Walter Lee Crox, 82, of Cleveland, TN, passed away, Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Helen Roberts Crox, parents, Ben M. Crox, Jr. and Virginia Fike Crox.

Surviving him are his daughter and son-in-law, Bambi Crox (Steve) Johns; son and daughter-in-law, Walter L. (Cathy) Crox, Jr.; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Crox (Barry) Evans; son, Ben M. "Mac" Crox, III & (Earline Fairris); daughter, Monica Crox & (Stacy Smith); grandchildren and spouses are Hunter and Kelsey Johns, Trevor and Hillary Johns, Tyler Lee, Ben M. Crox IV, Macy Crox & (Wyatt Stinnett) and Brenley Evans and a great-grandson, Bode Johns; great-granddaughter, Westlyn Stinnett.

Walter was a fourth-generation funeral professional. He was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He taught funeral service for many years, having served as Program Chairman at Milwaukee Area Technical College, Associate Dean at Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, and Department Chairman at Fayetteville Technical Community College. He was a fifty-plus-year member and past master of Charleston Lodge No. 484, F. & A. M. He was a fifty-plus-year member of the York Rite, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a fifty-plus-year member of Alhambra Shrine Temple. He was a fifty-plus-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of Harmony Chapter 143, Knights of York Rite Cross of Honor, Royal Order of Scotland, and Royal Order of Jesters. He was Past Noble Grand of Ocoee Lodge No. 97, I.O.O.F., and a Life Member of Chattanooga Lodge No. 91, B. P. O. Elks. He was a member of the Board of the Funeral Ethics Organization and Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Walter was a licensed embalmer and funeral director in Tennessee and Georgia and a funeral service licensee in North Carolina.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 20, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Father Joel Huffstetler will conduct the funeral service at 3 p.m. in the church on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Interment will follow at Fort Hill Cemetery.