Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Michael (Mike) was the son of Ray Walimaa and Joan Gustason. He was the first born of three children and is survived by his siblings, Mary (Bill) Bird, of Virginia, MN and Brian (Joanne) Walimaa of Bradenton, FL.
Mike is survived by his wife, Melinda, of 9 years and their children, Declan Walimaa, Sofia Raabe, and Lilly Walimaa and his birth children Tyler Walimaa and Katie Walimaa. Along with two stepchildren, Max Raabe of Easton, CT and Zoe Raabe of Texas, his two granddaughters, Taryn Walimaa and Nova Scott.
He loved his many wonderful nieces and nephews. His friends were dear and countless.
Mike was a gracious, loving and generous person. In addition to being a caring husband and father, he served in the US Navy for 20 years as Master Chief Electrical Engineer on Nuclear Submarines.
Mike’s quick wit was always on display with his jokes and funny stories. His smile was infectious and loved to connect with people. Mike will be missed dearly, but his kind heart lives on in those he touched.
Mike’s life will be celebrated in Crossville, TN at Cumberland Worship Center on June 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to your local Rotary Club, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Houseboating sites such as Conley Bottom in Kentucky, and Voyageaire in Minnesota, or any website that relates to memories of Mike. It would make him smile!
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home for the Walimaa Family.
Gary Ray, age 78, was born on February 10, 1946 to the late Jack and Zella (Shaver) Ray in Page, WV and passed away on May 24, 2024 in Cookeville, TN.
Gary loved doing anything outdoors; fishing, hunting, camping, you name it. But the thing he loved the most was just living life and taking advantage of every possible moment.
Gary is survived by his siblings David Ray, Linda Crabbe, and June Mays; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
The Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 5-7pm, with the service to follow at 7pm, Craig Ward officiating. He will be laid to rest in Sylvan Lake Cemetery in Sanford, FL on Saturday, June 1, 2024, time TBD.
Linda Carolyn Sherrill (Hayes) went home to the Lord on May 20, 2024. She was born in the Dogwood community of Cumberland county, Tennessee October 6th, 1945 to Arnold D Hayes and Viola Hayes ( DeRossett). She was preceded in death by her parents, older brother Wayne Hayes, grandsons Logan R Sherrill, Ian N Honcoop and the love of her life, husband Kenneth V Sherrill.
Linda loved her family and friends fiercely, and is survived by her siblings – Betty Cross, Reta Pippin, and Wallace Hayes (Gloria), children – Fred Sherrill (Debbie), Larry Sherrill (Lea Ann), Jill Honcoop (Steven) and Kyle Sherrill (Jessica). Her grandchildren, Kristen Ward, Mitchell Ward (Stage), Isaac Sherrill, Luke Honcoop, and Laci Flynn. 8 great grandkids and a host of cousins, extended family and treasured friends.
Services will be held at Crossville Memorial Thursday May 23rd with visitation beginning at 4pm and funeral to follow. Linda will be cremated and placed alongside her beloved husband in Dogwood Church Graveyard at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made into the Logan Sherrill Memorial fund at First National Bank of Crossville or the Ian Honcoop Memorial fund at First Farmers & Commercial Bank of Crossville.
Esther Lindola (Howard) Davenport was born on Saturday, September 7, 1946, in Cumberland County, Tennessee, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Allison Powers, on Saturday, May 18, 2024. She was 77 years old and of the Baptist faith.
Lindola was raised and spent much of her life in the same county where she was born, being the eldest of five children to the late Rev. Vestal “Boots” Howard and Charlotte Frances (Cumby) Howard. She attended Cumberland County High School for a time before eventually dedicating thirty years of service to Cumberland Medical Center as a CNA. Lindola loved helping and serving others, and she would assist anyone in need regardless of what they had to offer in return.
Lindola was married on November 21, 1970, in Fentress County, Tennessee, to the late Bobby Gene Davenport. The two shared a marriage of 49 years together before his passing in 2020. She loved her family, cared deeply for her children, grandchildren, and extended relatives, and thoroughly enjoyed hobbies such as dirt-track racing – especially when it came to watching her son and grandson, Bruce and Bobby.
Lindola was preceded in death by her parents and husband, as well as her brothers Tommy Casto Howard and David Lee Howard. Additionally, she was also preceded in death by her infant son, Jackie Allan Davenport, her stepdaughter, Lisa Gail (Davenport) Dishman, and many in-laws.
Survivors include her two children and three stepchildren: Allison (John) Powers, Bruce (Jeanny) Davenport, Mitchell (Kim) Davenport, Harral Davenport, and Judy Davenport; seventeen grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; two sisters, Kathleen (James “Rip”) Garrison and Linda Pelfrey; one half-uncle and three half-aunts; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1-3pm, with the service to follow at 3pm, Jonathan Angel officiating. She will be laid to rest in Haley’s Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
Janice Inetha (Campbell) Burgess, age 70, was born on September 22, 1953 to Creel Campbell and Betty Nichols in Pikeville, TN, and passed away at her home on May 11, 2024 in Crossville, TN.
She enjoyed sunrises and sunsets, going to the beach, and new adventures. But her passion was pickin’ her guitar (well any instrument) and playing true old time bluegrass. She was a member of the Lantana Drifters for almost 30 years followed by the Bac-Trak-ers. She loved hard and played harder. She was a truly incredible woman that will be missed by so many.
She is survived by her son Dewayne (Theresa), daughter Charlotte (Jake), granddaughter Brittany Marr, sister Lisa (Dennis) (Zachary) (Whitney) Sapp, and brother Randy (Debbie) Campbell.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Delmer, both of her parents, and a brother Dwight Campbell.
A sunset graveside (only) service will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 7:00pm CST. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Allen Burgess Cemetery. Dress is casual. There will be bluegrass music and snack food. Bring your instrument, some finger food (no cooking allowed) and a chair for a good old fashioned jam session. Services are provided by Crossville Memorial Funeral Home.
Charles Strayer, age 68, was born on March 5, 1956 to Charles and Pauline Strayer in Hamilton, OH and passed away on May 8, 2024 in Crossville, TN.
Charles loved messing around with Remote Control Cars and spending time with his family. He would always talk to anyone and everyone and never met a stranger. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann (Hawn) Strayer; children Carolyn “Shelly” Reed, Adam (Michelle) Strayer, and Clifton (Nina) Strayer; grandchildren- Kristi (Sebastian) Browne, Courtney Reed, Cade Reed, Emily Strayer, Allison Strayer, Taylor Strayer, Ellie Strayer, and River Strayer; and siblings Brian (Noreen) Strayer, Stephen (Breda) Strayer, Carol (John) Maloney, and Joan Strayer.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents Charles L. and Pauline (White) Strayer; and brother Greg Strayer.
Services will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4-7pm, with the service to follow at 7pm, Bro. Adam Strayer officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to the Fisher House.
Megan Campbell, age 31, was born on December 5, 1992 to William Campbell and Phyllis Lewis in Crossville, TN. She passed away unexpectedly on May 8, 2024 in Sparta, TN.
Megan is survived by her parents William Richard Campbell and Phyllis Dellene (Lewis) Brown (Danny); children Cadee, Chevy, and Caitlin; and siblings Ryan (Kim) Thompson, Heather Brown, and Jessica McElhaney.
She was preceded in death by her brother Richard Shane Campbell; grandparents Elisabeth Stoukey and William Leonard Campbell; and her aunt Annette Hankins.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10a-12p, with the service to follow at 12p, Tim Lewis officiating. She will be laid to rest in New Pleasant Hill Cemetery immediately following the service.
Asa Kemmer, age 35, was born on April 22, 1989 to Earl Campbell and Patricia Kemmer in Crossville, TN. He passed unexpectedly on May 5, 2024 in Crossville.
Asa loved being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and four-wheeling. His greatest love were his boys-they were his life. “He lived every day for those boys”.
Asa is survived by his mother Patricia Kemmer; wife Kendra Archer; children Colin Kemmer (Anna Byrd), Colton Archer, and Caden Kemmer; grandchild Elaka Kemmer; brother Bobby Lynn Hughes; sisters-in-law Carisa Campbell and Shileh Campbell; brother-in-law Zachary Campbell; and grandfather James Campbell.
He was preceded in death by his father Earl Campbell and his grandmother Frances Kemmer.
Services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12-2pm, with the service to follow at 2pm, Bro. Ralph Reagan officiating. He will be laid to rest in Haley’s Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can me made, in his name, directly to Crossville Memorial Funeral Home.
Tammy Renee Small, 32 of Crossville, TN tragically lost her life on May 3, 2024 following an automobile accident.
Born on September 14, 1991 in Statesboro, Ga to Alicia Wiggins and Travis Small, Tammy brought joy and laughter into the lives of all that knew her. Tammy was a devoted mother, wife, sister aunt and friend. Best known as the queen of quirkiness of our family. She unexpectedly departed this world last Friday leaving behind a trail of laughter and unforgettable memories. After 32 years of spreading joy, Tammy was a force of nature disguised in mom jeans and messy hair. She was best dressed in her contagious smile, sarcastic commentary, tasteless jokes, and ruled the household with pure love, laughter and the occasional eye-roll.
Known for her legendary cooking disasters, failed attempts of singing at home and infamous dance moves, Tammy was the life of every party. She could turn the most mundane trip to the grocery store into an adventure and had a knack for finding humor in the most chaotic situations. As a mother, Tammy had her own unique parenting style that can only be described as “organized chaos”. From her infamous “mom jokes” to her never ending supply of embarrassing stories, she made sure our family never experienced a dull moment.
In addition to her role as the family comedian, Tammy was also a master of disguise, expertly hiding the fact that she possessed the uncanny ability to juggle her work as a caregiver, parenting, and the occasional mid-life crisis with unparalleled finesse. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter and love that will continue to brighten our days, even in her absence. Though she may no longer be with us, her spirit will live on in the countless memories we shared.
Tammy was a 2009 graduate of Cookeville High School who went on to obtain her certifications in Culinary Arts and Home Health Aid. She attributed her earliest training in motherhood to her childhood experiences with her firstborn niece Laurie Fay better known as “Lolly” whom she grew up with much of her life.
She is survived by her husband EJ Morgan of 15 years; children Hailey Small, Eriana Morgan, Dalton Morgan, Sophia Morgan and Peyton Morgan of Crossville, TN; Siblings Amber Wiggins of Georgia, Amanda Small of New York, Ashley Santiago of Georgia, Tina Morgan of Tennessee, Justice Wilson of North Carolina, Travis Wilson of North Carolina, Autumn Wilson of North Carolina, Makayla Small of Georgia, and Benjamin Small of Georgia, brothers-in-law Adam Morgan of Tennessee and Marcos Santiago of Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces.
In lieu of tears and flowers, Tammy would have requested you raise a glass in her honor, share a funny story in her memory, tell a funny joke or shower her babies with the same unwavering love that she had. Bless someone near you with laughter, love, and maybe a few questionable dance moves.
A celebration of Tammy’s life will be held on Saturday May 11, 2024 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Crossville, Tennessee. Private viewing for the family will be held from 2-4 PM and celebration of life services will begin promptly at 4:00 PM. We encourage you come dressed in your favorite pink or purple shirt or dress to reflect her favorite colors as requested by her children and be prepared to laugh to no end as we share our favorite memories and her favorite songs just as she would have wanted.
Shirley Rinks, age 84, was born on October 27, 1939 to Edward and Macell Tabor in LaFayette, GA and passed away on May 5, 2024 in Crossville, TN.
She is survived by her children Andrea Cravens, Jennifer Eller, and David (Julie) Rinks; grandchildren Jennifer Jo (Emily) Bilbrey, James David (Kimberly) Rinks, Hannah (Blake) Walker, Katie Cravens, Andrew (Briana) Cravens, and Haley (Danny) Buck; 4 great grandchildren; and sisters Virgie Lotze, Pat Austin, and Beverly Aidun.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband James “Curley” Rinks; son Brad Rinks; brothers Gordon, Stewart, Stanley, and Moses Clark Tabor; and sister Sula Maynard Daniels.
