Jerry Wayne Wilson



Jerry Wayne Wilson's earthly adventure came to an end Monday, April 20, 2026, while surrounded by music and love at his home in Erwin, Tennessee. He fought the good fight for his faith, his family, and his country.

Jerry, and his twin brother Terry Wilson, were born in Erwin, Tennessee to parents Floyd A. Wilson and Dorothy Buck Wilson. He was big brother to Joyce Wilson Schwenke, and they grew up in Rock Creek where he learned to play the guitar from his talented family. Music was ever present, and they never traveled to the Ephraim Place for hiking, hunting, or camping without "the Box" (their shared guitar).

He attended Unicoi County High School where he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Bannister. Their love of the outdoors, sports, and music brought them together, although the healthy competition was ever present-you can't ever win with Bannister Rules. They always told the story of the powder-puff football game where Jerry was the referee, and Ruth Ann made sure he was aware of every wrong call on the field while she teased him about the pom-pom hat he wore which was crocheted by his mother. Jerry was ever the romantic, writing poetry and giving thoughtful gifts. Ruth Ann knew he was "the One" when he gifted her a .22 rifle for her birthday. The two married on June 25, 1971, after he graduated from East Tennessee State University with a major in Physical Geography and a minor in Literature. Jerry joined the Tennessee National Guard while Ruth Ann finished her last year at East Tennessee State. He served in the Guard for seven years.

Jerry continued to serve his country as a public servant for his entire 30-year career with the United States Forest Service. He began while in college as a lifeguard at Rock Creek Park Pool. He, along with Ruth Ann who was always at his side, would frequently pull people from the frigid mountain, spring-fed water. Jerry gave his all and sought to advance his career for the good of his family and community. As a licensed land surveyor, he surveyed National Forest property from ridge to hollow and beyond. He protected the forests from wildfires and traveled frequently out west to lead firefighting efforts, including coordinating aerial retardant dropping. Jerry continued to protect and serve as a Special Agent with the Forest Service. He was commissioned with the Drug Enforcement Administration and was a member of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program. His fellow agents appreciated his quick, irreverent wit and fierce, protective camaraderie. Importantly, he was known for his respectful, professional demeanor when interacting with criminal defendants. He retired on April 1, 2000, and enjoyed the fruits of his labors by "doing retirement right."

During retirement, Jerry and Ruth Ann spread their love, friendship, and music across the country as they traveled in their camper. They spent winters in Florida, falls in South Carolina, springs fishing at Boone Lake, and every precious moment in between exploring different places, making new friends, telling elaborate stories, and bringing smiles to those around them. People left Jerry and Ruth Ann's presence with their spirits feeling lighter and their jaws sore from laughter. Many lucky friends have observed God's light and love shared and sung about at their fish fries, where "picking and grinning" was always on the agenda. The foundation of their humble witness was obtained at many churches in Unicoi but culminated at Erwin Pentecostal Holiness Church where they were members even from afar.

The most important legacy Jerry left was the love and devotion to his family. He was the overwhelming calm and resolute security for Ruth Ann, DeAnna Barnett, and LeAnna Wilson (Stiles). At the mention of any of their names, his eyes beamed with pride and in later years brimmed with tears. Within seconds of meeting Jerry, you heard about how proud he was of his oldest daughter, the loving nurse, "Dr. Doodle," who has always taken care of the entire family even when she was almost too young and too small to hold her younger sister. She never dropped her once! She held and cared for Jerry throughout his battle with Parkinson's Disease. Jerry would brag about DeAnna's steadfast husband, Chad Barnett, their two boys Ben and Drew Barnett, and bonus granddaughter, Sarah Handel. He knew every race they won, baseball game they played, test they aced, scholarship received, art project completed, trip planned, and roller coaster ridden. The boys only got taller than their PopPop when the disease stooped his shoulders but never conquered his spirit. Jerry's face also twinkled with accomplishment when he talked about LeAnna's journey through law school and eventual appointment as the Clerk of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, following in his public-servant footsteps. He knew his music would live on every time her husband, Jake Stiles, plays his beloved Martin guitar and, yes, the Box as well. He shared pictures and stories of his girls, Ella and Kitt Stiles. He would boast about their soccer national championship, horse show finals, singing at the Vatican, leading role in the school musical, paintings painted, and beauty inside and out.

His extended family also benefitted from his faithfulness. His sister Joyce is married to Gary Schwenke, and their children are Gary, Jr. (Drew, Dakota, Blake, and Skyler), Corey (Nikki, Avett, and Miles), and Ali Wainwright (Justin, Layla, Marshall, Emma, and Nathaniel). His brother Terry Wilson is married to Lynn. Jerry's brother- and sister-in-law are John and Carlene Bannister, and their children are Wendy Butler (Jason, Peyton, and Parker) and Richie Bannister (Amanda, Reid, Owen, and Graham). J. Moore Bannister and Robert Finch are also Jerry's brother- and sister-in-law.

Come celebrate the good fight Jerry fought at a Celebration of Life Ceremony at Erwin Pentecostal Holiness Church on Monday, April 27, 2026. Receiving friends will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The service will follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Jerry requested donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.