Zetta Moore

Zetta Franks Ownby Moore, 87, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, left this earthly realm on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born on November 4, 1932 in Sweetwater, Tennessee.  She was first child born to Reverend Thomas Franks and Eva Pardue Franks.

Zetta was a member of the Mercy (Honestville) Baptist Church of Ooltewah.  She was a 1951 graduate of Sweetwater High School.  She retired from Bradley Memorial Hospital with 24 years of service.  She loved to sing gospel songs and play piano and organ.  She loved to garden and was famous for her delicious canned green beans. In her golden years, she spent her time caring for others. She liked to crochet, work puzzles and play checkers.  She crocheted numerous baby outfits for those she loved. 

Zetta was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.  She was humble, kind, trustworthy and devoted.  Zetta dearly loved the Lord, her family and friends.

Zetta leaves behind to treasure her memory her children: Tom (Pam), Tim (Janet) and Tony (Joan) Ownby.  Siblings: Velma Smith and Dennis (Dot) Franks. Grandchildren: Hannah (Blake) Young, Sara Ownby, Dawn (Dan) Wilson and David Cartwright. Great-grandchildren; Elizabeth Young,  Zaiden Ownby, Belle and Clayton Wilson, and Julian Cartwright. Step-children Faye (Ted) Smith, Ray (Betty) Moore. Aunts; Betty Brown, Bobbie Harris, Nancy McGehee, and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Elaine Clonts, Karen Goins and Brooke Herron for their kind, loving care for their mother.

Zetta is preceded in death by the love of her life Lee Ownby; Her parents; Sister Inez Franks; and second husband E. L. Moore.

A celebration of her life will be on Saturday March 7, 2020 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Greg Banther and Sam Hooker officiating. Interment will follow at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with a White Dove Release Ceremony and playing of Bagpipes to conclude the service.

The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Friday March 6, 2020 from 4:00 until 7:00 PM.

Pallbearers:  Bebo Smith, Bobby Smith, Dennis Franks, Jr., Don Littrell, David Cartwright and Dan Wilson. (stand-in Blake Young)

Honorary pallbearers:  Deacons of Mercy (Honestville) Baptist Church

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to St Jude Children’s Hospital, or your favorite charity in Zetta’s memory.

We invite you to visit the family guestbook and send a message of comfort at www.ralphbuckner.com

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory will be in charge of arrangements