Obituaries

Mr. William “Earl” West, 77, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024. He was born to the late William James and Nellie Lee Barrett West in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Tuesday, September 23, 1947. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Martha Jane Elizabeth West and Josephine West (Cecil) Victory; good friend, Troy Allen Braund, and fur baby, Bandit.

He is survived by his significant other, Gloria Braund of Murfreesboro; sister, Nancy West of Smyrna; nephew, Danny (Veronica) Victory; great nieces and nephews, Daniel Victory, Stephanie (Sean) Scott, Hillary (Matt) Campbell, and Austin Victory; great-great nieces and nephews, Cale Victory, Reese Victory, Sydney Scott, Sammie Scott, Shelby Scott, Dale Hargrove, Levi Campbell, and Addi Campbell; good friend, Frankie (Michelle) Underwood; and fur babies, Sassy and Penny Jane.

Like many from his generation, Earl found education to be a luxury that his time couldn’t afford. He left school in the 8th grade with shoulders already broad enough to help carry his family’s load. He maintained his responsibilities and role within the West family until the Nation called 1 year, 1 month, and 23 days past his 18th birthday.

Earl was drafted into the U.S. Army on November 15, 1966, and went to Ft. Campbell on the Tennessee-Kentucky border for his basic training. Not long after that, he was transferred to Ft. Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, and shipped out to Vietnam. Though there was a significant age gap between Earl and Nancy, she remembers it all seemed to happen in a sequence. Earl was in Vietnam for 18 months, returned to Ft. Benning in Columbus, Georgia, and was discharged on November 14, 1968.

However, the family all recognized that what they knew from the civilian side was far from the full story of what Earl experienced. Many who suffered through the horrific battles in Vietnam don’t want to talk, to remember, to relive those experiences. Earl was one of them. The family knew that early on in his time in Vietnam, Earl’s platoon of 28 was sent into the swamps on a mission. Earl was the only one to return, surviving by hiding underneath the water with a reed in his mouth for air for nearly 7 days before being rescued. All the while, the Viet Cong were searching for any survivors. 

The instance got Earl promoted to Seargent, reassigned, and sent back out now in charge of a group of men. He recalled children running up to the troops in a village saying “Candy,” and he told them all to back up. Looking more intently, he saw the grenades strapped to them. It was a part of life when everything was a danger. Even the innocent could have something lurking up their sleeves or behind their cloaks. He was leery of everything and everyone for the safety of his men, but worse yet, Earl and the others who returned home came back to a Nation that spat on them and called them “baby killers.”

No matter how many of the details we learn and know about his and many others’ service, we can never truly understand what those soldiers sacrificed. Gloria said it well, “They get to leave the battlefield, but the battlefield doesn’t leave them.” The horrors of the Vietnam War haunted Earl for the rest of his life. Flashbacks made simple things in life, like going to sleep and the Fourth of July, terrors, but what else could he do other than try to reintegrate into society, fade into the background of all the business, and try to forget memories worse than his nightmares?

Earl still aimed to be a man with broad enough shoulders to carry the load. Luckily, a family friend, Mr. Marshall, took Earl under his wings, trained him to weld, and advocated for him a job. Starting at Stringfellows, Earl did repair welding on garbage trucks and wrecker bodies, remaining there for 33 years before retiring. Over those years, Earl collected car parts and made sure he had enough on him that if he broke down, he could fix it on the side of the road. His collecting turned into far more than he could carry in his truck, so he had storage rooms of anything from transmissions to tires. It seemed that Earl was finding his niche in civilian life, and the part he cherished most was his family and friends.

Going out to his friend, Mrs. Porter’s, house at Brawley Pike, Earl met a woman that caught his attention and piqued his interest in conversation named Gloria Braund. They didn’t see one another again for 6 years, but when they met in 1991, they struck up a friendship. He invited Gloria and her son, Troy, over, but the first thing Troy noticed was that Earl was living in a trailer without heat. Winter was coming, and Troy was about to be shipped out to Korea. He formulated a plan and told Gloria that Earl could have his room this winter to go ahead and invite him into their home.

When Troy came back from Korea, he told Earl he was used to Army cots anyway and he’d take the couch. From then on, the family had an understanding. Gloria had her room, Earl had his room, and Troy had the couch. They split everything equally and shared everything equally, and Earl began to notice different pockets of camaraderie in his life, which may have been the only thing he enjoyed about his military service. Troy’s transition back into civilian life led him to take up trucking as his career. A few times, he took Earl out on road trips up and down the East Coast, and they’d be gone for 4 or 5 days before they came home to Gloria. Over their time together, Troy got to calling Earl “Froggy Lips,” but the two would never disclose to Gloria how Earl earned the nickname.

Another area of camaraderie in Earl’s life went back to his ability to work on vehicles. Danny and Frankie had an interest and knack for mechanic’s work, and they got Earl out there working on stuff with them. There are probably countless tales and projects, but one that stood out was that Earl wouldn’t weld for them or teach them to weld. A talented welder, Earl could have easily done either, but he worried that something would break. This may be another way his military service haunted him in that he never wanted to feel like the cause of injury or death to those he loved. He held those boys in high regard, and the time they shared was something he wanted to hold on to for as long as he could.

Now, the camaraderie that became the most pervasive in his life was with Gloria. That was his day-in, day-out person. They went through many highs and lows together, fought for one another’s well-being, and shared a friendship to last a lifetime. Earl became part of the Braund family, even going on trips to family reunions out in Wisconsin. They made it out there 7 times together visiting with her family, and Earl’s only complaint was the weather, especially when they got 8 feet of snow. But that didn’t dampen his view of Wisconsin too much because he became a “cheesehead,” routing for the Green Bay Packers. 

When the Packers weren’t on, Earl had on one of three things – wrestling, NASCAR, or westerns, and he had go-to people for each one. He routed for Jerry Lawler and Titus O’Neil in wrestling. He stayed captivated by Dale Earnhardt in NASCAR, and the race never was the same for Earl after he passed. For Westerns, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood took the cake. Earl was just a plain, old-fashioned American, and he enjoyed his simple life and appreciated the truly finer things – faith, family, friends, and fur babies.

It was fitting that he and Gloria got all black and white cats together. It was known amongst the family that when Earl said it, you weren’t changing his mind. No meant no, and yes meant yes. And he didn’t believe in repeating himself. Many things in Earl’s life were black and white to him, and the cats were the same in letting you know what they liked and what they didn’t appreciate. Bandit, Sassy, and Penny Jane became companions that took to Earl quickly, and he took to them. 

This mentality especially went for Earl’s view on his faith. Earl Black was a long-time friend and minister to him, and they shared many conversations regarding Earl’s past and his hope for the future. Earl had a blessed assurance that his time on this earth would pass and a greater reward laid beyond for him. A reward that took away the chains of his nightmares, a reward where there is no more worrying about death, mourning, crying, or pain, and a reward that united him with the greatest friend he ever had, Jesus.

Until now, Earl knew he was blessed to see traces of Jesus throughout his life in the camaraderie he shared with family and friends. From the road trips with Troy where he could be with someone who experienced war to the garage time with Danny and Frankie where he could feel like the man and mentor he wanted to be, those men made more of an impact on his well-being than he could ever express. It was the unspoken therapy he needed to live each day and memories that he could try to ground himself with when the nightmares encroached. 

Then, there was Gloria. She was there to calm him when the nightmares happened. When he knocked her to the floor to protect her from grenades, when he pulled his mattress off his bed to take cover, when he couldn’t bring himself to even open a door with tears streaming down his face when fireworks left him a wreck in the floor. She was there through it all and advocated for his care at the VA. She along with Troy, Danny, and Frankie went above their call of duty to be there for Earl so that he never felt alone in his fight.

When Earl’s health began to fail 10 months ago, his support network never wavered. They visited him consistently in the nursing home and the hospital, and Gloria made sure she went every day. If Earl called at 2 or 3 am needing something, Gloria would go. Every night, he called at 10 pm to make sure she was okay, the door was locked, and the front light was on. Every morning, he called at 7 am to be sure she was up, doing alright, and that she was about to head that way. His phone became his connection to the outside world, and he made sure it was charged. 

You see, Earl found people in his life where his shoulders didn’t have to bear the burden alone, and he made sure to hold on to what was truly important until he couldn’t. Though Earl suffered from PTSD and survivor’s guilt and had many reasons to complain in life, he chose to fight the darkness daily by focusing on the light. He held on to the hand that held his world and was a faithful Christian soldier. Now, he has gone on to his reward, and those chains don’t hold him anymore.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 5-7 pm. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 11 am in the Gentry-Smith Funeral Home chapel. Bro. Earl Black will officiate. Interment will be in Prater Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

Charles Dewayne Gilley, 69, of Rockvale passed away Thursday, October 24, 2024. He was born in Coffee County., the son of the late Clarence Gilley Sr, and Irene Trail Gilley.

He is survived by his sons Jason Gilley, Coty Gilley and Blake (Gilley) Hensley; grandchildren Jade Smith, Allen Smith Josh Gilley, Jacob Gilley, and Jaina Gilley; siblings Linda (Wallace) King, Clarence (Dianne) Gilley, and Martha Jo (Rick) Matthews; special friends Paul and Donna Alexander. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

A member of the Church of Christ, he worked as a Mechanic. When he wasn’t spending time with his family, you could find him in the kitchen cooking or in the garage.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 28, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Shane Nichols and Bro. Greg Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Midway Cemetery.

His family will receive friends Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Mrs. Delores Dean “Susie” Dennis, 72, of Murfreesboro, TN passed away on October 21, 2024.  She was born in Hohenwald, TN on June 9, 1952.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman Roden and Etta Mae Miller Roden.  Also preceded by her daughter, Desiree Dennis, a son, Joshua Dennis, siblings, Bobby Roden, Gary Roden, Shirley Givens, Diane Taylor, Judy Atnip, and Sheila Roden.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Dennis, son, Caleb Dennis, grandchildren, Haley Dennis and Brehanna Dennis, two great grandchildren, and special friends, Nelda Pitts and Theresa Long.

When Susie came into this world, little did she know just how much life had in store for her.  Born into a family with eight children, she had to learn to get along with everyone.  It allowed her to blossom into a person who loved everyone.  It didn’t take her long to zero in on the person who she loved the longest in her life, Edward.  One faithful night she went to the Ryman Auditorium to attend a Toy’s For Tots event.  It so happened; Fred was there too.  He planned to go with a date, but his date canceled.  Lucky for him, Susie spotted him right away, grabbed him by the arm and said, “You’re mine, we’re getting married.” The rest is history. 

She was fifteen at the time and he was seventeen.  When he graduated from high school, he went on to college in Miami.  He didn’t forget Susie and when it was time for her to graduate from high school, he came back to claim his prize.  She graduated from Nashville Central High School with the Class of 1970. They got married shortly afterward and went back to Miami to live while he was going to college.  They lived in Miami for several years before Tennessee called them home.  Children were in their long-range plan, but they spent the first ten years of married life focusing on each other.  When they were ready to start their family, she became pregnant with their daughter, Desiree. Unfortunately, they lost her after only a few days.  God saw fit to bless them with another child, a son.  They had the name, Joshua, all picked out for him.  When the doctor met with them, he told them they better sit down.  Joshua arrived with a twin in tow, they had to come up with a second name, Caleb.

From that point on, life was in high gear.  Taking care of twin boys was a job in itself.  She worked as a pathology technician at the old Murfreesboro Hospital for over 25 years, and he worked doing house framing.  They shared an interest in restoring antique furniture.  It started with restoring some of the furniture they inherited from his parents.  Susie was blessed with a green thumb and loved to grow flowers.  She was skilled enough to take cuttings from all kinds of plants, allowing her to save money and diversify her garden.

She and Edward had a plan for their dream home, a log cabin.  With his building experience they got it up and going but had to make an addition to it with the boys growing up fast. They could furnish it with their restored furniture, landscape it with her flowers, and fill it with love.  When they needed a break from everything, Key West called to them.  They loved taking the boys swimming and relaxing on the beach.  It didn’t hurt that they had some friends down there to hang out with either. 

Even with all they had going on in their lives, they made time for renewing their spirit with their church family at the Science Hill Church of Christ.  They both put their faith and trust in God and were baptized into Christ.  Looking to God when life took its unexpected twists and turns. Through thick and thin, she and Edward stuck together.  They were almost inseparable, in it for the long haul, 54 years makes for a lot of miles and memories to hold on to.

Her wish was to be cremated and let Edward keep her close to him.  They do not plan to hold a public service at this time.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com  Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.

Bobby “Hoss” Mingle Jr. passed away Sunday October 20th at Johnson City Medical Center. Born in Smithville to the late Bobby Sr and Paulette Mingle.

He is also preceded in death by his brother John Mingle who passed just last month.

Nicknamed “Hoss” due to his large persona and an even bigger heart, Bobby was a truck driver by trade, something he loved almost as much as his family (pups and grand pups included). He was a member of the Smithville Church of the Nazarene and Masonic Temple as well as the Masonic Order of Eastern Stars.  A servant of God, Country and Community, he will be sorely missed by all. 

He leaves behind his dear wife Priscilla Mingle, daughters Nikki (Joey) Pillow and Brittany (Chris) Church. Pups Jethro, Skye, Thumper and Marley and grand pups Hossy, Bubba, Jax and Essie. He is also survived by his sister Felisa (Steven) Coppinger, brother Billy (Donna) Mingle, Mother-in-law Darlene Matthews, Brother-in-law Chris (Dana) Stanley and Harlee Stanley (Blake Parker) whom he loved like a daughter. Bobby is also survived by many nieces and nephews Dustin (Samantha) Mingle, Justin Mingle, Nathan Mingle, Candace (Will) Bell, Dalton Coppinger, Cheyenne Fann (James Parker), Hagen Fann (Lakelyn Kilpatrick), Zack (Amanda) Stanley, Caleb Gingerich, and Seth Stanley.

His family will receive visitors at Woodbury Funeral Home Friday, October 25th from 10am to 8pm and again on Saturday, October 26th from 10am until time of service which will be held at the Chapel at Woodbury Funeral Home at 1pm officiated by Trent Colwell and Billy Martin. Burial to follow at Dekalb Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Dustin Mingle, Justin Mingle, Nathan Mingle, Dalton Coppinger, Zack Stanley, Caleb Gingerich, Hagan Fann, and Seth Stanley.

Mrs. Clara Geneva (Holt) Jensen, 101, of Bradyville, TN passed away on October 11, 2024.  She was born in Bradyville, TN on June 15, 1923.  Her parents were the late Dewey and Ava (Rogers) Holt. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Elmo Clinton Jensen, Sr and her devoted Pekinese dog, Buddy.

She is survived by her son, Bobby Scherer, stepson, Elmo Jensen, Jr., cousins and caretakers, James (Vicky) Jernigan of Bradyville, Shanelle (Glenn) Barrett of Murfreesboro, close friend, Barb Bowers, and a host of other relatives.

Growing up in rural Tennessee in the first quarter of the 20th Century came with many challenges and blessings.  Clara made the best of the blessings and didn’t let the challenges deter her.  She was an only child, a woman, and lived in a poor rural area.  Many of her contemporaries had to leave school to help their families on the farm.  She was able to graduate Woodbury Central High School.  Her plan from there was to get trained in the secretarial field at the YWCA in Nashville. Scarcity of work drove many people from this area north to better opportunities.  While she was finishing her training at the YWCA.  Her parents moved to Michigan and found work at a mental hospital.  Shortly after finishing the secretarial program, Clara moved to Michigan and got a job at the hospital with them. 

While settling into life there she met and married a veteran.  They started a family and had a son.  Life challenges presented themselves to her again and the marriage ended.  She kept busy working and raising her son.  Her parents loved the fact they had a boy in the family and proceeded to spoil him rotten.  He was the only boy in the neighborhood with a pony.  Although, it had to be kept in a small lot behind their house.  As an only child too, Bobby got spoiled at home by Clara as well.  He had her wrapped around his finger and made sure he got whatever he wanted.

In her off time she picked up an unconventional hobby for a woman, golf. Apparently, many other women enjoyed playing a round when they had time.  She and some of her close friends competed and won some tournaments.  They jokingly referred to themselves as the “Happy Hookers”.  Clara was an animal lover and enjoyed the companionship of a dog throughout her life. The dogs did give her great joy and affection but she longed for the love and companionship of a man.  It was at this point she met another WW2 veteran, Elmo.  They married and set up housekeeping in Westland, Michigan.

Clara decided to change jobs and landed a job as a secretary with the judicial system and stayed until retirement.  With all of the challenges, she didn’t forget where her blessings came from.  She planted her faith firmly in God and made church a regular part of her life.  Coming from the Bible belt she was familiar with the Church of Christ and found a congregation to call her church family in Michigan.

After Elmo’s passing, her health began to take a turn for the worse.  She was diagnosed with dementia.  She and her son Bobby lived together.  Unfortunately, neither of them was very good at taking care of themselves or each other.  Some of her extended family back in Tennessee who stepped up to help.  She came full circle back to her roots in Bradyville.  Her cousins took her in and made sure she was loved and cared for in the final years of her life.  God blessed her to spend more than a century in this world. Starting and finishing her life in Tennessee.  He had a purpose for her and now she has a home with Him.

The family will hold a private service to lay her to rest.  Those who wish may share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com  Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337.  Because every life has a story.

Joe Don Merriman, 74, of Woodbury passed away suddenly Friday, October 11, 2024 at St. Thomas Rutherford. He was born in Cannon Co., the son of the late Walter and Martha Lee Mathis Merriman.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Prater Merriman of Woodbury; his son, Wesley Owen Merriman and his wife, Nicole Merriman of Centennial, CO., grandchildren, Mason Merriman; siblings, Linda (Donald) Foster of Warren Co., Ann Prater of Woodbury and Jimmy (Katherine) Merriman of Warren Co.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rachel Merriman of Cannon Co., Carolyn (Phillip) Adcock of DeKalb Co., Nadine (Danny) Sain of Warren Co., Donnie Prater of Warren Co., Jimmy Prater of Warren Co. and Gail (Danny) Gillette of Warren Co. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Wayne Merriman and Wavil (Tom) Alford and in laws, Truman Prater, James and Jan Coleman.

A member of the Baptist church, he worked at Carrier and was a truck driver for Rutherford Co-Op. Joe enjoyed horse riding, hunting, fishing, watching westerns and woodworking.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, October 14, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Charles Williams officiating. Interment will follow in the Ivy Bluff Cemetery in Warren Co.

His family will receive friends Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and Monday, October 14, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. until his time of service.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Sterling Wayne Fuston, 91, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024. He was born to the late Barney and Hallie Brady Fuston in North Warren County on September 28, 1933. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Irene Hudson Fuston; son, Mitchell Wayne Fuston; and brother, Roy Allen Fuston.

Sterling attended Dibrell High School and soon after decided to join the U.S. Army. In 1953, he went to basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina for 16 weeks, but once the drill sergeants came back from Korea, they added another 4 weeks to the basic training. During his service, Sterling served in Italy and Germany and then discharged from the service.

Using the GI Bill, Sterling went on to attend the Elgin Watchmaker’s College in Illinois, graduating as a Master Watchmaker. Coming back to Woodbury, he opened Fuston’s Jewelry and Antiques on Main Street. Sterling found a companion and partner in Irene, and they were married in 1962. They continued the store for 30 years before Sterling decided to retire at the age of 60.

Retirement wasn’t what Sterling expected, and he knew better than to sit idle. He elected to go back to work at the VA Hospital and remained there for another 25 years, walking 3-4 miles a day. For his second retirement, he had the company and care of his brother, Mark. His hobby over the years was watching Christian TV from dawn til dusk.

He is survived by his brother, Mark Fuston of Woodbury; special friends, Franklin Paris and Myra Melton; and several cousins and extended family members. The family wishes to express a special thanks to the staff at Willow Branch Nursing Home for their care and compassion.

Graveside services will be at 2 pm Saturday, October 12th at Bethany Church of Christ Cemetery, 5066 Old Nashville Hwy. McMinnville, TN 37110. Tim Gentry will officiate. 

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story

Mr. Earl David Ferrell, age 70, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024.  He was born on March 10, 1954 to his parents, the late Joe Brown Ferrell & Sudie Nadine Ferrell in Cannon County.

He is survived by his siblings, Eunice Byford of Woodbury, Janet (Johnny) King of Smithville, Shirley Dyer of Alexandria, Lisa (Roy) Merriman of Smithville, & Jean (Gary) Dyer of Smithville. His loyal dogs, Dan, Billy, & Joe and numerous nieces & nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Danny Ferrell, Charlie Ferrell, Jodean Ferrell & Linda Ferrell; and his brothers-in-law, Mert Byford & Larry Dyer.

David enjoyed living a simple life which included fishing and mules and loved going to flea markets.  He was retired from Lewis Bakery.

Funeral Services will be at 2 pm Friday, October 11, 2024 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Jonathan Buck officiating.  Interment will follow at Gunter Grizzle Cemetery.  His family will receive friends for the visitation from 4 pm to 8 pm Thursday, October 10, 2024 and from 10 am until time of the service at 2 pm on Friday.

Woodbury Funeral Home, 615.563.2311, www.woodburyfuneralhome.net

Danny Lee Clayton age, 71, of the Gassaway Community, passed away at his residence Sunday September 29, 2024.

He was born May 8, 1953, to his parents the late James Eli and Connie Lee Clayton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Verner Clayton.

Mr. Clayton served in the United States Navy from 1973 till 1981, he owned a Janitorial Service for Avco, and he was a member of the Center Hill Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Clayton of Gassaway; children, Rusty Clayton, Melissa Clayton, Dallas Clayton, Jennifer Clayton Paige, Andrea LeeLeigh Clayton, and Amy Jo Clayton Rod; 13 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

The family has honored Mr. Clayton’s request to be cremated, and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Clayton family.  

PV1 Mark L. Crowe, Sr., 62, of Woodbury, Tennessee passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024. He was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Saturday, June 23, 1962. Preceding him in death were his parents, Tommy and Sandra Crowe; his wife, Sharon (Rooney) Crowe; and sisters, Jackie Crowe and Lori Crowe

He is survived by his children, Mark L. Crowe, Jr. and Trista Nicole Crowe, both of LaVergne, and Makayla Fay Digiacomo of Woodbury; grandchildren, Dalila Crowe, Raven Yazzie, and Aliza Wilhoite all of LaVergne; sisters, Tracye Carrigan of Jonesboro and Janet Tipton of East Tennessee; and countless friends.

Mark grew up a military brat and traveled wherever his father’s duty called. Moving from place to place, he never truly got to build any roots during his childhood, so he clung to what he had — his family. The only boy among four girls, Mark learned to be the man of the house while their father was away. That changed when their mother grew to be incapable of caring for them, so Mr. Crowe laid down his artillery and took up the household mantle.

He took the children and laid down roots in Tennessee. However, Mark returned to the role of man of the house with a vengeance when their father died with Mark at the delicate age of 16. Yet even at a delicate age, Mark himself was far from delicate. He was stubborn and rugged. So after graduating from McGavock High School, he joined the U.S. Army in March 1981 from Cleveland, Ohio. Following in his father’s footsteps came naturally to Mark, but he did it with his own flare.

Heading down the artillery route, Mark set out to prove he was tougher than nails and had a sense of humor to go along with it. Stationed in Germany, Mark’s unit was tasked with guarding the Berlin Wall. It was a tumultuous time in Germany, but Mark took the edge off by fully enjoying the 80s. From the music to the recreation, Mark couldn’t think of a better time to be alive, except when training rolled back around.

He recalled having to routinely go into a gas chamber, pull off his mask for a short period, stay in for a while longer, and then go out and recite his identification like a prisoner of war. Trying to keep everyone’s spirits up, the unit made it a game and would make bets on who would handle the experience the best this go around. Though Mark took his job seriously, he tried to never take himself so seriously that he couldn’t crack a joke to bring a smile to another soldier’s face.

Coming back to the States was a breath of fresh air, and Mark was discharged from the service in September 1984 from Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He quickly traded in the brotherhood for fatherhood when he laid eyes on Sharon Rooney. She visited a friend’s house, and Mark just so happened to be the neighbor. Her girly personality and playful spirit had him signing papers of matrimony faster than he signed his enlistment.

They made their nest in the hills of Tennessee, and the love birds complimented one another well. Mark worked with his hands fixing vehicles and laying flooring, while Sharon worked with her mind reading and analyzing movies. With the brain and the brawn in tow, Mark and Sharon quickly grew their family. Mark came into the world first, and just 13 months later, Trista was born. Though Mark followed in his father’s footsteps, it flip-flopped for him. Mark turned out to be momma’s boy, while Trista slipped into the role of daddy’s girl. 

Mark continued to have that larger-than-life personality and wanted better for his family than he had. Aiming for them to have a different life, he took up doing residential and commercial flooring and floored businesses all across Middle Tennessee. He floored anywhere from the smallest room in a house to the dorms and fraternities at Vanderbilt. He would bring trinkets home for the kids and kept them in awe, so when he put a pause on flooring, he made sure to find something else that allowed him to keep doing that. 

Trucking became a second profession, and sometimes he was allowed to bring home small portions of his load. One of the most memorable was a palette of peanut butter, but it wasn’t about the gifts and oddities. It was about the thought and the action. Mark kept his family on his mind and close at heart. He tried to show love in the best ways he knew how. It brought a twinkle to his eye to give gifts of wonder, but what he cherished most was the quality time they spent together.

Going out to the lake was central to their family outings. Mark enjoyed fishing, and he especially enjoyed fishing with his family. Percy Priest Lake was their go-to spot, and they have many memories of camping trips and fishing excursions there. Even though Sharon wouldn’t bait the hook or pull the fish off, that was just another way Mark could do something for her and get in some extra practice for the kids.

When they weren’t out at the lake, motorized anything came into the picture. From riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers to working on cars, Mark wanted the kids to experience it all and be able to do it for themselves. He taught them how to drive, fix their own equipment, and do anything else that he could to get some more time with them. Being present was the difference Mark wanted his kids to have in their lives, and he wanted that to carry on into his grandkids’ lives. 

Heavily discouraging Trista’s interest in joining the military, Mark finally found something where he was not going to support his daughter. Though she didn’t have any children yet, he knew all too well what military life meant for Trista and her future family. Luckily, it didn’t hurt their relationship, and Mark would be proud to see the same awe in his daughter’s eyes that she had as a little girl.

Being a father was one of the highlights of Mark’s life, and after losing Sharon, he decided to start over again and became a father once more, over 20 years after Mark Jr. and Trista. Makayla came just barely before his first grandchild, but Mark aimed to have the same love and devotion until his health took a turn for the worse.

A key indicator of Mark’s declining health was actually the lack of interest in his other love and passion — his guitar. He had an Epiphone electric guitar that he’d been known to play all night long, regardless of who was trying to sleep. His eclectic taste in music followed him throughout his life, and he would play anything from Tupac to Kid Rock. It didn’t matter the genre as long as the song was good. He would pop in a CD and play along to the music. 

In recent months, Mark’s guitar lay dormant and began collecting dust. The only thing Mark disliked more than missing out on time with his kids was seeing the doctor. At his core, he was still that stubborn and rugged man. There wasn’t a situation that he couldn’t slap a happy face on and joke his way through. He was still a soldier, but the war had changed in his mind. 

It was no longer about perseverance. It was about presence. It was no longer about preservation. It was about posterity. In all that he did, he wanted to invest in the people around him. That devotion to others built a family around him larger than he could have ever dreamed. To meet him was to love him, but more importantly to Mark, to meet him was to be loved by him.

Mark’s wishes were to be cremated and to be carried on in the memories of the people he held dearest – his children and friends.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story