Anita Uland

Anita Orilla Amack Uland, 85 of Lewisburg, Tennessee a devoted wife, loving mother figure to many and faithful servant of God passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Franklin, Tennessee.

Born on May 1, 1940, in Boise, Idaho, Anita was the daughter of Cora Amack. At just six months old, she was lovingly raised by her Great Aunt Nettie (Baker) and Great Uncle Melvin Amack who had recently lost their son Merlin at the young age of 11. Anita was a blessing to them. She was raised with loving parents that told her they loved her just as much as their birth daughter Mildred. She didn’t understand how this could be, until later in life when she adopted four boys with her husband John.

Anita lived in many cities around Oregon with her loving parents Melvin and Nettie. Melvin, Nettie and Anita would move to be near their daughter Mildred and her family wherever they moved to. The two families were very close, and Anita grew up with a close bond to Victor, Vernita and Ardith, Mildred’s children. Anita wrote that her first 6 years she went to school in Stanfield, and she loved it there! She lived on a large ranch with a big house and with lots of barns and animals- horses, cows, sheep, chickens, etc… On a lot of Sundays, we would have a lot of kids and teens to the house we would pick up kids on the way to church. 7th and 8th grade she went to school in St Paul where they had moved to and then they moved to Portland, and she attended Cleveland High School.

At the age of 17 Anita married John Kasper. They lived in Oregon and welcomed their daughter, Julie, in 1958. When John was out of the Navy they moved to Illinois to be near his family, and their son Steven joined the family in 1961. A few years later they divorced, and Anita and her children returned to Oregon to be with her family.

In 1973, Anita married John W Uland. That summer they spent a lot of family time camping and boating with their speedboat on the Columbia River. Next, they bought a fishing boat and traveled all over Oregon fishing and camping. Soon they upgraded the tent for a motorhome and spent many weekends RVing with friends all over Oregon and lots of trips to the beach to go deep sea fishing. John and Anita found a new hobby after Julie and Steve grew up and had families of their own. They bought a hot air balloon and travelled all over to hot air balloon rallies in many western states. John was the pilot, and Anita was the driver of the chase vehicle.

In 1986, seeking a new chapter in life, they moved to Belfast, Tennessee. John, Anita, along with John’s brother Wayne and his wife Ellen spent that first summer living in a 100-year-old home near their property. Wayne and Ellen helped John and Anita clear the property since no one had ever lived on those 86 acres before.

Anita and her beloved husband, John, shared a life rooted in love, hard work, and service. Together, they made their home in the hills of Tennessee, where they raised cattle, built a log home by hand atop 86 wooded acres, opened their hearts and home to more than 40 foster children over the years and adopted four boys: William, John M, Michael and Donnie Uland. Anita and John were active members of their church community, attending church Wednesday,

Thursday, Sunday-or anytime the church doors were open. She embraced her role as a “soccer mom” with enthusiasm, cheering on Michael and Donnie from the sidelines. She found joy in nature, tending to her garden, and caring for the many pets that brought her happiness.

Anita is survived by her children: Julie (Greg) Howell, Steven Uland, William (Monica) Uland, Michael (Danielle) Uland, and Donald Uland; grandchildren: Stacie (Darik) Griffith, Kevin (Helena) Howell, Ashley Uland, Melissa Uland, Hunter Uland, Remington Uland, Abigail Uland and Alice Uland; great grandchildren Kaylee, Ava, Rylan, Libbie and Emmie. She is also survived by her brothers,Ted (Rhonda) Jones, Elvin Paynter and Gaylon (Verna) Paynter; sister Twyla Paynter; brother-in-law Gary Byford and brother in law Wayne (Ellen) Uland; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband John W Uland, son John M Uland, parents Melvin and Nettie Amack, birth mother Cora (Amack) Jones, birth father Alfred Paynter, brother Merlin Amack, and sisters Mildred (Amack) Kimmel, Virginia (Douglas} Johnson, Sharon (Jones) Jensen, Vera (Douglas) Ross, Coreen (Paynter) Walters, Rosina (Jones) Bliss and Patsy (Jones) Byford.

Anita was a member of Faith Assembly Church at the time of her death. There will be a private burial service for family in Lewisburg, Tennessee and a Celebration of Life at a later date in Oregon for family and friends.

Bills-McGaugh & Hamilton Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with arrangements.