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Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
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Obituaries For Thursday, April 25
Dr. Margaret B. McDonald, age 83, of Livingston passed away Monday from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mrs. McDonald expressed her wish to be cremated with no memorial services. She was born at home in the Hardys Chapel Community on November 24, 1940, to the late William Herman and Lillian Auda Murphy Bowers. Margaret was a 1958 graduate of Livingston Academy and a 1964 graduate of the University of Florida with a BS degree in pharmacy. She returned to Tennessee in 1967 with her husband David Lee Brown, a teacher and farmer. Margaret retired from Kroger Pharmacy in Crossville in 2003. She worked 38 years as a pharmacist and a farmers assistant. Margaret was proud to be the first female Pharmacists in Overton County. Margaret leaves behind her daughter, Kelly Brown of Livingston, TN; granddaughter, Hannah Houser of Johnson City, TN; stepson, James David McDonald; step grandson, James Patrick McDonald; and sister, Alane Bowers Koczwara and husband Chuck of Simpsonville, SC. Granny Margaret as she was fondly called by close family and friends also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Celebration of Life for Joyce Jean Lester, age 62 of Sparta, will be held Thursday at 12:00p at Washington Ave Baptist Church in Cookeville with pastor Mark Gaw officiating. She passed away on April 21, 2024. Joyce is a 1979 Graduate of St. Louis High School in St. Louis Michigan. She also graduated from Tennessee Temple university in 1984 (Diploma of theology in Christian education) and 1990 (Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication). She taught speech and drama at two private schools and was a coach speech competition. After moving to Sparta, she worked for White County Schools as a substitute teacher for the past 20 years. She also was an aide for Speech Therapy and in a special needs class. She is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, William, a son, Nicholas of Murfreesboro, TN, daughter, Elizabeth Marjoram (Christian) of Lynchburg, VA, and Stephanie Lester of Lynchburg, VA. She is also survived by her sister Betty Pike of Grand Rapids, MI, sister Neva Miller (Allen) of Lansing. MI, sister Maxine Dawson (David) of Woodbury, TN, brother Jim Ellsworth (Michelle) of Tecumseh MI, and sister Karen Raines (Marion) of Dundee, MI., brother – in-law Robin Lester (Ruby) of Midlothian, VA. Visitation will be on April 25, 2024, from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Cookeville Pregnancy Clinic at 714 N Dixie Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Graveside Services for Mary Lee Boles, age 80 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Pleasant Ridge Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. 7198 Pleasant Ridge Road, Sparta. Bro. Sam Davis will officiate the service. Ms. Boles passed from this life, on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from her home surrounded by her family. Mary was born Friday, June 18, 1943, in Fayetteville, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Ed Gross Light and Helen Louise (Wriston) Light. Mary was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, and most of all a loving Granny. She worked as the Cookeville High School Cafeteria Manager for 20 years. She was a devoted preacher’s wife for over 50 years. She will always be remembered for her Sunday dinners, which she cooked for her entire family for over 50 years. Mary is survived by her husband of 62 years, Tex Allen Boles, Daughter Victoria Palk, Son, Allen Boles and his wife Terri, 6 Grandchildren, Rebecca Ray, Sarah Ray, Emily Palk, Holli Boles, Staci Boles, and Jacob Palk, 2 Great-Grandchildren, Abel Gray and Kara Hutcherson, 3 Brothers, Danny, Tommy, and Rick Light, and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Pleasant Ridge Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, C/O, Terri Roberson.
Funeral services for Ms. Laura Mae Simmons, age 89 of Quebeck, will be conducted 1:00pm Thursday, April 25, 2024 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Skurlock Cemetery. She passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024 at her residence. Ms. Simmons was born February 19, 1935 in Doyle, Tennessee to the late Smith Lee and Minnie Tallent Simmons. She was a retired babysitter. She loved cooking Sunday dinners, sewing and in her later years coloring in adult coloring books. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Carroll Earles. Survivors include her niece and caregiver Cheryl Earles of Quebeck. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Thursday at Hunter Funeral Home. Eugene Lawson will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hunter Funeral Home, PO Box 90, Sparta, TN 38583, to help the Simmons family with funeral expenses.
Funeral services for Helen Faye (Amonett) Booher, age 74 of Byrdstown, will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM from Brown Funeral Chapel with Bro. Rick Cross officiating. The burial will be in Smyrna Cemetery. Ms. Booher passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born October 5, 1949 in Livingston, TN to Woodrow Amonett and Paulie (Neal) Amonett. She was a member of Byrdstown First Christian Church and a retired school teacher. Helen is survived by her husband: Ralph Eugene Booher; (2) daughters: Julie Smith, Jeannie Giese and husband: Mark; (2) grandchildren: Liam Smith and Isla Smith; (1) brother: Kelly Amonett. Also survived by other family members and friends. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Brown Funeral Chapel.
Funeral services for Velma M. Hix, age 93 of Gainesboro, will be conducted at 2 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2024 in the Chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home with Bro. John Mabry officiating. Burial will follow in Byers Cemetery. She was born November 6, 1930 in Jackson County, TN and she passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 at her residence in Gainesboro. She was the daughter of James Columbus Johnson and Pearlie Mayberry Johnson. She retired from Duron Corp. in Cookeville and was a member of the Center Grove Church of Christ. On March 25, 1946 she married J.D. Hix who passed away July 12, 1984. Survivors include her son, Jim (Roberta) Hix of Cookeville; daughter, Sheila (Jack) Hix Swearengin of Gainesboro; grandchildren, James Hix and Heather (James) Hix Caristo; great grandchildren, Sadie Hix and Charli Caristo. Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2-6 pm and Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Byers Cemetery by contacting the funeral home.
Funeral services for Donald Eugene Shaver, age 88 of Byrdstown, will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM from Brown Funeral Chapel with Bro. John Cook officiating. The burial will be in Good Hope Cemetery. He passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at Overton County Health and Rehab. He was born February 10, 1936 in Livingston, TN to Mitchell Shaver and Iva (Gore) Shaver. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Navy, and a fruit tree farmer. Donald is survived by his wife: Shelba Jean (Logan) Shaver; (3) sons: Daniel Shaver and wife: Becky, James Shaver and wife: Carmen, Donnie Shaver and wife: Victoria; (8) grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Also survived by other family members and friends. The family will receive friends Friday from 9:00 AM until the service at 12:00 PM.
Funeral services for Mr. Richard “Bud” Bussell, 80 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 at 1 PM in the Dyer Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Mr. Bussell passed away Monday evening, April 22, 2024 at NHC Healthcare. He was born on February 13, 1944 in Baxter to the late Hilmon and Notie Dilldine Bussell. Bud attended Twin Oak Elementary and Baxter Seminary/Upperman High School where he formed many lifelong friendships. After school, he courageously served his country in the U.S. Army and the National Guard, before returning to his roots to operate heavy machinery-a vocation that matched his strength and skill. Family was the cornerstone of Bud’s life. He is survived by his loving daughter, Tonya Nash and her husband Ross; his cherished grandchildren, Jori Reynolds and her husband Sean, and Ryan Nash and his wife SaraHis family will receive friends Friday from 10 AM until service time at the funeral home. Bro. Gary West will officiate.
Funeral services for Pearl Mitchell Robinson, age 88 of Rickman, will be held at Hall Funeral Home in Livingston on Friday, 2pm, April 26th 2024. She passed into Heaven after years-long struggle from Alzheimer’s disease on Sunday. Pearl was born and raised on a ranch in House, NM where she met and married Alex (Al) Robinson, Jr., an Airman from Tennessee. During Al’s Air-force duty they accumulated special life-long friendships in California, Oklahoma, New Mexico, England and Turkey. Al and Pearl retired to Tennessee where she was employed at Tutco. Pearl was a gifted pianist and participated regularly in church song services in many locations throughout her travels including Rickman First Baptist and Zion Hill. Pearl enjoyed serving the Lord in every aspect big or small. She loved reading, gardening, and swimming at the local YMCA. Pearl was a joyful woman who loved to smile and laugh. She was the loving mother of four children – Darrell, Neil, Tawnya, and Gordon, and was very proud of all of her grands and great-grands. Visitation will be from 11 am to 2 pm with a short service to follow with Bro. Bill Randolph officiating. In lieu of flowers please donate to Tennessee Alzheimer’s chapter or Zion Hill Church in Rickman.
Funeral services for Betty Lucille Trevathan-Hooten, age 84 of Hilham, will be on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11 am in the Chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Lynn Cemetery. She was born February 19, 1940 in Jackson County, TN and she passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024 at her residence in Hilham. Survivors include her sons, Wayne Trevathan, Brent Trevathan and Vincent Trevathan all of Michigan; Joe Trevathan and Arnold R. Trevathan both of Hilham; brother, Jack Hooten of Hilham; sister Melba Keller of Cookeville; grandchildren, Kelly Trevathan, Joseph Trevathan, Brandi Trevathan, Brent Trevathan, Austin Trevathan, Savannah, Trevathan, Ashley Trevathan, Autum Trevathan, Sierra Trevathan, Jess Ica, Jared Trevathan, Samantha Trevathan and John Trevathan. Visitation will be on Friday, April 26, 2024 4-8 pm at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Veterans of America by contacting the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Mrs. James H. Smith, 95, of Cookeville will be held at 12pm, Saturday, April 27, 2024 from the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home with Pastor Jason Groe officiating. Interment will follow at Sand Springs Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Smith died Wednesday morning April 24, 2024 in Signature of Putnam County in Algood. Mr. Smith is survived by his devoted wife of 71 years, Anne Cartwright Smith, a true partner on his life’s journey. Together, they raised a family that included their sons, Charles “Rick” Smith and Mike Smith (Vanessa Myers), both of Cookeville, and their daughters, Tamra Lynn Smith Crawford (and her husband Walter) of Putnam Co, Pamela Rose Smith Evans (and her husband Monte) of Laura, OH, and Cheryl Dianne Smith Gantt (and her husband Wayne) of Cookeville; daughter-in-law, Michelle Brown Smith of Cookeville. His legacy will also be cherished by his brothers, Freeman and Ray Smith; his sisters, Willine Fay Smith James and Margie Alice Smith Copeland; and a granddaughter they raised, Amy Smith Sheagren; as well as by his 16 other grandchildren and the multiple generations that followed, including a host of great-grandchildren and a few great-great-grandchildren. He was a cornerstone of his family, a role he held in high esteem. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10am until time of services.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Zenith Alyne Williams Norrod, age 87, of Monroe, will be conducted 12 noon, Saturday, April 27, 2024, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Kerry Duke will officiate. Burial to follow in the Overton County Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Zenith passed from this life on Tuesday evening, April 23, 2024, from the Vanderbilt Medical Center of Lebanon. She was born at home in Livingston, Tennessee on July 16, 1936, to the late Garland and Orpha Ledbetter Gunnels. Zenith worked many years in the garment industry in Livingston. She always put others before herself helping in any way she could. She loved her family especially her grandchildren whom she was very protective of. Zenith loved her cherry coke, and listening to the grand ole opry music, especially Loretta Lynn. Zenith leaves behind her husband Gerald Norrod of Monroe, TN; daughter, Shannon Carney and husband Kenneth of Lebanon, TN; grandchildren, Racheal Goodman and husband Bradley, Lucas Daugherty and wife Becca, Emily Ward and husband Chris, and Gibson Carney; great-grandchildren, Beau Daugherty, Coleson Daugherty, Willow Daugherty, and Dailey Goodman; sister, Sue Smith of Ross, OH. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 4 until 8 p.m., then on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of services at noon.
The celebration of life for Herman Ray Curtis, age 78 of Sparta, will be held on Saturday, April 27th 2:00 pm at Christian Life First Assembly of God. He passed from this life on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Life Care Center of Sparta in Sparta. Herman was born Monday, April 30, 1945 in Tomato, Arkansas, he was the son of the late William Curtis and the late Lula Muriel Moss Curtis. He was a devoted member of Christian Life First Assembly of God, a gun enthusiast, an avid Bowler, and a loving father and grandfather. He served proudly in the First Cavalry Division of the Army. Following he was a jack of all trades. “You name it I did it”. He is being survived by Kathie Curtis, Jason and wife Ashlee Roberts, Donald and wife Stefanie Curtis, Crisan Curtis, Vanessa May, Kevin Curtis. His grandchildren TJ Curtis, Jesse Green, Austin Roberts, Tristan Roberts, Lucas Sherrer, Braylon Roberts, Madylon Roberts, Layla Curtis, Noah Curtis, Lavarius May, Symia May, Kaine Curtis and Kaci Curtis. Great grandkids Athena Curtis, Caden Roberts, Anzley May, and Kinslee McCurry. He was predeceased by his eldest son Timothy Curtis. In lieu of flowers, the memorial donations may be made to Christian Life First Assembly of God, 117 N Spring St, Sparta TN 38583.
Funeral services for Dorothy Joann Weaver, age 83 of Baxter, will be Sunday, April 28 at 2 PM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. The Tennessee Nurses Honor Guard will provide honors. Dorothy will be laid to rest beside her dear Wilmer at New Home Baptist Church Cemetery in the Boma Community. Mrs. Weaver was born October 29, 1940 in Hartville, Ohio and passed away Monday, April 22, 2024 at her home. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Wilmer Weaver on January 23, 2023; her parents, Atlee P. and Susanna Cross Miller; sisters, Susan Weaver and Fannie Yoder; brothers, Wally, William “Bill”, Daniel and Atlee Miller, Jr. She was a LPN for over 40 years mostly in Ohio. Dorothy and her husband moved to Baxter in 2011. She attended Life Church Cookeville Campus for several years, the past few months at the Baxter Campus. She enjoyed bird watching and working in her flower garden. Although she and Wilmer and no children of their own, their love for all the nieces and nephews was very evident. The family will receive friends Saturday April 27 from 5 to 7 PM and after 12 Noon Sunday until service time at the funeral home. Bro. Chris Sparkman will share reflections and memories.
Graveside Services for Mr. James Edward Watkins, age 94, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, and formerly of Overton County, will be conducted 12 noon, Monday, April 29, 2024, from the St. Johns Cemetery. With Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. James Edward Watkins, of Dearborn Heights, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on April 19, 2024. Son of the late Truman Watkins and Mary Dillion. Father of Barbara Watkins (the late John Mikalacki). Grandpa to James (Ashley) Mikalacki and Jodi Palmer (Edward Safadi). Great Grandpa to Joshua, Emily, Sebastian, Edison, Molly, Zachary, and Jace. Brother of Carl (Barb) and the late Truman (Christine). Uncle to Debbie Watkins, Julie (Juan) Araujo, Carol Mcgrew, and Luther (Mac). James honorably served his country in the United States Army in Korea. He was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge. He was Tweedly T. Willy for many years for the Shriner’s Clown Unit. His day job was a trucker, but his passion was hustling. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
Funeral services for Dr. William Paul Bonner, age 92 of Cookeville, Civil and Environmental Engineer Professor Emeritus at Tennessee Tech University, will be held Saturday, May 4th at 1:00 p.m. at Cookeville First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery. Dr. Bonner died Saturday, April 20th. His family will receive friends Saturday May 4th from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the church.
