Ronald L. Underwood

Ronald Lynn Underwood, age 76, of Maryville, TN, departed this earth for his home in heaven on March 7, 2024, at Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans Home with his family by his side. 

Ron was born on May 26, 1947, in Maryville. He was a member of the Maryville Church of Christ and a graduate of Everett High School. He joined the US Navy upon graduation and was a Vietnam Veteran. He then married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Trotter. After his time in the Navy ended, he served as a member of the Air National Guard which led him to an active duty position stationed in Key West, FL until his retirement in 2007. A member of the Key West Church of Christ and the VFW, he never met a stranger, and always had a good story to tell. 

Ron is preceded in death by his father, Prois Underwood; his mother, Ella Frances Burger; Foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emory (Arlie) Dills; brother, Gerald Underwood; Foster sister, Juanita (Kenneth) Dockery of Henderson, KY; Foster brother, Curt (Wanda) of New Martinsville, WV; and other special family members.  

Ron will be sadly missed by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Trotter Underwood; daughters, Andrea (Josh) Mills of New Market, TN and Ashlee (Stephen) Hooks of Knoxville, TN. Grandchildren, Gabriel “Gabe” Mills, Aaron Jay “AJ” Mills, and Scarlet Mills, all of New Market; brother Alton Underwood of Nashville, TN; and sister Carol Ferguson, of Tallulah, LA; and many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Family will receive friends Monday, March 18, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm with the funeral to follow at 6:00 pm at Smith Trinity Chapel in Maryville, TN. Family and friends will assemble for graveside service and interment on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 12:30 pm at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.