John Donald England, of Wartburg, TN

John Donald England (38) of Wartburg, was born October 31st, 1984. He graduated from Wartburg Central High School in 2003. John was always making a joke, and any room he entered, he would brighten. As a child, he spent most of his time outside, which soon became the norm for his adult life. He loved hunting, fishing and looking for ginseng. He was good with his hands for woodworking and drawing amazing pictures and sketches.

Once he became a father his favorite thing was teaching his children how to do the same and sharing stories of life, God and skills as his dad, grandfather and uncles did when he was younger. John loved his family, and he would give anything if it meant that he could help the next person. 

He was a wise intellectual, as he spent the majority of his time teaching himself new things and spreading that knowledge with the ones around him. John was a joy, beam of light, and a man of God saved by God’s grace when he was a teenager. He gave love to everyone, and his love will grow as his family continues his legacy of love, life, and laughter.

John was preceded in death by his father, George Michael England; grandparents, Judith Terry Smith and Osmond Smith, and Allean Reed England. Great-grandparents, Segal and Nova Terry, Barney and Emma Smith, John Zeldrie Reed, Sylvana Trammel Reed and cousin, Osmond Daw Smith.

John is survived by his wife, Shiann; daughter, Madelynn England; and step-son, Eden Marshall; his two older children: Liam and Kynlee England (Mother Elizabeth Landrum); mother and step-father Derita(Smith-England) and Johnnie Long; his two older sisters: Jinger Styles and Michaela Jackson (husband Melvin C. Jackson III); stepbrother Johnnie H. Long; and stepsister Shannon Phillips. 

He had two nieces, Brooke Conner (husband PC)and Jadyn Jackson, step-nieces Courtney and Emma. 3 nephews: Michael and Matthew Dwight and Daylen Jackson; step-nephews: Matthew, Justin, Josh, Danny-Ray and Nicky; Aunts and Uncles: Delores Smith Phillips (Glinn), Doyle Smith (Nancy), Donald Smith (Linda), Felicia Smith Miller (Greg), Cathi England Gaylor (Jimmy), Zelda England Byrd, & Myra England Honeycutt. 

John had many cousins he loved: Danette Aubrey Phillips, Jessica Bell (Brandon),Olivia Phillips, Dara Wisner, Dustin Smith (Amanda), Drew Smith (Jessica), Eric Smith (Jenna), Corey Smith (Nikki), Tyler Smith, Heather Bynaker (Charles), Johnny Mac Gaylor (Morgan), Aaron Gaylor (Jazmine), Darren & Derek Byrd, and Eddie Honeycutt. 

John was a longtime employee at Brushy Mountain Prison, Morgan County Correctional Complex and then worked as a dedicated roofer with special friend Mike Jones. John loved his close friends Michael Ellis, David England, Caleb Hamby and Steven Petree.

 Honorary Pall Bearers:  son Liam England and cousin Aubrey Phillips. 

Pall Bearers: Dustin Smith, Drew Smith, Eric Smith, Corey Smith, Melvin C.Jackson III, and Brandon Bell.

John will be remembered for his kind loving spirit and his infectious smile and laughter. We thank God for the time that we got to spend with him and hold the memories of him forever in our hearts. Every “Elephant Rhino” every “Statue” every falling/shooting star” every “bob you got some water” every “you guys be careful out here”. every “Arita ding-land” every “gonna talk to John Beeler” “gotta go see a man about a horse” every “at a boy” will be greatly remembered of and by you.

Thank you to preacher Jason Lowe of Union Baptist Church and Michael Turnington, Youth Pastor of Union Baptist Church, for officiating John’s service.

The family will receive friends Monday, June 26, 2023 at Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at 4:00 p.m. with Bro. Jason Lowe and Youth Pastor Mike Turnington officiating.  Interment will follow in the Carson Cemetery in Oneida.