Robert Fitch, age 71, was born on June 22, 1952 to Jack and Pat (Green) Fitch in Port Huron, MI and passed away peacefully on December 21, 2023 at his home in Crossville, TN, with his wife Beverly, and sister, Pam, by his side.
He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Beverly Fitch; children Nicole (Brian) Armeni of Sterling Heights, MI, Aron (Jessica) Brock of Louisville, KY, and Renee (Jim) Baker of Louisville, KY; 6 grandchildren; and 1 great granddaughter.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Jack (Annie) Fitch and Pat (George) Bowan; sister Nicee Sherrill; and brother Billy Fitch.
The family sends a special Thank You to Hospice of Cumberland County for their care and support, especially Gabe.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Cumberland County.
Richard Lee Mersereau, age 55, of Crossville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday December 19, 2023. He was born May 25, 1968 in Stafford, CT. Over the years he was growing up he lived with his family in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Kansas, California, and for the last twelve years in Crossville, Tennessee. He was a graduate of Mission Bay High School in San Diego, CA, and of National University. He worked as an elementary school teacher for the Los Angeles school district.
Richard was preceded in death by his grandparents, Russell and Joyce Mersereau; his mother, Linda Mersereau; and his sister, Tracy Mersereau. He is survived by his father James, and brothers Thomas and Adam.
Richard was a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Crossville. A memorial service will be held for him at Oak Hill Baptist Church on Saturday, January 6, 2023. Visitation will be held from 9-10am, with the service to follow at 10am. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Richard’s honor to the Oak Hill Baptist Church benevolence fund. This is a special fund maintained by the church to provide humanitarian relief to people in need, and it was a cause that was important to Richard.
Ray Cooper, age 82, was born on December 4, 1941 in Crossville, TN and passed away on December 18, 2023 in Crossville.
Ray was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He loved the outdoors and spending time hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ethel (Boles) Cooper; children Ronald, Clyde, and Kevin Davenport all of Crossville, Allen (Renee) Cooper Jr of Sparta, and Sue Cooper of Calhoun, GA; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his son Robert Steven Cooper.
Services will be held at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Friday, December 22, 2023 from 6-8pm. The service will be on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 1pm, Brother Dale Braun officiating. He will be laid to rest in Davis Cemetery immediately following the service.
Pallbearers include: James Davenport, Ray Ray Cooper, Brandon Dery, Billy Seffron, DJ Witt, and Chucky Cooper.
Wilma Waldo, age 73, was born on March 20, 1950 to Everette and Elizabeth Waldo in Grandview, TN. She went home to be with the Lord, peacefully in her sleep, on December 16, 2023.
She leaves behind 2 daughters Debbie (Bob) Weingarten and Brenda (Michael) Slayton; 6 grandchildren Kayla Elmore, Michael Lewis, Kris (Heather) Baldwin, Brandon Sparks, Melea Weingarten, and Austin Slayton; 3 great grandchildren Caden, Waston, and Wyatt Baldwin; and siblings Ellen, Gladys, Esther, Patsy, Hyle, and Herman.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents Everette and Elizabeth (James) Waldo; brothers Bud and Leonard Waldo; and an unborn child.
Wilma was ready to go and wanted to make sure her loved ones are too.
Roy Potter, age 60, was born on August 27, 1963 to John and Ella Potter in Crossville, TN. He passed away just a little after midnight on December 14, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents John McKinley and Ella Mae (Barnwell) Potter; and his step-daughter that he raised, Sarah Garner.
He is survived by his loving wife, Melissa Potter; daughters Amanda Potter and Cassidy (Zach) Barnwell; grandson Braxton of Crossville; step-children from a previous marriage that he helped raise Jason West of Clinton, Robert West of Clinton, Rebecca (Nick) Cook of Crossville, and Carla (John) Dyer of Crossville; along with 15 more grandchildren and 1 great grandchild from these; siblings Sheila (Steve) Brown, Margaret Debroux, Lewis McKinley Potter, Talmadge “Danny” (Rose) Potter, and Melissa Woody. He was also loved and will be greatly missed by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, friends, and business associates.
Roy loved his family, the outdoors, and loved to hunt and fish. He loved the Rock business and all the friends he made along the way, but most of all he loved the Lord.
Services will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11am-12pm, with the service to follow at 12pm, Chris Lewis officiating. He will be laid to rest in Haley’s Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
Pallbearers include: Talmadge “Danny” Potter, Talmadge Potter Jr, Charles Shane Potter, John Dyer, John “Joey” Potter, and Anthony Garrison.
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mary Spencer, a beloved mother, grandmother (Gangee), great-grandmother, sister and friend.
Mary, 76 went to her heavenly home in Crab Orchard, Tn with family by her side. She fought a courageous battle against cancer and chose to be at home with family and hospice care.
Mary was born on May 12, 1947 in Chestnut Hill, Tn. Mary was the daughter of the late Kenneth Martin and Emma Luella Farris Martin, and the third oldest of ten siblings. She is survived by her two sons; Fendrick Ray Spencer (Kelli) of Lawrenceburg, Ky, Adam Lewis Spencer (Debbie) of Jackson, Ky, 1 daughter Maria LaNee Brand of Versailles, Ky, 5 grandchildren, Emilee Kaitlin Brand, Jarhett Walker Brand, Tyler Michael Back , Wyatt Anderson Spencer, Adam Wesley Spencer; 2 great-grandchildren, Tayden Joseph Eckler, Landen Paul Eckler; 4 sisters, Billie Swearengen, Virginia Wilson, Linda Simmons, Lilly Trivett (Doug), 4 brothers, Harvey Martin, Kenny Martin (Rita), Claude (Talana), Charles (Myra), and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brother Robert Lewis Martin, nephews; Dwayne Davis, Scott Winningham, Chip Simmons, 1 niece Jennifer Trivett and brother-in-law Lowell Simmons.
Mary was a hard worker and had various jobs while living in Crab Orchard, and after graduating from Cumberland County High School in 1965, she moved to Ohio. She met her future husband while playing in a softball league. She wed Adam Ray Spencer on September 10, 1971. They had their 1st child Fendrick in March 1975, then eventually moved to Nicholasville, Ky and had Maria in July 1976 and Adam Lewis in February 1982. Mary worked as a paralegal for Kentucky Central for many years and became interested in her husband’s family oil painting business. She enjoyed painting and working festivals. After her divorce, she remained in Nicholasville and was employed at Verizon as a telephone operator. She moved back to Crab Orchard to be a caregiver for her mother. She remained in Crab Orchard and worked for the county recycling center. She always had dreamt of being a singer; therefore, she and her son Fendrick organized Mary’s Karaoke on the weekends at the town City Hall for family and friends and they had music and Mary would cook. She had many requests for her famous fried potatoes. She was also a member of the Crab Orchard Christian Church and devoted her life to Christ.
Mary had many talents and interests, but her main devotion was to her family. She was proud of her family and enjoyed the holidays and creating memories. She was also a kind and genuine friend and would do anything to help anyone, she never met a stranger, and always had a smile on her beautiful face. She also found enjoyment in fishing, playing scrabble, basketball, her outings with her sister Linda, singing and quilting. During her breast cancer battle she began quilting and made many beautiful quilts for her family and friends.
Mary will be deeply missed by all whom had the pleasure of knowing her. She loved her life, family and friends. Mary’s memory will have a lasting effect on everyone.
Services will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at Crab Orchard Christian Church. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm, with the service to follow at 1pm, Danny Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest in Stansbury Cemetery immediately following the service.
In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The Scott Winningham Memorial Fund and The Crab Orchard Christian Church building fund.
Hilda Amonett, age 89, was born on August 6, 1934 to Jesse and Viola Edwards in Crab Orchard, TN and passed away on December 13, 2023 in Crossville, TN.
She is survived by her children Donald Amonett, Tony Amonett, and Jenny (Wayne) McKeown all of Crossville, TN; sister Pina Young of Crossville; grandchildren- Trentin, Felicia, Christy, and Amber; great grandchildren Zander, Charla, Nickolas, Koti, Darrian, Luke, and Rory; and great great grandchild Alysa.
Hilda was preceded in death by her husband Charles Amonett; parents Jesse and Viola (Pugh) Edwards; daughters Patricia Amonett and Phyllis Davidson; son Danny Amonett; grandson Daniel McKeown; great grandsons Anthony and Colton Journell; brothers Buster Edwards and Mose Edwards; and sisters Ruby Gardner, Polly Golliher, and Sue Pyles.
Services will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11am-1pm, with the service to follow at 1pm, Brother Ryan Dick officiating. She will be laid to rest in Haley’s Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
Ronald Riggs, age 86, was born on November 28, 1937 to the late Arthur Clark and Marian Imogene (Pancoast) Riggs in Steubenville, OH and passed away on December 12, 2023 in Crossville, TN.
Ron grew up in George’s Run, Ohio, and was graduated from Mingo Junction High School in 1955. He attended Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, majoring in the sciences. In 1959 he was awarded a B.S. Degree in Education. After graduation, he accepted a teaching position in English at Field High School in Suffield, Ohio.
In August 1962 he married Dianna Schnormeier. The year after their marriage, the Riggs’ moved to Aleppo, Syria, where, for three years, they taught at Aleppo College under the auspices of the United Church Board for World Ministries.
Returning to the United States in 1966, they moved to Webster Groves, Missouri, where Ron attended Eden Theological Seminary, receiving a Master of Divinity Degree in 1969. He served pastorates in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Wheeling, West Virginia, and Brea, California.
In 1970 the Riggs’ adopted a baby girl, Helene Marguerite.
In 1984, they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1987, he and his yoga partner, Anna Avant, opened the Yoga Studio of Little Rock. He continued to teach and practice yoga well into his 80’s.
In December 2015 Ron and Diana moved to Uplands Village, Pleasant Hill, Tennessee.
In lieu of flowers, Ron asks that you plant a tree in his memory ~ and remember to water it!
John Lenix Bozarth passed through the gates of Heaven on December 8.
He is preceded in death by his son, John Michael Bozarth and is survived by his loving daughter Kathryn Mary Hathcock, grandsons Chris & Tyler Morgan, granddaughter Courtney Hood, great grandchildren Hooper & Harlynd Morgan and his lovely companion, Judy Fistler.
“Big John” epitomized honesty, simplicity and a true heart. He spent many years in home construction and took pride in his skills in multiple trades. His work was always quality. Complaining was not part of his vocabulary. He dealt with each moment as it came in the way he saw best. His rules for life included honesty, respect, straightforward opinions and answers. John enjoyed ribbing close friends and family leading to a good laugh and a warm hug. John was a loyal family member and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
