Lonnie Millsaps

     Lonnie Millsaps, age 77, of Harrison, TN passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 4th, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.

     Lonnie is from the Yellow Creek township of Robbinsville, NC and is the son of the late Burlin and Mae Millsaps. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Millsaps and grandson, Peyton (Gus) Buchanan.

     He lived the life of a true outdoorsman. His favorite activities were hunting, fishing, raising Walker Coon Hounds, and primitive camping. He was known for his friendly and witty personality and never met a stranger.

     He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Ann Donelson Millsaps, his children, Seth Millsaps (Renese), Amy Millsaps Patterson (David), Maria Millsaps Buchanan, Jason Milsap (Nikisha), brother Tony Millsaps, and sisters Myrtle (Poggie) Gannon, Nina Yeargin, and Ann Higdon. Lonnie had eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

     Despite being confined to a wheelchair after a car accident in 1997 Lonnie lived a comfortable and peaceful life in good spirits at home with his adoring wife Ann and enjoyed reading the Bible, watching abundant wildlife on his property, daily calls with his many friends, telling jokes and loving visits from friends and family. The words of the inspirational American Christian author and speaker, Joni Eareckson Tada, carry weight “…if I were able, I would have my wheelchair up in heaven right next to me when God gives me my brand-new, glorified body. And I will then turn to Jesus and say, ‘Lord, do you see that wheelchair right there? Well, you were right when you said that in this world we would have trouble, because that wheelchair was a lot of trouble! But Jesus the weaker I was in that thing, the harder I leaned on you. And the harder I leaned on you, the stronger I discovered you to be. So, thank you for what you did in my life through that wheelchair. And now, I always say jokingly, ‘you can send that wheelchair to hell, if you want.”

     Lonnie read the Bible from cover-to-cover 108 times and had a strong and deep faith in the Lord. We will miss his precious prayers, daily conversations about life, God, and family, and his heavenly praise for our safe travel. We look forward to that blessed reunion with our dearly loved husband, Dad, Papaw, brother, and friend, when we see him standing and waiting for us by the river Jordan, no wheelchair needed. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28

     ‬ Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Townson-Smith Chapel. Reverend Sam Hayes and Jay Orr will officiate. Burial will follow in the Lower Yellow Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 till 2:00 pm on Thursday at the Chapel prior to the service.

      Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Millsaps family.