EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-08609) of Greene County Bancshares,  Inc. of
our report  dated  January  28,  2000  relating  to the  consolidated  financial
statements, which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                                                 /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Knoxville, Tennessee
March 29, 2001