Wanda Ruth Pilgrim

Wanda Ruth Newman Pilgrim – age 77, from Knoxville, TN, went to be with her heavenly Father on January 25, 2026, while at home from a long battle with cancer. She was a charter member of the Revival Vision Church of God in Maynardville, Tennessee.

She graduated from Karns High School. She was a feeder driver for United Parcel Service for 30 years, and after retirement, she continued to work driving for Peterbilt. She was a member of the Teamsters Union and a former trustee for the Arminda Community Club. She was an avid quilter, loved sewing, gardening, and tending to her flowers. She enjoyed working and mowing her yard, trying new adventures, traveling, going to the beach, going to yard sales, estate sales, and auctions, helping others, and life itself. She also loved reading books, especially the Bible.

Her family and friends were so very precious to her, but her Lord and Savior was her greatest love.

Wanda was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth J. Weaver; loving mother, Ruby J. Kirby; grandson, Jacob Newman; cousin, Faye Church; and best friend, Betty Crawford.

She is survived by her loving husband, John M. Pilgrim, of 29 years; son, Richard E. Newman, of Knoxville, Tennessee; daughter, Terri (Mike) Messamore, of Oliver Springs, Tennessee; bonus children, Sherry (Wes) Pilgrim, of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, and Clint (Lisa) Pilgrim, of Gilbert, Arizona; grandchild, Whitney (James) Fell, of Gatlinburg, Tennessee; bonus grandchildren, Mikaela (Shaun) Hamby, of Lansing, Tennessee; Mikey Messamore, of Harriman, Tennessee; Kaitlyn (Tyler) Goins, of LaFollette, Tennessee; LaShay (Houston) Hance, of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee; Shane (Hannah) Ogle, of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Waverly, Jasmine, Juniper, Stetson, Brysonn, Kolten, and Sydney; sister, Linda J. Collier, of Knoxville, Tennessee; sisters-in-law, Martha Newman, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Betty (Charlie) Lenear, of New Market, Tennessee; special nephew, Greg (Amy) Coker, of Knoxville, Tennessee; special cousins, Sammie (Wanda) Cox, of Halls, Tennessee, and Libby Church, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Bridges Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will follow at 7:00 PM, with Pastor Bryan Wheble officiating.

Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com