Elmer Gross

Elmer Gross, 96, of Gatlinburg, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was reared in Leake County, Mississippi with 7 brothers and sisters.

Following graduation, Elmer attended Mississippi State University. A veteran of the Korean War, he later worked in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Louann Wallberg. Together they laid a strong foundation of faith for their family of four children. He also shared that faith through his service in the churches in his community to which he belonged. He most recently was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He will be remembered as a loving husband, Dad, Granddaddy, and friend. Uncle Elmer was also dearly loved by his extended family.

Elmer was always known as a gregarious person who never met a stranger. He cared about others, showing kindness and compassion, all along the way during his life. He thoroughly enjoyed picnics and taking family and friends sightseeing in the mountains. He lived an active life including climbing Mt LeConte in his 80s. He will be missed greatly by his family and his friends.

Elmer was preceded in death by his wife, Louann Gross, his parents Lloyd and Essie Waggoner Gross, brothers Herman, Sam and Herbert Gross, sisters Gladys Brister, Marguerite Flowers, Walterine Bowen and Effie Beasley, daughter-in-law, Linda Gross and grandson-in-law Aaron Lemmon.

He is survived by his children, Bill Gross (Lynn) of McKinney, Texas, Bob Gross of Dothan, Alabama, Shirley Gross of Knoxville, Tennessee, Lloyd Gross of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 6 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter.

Celebrations of Life will be held on April 16 at 3:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg, Tennessee with Bryon Fortner officiating and on April 22 at 10:00 a.m. at New Providence Baptist Church in Carthage, Mississippi with Rev. Bob Gross officiating. Interment will follow at the New Providence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Providence Baptist Church, P.O. Box 289, Carthage, MS 39051 or Bob Lewis Fund, (Cokesbury Church, 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922) or The Linda Gross Missions Fund (The Baptist Foundation of Alabama, 7650 Halcyon Summit Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117).