No services are scheduled at this time for Frances Gayle Stults Jones, age 74, of Crossville, who passed away December 7, 2020.

Frances Gayle Stults Jones was born August 26, 1946 in Grimsley, Tennessee. Because of an aggressive cancer, she passed the earth December 7, 2020.  She joins the wonderful family preceeding her: her son, Gregory Martin (Jones) Holsapple, her parents, Paul Stults and Daisy Demonbreun Stults, Grandparents, Jim Stults and Stella Hargis Stults, Joe Demonbruen and Josephine Copeland Demonbreun, her brother Billy Ray Stults and Linda Fenner Stults, her sister, Peggy Jo Stults Brady, her nephews, Wesley Dale Whited, Robert Wayne Whited, her niece Paula Diane Stults Colley, and many close aunts, uncles and cousins who shared her life. She was blessed, missed and survived by one sister, Glenda Stults Craft, her three daughters, Frances Renee Jones Holmes, and Michael Holmes, Theresa Michelle Jones Medley, Peggy Ann Jones Smith and Ricky Smith, her granddaughters Keisha Marie Smith Riddle and Jonathan Riddle, Kimberly Smith,  Brianna Medley, Talon Pfaff,  Dakota Holmes, Haley Holmes Morgan and Michael Morgan, and great-grandchildren, Jackson, Emma, Silas, Wilder, and Lissie Riddle, Joseph Morgan, and Aleya Marie Stepp.

Gayle spent her childhood in Nashville, Grimsley and  Rinnie, Tennessee among a large family of cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. She graduated from Cumberland County High School in 1965. Following her graduation she married Arthur “Skip” Jones. For a few years they traveled the US with their business and had many adventures. With the birth of their first child, Gayle returned home to the mountains she loved, and in these mountains she lived the rest of her life.

Gayle settled in the Crossville area where, for many years she was a single mom who raised four children. Being the descendent of strong, mountain women, she endured and survived many hardships. In the Spring of 2019, the needless and tragic loss of her son broke her health, her heart, and her will, but it did not break her spirit. She remained most beautiful inside and out.

Gayle loved nature, and second only to her children and grandchildren, she loved animals. Any stray animal who crossed her path was rescued and nurtured. Her home sheltered racoons, ducks, rabbits ,birds, always dogs and cats, turtles and oftentimes human creatures needing care. She was straightforward, outspoken, temperous and always humourous. Many stories and her recipes will be passed down generations by her grandchildren.

Per Gay’s request her remains are being cremated, and a life celebration with her family may take place in better times. In lieu of flowers Gayle asked that adoptions of homeless animals be considered by all who loved her.

Godspeed, Dear Gayle.  You have earned your rest.