Glenn Elmer Saffles

Glenn Elmer “Bumstead” Saffles, age 77, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018, at a local healthcare facility.  He was a native of Bradley County, and had  spent the past 40 years in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, before returning to Cleveland four years ago.  He proudly served in the U.S. Army from November 26, 1958, until October 31, 1964, and was retired from Publix with 40 years of service.  He was of the Baptist faith.  He never met a stranger, he loved people, he never lost contact with his military family, he loved fishing, and most of all, he loved his family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Saffles and Noreen Birch Willard Saffles; special grandmother who raised him, Eva “Mamaw” Saffles; brothers, George Saffles and R.D. “Cub” Saffles; and special aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Naomi Kilgore Saffles; five children, Manette Saffles of Pigeon Forge, TN, Angela Holloway, Madisonville, TN, Greg Saffles (Venica) of Knoxville, TN, Tony Saffles of Maryville, T N, and William “Bill” Phillips (Wendy) of Graysville, TN; nine grandchildren, Brittany Keys McKelvey (Shawn), Brandon Keys (Jessica), Rhiannon Holloway, Rhett Holloway, Samantha Naile, Lindsey Phillips, Emily Gibson (A.J.), Bailey (Bailey) Kilgore, and Justin Phillips; four great-grandchildren, Kameryn, Colten, Kynnslee, and Gracelyn; one sister, Caroleen Thompson of Englewood, TN; and several nieces and nephews and other extended family also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2018, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Taz Reid and Pastor Eugene Kilgore officiating.  Interment will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors, white dove release ceremony, and playing of bagpipes to conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018, at the funeral home.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, c/o Donor Relations, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL  33607, or to any children’s charity.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Saffles family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.