Obituaries
Obituaries for the Polk County, TN Area
Franklin "Fuzzy" Allen Bowers
Apr 18, 2026
Franklin “Fuzzy” Allen Bowers, 48, of Reliance, passed away on April 18, 2026.
He was born on April 22, 1977, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to the late Gene Bowers and Sharon Ellis Coleman.
Throughout life, Fuzzy was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed. He was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed working on cars. A few of his fondest...
Peggy Stone Alford
Apr 18, 2026
Peggy Sue Stone Alford, beloved and devoted mother, proud Mammaw Peggy “MP”, a source of strength to family and friends. Ms. Peggy entered her heavenly home on April 18, 2026, wrapped in peace and surrounded by love. She was 81.
Her life reflected unwavering faith, strength, kindness, steady compassion, and a heart that always seemed to have room for one more...
Wanell Beard
Apr 15, 2026
Georgia “Wanell” Beard, 85, of Benton, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026.
She was born on January 31, 1941, in Reliance, Tennessee to the late George and Eva Lee Qualls Crump. Wanell was loved by those who had the blessing of having known her. She was a cherished wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who never met a...
Scotty Lewis Morgan
Apr 15, 2026
Scotty Lewis Morgan, 35, of Benton, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born on November 9, 1990, in Cleveland, to Pete and Velar Rymer Morgan.
He attended Mountain View Baptist Church where he was an honorary member.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Marvin and Patsy Morgan, and A.C. and Shirley...
Paula Tapley
Apr 7, 2026
Paula Marie Tapley, 47, of Cleveland, passed away unexpectedly on April 7, 2026, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
She was born on August 10, 1978, in Cleveland, Tennessee, to the late Kenneth and Ozella Pence Chastain. Throughout her life, she always made it a priority to spend time with her kids, who were her whole heart. Paula will...
Wilma "Jean" Moon
Apr 6, 2026
Wilma “Jean” Moon, 85, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on September 11, 1940, in Athens, Tennessee to the late John Wesley and Grace Irene Williams Richardson.
In her early years, she was raised in an orphanage (Tennessee Children’s Baptist Home) in Franklin, TN. Throughout her life,...
William "Grant" Ballew
Mar 31, 2026
William “Grant” Ballew, 69, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on August 25, 1956, in Berwyn, Illinois to Ray and Edith Ballew.
Throughout life, Grant loved his family, fishing, and boating. A few of his fondest memories include mowing yards, loafering, lottery tickets and enjoyed meeting new people. He never...
Marietta "Gail" Smith
Mar 29, 2026
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
On March 29, 2026, The Lord called our precious Mother home to be with Him. Our Mother, Marietta “Gail” Smith, also known to her family and close friends as “Nubbie” was 88 years old when she passed from this life to her eternal home.
She was preceded in...
Lisa Moses
Mar 29, 2026
Lisa Moses, 57, of Athens, departed this life peacefully on March 29, 2026, at home with her family at her side.
She was born on December 20, 1968, in Etowah, Tennessee to late June Sampson Jr., and Gena Triplett Sampson. Throughout life, she grew to have tremendous faith in Jesus and was a member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland. She...
Wilma Carroll
Mar 26, 2026
Wilma Jean Dunn Carroll, 91, of Benton, departed this life peacefully at her home on March 26, 2026.
She was born on February 18, 1935, in Cleveland, to the late Fred and Gertie Officer Dunn.
Throughout life, she enjoyed long rides and sitting on the porch. Loved by those who knew her and will be deeply missed.
In addition to her parents, Fred...
Myrtle L. Lawson
Mar 26, 2026
Myrtle Louise Lawson, 79, of Cleveland, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. She was known to many as “Myrtle at the Bank” for her sunny disposition and long tenure at Benton Banking Company/First Volunteer Bank.
She was born on April 10, 1946, to Johnny and Anzlee Qualls Clayton. Throughout her life, her family was...
Sheila L. Swafford
Mar 25, 2026
Sheila L. Swafford, 65, a resident of Benton, departed this life peacefully on March 25, 2026, surrounded by her family at home.
She was born on July 25, 1960, in Cleveland, to Margaret “Gig” Milen Swafford and the late Buddy R. Swafford Sr. Throughout life, Sheila never met strangers and loved people, was an avid traveler, and loved spending time at...
Linda F. Rymer
Mar 24, 2026
Linda Faye Hicks Rymer, 73, of Delano, departed this life peacefully on March 24, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Etowah, Tennessee on February 1, 1953, to the late Clyde Hicks and Dessie Sanford.
Linda was of the Baptist Faith. Throughout life, she enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents,...
Zenda B. Saylor
Mar 15, 2026
Zenda B. Saylor, beloved Mother, Granny, Sister and Aunt, departed this life peacefully on March 15, 2026, due to injuries sustained from a car accident.
She was born on December 12, 1954, in Joliet, Illinois to the late Elmer and Barbara Walker Wilson.
Zenda spent many years of her life caring for mentally and physically challenged people in both Kentucky and Tennessee....
Wilby J. Ledford
Mar 15, 2026
Wilby Jean Ledford, 83, a resident of Benton, TN, passed away March 15, 2026, at home, supported strongly and lovingly by her children, grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She was born November 18, 1942, in Anderson County, TN, where she grew up. She attended Lake City High School and later moved to Oliver Springs High School, where she graduated. Wilby...
John L. Beard
Mar 14, 2026
John Beard, 66, a resident of Linsdale, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 13, 1959, in Athens, to the late Warren G. and Pauline Beard. A loving husband, father, brother, son, and friend. He was honored to be selected to the Polk County High School Hall of Fame, where he starred as...
William J. Rose, Jr.
Mar 13, 2026
William J. Rose, Jr., 31, departed this life on March 13, 2026.
Services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.
Carolyn Shelton Croft
Mar 12, 2026
Carolyn S. Croft, 81, of Delano, passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2026. She was born on December 22, 1944, and lived in Delano for the entirety of her life. She was a graduate of Polk County High School where she spent most of her time on the basketball court. Carolyn worked a few different jobs but her...
Kathleen L. Ashley
Mar 4, 2026
Kathleen L. Ashley, 85, of Benton, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Kathy was born on July 4, 1940, in Pontiac, Michigan to the late Harold and Doris Pearce Oliver.
Kathy was a very precious, beautiful, Godly lady. She radiated a continuous glow. She had an inner beauty and loved Jesus, her family,...
David Adams
Feb 19, 2026
John "David" Adams, Jr. was born November 7, 1956 to John "Red" and Christine Goble Adams, the youngest of four children. He went to his heavenly home on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Praise be to God that he is at rest, free of pain and suffering. David was a kind, compassionate man who loved his Lord and Savior, his...
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