George Dewain Creekmore

George “Dewain” Creekmore, 67, of Charleston, TN, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 13, 2019, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dewain was born March 7, 1952, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to A.Z. Creekmore and Ruth Wright Mital. He graduated from Charleston High School in 1971 and studied at Cleveland State. Later he earned a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Trinity International University. Dewain was employed as an electrician for several years at Olin Chemical and also at Bowater where he retired in 2013 serving as Instrumentation Supervisor. He enjoyed his work but he valued the friendships more. He was a devoted deacon and beloved member of New Friendship Baptist Church where he was known by the children as “The Candy Man.” He served many years as the Royal Ambassadors’ Leader mentoring young men. He also served as Sunday School Director for several years and loved leading others to Jesus.

He placed second nationally in a high school woodworking competition with his grandmother clock. He was a skilled electrician, carpenter, and jack-of-all-trades. The joys in his life were his family, especially his grandchildren, where he devoted most of his time. He was a huge baseball fan, and loved visiting stadiums with his family. He also loved the beach, trains, fishing, and camping. His huge smile, sound judgment, and always joyous demeanor will be missed deeply.

He was preceded in death by his father, A.Z. Creekmore; his step-father, Richard Mital; and his brother, Robert “Bob” Creekmore.

Dewain is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 47 years, Bonnie O’Daniel Creekmore; two sons, Jamie Creekmore and his wife, Tiffany, of Cleveland, TN, Micah Creekmore and his wife, Shannon, of Murfreesboro, TN; grandchildren, Sydney, Jackson, Brooklyn, Addison, and Kinsley Creekmore; mother, Ruth Mital; brothers, David Creekmore of Dalton, GA, and Jeff Mital of Burlington, NC; sisters, Pam Abney of Franklin, TN, and Andrea Jones of Rome, GA and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2019, at New Friendship Baptist Church, 1344 Chatata Valley Rd NE, Cleveland, TN. Reverend Micah Creekmore will be officiating. Interment will follow at New Friendship Cemetery. Trae Bates, Ryan Cline, Jason Cox, D.J. Martin, Doug O’Daniel, and Ben Sanders will serve as pallbearers. Jackson Creekmore and the deacons of New Friendship Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

His family will receive friends Sunday, March 17, 2019, from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Monday, March 18, 2019, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at the church prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to New Friendship Baptist Church Cleveland, TN or Living Water Church Murfreesboro, TN.

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.