Obituaries

Obituaries for the Polk County, TN Area

Mildred "Millie" Shelton

Mildred "Millie" Shelton

Jun 2, 2026

Mildred “Millie” Shelton, 91, of Benton, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on May 15, 1935, in Quincy, IL, to the late Ernest and Stella Crabbe Winget.

Millie was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and enjoyed each time she was able to go when able. She loved listening to gospel music, quilting,...

Bettie Anderson

Bettie Anderson

Jun 2, 2026

Bettie Sue Johnson Anderson, 80, of Benton, passed away on June 2, 2026.

She was born on July 3, 1945, in Conasauga, TN, to the late Ernest and Margie Johnson.

Throughout her life, she passionately loved her family, her church family, and her community of friends. A faithful and active member of Zion Baptist Church where she taught Vacation Bible School and...

Joyce Ann Morgan

Joyce Ann Morgan

May 29, 2026

Joyce Ann Wampler Morgan, 79, of Delano, departed this life peacefully on May 29, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was born on May 30, 1946, in Cleveland, Tennessee to the late James B. and Dorothy Taylor Wampler. Ms. Morgan was a faithful member of Springtown Baptist Church.

Throughout life, Ms. Joyce was a friend to many and always...

Roger Odell Ward

Roger Odell Ward

May 22, 2026

Roger Odell Ward, 63, of Benton, departed this life on May 22, 2026.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.

Earl "Lorene" Jordan

Earl "Lorene" Jordan

May 14, 2026

Earl “Lorene” Jordan, 97, of Benton, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on August 5, 1928, in Chattanooga, to the late Wofford and Etta Huckabey Hale.

Throughout life, Lorene enjoyed yard work, gardening, playing games like scrabble, corn hole, Rook, including croquet and pitching horseshoes, and doing all sorts of...

Walter "Bobby" Summers Jr.

Walter "Bobby" Summers Jr.

May 8, 2026

Walter “Bobby” Summers Jr., 78, of Ocoee, departed this life peacefully on May 8, 2026, at a local healthcare facility.

Bobby was born on August 29, 1947, to the late Walter Rosser Summers Sr., and Beulah Jean Tucker Newton.

Throughout life, he was an avid fan of Elvis Presley and enjoyed watching old westerns. His favorite color was red. Bobby was a...

Richard "Dickie Blanco" White

Richard "Dickie Blanco" White

Apr 26, 2026

Richard Tyler White, 50, of Cleveland, Tennessee passed away on April 26, 2026, due to a boating accident on the Ocoee River.

He was born on March 4, 1976, in East Ridge, Tennessee to Kay Adams and the late Robert White.

Richard was an outgoing, spontaneous and enthusiastic rafter. He died doing what he loved most. Richard was known by his nickname,...

Paul McClary

Paul McClary

Apr 21, 2026

Paul A. McClary, 46, of Ramsay, Montana, passed away unexpectedly on April 21, 2026.

He was born on March 26, 1980, to the late Jim McClary and Donna McClary Peterson.

He was a resident of Hope Ministries, located at 969 Craddock Road in Ramsay, Montana, where he served as Director’s Assistant at the men’s recovery home. Hope Ministries is a long-term, faith-based...

Franklin "Fuzzy" Allen Bowers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...