Illa Marie Cress

Obituary For Illa Marie Cress

Illa Marie Cress (Rush), age 69, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in Nashville. She was born on November 4, 1956, in Austin, Texas.

Illa was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Robin Dana Deckard; her father, Willie Clay Rush; her sister, Dorothy Louise Brandt; her brother, Emry Earl Roe; and her husband, Robert Woodrow Wilson Cress III.

She is survived by her loving children, Wendy Lee Gupton and Brennon Ward; her sisters, Mary Jane Hayeland and Sadie Lee Burnel; and her cherished grandchildren, Victoria True, Ciara Grigsby, Shelby Bolden, Robert Deckard, and Shelby Dell “Delby” Bolden III. She also leaves behind her treasured great-grandchildren: Illa Robin Pedigo, Prussia True, Shelby O’Dell Bolden, Roman Grigsby, and Mason, Madeline, and Macklin Ward.

Illa spent her early years growing up in many places before ultimately settling in Ashland City, Tennessee, where much of her family resided and where she made her home. A master barber for over 40 years, Illa took great pride in her craft and the relationships she built through her work.

Above all else, Illa was a devoted and fiercely loving mother. She was a proud mother of three, raising her children on her own with determination, resilience, and strength—often working two or three jobs at a time to provide for her family. That same devotion followed her into the roles of grandmother and great-grandmother, titles she cherished deeply. Her family was her greatest joy.

Known for being uniquely herself, Illa lived life on her own terms. She loved with open arms, stood firm in her convictions, and always made sure things were done her way—yet never without love. Those who knew her will remember her kind heart, her unwavering loyalty to family, and the warmth she extended to everyone fortunate enough to be welcomed into her life.

A memorial service honoring Illa’s life will be held on January 3, 2026, at Smith’s Brothers Funeral Home in Nashville, Tennessee. Family visitation will begin at 3:00 PM, followed by the service at 4:00 PM.
Illa would want to be remembered simply and sincerely—for the family-loving, kind-hearted woman she was, and for the legacy of love she leaves behind.