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Obituaries For Tuesday, July 3
Sophia Franches Allcott, 87, of Cookeville (formerly of Salt Lake City, Utah) passed away July 2, 2018. The daughter of Greek immigrants, she was born in Tooele, Utah, on June 13, 1931. After graduating from Tooele High School, Sophia worked at the phone company as a switchboard operator in Salt Lake City. In 1958 she met and married John Allcott, to whom she was married for 30 years. They raised a family of four children, and lived in various parts of the country, finally settling in Moline, Illinois. A devoted mother, Sophia was happiest giving to others and taught her children to do the same. In the 1970s, working with her local United Methodist Church, she coordinated the relocation of an immigrant Vietnamese family to Illinois; her charity and empathy ensured that they were able to establish a life and livelihood in America, and secure the future of their children. Later in life, when she relocated to Salt Lake City, she became a shift manager at the Ronald McDonald House. She was beloved by the families who stayed there, many of whom stayed in touch for many years. In 2014, she moved to Cookeville to be near her youngest son’s family and resided at Cedar Hills Senior Living. Sophia loved live classical music and was an ardent supporter of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, attending performances frequently. She grew up speaking Greek and English, loved Greek food and dancing, and was proud to have traveled to Greece as an adult where she met several cousins for the first time. The family will hold a private service. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to the Bryan Symphony Orchestra (123 W Broad St #4, Cookeville, TN 38501) or to the “Organ Fund” at First Methodist Episcopal Church of Salt Lake City (203 S 200 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111).
Funeral services for Mr. Theodore “Ted” Winslow Shelton, Jr, 83 of Cookeville, will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Ronald Graef officiating alongside full military honors by the Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Ted passed from this life on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Ted was born Friday, October 5, 1934 in Canton, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Theodore Winslow Shelton, Sr and the late Katie (White) Holtzlander. Ted was a loving son, caring husband, attentive dad as well as a devoted and warm hearted grandpa. He was a great man who touched many lives. Ted showed empathy to everyone he met and he was a dedicated Christian. His faith was very important to him and he used that faith to prepare his family for his departure. Ted is survived by: Wife of 62 years : Ruth Lorene Shelton. 2 Daughters: Laura S. Benando, Tedi R. Shelton-Henkel and Brian. Son: Darrin Scott Shelton and Lynn. 8 Grandchildren: Jeremy Jacob and Heather Benando, Kandi Lorene and Greg White, Treia Kyliene Rodriguez, Jeidan Bella-Raye Kaminski, Gary Lee Shelton, Michelle Gallagher, and Kai and Kealyn Henkel. 10 Great-Grandchildren: Brittany McMillan, Jayci Perkins, Matthew Perkins, Eli Benando, Bailey Benando, Kristopher Kolisnyk, Payge White, Calvin Gallagher, Danny Bandy and Christian Shelton. Half Brother: Jack Holtzlander. In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by: Son, Richard Daley Shelton and Sister, June Shelton. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, and from 10:00 AM until time of services on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Sonja Kay “Sodie” Watkins, age 75 of Allons, will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 2 PM from the chapel of the Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Hoover Cemetery located in Allons. Sodie went home to be with her Lord and Savoir with her family by her side on Monday evening, July 2, 2018 at the Livingston Regional Hospital. Sodie was born in Livingston, Overton Co., TN on October 11, 1942 to the late Sid and Cora (Pryor) Duke. Soda loved her family and enjoyed singing with her brother Squeak and quilting and cooking; it was said she made a mean peanut butter pie. She is survived by: Her husband Earl Watkins of Allons; 2 Sons: Randy Watkins and wife Vicki of Monroe, Scott Watkins and wife Elaine of Allons; 1 Grandson: Justin Watkins and wife Laura of Rickman; 2 Granddaughters: Katy Smith and Rylee Smith both of Monroe; 1 Great Grandson: Brayden Watkins; 2 Brothers: James Duke of Macon, GA, Charlie Duke and wife Mary of Monroe; 2 Sisters: Betty Brown and husband Johnny of Muskegeen, MI, Linda Patterson and husband Pat of Hermitage; 1 half sister: Betty Jean Biggers; A special friend Bobbie Brown. Preceeded in death by: In addition to her parents: 4 Sisters: Billie Mathaney, Christine Farmer, Emmadene Cook, Annette Gilpatrick; 3 Brothers: Arleth Duke, Robert Duke, Earl “Squeak” Duke; 1 Daughter In-Law: Kim Watkins. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 starting at 2 PM until 8 PM.
Funeral services for John Stephen Wilburn, 84, of Hermitage, Tennessee will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:30 am in the Chapel of Presley Funeral Home with interment to follow in Cookeville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday 4-7 PM at the funeral home. Mr. Wilburn passed away quietly in his sleep on Sunday, July 1, 2018. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 18, 1933, where he was raised by his mother and his grandmother, Alma Bear. He was an alumnus of Wentworth Military Academy. At age 18, John joined the U.S. Army and became a paratrooper in the 27th Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. He volunteered to serve in the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was soon deployed to Korea where he saw front line combat duty during the Korean War. He later served as a jump instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia, before returning to Ft. Campbell. John worked for a time for his uncle, Jack Bear, in residential construction, where he became a skilled carpenter – a skill that he continued to use throughout his life. He became a field representative and salesman for the AC Sparkplug Division of General Motors Corporation, becoming a regional sales manager. He left GM for a regional manager position with the Murray Corporation, an automotive parts manufacturer. During this time, he purchased an auto parts retail store in Tullahoma, Tennessee. After a few years as a small business owner, John went back into sales, selling Mack Trucks for the Neely Coble Company of Nashville, Tennessee. Covering central and western Kentucky, his success led to a management position with the company’s Bowling Green service center, and subsequently to management positions with commercial truck distributors in Indiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. He continued a career in sales through his late 70’s. Over the course of his career, John lived in eighteen cities, finally settling in Nashville. John loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and sportsman, and enjoyed boating and watersports. He was adventurous, as well, as evidenced in his building and driving a hydroplane race boat, being a certified scuba diver, and holding a private airplane pilot license. John held a special place for his pets – especially his companion Princess. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Nashville Humane Society.
Funeral Service for Mark Twain Hensley, age 54 of Sparta, will be 11:00 am Friday, July 6, 2018 in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in the Old Zion Cemetery. Mark passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018 at his residence. He was born November 23, 1963 in Sparta to the late Richard and Ann Marshall Hensley, he was also preceded in death by his brothers: Plummer and Jeffrey Hensley, Sister: Patricia Ann Hensley, first wife: Tammy Gibson Hensley and infant son: Elijah Jessie Hensley. He is survived by his daughter: Ciara Hensley Herron of Quebeck; Special Granddaughter: Ramey Hensley; 3 Sisters: Betty Pallotta and Mary Guy both of Sparta and Margaret Davis of Cookeville; 3 brothers: Bobby Hensley, Sr., Jackie Hensley, and Horace Hensley all of Sparta; Special Mother-in-law: Polly Smith Gibson of Sparta; Along with many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends after 5:00 pm on Thursday. Bro. David Lee England will officiate the services.
Funeral services for Colonel Morris Lafever, USA (Ret.), age 87 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 beginning at 11:00 am from the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Hillier Duke officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, with Full Military Honors. Morris passed from this life at the age of 87 Monday, July 2, 2018, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born Tuesday, January 13, 1931 to Joe J. and Kate (Foster) Lafever in the Wolf Creek Community in DeKalb County. Morris was a graduate of Baxter Seminary (1949) and Tennessee Technological University (1953). While at Tech, he completed the Army ROTC program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation in 1953. He served as an Army Officer for 23 years until his retirement in 1976 with the rank of Full Colonel. During his military career, he served overseas in many countries including South Korea (2 Tours), West Germany, South Vietnam, Thailand and Iran. He was assigned to many Command and Staff Positions in addition to serving as a Communications Advisor to the armies of Vietnam, Thailand, and Iran. As a result of his service, he was decorated with the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Army Meritorious Service Medal (2 times), Army Commendation Medal (2 times), and the Joint Service Commendation. Upon retirement from military service, he established and operated the Lafever Insurance Agency in Cookeville for more than 38 years with his sons. Morris married the love of his life,Katie Lee Clemons, in 1957 and they shared their life together for more than 60 years. Morris and Katie Had 3 Sons, David, Steven, and Daniel. He is survived by his Wife: Katie Lafever of Cookeville; 2 Sons: David M. Lafever of Chattanooga, Daniel S. Lafever of Cookeville. In addition to his parents Morris was preceded in death by a Son: Steven Lafever, and a twin Sister, Doris Lafever Nabors (Cookeville). The family will receive friends Thursday, July 5, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm , and again on Friday, July 6, from 10:00am until time of service at 11:00 am.
Funeral services for Lucy B. Wheeler, age 97, of Cookeville will be held Friday, July 6th, 2018 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Presley Funeral Home with Randy Bybee officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial. Mrs. Wheeler passed away Monday, July 2, 2018 at her home in Cookeville. She was born Saturday, October 23, 1920 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late Norvel Joe Eller and Mary Jane Choate Eller. In addition to her parents, Lucy B. Wheeler was preceded in death by: Colonel B. Wheeler; son, James C. Wheeler; grandson, Dewayne Grizzle; sisters, Virginia Dyer and Mary Ashburn; brother, Charlie Wheeler Eller. She is survived by: son, Colonel (Ida) Wheeler of Cookeville; daughter, Mary Grizzle of Cookeville; grandchildren, Richard Wheeler, Mark Wheeler, Amy Jo Mansell, and Sharon Rector; great-grandchildren, Jared Wheeler and Shanna Wheeler; two great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 5, 2018, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Friday, July 6, 2018, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home.
Funeral service for Wilfred John (Bill) Holland, age 70 Of Sparta, will be held at 11am on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Jack Chadwell officating. Burial will follow in Smith Family Cemetery. Bill passed away suddenly on July 2, 2018 at his home. Bill was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on June 22, 1948. His family moved to Sanford, FL when he was three years old where he lived until moving to Tennessee in 1978. Bill attended Seminole High School, Sanford, FL and served in the National Guard. He retired from NAPA store in Sparta, TN after 36 years. He was a member of the Eastland Fire Department for 38 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred John Holland, Sr. and Virginia Hilliard Holland and his brother, James Leonard Holland. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Carolyn Smith Holland and son Wilfred John Holland III of Sparta. Two grandsons, Johnathan Coty Holland and wife Michaela Dempsey Holland of Pikeville, and Lucas Cole Holland and wife, Brittney Anderson Holland of Sparta. Bill was a great grandfather of Greyson Alexander Holland and Dustin Cole Holland. Bill is survived by his brothers Thomas Mitchell Holland and wife, Patti of Sparta; Joseph Alan Holland and wife, Susan of Osteen, FL; sister Patricia Holland Levasseur of Ohio and sister-in-law Sue Holland of Sparta. He is also survived by mother in law Peggy Smith, brother in laws Bill Smith, and wife Anita; Tim Smith and wife, Lois; and a sister in law Betty Bryant and husband Eli. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 6 from 4pm until 9pm at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Mr. Dan K. Hearn, age 83 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, July 7th, at 1:00pm at the Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Mr. Hearn passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018. He was born in Houston, Texas, on July 22, 1934, to the late Robert and Zelma Roberson Hearn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roy Hearn, and sister, Vera Howe. He is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Eva Hearn; son, Steven Hearn; cousin, Lois Hymel (Fry); and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Scholarship Program at Cookeville First United Methodist Church, 165 E Broad St., Cookeville, TN 38501.
Funeral services for Doyle S. Harris, age 90 of Algood, will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 beginning at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Mark Gaw officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, with Full Military Honors by the Veterans Honor Guard. Doyle passed from this life Monday, July 2, 2018, at Signature Health Care of Putnam County. He was born Saturday, May 26, 1928 in Barberton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Dock and Ida Myrtle (Swafford) Harris. Doyle was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. He was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church and was U.S. Marine Corps. Veteran. He retired from Tennessee Central Railroad, an avid Golfer, and served on the Board of Putnam County Parks and Recreation. Doyle is survived by his Wife of 16 years: Pamela (Lucas) Harris of Cookeville; 1 Daughter and Son-in-law: Debe and Tommy West of Cookeville; 4 Grandchildren: Bryan and Wife Julie West, Craig and Wife Amber West, Brent Harris and Kelly Poston, Julie Brooks; 1 Great Granddaughter: Clara Elizabeth West. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his First Wife, Betty (Norrod) Harris, Son, Dave Sterling Harris, and Brother, Coyle Harris. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, July 7 from 10:00 AM until time of service at 2 PM.
