Rex Coleman Casteel

Rex Coleman Casteel, 90, passed away on October 21, 2024, at home following a battle with dementia. He was born May 15, 1934, in Bonny Blue, Virginia to Garland and Pearl Casteel. Rex served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1959. He was a mail carrier for 30 years for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1989. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. 

 After retirement, Rex built a home for his wife and himself where 8 grandchildren enjoyed spending time fishing, swimming in the pond, playing in the barn and log cabin, climbing trees, and running up and down the hills on 5 acres. Rex also loved attending all sporting events the grandchildren were playing, traveling to Florida, New York, Missouri, North Carolina, and Georgia. 

 Rex was preceded by his first wife, Wilma Bivens Casteel, the mother of his 3 children; his parents, Garland and Pearl Casteel; a brother, C.B. Casteel; brothers-in-law and sister, Jimmy and Jewel Gainey; and brother-in-law Bob Long and H.P. Welch. 

 Rex is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sandra Casteel, 2 sons Mike (Susan) Casteel, Friendsville, TN, Greg (Jeri) Casteel, Culleoka, TN, and daughter Kelli (Stan) Cook, Carrollton, Georgia. His wife’s children, Allison (Jimmy) Rogers, Knoxville, TN, and Parker (Sarah) Overman, Centerton, AR. His two brothers, Bill Casteel (South Carolina), and Wayne Casteel (Florida), two sisters, Jeanette Long (Indiana), and Auda Lynn Welch (South Carolina), and several nieces and nephews. 

Grandchildren, Katelyn (Ben) Marshall, Seth Casteel, Cole (Reagan) Cook, Case (Molly) Cook, Cade Rogers, Keeleigh Rogers, Grant Overman, Maria Overman. At his request, his grandchildren will also serve as Pall Bearers.  

Great Grandchildren, Bristol and Peyton Cook, Kye Marshall. 

Thank you to Hospice Services at UT Medical Center and his nurses, Angel, Shondra, and Casey. They were amazing and so kind to Rex. His family thanks you. 

 Services will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Smith Funeral Home, Maryville, TN.  Visitation will be from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm. The funeral will begin at 12:00 pm and will be led by Rev. Charles Murrell and Rev. Doug Hayes. Following the funeral, the interment will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Alcoa, TN. 

 In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) or a charity of your choice. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.