Donald Berne Goss

Donald Berne Goss, 89, passed away peacefully at home September 10, 2022. Don was born September 24, 1932 in the Slate Springs community of Cumberland County, Tennessee. He was the last of eight children born to James Zachariah and Maggie Frances Hamby Goss. He learned as a young boy to work hard, to be a good steward of the land, to treat animals in his care with respect, to appreciate the outdoors and most importantly to be frugal - waste nothing. At 16, Don hitchhiked to Ohio to find employment. He spent time learning the construction trade while in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and in Florida and then returned home to Crossville to continue this trade. In 1955, Don met and married his bride of 67 years – E. Janelle Hixson. He became a general contractor and built homes, businesses, churches and schools in Cumberland and surrounding counties while keeping up his “second” job of raising cattle. Don (or “Granka” as he is often called by family) is survived by wife Janelle, daughter Colleen and husband John Beam, grandson Jacob Wallace and great-grandson Xander Wallace. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and life-long friend J. D. Robbins. Don was preceded in death by his parents -Zack and Frances, his sisters - Mayme Pugmire and Lenora Elmore, his brothers - Harold, Earl, Lloyd, Glenn and Burl Goss, nephews - Max Bridges, Ronnie Goss and Kevin Hixson, and niece – Jane Ann Maddux. Don was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints. He helped to build the first LDS chapel in Cumberland County and spent much time in helping maintain the first chapel. Don also provided advice and contracting skill for the needs and expansion of the current church facilities. Friends and family will have tales to tell of Don’s motorcycles exploits as well as his love of and skill at hunting. Additionally, they will remember his work ethic and his enduring respect and love of those family members who had passed on. Funeral services will be held September 13, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Bilbrey Funeral Home, Crossville, Tennessee. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from noon until 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Slate Springs Cemetery Cumberland County, Tennessee.