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.
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Obituaries For Monday, May 10
Diana Sue Shappard, 74 of Cookeville, passed peacefully in her sleep on May 9 at Mabry Healthcare surrounded by family. Diana had a love for the outdoors and could always be found camping and fishing with Joe on area lakes. Diana was an avid supporter of Tennessee Tech basketball and was honored as the Lady Eagles’ millionth fan in 2011. Many of Diana’s years were spent working with the youth of Putnam County as a Girl Scout leader and camp counselor at Bend of the River as well as cheering on her girls and grandchildren in various sports through the years. Diana is survived by her loving Husband of 53 years, Joseph Robert Shappard; and daughters, Stacey Ann (Jimmy) Mott and Amanda Jo Shappard. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Avalon Hospice and Mabry Healthcare for their amazing support and care. Memorials or donations can be made to Tennessee Tech Athletics Association at TNTECH.EDU. The family has chosen cremation and no visitation or service is planned at this time. A private celebration of life for Diana will be held at a later date.
Funeral Services for Rita J. (Card) Young of Sparta, TN, age 87, will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Dyer officiating. Burial will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery. She passed away May 7, 2021 at her home. She was born March 3, 1934 in Randallstown, Maryland. She was the daughter of Lillian (Mitchell) and Glenn D. Card. She was a beautician for over 10 years in Battle Creek, Michigan before moving to Sparta, TN with her late husband of 60 years, Kenneth D. Young. At that time, she became a homemaker and also worked alongside her husband on their dairy farm. She was an active member of the Sparta Eastern Star where she served as (worthy matron) 3 times throughout her membership. She also was a member of Shady Grove Methodist Church for 50 years. The family will welcome friends from 12:00 PM until time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Associtaion. APDA’s Office of Planned Giving at 718-981-9202 or jcolasuonno@apdaparkinson.org.
Graveside Services for Master Ezekiel Lane Smith will be conducted 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 11 from the Sells Cemetery on Cherokee Lane. Master Smith went back into the arms of Jesus on Friday evening, May 7, 2021 at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Master Ezekiel Lane Smith was the infant son of Joshua and Kadesha S. McDonald Smith of Monroe. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
Graveside Services for Mr. Michael Ray Cyphers, age 65 of the Willow Grove Community, will be conducted 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 12 from the Fellowship Cemetery, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Bro. Kerry Duke will officiate. Mr. Cyphers passed from this life from the Overton County Health & Rehab Center in Livingston, Tennessee on Sunday, May 9, 2021. He was a loving, and devoted son to his parents and took wonderful care of them before they passed away. Michael was a graduate of Clay County High School in Celina, and a veteran of the United States Army. He later attended Livingston, Tennessee College of Applied Technology and studied Automotive Technology and worked in that field until retirement. Michael also enjoyed driving to the lake, going camping and enjoyed being outdoors. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
Funeral services for Amanda Elizabeth Hennessee, age 83 of Sparta, will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at Thurman Funeral Home. She passed away May 6, 2021 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. She was born August 18, 1937 to Issac and Daisy Eller in Sparta, TN. She is survived by children, Deborah Hennessee, and Clifford Wayne (Helen) Hennessee. Visitation will be Wednesday May 12, 2021 from 11:00 A.M. till 2:00 P.M. at Thurman Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Hallie Christine Draper, age 93 of Cookeville, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday May 13 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Bro. James Rogers will officiate. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Mrs. Draper passed away Sunday evening May 9, 2021 at Smith County Care and Rehabilitation in Carthage. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 -7 p.m. and again Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time.
Funeral services for Ms. Shirley Ann Sparks Usrey, age 67 of the Board Valley Community, will be conducted 11:00am Thursday, May 13 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Lower Board Valley Cemetery. Ms. Ursey passed away Saturday, May 8 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was a 1972 graduate of White County High School and started her work career the next day at Red Kap. She was a longtime employee of THK Rhythm in Sparta. She loved to work but when she wanted to get away her destination was the beach at Panama City Beach Florida. She enjoyed traveling to Gatlinburg but she loved to go to the beach. Shirley enjoyed gardening and working with her flowers however, above all else her favorite time was spent with her family and grandchildren. Survivors include her, son Roger Usrey; and daughters, Lisa Usrey, and Rhonda Usrey. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. Ray Young will officiate.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Donnie Lavone Manning, age 53 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, May 16 at Rock Castle Emmanuel Church of Christ. Elder Fabon Nicholson will officiate. Fellowship with a potluck dinner will follow at the Twin Oaks Community Center. Mr. Manning passed away Friday, May 7 at his residence. He was an employee of Ficosa after a long career at Norcom. Donnie as an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and to fish below his home at Tulip Bay on Center Hill Lake. He enjoyed working with his hands and tinkering in his shop. Donnie loved to spend time with family and friends as he enjoyed the simple comforts of life. He is preceded in death by his father Alvin Porter Manning. Surviving family members include his wife Hattie Manning of Sparta; and children, Andrew Billings of Sparta, Alesha Billings and Marty of Baxter, Donnie Adam Manning and wife Amy of Cookeville.
