Frieda Barber Mercer, age 90, of Crossville, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, October 21, 2022. She was born on October 19, 1932, in Chester, South Carolina, to the late Miles Mason Barber and the late Lillian LaDell (Watterson) Barber.

Frieda graduated in 1950 from Chattanooga, Tennessee’s City High School. In 1951 she married Howard Littleton Mercer becoming a wife and mother to four children. She and Howard were founding members of Rivermont Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga.

After moving to Crossville in 1962, she became very involved in First United Methodist Church, as well as the community. She served for several years on the Nominating Committee at the church. Frieda was very dedicated to children and youth. She served for many years as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, youth leader and Children’s Coordinator. Her love for music led her into directing music for the children of the church as well as singing in the church choir. She also volunteered to teach music weekly at Crossville Elementary School in Barbara Couch’s classroom because she believed music held an educational value.

In her later years, she served on the Nurture Committee at church where she and Barbara Couch faithfully visited the local nursing homes each week, ministering not only to church members but to all of the residents.

She will always be remembered for initiating her Valentine’s Day card ministry to every child and single adult of the church and she did this for many years until the arthritis in her hands prevented her from continuing the ministry.

Frieda is survived by her son, Howard Littleton Mercer, Jr. (Sharion); daughters, Manda (Mandy) Mercer Holder (Jim) and Melissa (Missy) Mercer Cain; daughter-in-law, Jelene George Mercer, 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Littleton Mercer; son, Miles Woodard (Woody) Mercer; granddaughter, Brenda Dales Holder; brother, Miles Mason Barber, Jr. and sister, Myra LaDell (Barber) Cavan.

A Celebration of Life will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 3:00 PM with Reverend Jerry Mayo and Reverend Steven Lee officiating. Burial will follow at Crossville City Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 PM prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the Mercer family requests donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Crossville or The Endowment Fund of First United Methodist Church of Crossville: 100 Braun Street, Crossville, Tennessee 38555; Arthritis Foundation 1355 Peachtree Street NE Suite 600 Atlanta, GA 30309; Susan G. Komen (Breast Cancer Research) P. O. Box 98060 Washington, DC 20090-8060; Shriners Hospitals for Children Processing Center P. O. Box 1510 Ranson, WV 25438-4510; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements and Care provided by Bilbrey Funeral Home and Cremation Services.