Monica Alisha Cansler Stanley, known to everyone who loved her as Alisha, 45, of Harrison, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Alisha was born on Nov. 29, 1980, in Chattanooga, to the late Cheri Monteree Cansler and the late Henry David Cansler.

Alisha was wonderfully and unapologetically herself—independent, hardworking, strong-willed, and free-spirited. With a hippie heart, a gypsy soul, and a mischievous sense of humor, she lived life on her own terms and loved her family deeply.

She found joy in the simple things: taking drives with no destination, chasing sunsets, photography, the beach, butterflies, country music, the color purple, and getting lost in a good book. She loved decorating for the holidays, playing Mario, and spending time outdoors in her own little bubble. She also took great pride in her work and the friendships she made at The Read House.

Alisha leaves behind her fiancé, Thomas Adrian Gamble; her brother, David Marcus (Jennifer) Cansler; and her sisters, Mistie (Eric) Foss, Denise (Mitchell) Sullivan, and Teresa (Dewayne) Miller.

She will be lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephews, Katlyn Cansler, Dylan Cansler, Cameron Dann, Scott Foss, Ricky Minor, Apryl Reno, Tori Minor, Tiffany Brown, and Samantha Flora, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cheri Monteree Cansler and Henry David Cansler; her brother, Martin Cansler; and her grandparents, Henry “Butterfly” Cansler and Bonnie Cansler, and Oscar “Tip” Odum and Ruby Odum.

Alisha leaves behind countless memories and a little piece of herself in everyone who loved her. She will be missed more than words can say and remembered for the wild, beautiful soul she was.

We love you, Alisha. Until we meet again.

A Poem for Alisha

She never quite fit the mold,
And honestly, she never tried.
With a hippie heart and gypsy soul,
She let her wild side be her guide.

She probably rolled her eyes at heaven
And said, “Well, this should be a trip.”
Then found herself a cloud to sit on,
Put her bare feet on the edge, and dipped.

I bet she’s up there causing trouble,
Making angels question their life choices,
Dancing barefoot through the stars
And telling everybody to use their voices.

She’s probably found a garden somewhere,
Growing flowers that shouldn’t grow,
Talking to the moon at midnight,
Because of course she’d already know.

I can picture her in tie-dye,
With a wildflower in her hair,
Telling God exactly what she thinks
While rearranging Heaven’s chairs.

And if Heaven has a porch swing,
You know she claimed it on day one—
With a cup of something questionable,
Laughing like she always had fun.

So I won’t say goodbye, Alisha,
Because that just doesn’t feel like you.
I’ll say, “Save me a spot up there,”
And I promise I’ll find you when I do.

Until then, keep raising a little ruckus,
Keep dancing underneath the sun.
Keep being the wild, beautiful soul
Who made this crazy life more fun.

— Katlyn Cansler

Arrangements are by Covenant Funeral & Crematory; Crox family owned and operated, www.CovenantFuneral.com.