Willis Smith Watson, 81, of Crossville, was born on April 1, 1942, and departed from us on August 29, 2023. He passed away peacefully at home with his “favorite nurse ever”, his daughter-in-law, Melissa. He left behind his son, Greg (Melissa) Watson and grandchildren Courtney Watson, Tyler McNew, and Marcus Pedde. He is proceeded in death by his father, John S. Watson, mother, Clara (Hubbard) Watson, sisters Dixie Ridings and Joy Watson, brother George Watson, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 1pm on Saturday, September 2nd at the Chesnut Hill Cemetery right across from Swicegood Road. All family and friends are welcome.

Willis loved all things with motors (running or not), going to auctions with his son, Diet Mtn. Dew, Double Decker Chocolate Moonpies, coconut cake, and the 5 o’clock news. In his earlier days he could be found working construction, running a Gulf Gas Station, or bringing home a new project. He enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren with trips to McDonalds and tons of Christmas presents each year. He really loved telling stories that had just enough truth in them to where you could not tell if they were real or not. A very hard man to understand, but even harder not to love. He will be greatly missed.

Anna Jackson, age 80, was born on September 19, 1942 to Nathaniel and Esther Moore in Buckhannon, WV and passed away on August 28, 2023 in Knoxville, TN.

Anna was a devoted family woman. She loved taking shopping trips to Gatlinburg, eating crab legs, and riding around sight seeing.

She is survived by her children Douglas (Trish) Jackson and Darrel (Sherry) Jackson; grandchildren Maryanne Jackson, Douglas Keith Jackson, Kerrie Thompson, Henry Howard, Dustin Jackson, Danny Jackson, and Donny Jackson; 14 great grandchildren; and 1 great great grandchild.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents Nathaniel Harmon Moore and Esther Virginia (Lyons) Moore; and brothers Kenneth Moore, Raymond Moore, and Ralph Moore.

Services will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5-7pm with the service to follow at 7pm, Danny Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest in Creston Cemetery on Friday, September 1, 2023.

May 23, 1940 – August 28, 2023

Georgia Wood passed peacefully on Monday, August 28th.   Georgia was born in Crossville, TN to the late George Rice and Mattie Lou Kearley.  She married Gerald Wood in Jackson County, NC on May 23, 1960 and together they raised four sons.  Georgia’s greatest love was for her family, her boys and for her grandkids who she adored.  Georgia was an avid basketball player and fan, she loved watching and cheering on her VOLS and Lady VOLS. Georgia lived the majority of her life in Crossville and made her final home in Big Lick.

Georgia was preceded in death by her former husband, William Gerald Wood, her sons Terry Lee Wood (Val) and Keith Gerald Wood and siblings Venable Lane Kearley and Norma “Peewee” Hargis.  She is survived by her sons Paul Gregory Wood and Shane Mitchell Wood(Jennifer), her grandchildren Caleb Mitchell Wood, Camryn Lynne Wood and Brittany Nicole Wood, brother Boyd Kearley and sister Helen Kearley Findley. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Sept 1st at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home.  We will be receiving friends and family from 11 am – 12 pm with a short Memorial Service immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Crossville Memorial Funeral Home in Georgia’s name to help with final expenses.

Crossville Memorial Funeral Home (2653 N. Main Street, Crossville, TN 38555) 931-456-0047

Elmer Dickenson Jr, age 71, was born to Fannie Lou and Elmer Dickenson on August 19, 1952 in Cumberland County and passed away on August 25, 2023 in Crossville, TN.

He was a retired truck driver and former local business owner. He enjoyed time at the lake, Nascar races, biker rallies, and spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great grand kids.

He is survived by his children Richard Dickenson (Cookeville, TN), Michael Dickenson (Boynton Beach, FL), Melissa Foster (Palm Beach, FL), and Brittany Brown (Cookeville, TN); grandchildren Alexandra Blair, Trenton Campbell, Benjamin Brewer, Nara & Natalie Dickenson, Daniel & Bradley Dickenson, Yates Foster, Austin & Aliah Brown, and Harper Holt; and great grandchildren Chloe, Blair, and Lincoln.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents Elmer Clyde Dickenson Sr and Fannie Lou (Hale) Dickenson; siblings Wanda Garrett, Linda Dickenson, James Dickenson, and Wayne Sherrill; daughter Tamara Blair Brewer; and granddaughter Alexis Brown.

Services will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12-2pm with the service to follow at 2pm. Burial will be in Pomona Cemetery immediately following the service.

Mary Ellen Greenwood passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the age of 94.

Mary was born on March 11, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan, daughter of Lawrence and Minnie Pitcher.

Mary worked as a secretary for the Detroit Public School System. She married Bob Greenwood in 1964 and they were married for 47 years.

Mary and Bob moved to Crossville, TN in 1977 where they joined The First Congregational Church in Crossville. Mary was always a very active member, participating in the choir, playing the organ and piano, being a secretary for many years, Bible study, Women’s Fellowship, and much much more. She was also a very talented artist.

Mary is survived by her nieces and nephews Elaine, Laraine, Wayne & Dawn, and Duane & Valerie; 7 great nieces and nephews; and 3 great great nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence and Minnie (Winnifred) Pitcher; husband Robert “Bob” Greenwood; and brother Melvin Pitcher.

Mary was an exceptional person and will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at The First Congregational Church of Crossville at 1:00pm.

Glenis Brown, 63, was born on July 24, 1960 to Glen and Janet Vickers in Burnet, TX and passed away on August 20, 2023 in Knoxville, TN.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home at 2:00pm.

Jeremy Guy Merrill, age 70, was born on January 24, 1953 to Charles and Juanita Merrill in Fine, NY and passed away on August 19, 2023 in Cookeville, TN.

Jeremy was a former Pastor and still an active member of New Life Church in Spencer, TN. He also worked maintenance and was a mechanic for Maranatha Trailer Park. He loved spending time with his family, playing guitar, and singing with family. And most of all, he loved the Lord and loved witnessing for Him in rehab after his stroke.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn (Rogers) Merrill; children Daniel (Donna) Merrill, Sandra (Tony) Parsons, Joseph (Jessica) Merrill, and Betsy (Jimmy) Brown; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; and siblings Connie Beerry, Tim (Ruth) Merrill, Bruce (Jan) Merrill, Elizabeth Reno, Joe (Kari) Merrill, Sarah (Steven) Martin, and Jennifer Mast.

Jeremy was preceded in death by his parents Charles Johnson Merrill and Juanita Ruth (Draper) Merrill; and brother Pat Merrill.

There are no services scheduled at this time.

Travis Lloyd Houston, age 43, was born to Doyal and Edna Lane Houston on August 1, 1980 in Crossville, TN and passed away on August 17, 2023 in Cookeville, TN. He was an EMS provider for the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, hiking, and gardening, but hanging out with his daughter, Ashlyn, was what he loved doing most.

He is survived by his parents, girlfriend of 9 years- Jeanette Allen, daughter- Ashlyn Houston, and siblings Doyle Houston Jr. and Tony Lee Houston.

Travis was preceded in death by his grandparents- Dorthy and Floyd Houston, grandmother- Doris Blanton, grandfather and step-grandmother- Gerald and Sherrie Lane.

The family will receive friends on August 22, 2023 from 12 to 2 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home with service to follow. Bro. Vic Davis will officiate and burial will be in the Crossville City Cemetery.

Nov. 16, 1939 – Aug. 11, 2023

Joe was born on Novem­ber 16, 1939 to Lucille and Joseph Donofrio in Chica­go, Illinois. He grew up in a large, close family on the south west side of Chicago, graduating from St Sym­phorosa Catholic School in 1953 and Kelly High School in 1957. Joe enlisted in the Marines in 1957 and served till 1960. Joe worked in the furniture business for his entire career. He mentored many was well known as the President of Luxor Spring Corporation. He loved to travel, play racquet sports, entertain and enjoy life. He retired in 2012. Af­ter retirement he first be­came a member of the Marine Corps League De­tachment #72, Burbank Il and then when he moved to Crossville in 2019 the Sar­gent Morgan Strater De­tachment #1467. Joe has many friends here in Crossville, in Chicago, in Ixtapa Mexico and scattered around the world. He never met a stranger and most be­came his friend.

He was pro­ceeded in death by both his parents, his brother Alex (Sonny) Donofrio, his sec­ond wife Marianne Donofrio, and his many aunts and uncles.

He is sur­vived by his loving partner, Nancy Johnson, his sons Keith (Jill) and Paul (Kath­leen), his step children Dana (Greg) Benda and Darryl (Janine) Witte, grandchildren Jayden and Alaire Donofrio, Reese, Ab­by and Brooke Benda, and Andrew and Jena Witte and many Donofrio cousins.

An Honor Guard service will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12-2pm with the Honor Guard to follow at 2pm.

An additional memorial service will be held in the Chicago south suburbs this fall.

Janet Faye Houston of Crossville, born July 20, 1945, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2023 at the age of 78.

Janet is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Charles Clarence Houston; Children – Paula Reeves (Johnny) and Clarence Houston both of Crossville; Grandchildren – Kendra Reeves of Ypsilanti, MI and Kelli Reeves of Crossville; Siblings – Jolene Garrison and Bill Stephens (Lisa) both of Crossville; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her Parents – Lonzie and Maynie Stephens; Sisters – Betty Myers, Judy Gibson; Brothers – Roy Turner, Gene Stephens, Jimmy Stephens, Ronnie Stephens.

When Janet was able, she loved going to church and singing.  She loved her family and was a wonderful Wife, Mother, and Ma.

The family will receive friends on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 12-2 at Crossville First Free Will Baptist Church with service to follow.  Bro. Mike McCoy, Bro. Grover McCoy, and Bro. Randy Maynard will officiate with burial in Linary Cemetery. Crossville Memorial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.