmer, mother, and grandmother to many.

She is survived by family, Janie Monday (Ted), James Barr, and Betty Polland (Ralph); grandchildren, Andy York, Levi York, and Gracie Swallows; and great grandchildren, Brayden, Waylynn, and Avery Jo.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and four siblings.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, January 31, 2021 from 3:00 to 6:00 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services for Mary will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 12:00 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with Pastor Harold Qualls officiating. She will be laid to rest in Davis Cemetery.

James Olds Jr., 89, passed away peacefully in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, in the Uplands Village retirement community he had called home for 16 years.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Jim was raised in Bath Township with four siblings who according to family lore, were frequently instructed by their mother to “find Jimmy and tell him, ‘Don’t!’.”

Despite his mischievous endeavors, Jim graduated from Bath High School in 1949 and went on to attend Hiram College for two years. He subsequently transferred to the University of Michigan, where he earned both a bachelor’s and law degree, graduating in 1955. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, receiving his commission as ensign in 1956.

His naval career took him to the West Coast. He served for two years as a law specialist for Service Squadron One in San Diego, a command in charge of naval repair ships in the Pacific Theater. He spend the next year as the training officer aboard the USS Norton Sound, a missile test ship based in Port Hueneme, north of Los Angeles. Upon his release from active duty in 1959, he was serving as a permanent law specialist and a qualified officer of the deck underway. He remained active in the Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.

He subsequently returned to Akron and joined his father, James Olds Sr., in his small law firm. They worked together for many years, with much of their practice focusing on litigation defending personal injury actions, primarily from automobile accidents.

In 1965 Jim was appointed to the Bath Township Board of Zoning Appeals and served as its chairman for 26 years. He also was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, where he sang in the choir, often testing his baritone register to fill in as a tenor.

His hobbies included gardening, fixing things, and beekeeping. In 2003, he retired from the practice of law to focus on these pursuits, primarily gardening. The next year he and his wife, Helen, relocated to Pleasant Hill, where they were active members of the community and of the local United Church of Christ, which Jim served as moderator from 2012-2014.

He was a member of the Uplands Village board for four years and chaired the community’s silent auction fundraiser four times. 

In addition, Jim served as Mayor of Pleasant Hill from 2006-2010.  He also sat on the town’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Life Lease Task Force.

At the end of his life, Jim received compassionate care from the staff of Wharton Village Homes and Caris Healthcare of Crossville, Tenn. His devoted friend, Ruth Klaver, provided invaluable support. 

Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Helen; brothers Walter and Robert; and brother-in-law Gerald Foote.

He is survived by children Ben of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Laura (Gary) Williams of Broadview Heights, Ohio; Lauren (Jeff) Patrick of Philadelphia; Thomas (Lisa) Pugh of Henderson, Nev.; and James (Peggy) Pugh of Tallmadge, Ohio; sisters Sally of Chicago; and Mary Foote of Eau Claire, Wis.; sister-in-law Catherine Olds of Brigham City, Utah; five grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; and his first wife, Margaret Olds, of Copley, Ohio.

No service is scheduled. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Uplands Village (P.O. Box 168, Pleasant Hill, TN 38578, with “memorial for Jim Olds” in the subject line), or to the charity of your choice.

Funeral services for Thomas Herring, 59, of Crossville, will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 2:00 at Oak Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Jim Mersereau officiating. Family will receive friends prior to the service from 12 to 2. He will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Whittenburg Herring; children, Nola LeeAnn Herring, Elizabeth Ann Gaynor, John Randall Choate, Mary Elizabeth Catherine Choate Huckleberry, and Kevin Wood; grandchildren, Jalen, Hailey and Levi; brother, Samuel Burnett.

Ethel B. Moles, age 97, was born in Big Lick, TN to James and Lou Davis Burgess on December 3, 1923 and passed away on January 18, 2021 in Dayton, OH. She left TN, moved to Ohio, and worked for GM for thirty years where she retired. She was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Beavercreek, OH.

She is survived by her daughter- Karen Moles Ryan, four grandchildren- Kristy Wightman, Brian Lakey, Joseph Evans, and Marcus Evans, and six great grandchildren. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husband- Billy E. Moles, and 11 siblings.

There will be a graveside service on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at 1:00 in Green Acres Memory Gardens with Clyde Schulz officiating.

James E. Burris “Jim”, age 74, was born on February 27, 1946 to James Floyd Burress and Cordelia Goodman Burress in Caryville, TN. He passed away on January 19, 2021. Jim said goodbye to this earthly world and hello to his Heavenly home. Though he will be missed by his family and many friends down here, we take comfort in knowing we will see him again. He has left a legacy of his faith, his testimony, and his love of God.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Burris; children, Kristy and Phillip Reblin and Jill and Sam Tollett; grandchildren, Cameron Reblin, Lily Tollett, and Samuel Tollett; and siblings, Margie Garbsch, Jewell Bray, Hazel Willis, Donna Siebers, Shelia Smith, Shirrell Coapman, and Jane Ward.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James Floyd Burress and Cordelia Goodman Burress; and siblings, Jeanetta Stewart, Ralph Burress, Steve Burress, and Myra Queener.

Family will receive friends on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Cumberland Fellowship from 10:00 to 1:00. Funeral services for James will also be held on Friday following visitation with Pastor Sam Tollett officiating. He will be laid to rest in Green Acres Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Michael Willis, Cameron Reblin, Corey Goins, Derrick Coapman, Lee Jackson, and Phillip Reblin.

Jeffrey H. Smith, age 63, was born on December 19, 1957 to Hollis and Lanora Wilbanks Smith in Crossville, TN. He passed away on January 18, 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Tressie Smith; children, Holly Brown (Dustin), John Smith (Alicia), Michael Smith (Elizabeth), Belinda Smith, and Lee Smith; 20 grandchildren; and sisters, Judy Parks (Bill), Donna Hall (Robin), Kathy Tollett (Lynn), and Barbara Spriggs.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Family will receive friends on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 5 to 7 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. A memorial service will also be held on Friday following visitation with George Maddox officiating.