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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 are presented by Gunnels Florist. Gunnels Florist has been helping families and friends to say goodbye for more than 70 years. When you want to send a message of sympathy with beautiful flowers and arrangements, trust Gunnels Florist. Call (931) 526-7149 or stop by Gunnels Florist at 104 North Washington Avenue, Cookeville. The Gunnels Family will take care of your expression with compassion, accuracy and timeliness. Gunnels Florist.
Obituaries For Tuesday, May 25
Ann Vaden, Age 78, Of Monterey, passed Away Monday, May 24, 2021, At Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Nancy K Dodson, 70 of Cookeville, Tennessee passed away on Friday, May 21, 2021, at NHC Healthcare, surrounded by her family. Born Saturday, January 27, 1951 in Cookeville, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Robert Harp and the late Juanita Roberson Harp. Nancy enjoyed family get togethers, painting, drawing and talking with anyone that crossed her path. She never knew a stranger. Nancy enjoyed cooking, trying out new things and sharing her recipes. She was an avid reader, sometimes reading an entire book in a day. Most of all, she loved the Lord, going to church, her family and friends. Surviving are 2 daughters Kerrie and Jeff Tallent of Cookeville, Ronda Dodson of Cookeville. Nancy chose cremation and the family followed her wishes. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.
A funeral mass for Pat Swearengin, 65 of Sparta, will be held Wednesday, May 26, at 10:00 am, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (421 N. Washington Ave., Cookeville, TN) followed by a Christian burial at Dodson Branch Cemetery. Mr. Swearengin passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, at UT Medical Center, on May 12 after a brief battle with cancer. Pat was born and raised in Jackson County where he graduated from Jackson County High School. He graduated from Tennessee Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. He put his degree to work teaching Agriculture at Cookeville High School for several years. He changed careers and worked as a quality control supervisor in the manufacturing industry before he transitioned into his most rewarding and meaningful role – stay-at-home dad. His blood ran orange for the University of Tennessee where he attended and watched numerous sporting events. He especially loved cheering on the Lady Vols basketball and softball teams. His proudest moment was the day that his daughter, Mary Catherine, graduated from UT. He was looking forward to someday retiring to Knoxville where he could be close to his daughter and son-in-law and his beloved UT. He is survived by his wife of almost 30 years, Sandy Swearengin; and his daughter, Mary Catherine Wright and husband, Corey, of Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, our family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), the Pat Summitt Foundation (patsummitt.org), or the Tennessee Fund (checks payable and mailed to the Tennessee Fund, 1551 Lake Loudoun Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996; memo line: UT Softball team in honor of Pat Swearengin). Visitation will be held at Crest Lawn Funeral Home Tuesday, May 25, from 4:00-7:30 pm followed by a vigil at 7:30.
Funeral services for Dwayne Earl Prater, age 60 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Wednesday, May 26 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Rose Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Prater passed away Saturday, May 22 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was a former steel worker. Dwayne served on a cannon crew in the United States Army. His passion was being a cowboy and working with horses, but his greatest job and accomplishment was being a loving father and grandfather. Survivors include his daughter, LaTisha Angelene (Dale) Tower of Cookeville. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life for John (JB) William Dyer, age 63 of Cookeville, will be held Wednesday May 26th from 5-8 p.m. at his home located on 955 E. Hudgens Street, Cookeville. Mr. Dyer passed away Tuesday May 18 at his home. While in high school, he played baseball and golf. He graduated from Putnam County Senior High School in 1975 and attended Martin Methodist University on athletic scholarship. John worked as the Director of the Putnam County Parks and Recreation, where he retired after 32 years of service. He is survived by a daughter, Courtney (Brian) Brauss of Mount Juliet; and a son, Josh (Brittany) Dyer of Murfreesboro. The event will be come and go, as parking will be limited.
A Celebration of Life for Bruce Roberts, 59 of Sparta, will be held, Wednesday, May 26 from 5 PM – 7 PM at Sparta First Freewill Baptist on Baker Street. Mr. Roberts passed away on Saturday, May 22 at Cookeville Regional after a battle with many health issues. He went peacefully while his loving wife and children held his hands. Bruce married his high school sweetheart, Melody Maynard “Dottie” on July 18, 1981. They had two wonderful children, Ashley (Brandon) Sirmans and Nicholas (Ieshia) Roberts. He also had two precious grandbabies, Elias and Paisley Sirmans. He was a truck driver all of his life and never met a stranger. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, camping, and riding around back roads. Everyone enjoyed his company and he was well known for his sense of humor.
Funeral services for Mr. Norman Dewayne Burton, age 63 of Murfreesboro, a native of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Thursday, May 27 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Davis Cemetery. He was a 1976 graduate of White County High School. After graduating, he joined the United States Army. At the conclusion of his military career, he returned to Sparta to work at Wal-Mart then as a Federal Marshall before finding his dream job at the United States Post Office in Nashville where he worked for 36 years until retired. He was an active member of Olive Branch Baptist Church in Murfreesboro and a longtime member of a Smyrna bowling team. Norman was a fan of University of Tennessee athletics. Surviving family members include his two sisters Sharon Burton of Sparta and Melody Burton of McMinnville. The family will receive friend Thursday from 11:00am until service time at Hunter Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Shirlie Alfred Reeder, age 73 of Madison, and formerly of Overton County, will be conducted 11:30 AM Friday, May 28th, from Pasquo Church of Christ in Nashville. Burial will follow in the Veteran’s Cemetery in Nashville. Mr. Reeder passed from this life on Tuesday morning, May 18 from the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. He was born in Overton County on November 23, 1947, to the late Clarvess Franklin and Nellie (Kyle) Reeder. He served his nation as a member of the United States military during the Vietnam War and was a fan of the University of Tennessee athletic programs. Mr. Reeder leaves behind his children, Jongee Arnold, Ashley Reeder, Brent Reeder.
Funeral services for Skye Elaine Hawkins, 2 months, will be Friday, May 28 at 2 PM at the Dyer Chapel Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Bro. Jim Schultz will officiate. Skye died Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born March 8, 2021 in Cookeville. Skye is survived by parents, Isaiah and Heather Schultz Hawkins of Cookeville; sister, Harmony Hawkins, brother, Taylor Schultz; grandparents: Jim and Jennifer Schultz, Autumn and Jerry Hawkins. The family will receive friends Friday from 12 noon until service time at the funeral home.
