Jerry Marvin Spain, 1943 - 2026

Jerry Marvin Spain was born February 5, 1943, to Ernest Manley and Mary Frances Stewart Spain. He grew up in the Green Hills Community area in Weakley County, being the sixth of seven children. He attended school grades 1-8 at Green Hills School. He then attended and graduated from Gleason High School in 1961. He was awarded Mr. Football, Mr. GHS, and Mr. Senior, among other honors. Following high school, he worked various jobs in the Gleason area. Jerry met his wife Linda Mae Gallimore in the Gleason HIS factory parking lot in 1965 and they were married a few months later. In 1966, they became parents to their daughter Tracy.

He was best known for his role as the Business Manager / Fun Director at the Dresden American Legion Post 94. During his 38 years there, he raised money for 25+ years for the Children’s Christmas Fund, being a coordinated effort with Mrs. Lottie Cooper at the Northwest TN Economic Development Council. This program provided Christmas gifts for at least 50 children each year. He was also active in assisting with Boys State activities for Post 94. He helped host multiple steak dinners, varmit suppers, and monthly Post 94 membership meetings. He and his wife Linda regularly attended the Annual American Legion Tennessee State Conventions in Nashville and even made a few of the National Conventions, including Las Vegas, Honolulu, and New Orleans. His wife Linda passed away in 2001. He continued working and met his last love Cindy in 2009.

He retired from the American Legion in 2014. They traveled to Arkansas regularly to visit Cindy’s family and managed to squeeze in a few Nascar Races in Fort Worth, Texas, Talladega, Alabama, and Daytona, Florida, with Tracy and Wayne and friends.

Jerry never met a stranger, was known everywhere he went, and was loved by all. He had a heart of gold and would happily help anyone in need.

His health slowed him down in his last few years, but he never lost his smile. He died on a Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at home peacefully in his sleep.

A very special thank you to Candace Markowski, his caregiver, and a real blessing to Jerry’s family. She took excellent care of him in the last year and a half. There was no doubt she loved him, as he did her.

He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Mae Gallimore Spain, his parents Ernest and Mary Frances Spain, and brothers Bobby Spain and Joe Manley Spain.

He is survived by his very special significant other Cindy Baty, daughter Tracy (Wayne) Robbins of Gleason, 4 grandchildren Zack (Hailey) Terry of Huntingdon, Josh (Tory) Terry of Nashville, Cori (Jim Reid) Robbins of Pickerington, Ohio, and Kaci Robbins of Sunnyvale, Texas, great-grandchildren, Teddy Terry, Tommy Terry, and one on the way. He is also survived by his sister Mary Ruth Suddath of Gleason, brother Gene (Linda) Spain of

Gleason, and brothers David Spain and Freddie Spain of McKenzie, a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, and so many wonderful friends.

Jerry’s Pall Bearers are Randal Walker, Frank Trevathan, Tony Grissom, Marty Poole, Chris Poole, Rusty Morris, and Trent Adams. Honorary Pall Bearers are Randy Poole and Jim Crews.

Jerry’s visitation will be Williams Funeral Home in Gleason on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., resuming on Friday, March 26, at 11 a.m. Service will begin at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery in Dresden.