Ruby "Joyce" Creason

Ruby “Joyce” Creason, 90, of Crossville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at home on April 28, 2026.

Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life was centered on faith, family, and hard work.

Born on July 16, 1935, in Banner Springs, Tennessee, Joyce was the fourth of five daughters born to Elmer Young and Alta (née Spurling) Young.

She will be remembered for her amazing cooking talent, her beautiful alto voice, her strong spirit, and her unwavering dedication to those she loved. Whether through her cooking, her presence, or her quiet acts of care, she was always there for her family and friends, normally with fresh homemade goodies.

Joyce spent much of her life using her spiritual gifts, serving and giving to others. She farmed alongside her family, worked in the Cumberland County school system (she was the first woman bus driver in Cumberland County), and was active in church and community activities. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, volunteering, cooking, gardening, sewing, and making her famous dried apple stack cakes to give as gifts. She and J.B. were active members of the Cumberland County Farmers Cooperative and shared 59 wonderful years building a life rooted in love and resilience.

A woman of deep faith, Joyce remained devoted even when she could no longer attend church at Cumberland Fellowship Church in Crossville. She found joy in reading her Bible, daily devotionals, and truly enjoyed listening to gospel music, with her favorites being the Gaithers and David Phelps. She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who were her whole heart.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J.B. Creason, and her sisters, Mary Ella Atkinson, Clara “Evella,” Petersen, and Betty Lucille York.

She is survived by her children: Victoria (Pete) Gibson of Kingston, Tennessee; Tamera (Nigel) Ellacott of Fernandina Beach, Florida; and Scotty (Karen) Creason of Franklin, Tennessee; her grandchildren: Peter (Rachel) Gibson, Parker Gibson, Sara (Wade) Creason Watson, and Amy Creason; and her great-grandchildren, Ryder, Jonathan, Beau, and Charly. She is also survived by her sister, Lucy Smith of Crossville, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Bilbrey Funeral Home (76 E Adams St, Crossville, TN). Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM at Bilbrey Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at Green Acres Memory Gardens, Crossville, TN.

In lieu of flowers, a tax-deductible donation may be made in Joyce’s name to:

Cumberland Fellowship Recovering Crossville

387 Old Lantana Road

Crossville, TN 38555

Her legacy of love and devotion will live on in the family she cherished.