Wlaf1450Bonnie “Cate” Powell Gross, age 84, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday morning, September 11 at the Shannondale Nursing Home in Knoxville. Catie was born on May 31, 1938 in Jacksboro, Tennessee to parents Maynard Morris and Bonnie Magdalene Isley Powell.
Catie was a Floral Designer for over 50 years in Monroe, Michigan and LaFollette, Tennessee. She and her mentor Allan Powell did more weddings and funeral arrangements than you could even imagine. Later in her career, Catie enjoyed being on the road looking for the next skid of pottery to purchase for her floral wholesale business. She loved to travel and explore off the beaten path with her grandchildren. She truly was one of a kind and a very successful businesswoman. She also enjoyed doing Genealogy with her sisters after moving to Tennessee from Michigan.
Catie was preceded in death by her husband Charles Clarence Gross of 61 years; her son in law, Thomas Timm; her father, Maynard Morris Powell; her mother, Bonnie Magdalene Isley Powell; her sisters, Dorothy Mae McGhee, Mary Ann Woods, Cinda Draughn and Linda Powell; her brothers William Powell, Maynard Powell Jr., and Bobby Joe Powell.
Catie is survived by her only child, Debra “Debi” Timm; her beloved grandchildren, Michael Wiseman of Knoxville, Justin and Karen Wiseman of Powell, and Brooke and Travis Bowman of Knoxville; her cherished great grandchildren, Abigail Brooke Bowman, Justin Charles Wiseman, Tobias Shawn Bowman, Annabelle Grace Bowman, Samuel Augustus Wiseman and Amelia Rae Wiseman. She is also survived by her sister, Claudette Love of Jacksboro and cousin (just like a brother) Allan Powell of Michigan. Catie also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, family members and friends who will miss her kind giving spirit and beautiful smile.
Visitation will be from 11 am to 1 pm on Saturday, September 17th at Martin Wilson Funeral Home in LaFollette with funeral services following with nephews Rick and Tim Gross officiating. Interment will follow after the services at Indian Creek Cemetery in the Pinecrest community.
Pallbearers will be, Michael Wiseman, Justin Wiseman, Travis Bowman, Justin C. Wiseman, Tobias Bowman, Greg Woods, Huedon Love, and John Gross. Flowers are by Petals of Grace in Jacksboro, Tennessee.
Bonnie’s guestbook may be viewed at www.martinwilsonfuneralhome.com
The family has entrusted the care of Bonnie Cate Gross to Martin Wilson Funeral Home “Where Families Matter Most”