Obituaries
Local Obituaries for McMinn County, Tennessee
Edna Mae Ammons
Oct 5, 2026
Edna Mae Ammons, 97, of Englewood, TN passed away Monday, October 5, 2026.
She was a lifetime member of Liberty Hill Church of Christ and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She cherished time with her family, especially Sunday dinners, which she always looked forward to and loved cooking for her loved ones. She also had a special love for...
Ronnie Burris
Oct 2, 2026
Ronnie Burris, 80, of Chattanooga, TN passed away Friday, October 2, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Verlin and Sadie Burris; sister, Glenda Jones.
He is survived by his brother, E.L. Burris; sisters, Geraldine Eaton, Irene Curtis, Debbie Cole; nephews, Wesley Curtis, Jason Eaton, Chris Cole; nieces, Heather West, Michelle Johnson, Kim Eaton, Jamie McDonald, and Deidre Young.
A graveside...
Phillip Kelly
Sep 27, 2026
Phillip Kelly, 76, of Etowah, TN passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Born and raised in Chattanooga, he was a lifelong Tennessean who valued learning, creativity, music, and the outdoors. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and, in his free time, enjoyed reading and art. Music held a special place in his heart, as he was also a talented...
Denise Hope
Sep 20, 2026
Denise Hope, 77, of Etowah, TN formerly of Atlanta, GA, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2026.
She had a deep love for horses and cherished the time she spent showing them. Her artistic spirit could be seen in her work as an artisan, where she created beautiful jewelry and expressed her love of fashion and personal style. She had an eye...
William “Bill” Collins
Sep 19, 2026
William “Bill” Collins, 94, of Etowah, TN passed away Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Bill proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee. Following his military service, he dedicated his career to education and was a retired teacher with Etowah City Schools, where he touched the lives of many students. He...
Wanda Starkey
Sep 15, 2026
Wanda Starkey, 84, of Athens, TN passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
She was a faithful member of Goodsprings Baptist Church and a beloved pillar of the Goodsprings community. For 30 years, she drove a school bus for McMinn County Schools, viewing her job as a ministry and using that time to share the love of Jesus with the children she...
David William Fedewa
Sep 12, 2026
David William Fedwea, 88 of Etowah, TN passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Avis Fedewa; sister, Mary Mann.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Fedewa; daughter and son-in-law, Clorette and David Martin; grandsons and spouses, Malachi and Maren Martin, Jamie and Tammie Martin; granddaughter and spouse, Sheena and Matthew Baine; great-grandsons, Boston...
Verlin Peals
Sep 10, 2026
Verlin James Alvin Peals, 87, of Etowah, TN went to be with the Lord at his home on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Verlin was born and raised in Tellico Plains, TN. He was a member of Hillcrest Church in Etowah, TN for many years. Verlin was well known in McMinn and the surrounding counties for his concrete business, Peals Concrete Works that...
Margie Altoyce Bowers
Sep 8, 2026
Margie A. Bowers, 92, of Englewood, TN; a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the age of 92.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.R. Bowers; parents, Carl and Maude Daugherty; sisters, Hazel Derrick, Joyce Crisp, Sandy Blankenship; brother, Darrell Daugherty; daughter, Cheryl Leatherwood; son-in-law, Larry Leatherwood; son-in-law, Jerry Collins.
Survivors...
Mary Ruth Lovelace
Aug 31, 2026
Mary Ruth Lovelace, 92, of Etowah, TN peacefully passed away Monday, August 31, 2026.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the late William Roy Lovelace of Etowah. Mary Ruth was a loving wife, mother and Memaw.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Alan Lovelace and daughter-in-law Sharon (Forgey) Lovelace; grandchildren, Sarah Ivy Lovelace Penalver and husband Julian Penalver, her...
Rebecca "Jane" Trew
Aug 17, 2026
Rebecca “Jane” Morgan Trew, 91, of Delano, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, August 17, 2026. Jane was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life reflected deep faith, hard work, and an abiding love for her family.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Boyd Trew; her parents, Dewey and Roxie...
Christine Freeman
Aug 6, 2026
Christine Davis Freeman, 82 of Tellico Plains, TN went to her heavenly home on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
She was a member of Maple Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Christine was a devoted Christian who loved sharing and spreading God’s Word.
Christine joined her beloved husband Morris Rex Freeman and her precious daughter, Joanna McDaniel, who met her with open arms. She is...
Kendall Hicks Adams
Aug 5, 2026
Kendall Hicks Adams, lifelong resident of Polk County, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at his residence in Delano, TN. He was born September 29, 1945 to parents Hicks and Reathel Adams in Reliance, TN where he resided most of his life.
While in Reliance he co-owned and operated Adams Rafting and Reliance Fly and Tackle for several years. After...
Pat Guerra
Aug 4, 2026
Pat Guerra, 69, of Athens, TN passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
A devoted father, proud grandfather, and beloved family man, Pat found his greatest joy in the time he spent with those he loved. Whether gathered around the dinner table, celebrating holidays, or simply enjoying each other's company, family was always at the center of his life. As an outdoorsman,...
Doris Jean Pressley
Aug 1, 2026
Doris Jean Pressley, 83, of Calhoun, TN passed away at her home on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Doris was a member of Chestuee Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by several beloved family members.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, John William Pressley; son, Jim "Eddie" Brown; grandchildren and spouses, Josh and Crystal Brown, Jessica and Johnathon Moses, and...
Walter Denver Stiles
Jul 30, 2026
Walter Denver Stiles, 86, of Englewood, TN passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Zoe Stiles; brother, Charles "Dick" Stiles.
He was a 1959 graduate of Englewood High School. Later, he served in the U.S. Army, spending most of his service in Vicenza, Italy. Afterward, he owned several local businesses. Most notably, he...
Paul "Victor" Green
Jul 29, 2026
Paul "Victor" Green, 61, of Athens, TN passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul O. Green; wife, Tammy Green.
Victor's greatest title was "grandfather." He was an Air Force veteran and a graduate of McMinn Central High School. In his free time, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle. He was proud of his entire family...
Betty K. Blair
Jul 23, 2026
Betty Katherine (Miller) Blair, 91, of Etowah, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2026. She is now restored and rejoicing in Heaven, reunited with her husband and love of her life, Broughton Blair.
Betty was born in Athens, Tennessee, as the youngest of two daughters to Clarence Leonard Miller and Dorothy Lilly (Ledford) Miller. She was a graduate of McMinn...
Maggie Lea Crabtree
Jul 21, 2026
Maggie Lea Crabtree, 95, of Riceville took her last breath on Earth and her first breath in Heaven on Tuesday morning, July 21, 2026. She was a native and lifelong resident of McMinn County and the Claxton community. Maggie was born on January 12, 1931, to Ervin “Brunner” and Nola Akins. She attended Claxton School and was Valedictorian of her...
Allan "Al" Boyd Hairris
Jul 14, 2026
Allan "Al" Boyd Hairris, 85, of Etowah, TN passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
Al loved working on the farm, and driving his tractor was one of his favorite things. When he wasn't on his beloved tractor, he could be found watching his favorite westerns or cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers. Al was a strong loving family man, who enjoyed nothing...
