Benjamin Franklin "Benny" East

Mr. Benjamin Franklin East, better known as Benny, age 87 of the Glen Alice Community of Rockwood, Tennessee passed away peacefully, at his home on Thursday, December 18, 2025. He was born November 29, 1938, in Glen Alice, (Rockwood), Tennessee.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, serving from 1955 to 1959, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 4782 in Rockwood. He attended Post Oak Baptist Church and the Glen Alice Christian Church for many years.

He was an Ironworker with Local # 384, which took him to many different states and local areas throughout his 30+ year career. He was also the owner of East Ditch-witching and enjoyed helping people throughout the community, even offering his service at no cost, at times.

Once he retired from the Ironworkers, he continued to work for Roane County Solid Waste Department, by operating the Convenient Center in Glen Alice for 35 years and continued giving back to his community serving as a Roane County Commissioner for 24 years where he served on many committees and was an avid supporter of the emergency services in Roane County including the Roane County Sheriff’s Office and all of the Volunteer Fire Departments. He enjoyed this time making lifelong friends over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Lucille “Babe” East; wife of 60 years, Ada Mae East; brothers, Robert Dean East and James East; sisters, Mary Stolz and Elizabeth Shelton, brothers-in-law, Tom Meredith, Charles Gaddis, and Don Shultz, and sisters-in-law, Bettie Moore and Dorothy Dean; and son-in-law, Brian Reid.

Survivors include:

Son: Dewayne East (Angela) of Kingston, TN

Daughter: Tammy East Caswell (Darryl) of Knoxville, TN

Sister: Jean Meredith of Harriman, TN

Brother: David East (Linda) of Rockwood, TN

Grandchildren: Nicholas East (Rachel) of Kingston, TN

Sarah Reid of Knoxville, TN

Bradley Caswell of Knoxville, TN

Great-grandchildren: Audrey East of Kingston, TN

Kingston Mayes of Knoxville, TN

And a host of nieces, nephews, and several other relatives and many friends.

The family will receive friends Monday, December 22, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Evans Mortuary. Funeral services will follow on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Evans Mortuary with Rev. Larry S. Tilley officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Glen Alice Cemetery in Rockwood, Tennessee with full military honors by the Roane County Military Memorial Honor Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps. Evans Mortuary of Rockwood, Tennessee is honored to serve the family of Mr. Benjamin Franklin “Benny” East.