Laura Belle Johnson Levers

Laura Belle Johnson Levers, 85, of Knoxville, passed away Thursday, Apr. 29, 2021, at Renaissance Assisted Living in Knoxville. She was born Oct. 1, 1935, in Boyd's Creek, TN, to Beecher and Dorotha (Grizzell) Johnson. She was the first daughter and middle child of thirteen children born to her mother. Laura worked at many jobs from her early teens until her retirement as a lunch lady in Polk and Hernando Counties in FL. She also owned and operated a lawn maintenance and landscaping business for several years in Kingston, TN. But to her, her most important work was helping her family members and friends. She was always visiting or hosting family, always encouraging or giving a hand up. She didn't recognize "steps" or "exes" ... if you became family, she claimed you for life. Some of her favorite memories were when her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren came for long visits to her little farm in Kingston, TN, or her home in Spring Hill, FL. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Grey (and her fiance, Scott Campbell) of Knoxville, TN; daughter-in-law, Sandra Grey of Spring City, TN; stepsons, Richard Basel of FL and Tom Levers of NJ; grandson, Johnathan (Megan) Grey of Crossville, TN; granddaughters, Sera (Scott) Saulnier of Knoxville, TN, and Bobbie Jo (Brandon) Meredith of Murfreesboro, TN; step-grandchildren, Stephanie Adams of Sparta, TN, Matthew (Bridgett) Nalepa of Knoxville, TN, Bryan Nalepa, Vanessa (Matt) Blankenship, Leanne Ray, all of Crossville, TN; great-grandsons, Evan and Zachary Saulnier and Jason Meredith; great granddaughters, Morgan and Eleanor Grey and Paige Meredith,; sister, Ruby (Clarence) Madison, of Ohio; sister-in-law Dorothy Johnson of Seymour, TN; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald W. Levers, and her son, Zane R. Grey. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the thoughtful, loving care Laura received, both from the staff of Renaissance Assisted Living and from the Amedisys Hospice team. Graveside funeral services will be held at the Crossville City Cemetery at 11 A.M. on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Pastor Christopher Justin Randolph, from Zion Hill Baptist Church in Seymour, will preside. All are welcome to attend and there will be seating for elders. In honor of Laura's love of gardening, please wear bright, cheerful summer colors. Online condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com.