Thelma Lois Gregory

Thelma Lois (Barbra) Gregory of Maryville, TN, age 84, died peacefully at home on May 31, 2023, surrounded by family. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a doting grandmother.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Paul Gregory; parents, Otha and Stella (Rasar) Barbra; sister Louise Myers; and brothers Charles, Ray, and Johnnie Barbra.

She is survived by her children, Robin Somerfield (wife of Dan), Daryl Gregory (partner of Kathy Bieschke), and Lisa Johnson (wife of David); sisters Ruth Garner and Jan Lowe; brothers, Harold Barbra, Clinton Barbra (husband of Joy), and Wayne Barbra (husband of Leah). She is survived by grandchildren Courtney (Somerfield) D’Andrea (wife of Joe), Caitlin (Somerfield) Linder (wife of Mark), Cameron Somerfield, Emma (Gregory) Casey (wife of Dylan), Ian Gregory, Mars Whiteside, Kyle Whiteside, Nolan Johnson (husband of Gail), and Collin Johnson, as well as eight great-grandchildren: Chase, Wyatt, Emerson, Addison, Brayden, Riley, Everly, and Maverick.

Thelma grew up in Walland, TN and in 1956 married her high school sweetheart and paperboy, Darrell Gregory. Together they raised three children in a house in the Chicago suburbs that she kept spic-and-span. Her children joked that no house could get truly clean until you went into “Thelma Mode.” Thelma went back to school in her 40s and worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse until she retired in 1988. They served faithfully for thirty years at Welcome Hill Baptist Church in Lemont, IL, and when she and Darrell moved back to East Tennessee they served at Piney Level Baptist Church.

She loved to read and loved to laugh, but most of all she loved to take care of her family. She crocheted large afghans for each child and grandchild. When she cooked, she made enough food to feed everyone in the house and any army platoon that might stop by. And when Darrell grew ill she cared for him for years before he passed.

Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Sunday, June 4, 2023 Smith Trinity Chapel. The Funeral Service will follow at 7:00 PM with Rev. George Macht and Rev. Raymond Burnett officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00 AM for Interment Monday, June 5, 2023 at Grandview Cemetery, followed by a catered lunch at the Life Event Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate). Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com