News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 brings you the daily obituaries each morning, Monday through Saturday, at 7:25am, during The Upper Cumberland This Morning and afternoons at 5:25pm during The Upper Cumberland At 5.
Local news, weather and sports on your way to and from work from News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.
Obituaries are presented by Presley Funeral Home, West Jackson Street in Cookeville.
Obituaries For Tuesday, January 7
Jimmie Mae Phipps Segee, Age 83, Of Murfreesboro, formerly of Monterey, Passed Away On Monday, January 6, 2020, At Her Home. Arrangements are incomplete.
Graveside services for Michael Dale “Mike” Nash, age 65 of Baxter, will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at the Nash Cemetery on Cookeville Boat Dock Road with Seth Presley officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. On Friday, January 3, 2020, Michael Dale “Mike” Nash, loving son, father and brother, passed away peacefully in his home in Foley, Alabama with family at his bedside after a courageous 15 year battle with cancer. Mike, 65, was born on February 3, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan to Joann Nash of Cookeville and the late Homer Nash. After growing up in Baxter, he traveled to California and began a career in sales and marketing before starting his own business. He has been a manufacturing entrepreneur and the successful business owner of NASHonal Display Inc. and Coastal Foam Molding in Alabama for more than 35 years. Mike had a passion for deep sea fishing, antique cars and the sport of hang gliding. He was a charter pilot member of Wills Wings in California and continued to fly his hang gliders competitively and recreationally for many years. He was an accomplished deep sea fisherman and his collection of antique cars were admired by friends and family. Mike will be remembered for his strength and relentless determination, his unwavering loyalty to those he loved and his sense of humor and daring spirit. In addition to his mother, Mike is survived by his son Lucas Nash (Kori) of Foley, AL, daughter Raena Garcia ( Milorad Stojanovic ) of Mobile AL, Collen Schiehl, mother of his children of Foley, AL, grandchildren Anna Katherine Garcia and Quinn Stojanovic, Conner Nash and Haley Nash, sister Marsha Johnson (Mark) of Spring Hill, TN and brother Tony Nash (Tracy) of Baxter TN. The family will greet friends at the cemetery before the service or at the family home after the service.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mildred Swindell Alcorn, age 87 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Wednesday, January 8, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in O’Connor Cemetery. She passed away Sunday morning, January 5, 2020 at Hendersonville Medical Center in Hendersonville. Mildred was born to the late Lester and Vernon Swindell on November 23, 1932. She attended school in Sparta. She married Fred Alcorn on May 22, 1954 in Rossville, Georgia. Before she was married, she worked briefly at Caney Fork Electric Company until she began the life she loved – being a mother to Debbi and Sheree. Being a competitive one, she loved playing canasta with her monthly card group and playing the occasional Spades game with her nephew, niece, and Debbi. Though she didn’t play sports, Mildred was Debbi and Sheree’s biggest cheerleader as she enjoyed watching them play basketball and softball all through school. Her newest passion was NFL football, and she watched several games every Sunday. Mildred attended the First Baptist Church in Sparta and was blessed to be baptized alongside her daughter Debbi at her church in Hendersonville. Anyone who knew Mildred, knew of her love for Elvis Presley. It is only fitting that she is laid to rest on his birthday. In addition to her parents, Mildred is preceded in death by her husband, Fred Alcorn and her brother, Earl Swindell. She is lovingly survived by her daughters: Debbi Alcorn Booton of Goodlettsville and Sheree Alcorn McReynolds (Steve) of Hendersonville; Granddaughter: Shea McReynolds Robbins of Nashville; Great-granddaugther: Cadence Scout Robbins; Brother: Ben Swindell of Sparta. The family will receive friends from 11am until the time of service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Billy Lowery will officiate the service. Memorial donations may be made to the O’Connor Cemetery in care of Hunter Funeral Home, PO Box 90, Sparta, TN 38583.
Funeral services for Mr. Mark Andrew Parker, age 45 of Sparta, will be conducted 11:00am Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the DeRossett Brethren in Christ Church with burial in Copeland Chapel Cemetery. He passed away Sunday, January 5, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Mark was born February 21, 1974 in Crossville to the late Rev. Irving Daniel Parker, Sr. and Peggy Ann Bennett Parker. He was a former cabinet craftsman and carpenter. He was an avid outdoorsman, loving to hunt and fish but his true enjoyment came from playing with and caring for his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister Laura Ann Parker. Family members left to cherish his memory include his wife Jamie Randolph Parker of Sparta; Children: Adam Steven Parker and wife Alexis Jean, Andrew Sabashtian Parker all of Sparta; Step-daughters: Kimberly Randolph and Diane Randolph; Grandchildren: Lillian Parker and Elijah Randolph; Brothers: Rev. Danny Parker and wife Opal of Smithville, Bruce Parker and wife Bonnie of Sparta; Sister: Faith Lynn Parker and husband Jamil Charki of Virginia; A host of nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home and Thursday from 10:00am until service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hunter Funeral Home, PO BOX 90, Sparta, TN 38583 to help the family with funeral expenses.
Funeral services for Mrs. Nancy Ellen Stidham, age 78, of Cookeville, will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday January 9 at Dyer Funeral Home. Bro. Johnny Fox will officiate. Interment will follow in the Boiling Springs Cemetery. Mrs. Stidham passed away Sunday morning January 5, 2020 at her home. She was born May 28, 1941 in Cookeville to the late John H. and Ethel Tolison Jones. She was a member of Holladay Church of Christ. She was retried from Red Kap with over 30 years of service. She is survived by daughters, Terri Stidham, and Cindy (Windy) Havens of Cookevile; son, Michael Stidham of Byrdstown; brother, Ronnie Jones of Cookeville; sisters, Villa (Ivan) Bilbrey, and Betty Robinson all of Cookeville; grandchildren, Candace Stidham, Kendrick Burton, Christopher Burton, Shannon Kutrich, Ryan Kutrich, Jessica Miller, and Ulrik Havens; and several great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband. Rex Stidham; daughter, Mitzi Hammock; and son, Derek Havens. Her family will receive friends Wednesday 5 – 8 p.m. and again Thursday from 11 a.m. until service time.
Memorial services for Vernon Leroy “Lee” Clinard, 74, of Gainesboro, will be held at 6 P.M. on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at Anderson – Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro, TN. The family has chosen cremation. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 3 P.M. until time of services. He passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2020, at his residence. He was born August 12, 1945, in Davidson County, TN, to the late Lawrence Hugo Clinard and Hazel Harris Clinard. On October 1, 1966, he was married to Patricia Mae Clinard, who survives. He worked as a roofer. Survivors include his Wife: Patricia Mae Clinard of Gainesboro, TN; 2 Sons: Chris (Sherry) Clinard of Cookeville, TN, and Seth (Dana) Clinard of Gainesboro, TN; 6 Grandchildren: Krista (C.J.) Cross, Brittany (Nick) Rush, Grace Clinard, Drew Clinard, Gavin Clinard, and Willow Clinard; 2 Great Grandchildren: Kaylee Cross and Sawyer Cross; 1 Brother: Terry (Mattie) Clinard; 2 Sisters: JoAnn Vanderpool and Linda (Harold) Mosier; and his Dog: Athena, better known as “Ugly.”
A Memorial Service for Janet Jolene McPeak Rodgers, 68 of Walling, will be held at 4pm on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. James Rittenberry officiating. She passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta. She was born Saturday, October 6, 1951 in Sparta, to the late John Wallace and Clara Belle Sanders McPeak. She liked to shop, spend time with her sisters, and she always was cutting up and carrying on. Above all, she loved spending time with her grandbabies and family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Rita McPeak and Jeanie McPeak Smith. Survivors include: Sons- Phillip Adcock (Brooke) and J.D. Humphrey (Cathleen); Sister- Gwanna Mason (Ricky); Brother- Dewayne Mac McPeak (Lorena); Grandchildren- Zander Adcock, Jaxon Humphrey, and Cainnan Humphrey; Half-Sister- Sabrina McPeak; A host of nieces and nephews also survive. The family will welcome friends on Thursday from 2pm until time of the service at the funeral home.
Graveside funeral services for Joyce Kay Gronek (nee Henry), age 84, of Milton, Florida, formerly of Monterey, will be conducted on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sand Springs Memorial Gardens. She passed away on January 4, 2020, at Covenant Care Hospice in Pensacola, Florida, from complications related to pneumonia. She was born July 13, 1935, in Monterey, Tennessee, to Allen and Moncie Henry (Robinson). She lived her early years in Tennessee and Kentucky before moving to Detroit, Michigan, with her family as a young child. In her twenties, she moved to Lake Worth, Florida, where she lived most of her adult life. She was employed as a bookkeeper at the Gallo Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Lake Worth, Florida, for over 30 years until her retirement. In the mid 1990’s, she relocated to Milton, Florida, with her late husband, Kenneth A Gronek, to be close to family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Moncie Henry; brothers, Noble Henry, Claude Henry, Bill Henry and Ronnie Henry; sisters, Audrey Atkinson and Patricia Collins; and step-daughter, Susan Routh. She is survived by her son, Kenneth Bellis; daughter, Stacey Bellis; son-in-law, Terry Yee; grandson, Alex Yee; brothers, Donald Henry, Thomas Henry (Eve Newman-Moore); sisters, Faye Ashbrook and Bonnie Goldner (Richard Goldner); along with many beloved nephews and nieces and great nephews/nieces. In her later life, she married Kenneth A. Gronek and they enjoyed 24 years together. She is survived by her step-children, Martin Gronek (Sandy), Larry Gronek (Joanne) and Laura Brewer; grandchildren, Michelle Gronek (James Richardson), Sarah Brewer and Kyle Brewer; great-grandchildren, Tyler Richardson, Cambria Warner and Kya Warner. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Search Developmental Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Services for Mrs. Gronek will be held on January 8, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at The National Cremation and Burial Society, 5461 Highway 90 West, Milton, FL 32583. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sand Springs Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the cemetery immediately following the services.
Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. LeAnn Denise Morgan Duke, age 62, of Livingston will be conducted 11 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2020 from the West End Church of Christ. Bro. Tim Smith, Bro. David Hill, Bro. Glenn Ramsey, and Bro. Bob Howton will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date in the Overton County Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Duke passed from this life on Monday afternoon, January 6, 2020 from the comfort of her home. She was born July 26, 1957 in South Bend, IN to the late John W. & Modena M. Slatton Morgan. LeAnn’s first passion was serving the Lord. She loved singing hymns, studying the Bible, and helping the poor, the abused, and the sick and teaching others the Bible. She loved and adored her children and grandchildren and was thrilled to spent time with them. LeAnn loved traveling and working with Kerry. She was blessed to go to Russia, Taiwan, and Singapore with him as well as numerous places in the U.S. to spread the gospel. She also enjoyed traveling to different places in the United States just to relax. LeAnn loved writing, where her articles appeared in Christian Woman magazine and other gospel publications. She contributed two chapters to the book “My Sister’s Keeper” which has gone through numerous printings. She also wrote an unpublished mystery novel. LeAnn enjoyed crafts of all kinds and was especially good at making bows for weddings and other occasions. After an almost five-year battle with a blood cancer LeAnn has found peace in the arms of our Lord. She was a giver, and was at her best and the most content when she could do something for others. LeAnn spend endless hours listening to people’s problems and study the same to prepare herself to teach others. She bore heavy burdens and fought a good fight until the end. LeAnn leaves behind her loving husband of 30 years, Bro. Kerry Duke of Livingston; sons, Brady Wright & wife Kayla of Cookeville, and Jared Duke & wife Amy of Springfield, OR; daughters, Amy Sexton & husband Chris of Pleasant Shade, and Lacey Hall & husband Adam of Baxter; grandchildren, Brileigh Hall, Emry Hall, Nolie Sexton, Josie Sexton, Taylor Sexton, Brian Wright, and Lilleann Wright; adopted sons, Mxolisi Ncube of Zimbabwe, Robert Ati Amukwei of Ghana, and Vishal Srinivas of India; daughter in the Lord, Candy Chan of Malaysia. In addition to her parents, LeAnn was preceded in death by her first husband, Brian L. Wright; and brother, Jerry Morgan. The family will welcome friends on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. at the West End Church of Christ. Memorial Donations in Memory of Mrs. LeAnn Denise Morgan Duke can be made to the LeAnn Duke Memorial Fund by contacting the Tennessee Bible College, 1616 McCulley Road, Cookeville, TN 38506.
Funeral services for Mr. Benny Joe Smith, age 90 of Quebeck will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, January 11, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. He passed away Saturday evening, January 4th at Rhea Medical Center. “Ben” as he was most commonly known was born August 9, 1929, to the late Gordon Hicks and Edna Marie (Myers) Smith. He grew up near the Tennessee community of Doyle, later moving to Chattanooga. He was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 to 1952, where he repaired aircraft engines and instrumentation. Upon discharge from the military, he embarked on a 19-year aerospace career. Most notably, Ben worked at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral in the 1960s where he worked as the electrical supervisor on the command and service modules of the Apollo spacecraft. He was proud to have helped achieve the national goals of human spaceflight and manned missions to the Moon. Mr. Smith left the space program in 1971 and returned to White County. Hobbies included hunting, fishing, competition pistol shooting, cattle farming, and watching football on TV. After working for 23 years in various supervisory roles for Mallory Controls, he retired in 1994. Ben and wife Almedia spent the remainder of retirement on their farm in Quebeck. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister Helen (Smith) Land. Surviving family members include his wife of 66 years, Mrs. Almedia (Gravitt) Smith; two daughters: Anita Ann Worthington and Rose Marie Dunning; and one son, Ronald Joe Smith. Six grandchildren will recall their grandfather’s stories of the Apollo program: Jennifer Parks, Cody Vineyard, Jason Worthington, Nathan Worthington, Victoria Shiller, and Kayla Evans. The extended family includes nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00am until service time at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Caroline Edna Miller, age 92 of Cookeville, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday January 11 at Heavenly Host Lutheran Church. Rev. Andrew Smith will officiate. She will be transferred to Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee WI. for additional services and burial to be in the Amberg Cemetery in Amberg, WI. Her family will receive friends Saturday 10 – 11 a.m. at the church. Mrs. Miller passed away Saturday January 4, 2020 at Mabry Health Care and Rehabilition in Gainesboro, TN. She was born February 3, 1927 in Fredonia, WI to the late George Stecker and Hilda Wenzel Stecker. She was a member of the Heavenly Host Lutheran Church. She was active in the Red Hat Society and honorary member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She formerly owned operated Caroline’s Crafts in Amberg, WI. Mrs. Miller is survived by two daughters, Karen Halvorsen of Baxter, Donna (Jimmy) Suzawith of Amberg, WI; two sons, David (Jeanne) Miller of Auburndale, FL, Craig (Barbara) Miller of Waupaca, WI; sister, Arline Holzman of Oak Creek, WI.; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
A memorial service for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Martin Fowler, USA, Retired, age 91 will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Christian Smith and Dr. Charles McCaskey will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. His family will receive friends Saturday 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. LTC Fowler died Friday December 27, 2019 at Bailey Manor, Cookeville. He was born October 14, 1928 in Corbin, KY to Carl Fowler and Elizabeth Welch Fowler. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. LTC Fowler enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and was a Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a fixed-wing pilot, helicopter pilot and aircraft maintenance supervisor. During his distinguished military career, he was awarded many honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He was an excellent, loving father who raised six daughters from two marriages. He never used swear words or raised his voice. He instilled a strong work ethic in his girls and grandkids. His motto was-“work hard and get ahead.”He also taught his children and grandchildren practical skills such as changing a tire, using a screwdriver and fixing minor things around the house. He was a longtime member of Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he was an Ordained Elder. He also taught Sunday School and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He is survived by his adoring family, daughters, Kathy Fowler of Cookeville, Mym Fowler of Virginia Beach, VA, Rebecca Michael of San Francisco, CA, Nancy Townsend Byers and husband Gary, Tina Townsend Thurman and husband Ron, all of Cookeville; niece Linda Disney McBurney and husband Bob of Corbin, KY; grandchildren, Jason B. Courtney of Knoxville; Justin Lytal and wife Rachel of Knoxville; Loren Lytal Korch and husband Jonathan of Charlotte, NC; Blake Thurman and Parker Thurman of Cookeville; Richard, Nicholas, and Alex Michael all of California; and by great grandchildren, Palmer and Sutton Lytal and Emery and Nora Korch. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers, TN, Cumberlands Office, 1459 Interstate Dr., Ste 211, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Funeral services for Dr. Rural Allen Peace, age 89 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday January 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Rev. Bill Stone will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Overton County Memorial Gardens in Livingston. Dr. Rural Allen Peace died peacefully with his family by his side on January 6, 2020 in Sparta, Tennessee at the age of 89. His family will receive friends Friday from 4:00 p..m until 7:00 p.m. and again Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
The Memorial Service for Miguel Guevara, 52, of Sparta, will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 6 pm at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. He passed away Monday, January 06, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was born on April 11, 1967 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras to Miguel Guevara and Alba Turcios. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 4 pm to time of service.
