Margaret Dennison Fanning

Margaret Dennison Ross Fanning, 95, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Monday, September 29, 2025, at her residence in Newbern, Tennessee.

Born Monday, March 10, 1930, in Dyer County, Tennessee, she was one of the ten children born to the late Earl Dennison and the late Lola Jackson Dennison.

Mrs. Fanning worked at All Wear Manufacturing, Sylvania, Doubleday Publishing, Penguin USA, and Servomation during her career. She was a dedicated and hardworking woman who formed many lasting friendships along the way.

She was a longtime member of Fairview Baptist Church in Newbern before joining First Baptist Church in Newbern, Tennessee, where her faith continued to be an important part of her life.

Margaret had a true gift for making others feel welcome. She loved cooking and was especially known for her delicious chocolate pies. Anyone and everyone was always invited to her table, where her warmth and hospitality made every feel special. She was also an excellent seamstress, creating beautiful pieces with care and skill.

Her love for the outdoors was evident in her gardening and canning. She especially loved flowers-particularly roses-and could often be seen in the early morning hours, wearing her pajamas and robe, tending lovingly to her flowers.

Funeral services for Mrs. Fanning will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 2, 2025, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating this service will be Rev. Mike McCullough. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee. Visitation will be Thursday from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Johnson-Williams Funeral Home.
She leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Sheila Smith (Phillip) of Newbern, Tennessee, step-daughter, Carol Noack (Dewayne) of Arvada, Colorado; two step-sons, Gary Fanning (Lou) of Sterling, Nebraska and Dennis Fanning of Arvada, Colorado; one brother, K. W. Dennison (Cherry) of Newbern, Tennessee, two sisters, Norma Bell of Paducah, Kentucky and Johnnie Swims of Bartlett, Tennessee and she was "MeMaw" to her four grandchildren, Doug Smith, Robin Alford, Kim Cupples (Cory) and Clint Ross and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two husbands, Cecil Ross and Max Fanning; two sons, Darrell Wayne Ross and Steven Cecil "Steve" Ross; two brothers, W. F. "Tom" Dennison and Harold Dennison and four sisters, Virginia Godwin, Mildred Carman, Vern McClure and Estelle Garner.

Honoring Mrs. Fanning as pallbearers will be Doug Smith, Wyatt Smith, Akin Alford, Clint Ross, Jessie Castleman and Mike Dennison. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Godwin, Hank Gray, David Ross, David Allen, Danny Castleman and Richard Ross.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Margaret Dennison Ross Fanning.