J.E. Davis, age 66 of Crossville passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, November 13, 2023, after a long battle with Cancer that span well over 2 decades.  He fought harder than anyone could ever have imagined and was “tough as nails”.  There are some who bring a light so bright into this world that even after they are gone that light remains and this is exactly what our husband, dad and Poppy is doing now! Go rest high on that mountain and we will see you again!

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 12 pm at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home.  Brother Thom Hassler will be officiating.  The family will receive friends on Friday from 10 am to 12 pm.  He will be laid to rest at the New Era Cemetery following the service.

J.E. is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lisa. D. Davis: sons Jeremy Davis, Dalton Davis (Hannah) and Granddaughter Madison Davis who was his pride and joy.  A very special Friend in Christ, Boyd Brown who visited often giving him support and words of encouragement.  No words can ever express the thankfulness for such a great man as Mr. Boyd. Brothers: J.C., Tony, and Calvin Davis Jr. Calvin you will never know how much the visits and the car rides together meant to your brother. J.E. was preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Josephine Davis and brother Larry Davis.

Pallbearers are Jeff Davis, Nathan Reed, Bo Wyatt, Mitch Davis, Michael Lee, John Hall, Josh Davis, and Junior Simmons.

Mary Jane Price was born on March 6th, 1936 and passed away on November 2nd, 2023 at the age of 87.  She was dearly loved by her family, the staff, and her friends at Hilltoppers.  She was born to Margaret King Price and Mangum Price in Corinth, Mississippi.  After her parents’ death she was cared for by other family members until she ended up at Hilltoppers where she has spent the last 31 years.  She was their oldest resident.  She really enjoyed many years at the workshop and participating in their Christmas programs.  She was loved and will be greatly missed.  Receiving of friends will be held at the Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, November 18th, at 1:00 with a memorial service following at 2:00p.m. (CST). 

JAMES HUBERT MONDAY, age 90 of Crossville, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

In all of his life, Hubert never met a stranger and loved to talk to everyone. He will be greatly missed.

Hubert retired from Tennessee Valley Authority after 35 years of service, was a member of the Oak Ridge Masonic Lodge for over 55 years, and was an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Hubert is survived by his wife Anne Monday of 67 years, his daughters Kelli Monday and Wendy Monday, granddaughter Kassidy Sommer, grandson Wulf Hubert Monday, and great granddaughters Karsyn Shoemake and Alia Shoemake. 

He is also survived by his twin brother Hugh Monday and his wife Iva along with nieces and nephews Shayne Monday, Shawn Monday Smith, Kenneth Wayne Monday, Teresa Davis Smith, and Jeri Dell Atkinson.

Hubert was preceded in death by his parents John Verdon and Henrietta (Glover) Monday, his son James Jeffrey Monday, his brothers John “Dee” Monday, Kenneth “Bud” Monday and Jere Monday, sisters Darlene Monday Davis, Jacqueline Monday and Winnifred Monday, and nephew Richie Davis.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 16 from 10AM to 12PM at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with service at 12 PM. Burial will be immediately following at Andy Smith Cemetery in Manson, TN. 

Audrey Lynn Williams, age 33, was born on February 12, 1990 to Daniel and Brenda Williams in Gastonia, NC and passed away on November 7, 2023 in Crossville, TN.

Audrey loved many things, but some of her favorites were fishing, hiking, and photography; especially outdoor/nature photography. She was also a big animal lover, but her favorites were her miniature goat, her chickens, and her dog that loved going on rides with her.

She is survived by her husband of 10 years, Anthony Wade Williams (Panama City, FL); daughter Gacelynn Rain Williams (Crossville, TN); stepdaughter Savannah Williams (GA); mother Brenda (Tollett) Williams (Crossville, TN); sister Danielle (Travis) Dawson (Signal Mountin, TN); brother Mark (Kayla) Williams (Crossville, TN); and several nieces and nephews.

Audrey was preceded in death by her father Daniel Mark Williams (SC).

Services will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11a-1p with the service to follow at 1p, Joshua Stone officiating.

David “Buck Wheat” Rector, age 63, was born on June 4, 1960 to the late Gene and Katherin (Griffin) Rector in Crossville, TN and passed away on November 7, 2023 in Crossville.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Geva Rector; son David (Melinda) Rector; grandchildren Savannah and Maddison Todd; brother Eddie (Melissa) Rector; sister Dorothy (Marvin) Deck; special friend Gary “Bush Hook” Pendergrass; and several nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Roberta Wright.

Services will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10a-12p, with the service to follow at 12p. He will be laid to rest in Goss Cemetery immediately following the service.

Benjamin Tabor, age 77, was born September 17, 1946, to William Wesley and Velmar Parrott Tabor in Crossville TN and passed away November 5, 2023. 

Ben was stricken with polio when he was just six years old, then missed his first year of schooling because of it.  Despite the setback, Ben completed first and second grade in a single year and continued to excel in school with exceptional grades.  

Ben loved math and became bored with school after his eighth grade and quit school to help his parents and to begin what would become his lifelong passion— Trucking.  At the age of fourteen, Ben started helping his family travel and transport produce for the family business. Ben quickly learned how to acquire bigger and better equipment, beginning a passion that would last a lifetime.  

Ben started Ben Tabor Trucking and continued to buy trucks and equipment for the next six decades.  Ben was a self-taught man from humble beginnings, who was determined to succeed by doing things his own way.  

Ben loved nice old cars and big fancy trucks.  NASCAR was a favorite hobby.  In his youth Ben liked fishing and hunting.  Ben loved children and inspired them to be the best they could be. 

Ben was saved on May 1^st, 2012, and became a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  He attended Winesap Freewill Baptist Church in the Newton community. 

Ben was a respected philanthropist who loved to help people.  Ben’s generosity for the Cumberland community is well-known and will carry his legacy forward. 

Ben was afflicted by COVID-19 on September 16, 2020, and fought it to the end. This ultimately was the last chapter of Ben’s wonderful book of life. 

Ben is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Wilson Tabor; his twin daughters; Benita Koehl (Damon), and Renita Iles (Porter), seven grandchildren; Dustin, Keeli, Adam, Brianna, Nicole, Todd and Brandon; seven great-grandchildren, three nieces, three nephews, adopted children Bailey and Jaclyn Eaton, Taylor Guthrie, and Brooke Hicks, and by his Aunt Marlene Looney. 

Ben was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers; Kenneth, Zilvin, and Willard Tabor. grandparents Sam and Lucinda Tabor (Atkinson), and James and Charlotte Parrott. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 12-2 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with service to follow.  Brother Randy Maynord and Brother Adam Hargis will officiate with burial in Tolletts Chapel Cemetery, Crossville. 

Paula Sherrod Bilbrey, age 61, was born on June 26, 1962 to Carl and Diane Davis in Long Beach, CA and passed away on November 6, 2023 in Crossville, TN, after a short battle with illness.

Paula is survived by her husband of 18 years, Lee Roy Bilbrey, Jr; mother Melba Diane (Manhart) Davis; children Christopher (Jessica) Sherrod of Ft. Smith, AR and Crystal (Dillon) Ritchey of Charleston, SC; sister Wendy (Bruce) Juhl of Crossville; grandchildren Dalton & Madlyn Sherrod (Ft. Smith, AR) and Bree, Everly, & Nora Ritchey (Charleston, SC); nephews Dustin Ferrell (Garland, TX) and Jonathan Davis (Houston, TX); and nieces Desire Ferrell (Garland, TX) and Danielle Rivera (Chattanooga, TN).

She was preceded in death by her father Carl I. Davis.

Paula was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

Wallace Lee Caruthers, age 76, was born on March 27, 1947 to Earl and Vera Caruthers in Crossville, TN and passed away on November 2, 2023 in Crossville, TN. He loved singing, listening to music, traveling, and loved his family most. He was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years- Fran E. Caruthers; children- Rick Caruthers (Monica), Ronnie Caruthers (Bobbie), Tonya Wyatt (Jeff), Tammy Pack (Tracy); 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; siblings- Lou Evans, Karen Seiber, Sharon Kilby, and Owen Caruthers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother- Tom Caruthers, and sisters- Earlene Hawn and Faye Evans.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, from 1 to 3 with service to follow. His grandson, Trevor Wyatt, will be officiating.

Lisa Jean Erskine, age 59, was born on June 25, 1964 to Paul and Catherine Erskine in Bangor, Maine. She passed away on October 30, 2023 in Knoxville, TN.

Professionally, Lisa was a licensed Family Therapist-turned-“Robin Hood”. She was small in stature, but bigger than life— bursting with bright light and vibrant energy. Close friends and family affectionately remember the conflicting facets that made her priceless. She was a “princess” and “high maintenance” as well as a minimalist and inherently practical. During the lean times, she could make a single dollar stretch farther than anyone and still give generously. “Sassy Red” was a “firecracker” — brave, bold, and brash; but soft, sensitive and vulnerable. She was true to herself and proved to be a strong, independent, adventurous woman who “made things happen” and invited others along for the ride as she traveled the world. She was wise beyond her years and genuinely invested in the lives of those encompassed in her wide circle—trustworthy and fiercely devoted and loyal to “[her] people” (by blood or bond). She selflessly gave love, care, compassion, and support to each one—listening intently and speaking truth into our lives without mincing her words. One, who was much-loved, described her as “my oasis”, which resonates with those of us who ever experienced a walk with her on the beach, a trail, the woods, or a mountain. She loved those walks.

Lisa was an integral part of our lives and we are each experiencing the mingled feelings and emotions tied to our loss. She will be (and is already) sorely missed and deeply mourned. We are thankful for her life and legacy—the gift she was to each of us. Her faith and hope in Jesus gives us comfort in the assurance that we, through Him, will see her again. Until then, we know she is with her Savior and her beloved Mama planning the best reunion party ever.

She is survived by her father Paul Edward Erskine; husband Cecil Simmons; children Josh (Katie) Wenzel, Bryan Wenzel, and Tyler Erskine; step-daughter Sarah Jenson; grandchildren Jaron Wenzel and Nathan Wenzel; siblings Kimberly (John) Vercoe and David (Kimberly) Erskine; mother-in-law Linda Simmons; sister-in-law Kristie (Gary) Winningham; brother-in-law Jason (Chrishell) Simmons; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Lisa was preceded in death by her mother Catherine Ruth (Bradbury) Erskine; brother Mark Erskine; and father-in-law Lowell Simmons.

Services will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm, with the service to follow at 1pm, Cris Cannon officiating. Burial will be in Akins Cemetery immediately following the service.

Willard Tyler, age 75, was born on December 1, 1947 to William and Lois Tyler in Lake City, FL and passed away on October 28, 2023 in Crossville, TN.

He is survived by his wife Beverly (Cribbs) Tyler; children Kevin Anthony Tyler and Lois Nicole (Johnny) Carbone; son-in-law Chip Horton; siblings Austin, Carolyn, and Lester Johns; grandchildren Alexys, Tyler, Samantha, Cassie, Kelly, and Emily; great grandchildren Shilah, Carson, Maeve, River, and Nathan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents William Sylvester and Lois Myrtle (Dees) Tyler; daughter Stacy Marie (Tyler) Horton; brothers Tommy, David, Johnny, and Leland B. “Buck” Johns; and sisters Kathleen and Francis Tyler.