Larry Dale Worsham

Larry Dale Worsham was born on December 23, 1948, to Tommy and Dorothy Worsham. He grew up in Stilwell, Oklahoma, on Cherokee Nation land, as the middle child of two public school teachers. In high school he was an accomplished scholar, athlete, and pianist, receiving the “Best All Around Boy” award, and serving as a delegate to Boys State and the youth United Nations. He graduated as captain of the varsity football team and salutatorian.

Larry attended Oklahoma State University, where he joined the fraternity SAE, serving as its president and making lifelong friends in the process. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Political Science.

Larry’s serious spiritual seeking began as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. In that search, Larry joined a Christian service brotherhood, taking the name “Jonas” when he was ordained as a priest. Joan Marie joined him in 1982. They married in Atlanta in 1986 before moving to Memphis, where they raised a family and pastored a church. The family later relocated to Kodiak, Alaska; Charlottesville, Virginia; and finally, Chattanooga, Tennessee – founding churches and restaurants in each.

A dedicated servant to others, he worked in 11 parishes across eight states, touching the lives of thousands. He died on March 8, 2025, at the age of 76. He is survived by his loving wife, Joan Marie, and their children, Paul, Gregory, Nina, and Benjamin. A public service will be held at Annunciation Orthodox Church in Chattanooga on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. He will be laid to rest at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee.