Barbara Jean Cantrell

Barbara was born in Appalachia, VA, to the late Bob and Lorene Edens Dickenson. She graduated from Sheffield High School in Sheffield, AL. She was a member of the Mountain View Christian Church in Ooltewah, TN.

She was predeceased by her husband Ervin Cantrell, and brother Henry Wentz(Norma) Dickenson of Crossville, TN.

She is survived by her sons Steve(Pat) Cantrell of Belleville, MI, Rob(Jenise) Cantrell of Harrison, TN; grandchildren Evan(LeighAnn) Cantrell of Greenville, SC, Will(Katie) Cantrell of Canton, MI, Tiffany(Brian) Saffold of Chattanooga, TN, Courtney(Bobby) Cantrell of Harrison, TN, and Jillian Cantrell of Harrison, TN; great-grandchildren Preston Cantrell, Dalton Bronson, Trenton Bronson, Colston Mullinnix, Silas Cantrell, Olivia Cantrell, Nathaniel Saffold, and Maddox Wright; sister Linda(Jim) Walsh of Hudson, NH; several nieces and nephews and special friends at Hickory Valley Retirement Center.

Barbara worked at Sears in the camera department for many years. After she retired, Barbara continued her beloved hobbies of golf with the Brainerd 9 Holes women’s golf group, gardening, quilting, reading, and cooking with sausage balls and peanut butter fudge being two of her specialities.

Barbara was a cherished Grammy to all her grandchildren. She spoiled them every chance she got. She volunteered at their elementary schools even after they moved to middle school. She always made herself available to pick up a sick grandchild at school, or take someone out for a special shopping trip.

Barbara started volunteering in the early 1960’s as a Gray Lady at Erlanger Hospital. She transitioned to a devoted Red Cross volunteer at East Ridge Hospital for many years. She was the recipient of the Frist Award. She served as the Volunteer Recruitment coordinator.

She lived a passionate life until the very end and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

It will not be the same not receiving her phone calls any longer.

Visitation will be 4-6 PM Saturday, April 23, at Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, TN. A funeral service will be held at 6 PM in the funeral home chapel.

There will be a family service for burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in Dandridge, TN.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hearth Hospice of Chattanooga 513 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, TN.

The family wishes to thank Hearth Hospice of Chattanooga, and LifeCare of Collegedale for the care and compassion shown to our amazing Grammy.