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Obituaries For Wednesday, April 18
Beverly Ann Myers, 64 of Cookeville, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at her home. Beverly has chosen cremation and the family followed her wishes and a Celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Memorial services for Verble S. “Junior” Vickers, age 86 of Cookeville, will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2018 beginning at 5:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Nolan Cantrell officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, April 18 from 3:00 pm until time of service at 5:00 pm. He passed from this life Friday, April 13, 2018, at his home in Cookeville. He was born Friday, June 12, 1931 in Cookeville, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Verble and Lucille (Franklin) Vickers. He was a loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and Stepdad. He was a member of Rocky Point Baptist Church, and enjoyed fishing, gardening and was immaculate with his lawn care. His life in Dayton took him thru Greenview Calvary Tabernacle, where he helped in building and maintenance of the church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Regions Bank, in care of James Bohannon Cemetery Fund.
Funeral services for Mr. J B “Buck” Dockery, age 72 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Thursday April 19, 2018 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Jericho Cemetery. Mr. J B “Buck” Dockery, age 72 of Sparta, retired backhoe operator and member of the Hunter Funeral Home family as a longtime grave digger, passed away Tuesday morning April 17, 2018 at NHC of Sparta. Buck was born March 2, 1946 in Sparta to the late Benton Lester & Cora Lee Fletcher Dockery. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his son Kenneth William Dockery. Survivors include his wife of 53 years Lucy Ann Dockery; Sister: Edna Dabbs & Gary Hyden; Brother: Herbert Lynn & Sue Dockery; Granddaughter: Destiny Faith Pope; Special friend: Janie & James Brock. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Cliton B. Fletcher (Cliff), 84 of Cookeville, will be held on Thursday, April 19 at 1:00 pm at Hall Funeral Home of Livingston. Burial will be at Netherland Cemetery. Mr. Fletcher passed away on Monday, April 16, 2018 at his home in Cookeville. Mr. Fletcher was born on March 5, 1934 in Willow Grove to the late Frank Fletcher and Pearl Reeder Fletcher. After several years working “up North” in the automotive industry, Cliff returned to Cookeville where he met and married his late wife, Mary Fletcher. Together, they built a life centered around their church and their children whom they loved and with whom they took great pride. He worked for Builder’s Supply Company, in various capacities, for more than 40 years. Since Cliff was always passionate about animals of all types, it was no surprise that, upon retirement, he adopted a miniature poodle, affectionately called “Doodie”, who was his best buddy, soul-mate, and forever friend. Cliff was a member of Whitson’s Chapel Church of Christ and is survived by his son, Kevin Fletcher of Washington DC; grandson, Jordon Fletcher of Cookeville, three step-children: Cathy Dillon, Billy Dillon, Mary Jane Dillon all from Cookeville; and 3 siblings: Mary Lou Eldridge, Ardith Billingsley, and Leon Fletcher, also from Cookeville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (Cobble) Fletcher, one step daughter, Gail Thompson, and two brothers, Delton and Lawton Fletcher. The family will welcome visitors on Wednesday, April 18 at 4:00 for family and 5pm – 9:00pm for friends.
Funeral services for Raymond D. Birdwell, age 80, of Cookeville will be held Thursday, April 19th, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Presley Funeral Home with Dwight Henry officiating. Interment will follow in Birdwell Cemetery in Jackson County. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Thursday, April 19, 2018, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home. Raymond D. Birdwell passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018 at his home in Cookeville, Tennessee surrounded by his loving family, following extended illness. Raymond D. Birdwell was born Friday, November 26, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Donald B. Birdwell and Era Estelle Maxwell Birdwell. Mr. Birdwell proudly served in the United States Air Force. For several years, he was a drywall finisher and painter. He also co-owned a car dealership in Lincoln, Nebraska. He loved fixing old cars, (mostly Fords), spending time outdoors (mowing his yard was his passion),loved animals (Lucky Dog and Tinker Bell), NASCAR, college, (Nebraska “Big Red”) football, car auctions, and especially loved spending time with family and friends.
Funeral services for Helen Edith Boyd Huddleston, 69, Hilham, will be Friday, April 20 at 1 PM from the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Cemetery. Mrs. Huddleston died Sunday Night, April 15, 2018 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 12, 1948 in Putnam County to the late Willard Hickman and Dimple Jane Wheeler Boyd. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by brothers Billy Ray Boyd and Ronald Boyd, a sister-in-law Sue Boyd. She was a retired Teachers Assistant with the Hazel Park, Michigan School System with 11 years of service. She was a member of the New Hope Community Church. She enjoyed sewing, making jewelry and flower arrangements and crafts. Survivors include husband of 52 years (Married December 11, 1965 in Warren, MI) David Huddleston of Hilham, daughters and a son-in-law Melissa Huddleston of Gainesboro, Tracey and Terry Lockaby of Baxter, son and daughter-in-law David II and Marla Huddleston of Dodson Branch Community, sister and brother-in-law Dolores and Richard Chaffin of Murfreesboro, brothers and sisters-in-law Terry and Brenda Boyd of Sterling Heights, MI., Jerry and Debbie Boyd of Shelby Township, MI, Harold Boyd of Warren MI., sisters-in-law Linda Boyd of Grayling, MI and Kelly Boyd of Warren, Mi., grandchildren: Max Lockaby, Collin Huddleston, Seth Medley and Valerie Snow. Helen’s family will receive friends Thursday from 4 to 8 PM and after 10 Friday at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Jesse Tyler James Wheeler, 18, of Whitleyville, will be held at 2 P.M. on Friday, April 20, 2018, at Anderson – Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. Burial will follow in the Rob Draper Memorial Cemetery in the Stone community of Jackson County. He passed away on Monday, April 16, 2018, at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. He was born November 10, 1999, in Cookeville, to Jason Wheeler and Pamela Kernell. He was a student, and loved playing video games. He loved riding motorcycles, working with grandpa, old country music, picking on his little brother, and eating Mexican food. He was preceded in death by his Paternal Grandfather: James Wheeler; and Step Grandfather: Edward Sieber. Survivors include his Father: Jason Wheeler; Mother: Pamela (Adam Wrede) Kernell; Paternal Grandmother: Nell Sieber; Maternal Grandparents: Brenda Kernell and Jack Gentry, Tommy and Stacy Kernell; and 1 Brother: Luca Wheeler. Several uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives, and friends also survive. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 10 A.M. – 8 P.M., and Friday from 10 A.M. until time of services.
Funeral services for Wayne Charles Bunting, age 71, of Cookeville will be held Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church with Pastor Scott McKinney officiating. Mr. Bunting passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018 at his home. The family will receive friends on Saturday 9:30 AM until service time at First Baptist Church.
Funeral Service for Mrs. Diann Fay Cravens Meeker, age 74 of Sparta, will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 21, 2018 in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in the Nash Cemetery. Diann passed away Tuesday Morning, April 17, 2018 at the Life Care Center of Sparta. She was born May 24, 1943 in Sparta to the late Roy Lee and Florence Selby Cravens. She was also preceded in death by a brother: Dave Cravens. Diann was retired from Wal-mart as the Bakery Manager. She was also a member of Sparta First Bapitst Church. She is survived by her husband: Gary Meeker of Sparta; Son: Timothy R. (Bonnie) Boyd of Sparta; Daughter: Debra LeAnn Boyd of Lebanon; Step-sons: Bryce (Susan) Meeker of Morris, Illinois and Brent (Patricia) Meeker of Keller, Texas; Grandchildren: Jessica, Nicole, Bryan, Drew, Lisa, Danielle, Sarah, Rachel, Stephanie, Becky, and Kaitlin along with 14 Great-Grandchildren; Brother: Jim (Peggy) Cravens of Sparta; Sister-in-law: Carolyn Cravens of Sparta. The family will receive friends from 5pm until 8pm on Friday evening.
Funeral services for Mr. George L. “Buddy” Goodman, age 70, of Monroe will be conducted 12 noon, Saturday April 21, 2018 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Green Hill Cemetery, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Goodman passed from this life on Friday morning, April 13, 2018 from the Overton County Health & Rehab Center in Livingston. George L. “Buddy” Goodman was born on July 18, 1947 in Anderson, Indiana to Berdine G. & Wilma A. Stephens, Stults Goodman. He graduated from Alexandria Monroe High School in 1965 and volunteered to join the USMC after graduation. Following training in San Diego and Camp Pendleton California, he served two tours of duty in the Vietnam War and was a decorated combat veteran. Upon returning home and prior to his service-connected disability, he worked in several states for the Norfolk-Southern Railway Company. He leaves his son, Alexander “Al” Goodman, Douglas Neely; daughters, Jessica Goodman of Livingston, & Ashley Goodman of Jamestown; brother, Stephen Goodman of Muncie, IN, Jerry Stults of Hartford City IN & John Stults of the Highland Community; a host of grandchildren & nices and nephews. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife, Claressa Neely Goodman; brothers, Carl Stults, David Stults & Frank Goodman; sisters, Della May Mullens, Berdena Jent & Joan Weekly. The family will welcome friends on Saturday, April 21st from 10 a.m. until time of services.
Funeral services for Mr. Anna Shock, age 69 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, April 21st at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Father Chad Puthoff will officiate. Mrs. Shock’s family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. A Rosary service will also be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home. She died Tuesday morning, April 17, 2018 at her residence.
Funeral services for Mrs. Reba Nell Davis Scott, 80, of Gainesboro, will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Anderson – Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. Burial will follow in the Byers Cemetery in the Center Grove community. She passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at her residence. She was born February 8, 1938, in Gainesboro, to the late Donald Davis and Dorothea Davis. She was the owner of Green Acres Trailer Park, and loved helping people by organizing fundraising benefits. She was an avid supporter of the Democrat party. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 1 Brother: Billie Glenn Davis. Survivors include 1 Son: Richard W. Crabtree of Maryland; 2 Daughters: Carol P. Brown of Maryland, and Renee L. Johnson of Gainesboro; 1 Sister: Wanda Brown of Knoxville; Special Nephew: Kevin Davis; and 2 Special Sons: Mark D. Hensley and Mark Gaines. 9 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren also survive. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11 A.M. until time of services.
A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Patti Jo Kirby Ward, age 78 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Old Union Cemetery. Mrs. Patti Jo Kirby Ward, age 78 of Sparta, passed away Thursday evening at her residence. Mrs. Ward was born March 1, 1940 in Sparta to Lily Rae Davis Kirby and the late Walter Kirby. She had a vast professional career that included nursing, owning a health club, P.J.’s Place, caterer and former owner of Raintree Restaurant in Sparta. She was also a devoted mother to her five children. When she wasn’t working she loved to sew and travel. In addition to her father, she is also preceded in death by her husband Tom Ward. Her surviving family members include her five children: Jim Ward, Lorie Ward (Carey) Watson, Sara Ward Gilmore, Nancy Ward (Sam) Benningfield all of Sparta, John (Rhonda) Ward of Murfreesboro; Mother: Rae Kirby Lollar; Grandchildren: Sarah Shuff, Jacob Ward, Shawn Watson, Joseph Watson, Daniel Watson, Russell Watson, Rebecca Parks, James Robert Lee, Leah Murphy, Dustin Benningfield, Basilio Castro, Sydney Ward, Ethan Ward, Ryan Ward; Sixteen great-grandchildre; Sister: Katherine Kirby Wesgate; Furbaby: Lily. The family will receive friends Sunday April 29th from 11:00am until departure for the cemetery at 1:45pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
