Former Metro Council member Joe Millsaps dies at the age of 90

Ann and Joe Millsaps (Photo Provided)

LOCAL OBITUARY — Moore County native Joe Gordon Millsaps, age 90, passed away at home on Monday, July 5, 2021. He was born on August 29, 1930 to the late Henry Record and Edna Irene (Cunningham) Millsaps.

Joe left school after the ninth grade to work on the family farm. He loved farming with his mules and did so until he and his brother bought their first tractor in 1949. Joe spent his life farming in the Marble Hill community. He served his country in the United States Army in Germany from March 22, 1951 to March 10, 1953. During his time in the service, he was a border guard and drove for a captain and a colonel. Joe married his wife of 63 years, Ann Rozar Millsaps, on March 1, 1958. Joe was a member of Marble Hill United Methodist Church. He loved gospel singing and helped found the Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music in 1983.

In addition to being a devoted family man, he was very involved in all aspects of his community. Joe was a lifetime member of the American Legion, 52 year board member of Farm Bureau, and 38 year member of Moore County Court. He served on the Elk River Development Board, Soil Conservation Board, Hereford Association Board, 911 Board, Utility Board, Solid Waste Board, and the Agriculture Committee. He also was a 4-H volunteer and shared his ministry and knowledge with young people through Methodist Youth Fellowship.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Baxter Millsaps; and his sister, Barbara Speck.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ann Rozar Millsaps; children, Gina (Geoffrey) Stuk of Cleveland, Ohio, Gordon (Catherine) Millsaps of Lynchburg, Tom (Christy) Millsaps of Lynchburg, and Elizabeth Millsaps of Nashville; grandchildren, Andrew (Becca) Coleman, Kelly McClain, Amber (Jordan) Powell, Zachary Millsaps, Ella Clare Merkel, Benjamin Stuk, Alexander Stuk, and Jessee Millsaps; great-grandchildren, Henry Powell, Jette Coleman, Vesper Coleman, and Rowan Coleman; sisters, Linda (Parker) Crouch of Tullahoma, and Faye Walker of Tullahoma; sister-in-law, Rayma Reese of Tullahoma; and cousin, Sandra (Jerry) Moore of Tullahoma.

Visitation with the family will be from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 and 10-11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home in Lynchburg. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the Chapel of Jennings-Moore-Cortner Funeral Home with Dr. Darryl Crouch officiating. Interment will follow at Lynchburg Cemetery with military honors bestowed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Lynchburg City Cemetery Fund, 217 Main Street, Lynchburg, TN 37352, 931-759-5544. •

{Editor’s Note: The Lynchburg Times publishes obituaries of Moore County residents and individuals whose immediate family live in Moore County at no cost to the family on our website. We consider it a public service important for future genealogical research. Submit your information to [email protected].}