He was a graduate of Polk County High School, and a veteran of World War II with service rendered in the Army-Pacific Theater.
He pastored a number of churches in the surrounding area, and was known for his passionate defense of the faith. He always emphasized that a relationship with the Lord is the most important thing in one’s life. He instilled into his children at an early age that going to church was a fundamental part of the Christian walk.
There were many times they attended revivals and special services together, in addition to regular Sunday worship.
He was a member of Beech Springs Baptist Church.
He was the son of the late Arthur and Delarmie Ross. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Nettie Dellavina Guthrie Ross (mother of all his children); his second wife, Anna Mae Arthur Ross; and two of his children: Leuna Ross Young and Reese Ross.
Survivors include sons: Lee Ross and wife, Sue, of Old Fort; Lonnie Ross and wife, June, of Mountain Grove, Mo., and Mack Ross and fiancé, Susan Hunt, of Benton Station; daughters: Mildred Wilson and husband, Fred, of Old Fort, Edna Howard and husband, Albert, of Benton, and Melba Haney and husband, Donald, of Old Fort; grandchildren: Sue Heston and husband, Ken, of Purdy, Mo., Mike Young and wife, Nora, of Monett, Mo., Avery Ross of Athens, Robert Howard and wife, Sally, of Knoxville, Heather Cruz and husband, Alfonzo, of Morrisville, N.C., Crystal Ross and Amanda Ross, both of Mountain Grove, Mo., and Candi Haney of Little Rock, Ark.; great-grandchildren: Stephanie Heston Walker, Melanie Heston, Shelby Heston, Rachel Young, Jason Young, and Nicholas Cruz; great-great-grandchild, Peyton Walker; brother, Luther Ross of Signal Mountain; niece, Alma Ross Keith of Signal Mountain; and his loving staff at Wellington Place.
A Remembrance of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, 2011, at Lebanon Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Chastain officiating.
Interment will follow at the Lebanon Baptist Cemetery with Mike Young, Robert Howard, Ken Heston, Eric McNelly, Ivan McNelly, Mark Odom, and Jeff Stacy serving as pallbearers. Avery Ross, Jason Young, and Nicholas Cruz will serve as honorary pallbearers.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Jim Rush Funeral Homes, North Ocoee Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Beech Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 160, Old Fort, TN 37362.
The guest book may be signed and viewed at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.
