Katie Gerceil McCool

Katie Gerceil McCool, 80, of Powell , Tennessee, passed away on September 15, 2026, in her home with her loved ones present.

Katie Gerceil was born January 17, 1946, in Canton, Mississippi, the daughter of William Curtis Young, Sr. and Linnie Frances Massengill Young.

Katie Gerceil married Gary McCool, Sr. on May 15, 1986, in Houston, Texas. Katie Gerceil and Gary met on a Saturday night and were married on the following Thursday. It was love at first sight. They were married for 40 years.

Katie Gerceil worked at Apostolic Kiddie Academy for many years and was affectionately called “Mammaw Katie” by all her students.

Katie Gerceil loved bird watching, being with her grandchildren and especially loved taking care of all of her great grand children. She always sent them with a “bag of goodies” for the ride home.

Katie Gerceil was a faithful member of First Apostolic Church, Knoxville.

Remaining to cherish Katie Gerceil’s memory are her spouse, Gary McCool, Sr., her children Frances and Michael Warchol, Rebekah Briggs, William and Buffey Briggs, Curtis and Bre Briggs; her grandchildren, Hayden and Miesha Briggs, Kami and Joseph Perez, Sydny and Drew Flanary, Paige Briggs, Mary and Jeremy Perez, Haley and Kevin Caudill; great-grandchildren, Avie-Lee, Theodora-Jane, Emery-Drew, Harlin-Bohannon, Santiago Elias, Emelia Genevieve, Ruby Wren, Sutton Reiley, Copper and Neiland. Also surviving are her brothers, William Curtis Young, Jr., Simeon Lemuel Young, Sr., Francis “Frank” Lynell, Young, Nathanael Lee Young, Sr. ; sisters Martha Grace Young Harper and a host of loving nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Preceding Katie Gerceil in death are her daughter, Michelle Renee McCool, her parents, William Curtis Young Sr., and Linnie Frances Massengill Young, and sister, Dorthy Louise Young Brooks.

Visitation will be held Monday, September 21, 2026, from 5-7 pm at First Apostolic Church, Knoxville. Funeral/Memorial services will follow at 7 pm at First Apostolic Church, Knoxville. Family and close friends will meet 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 22nd for Katie's interment at Bell's Campground cemetery in Powell, TN.

Memorial flowers or donations in Katie’s memory may be directed to First Apostolic Knoxville, 5020 Pleasant Ridge RD, Knoxville, TN, 37912.