Georgia Matte (Kearley) Wood

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 Clyde Dickenson Jr

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

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 Faye Brown

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

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

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.

Joseph Oliver Donofrio

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

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.

James Ernest Bryan

James E. Bryan, age 81, passed away on Sunday, August 6, 2023. Born on August 23, 1941 in Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children Janette (Mike), Tammy (Tim), Jennifer, Susan, and Matthew; 13 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.

Jim was a retired Master Carpenter who loved working in his workshop, fishing, playing poker at Elk’s Lodge, traveling, and spending time with his family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Visitation will be from 10a-12p with the service to follow at 12pm. There will be a luncheon in the Back Chapel immediately following the service.

In lieu of lowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Guiseppina “JoJo” Juliano

Guiseppina Juliano “JoJo” was born on June 12, 1942 to Poalina Leonelli and Gaetano Macaro in Alife, Italy and passed away on August 12, 2023 in Crossville, TN at Life Care Center surrounded by her loved ones.

Guiseppina was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness that loved to spread God’s message and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her children Marie (Bob) Castellano, Toemina Carter, Paolo Juliani, Phil Juliano, and Paula (Charlie) Kavanaugh; grandchildren Ariel, Alex, Angela, Alfredo, Timothy, Alexis, Nicholas, Crystal, Paula, and Capri; great grandchildren Madisyn, Raelee, Bryce, Bella, Addison, Anthony, Makinna, Amaya, Lylah, Ezerlee, Khalees, Oakley, Zayden, Emmalen, William, and Lane.

Guiseppina was preceded in death by her great grandson Liam Hughes.

Her Celebration of Life will be a private ceremony with family members only.