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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 For Thursday, August 26
Daisy Garrett, Age 96, Of The Vine Ridge Community Of Crawford, Passed Away On Wednesday, August 25, 2021, At Her Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Kenny Welch, Age 64, Of Monterey, Tennessee, Passed Away On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mr. Welch Was Born On May 16, 1957, In Monterey, Tennessee, To The Late Shirley Jackson And Edna Whittaker Welch. Mr. Welch Was A Block Layer And Brick Mason. He Is Survived By, 4 Sisters, Linda And Clifford Goodwin Of Sparta, TN, Shirley Ann And Nelson Horst Of Clarkrange, TN, Imogene Phillips Of Fayetteville, TN, Faye And Pat Norrod Of Monterey, TN; 4 Brothers, Jack And Lisa Welch Of Clarkrange, TN, Donny Welch Of Monterey, TN, Payton And Sharon Welch Of Monterey, TN, And David Welch Of Monterey, TN; And 1 Sister-In-Law, Brenda Welch Of Monterey, TN. His Wishes Of Cremation Are Being Honored With No Services Planned.
Funeral services for Douglas “Doug” Allen Burgess, 71 of Baxter, will be Friday, August 27, 11 AM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Smellage Memory Gardens in the Boma Community. Mr. Burgess died Tuesday, August 24 at his home. Doug began his career in law enforcement with Baxter City Police Department from 1979-1981 and retired from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department as Chief Detective in 2012 with 31 years of service. He enjoyed being with family and friends, especially the grandkids. He enjoyed watching TV westerns including Gunsmoke, and watching The Voice. Survivors include wife of 42 years (Married February 12, 1979) Joan Butler Burgess of Baxter; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer (Brian) Cobb of Cookeville; and sons and daughters-in-law Chris (Ginger) Tucker of Knoxville, and Danny (Tammy) Tucker of Baxter. The family will receive friends Thursday from 4 to 8PM and Friday after 9 AM until service time.
A Celebration of Life service for Mr. Gage Jenks, 22 of Crossville, will be held Friday, August 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Mr. Jenks passed away Saturday August 21. His family will receive friends Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again Friday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Joyce Bennett Cope, age 83 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, August 27, 2021 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Plainview Cemetery in the Cassville Community. She passed away at 1:20pm on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Life Care Center of Sparta. She is survived by her husband Bobby Cope of Sparta; Son Mike (Christy) Cope of Murfreesboro. The family will receive friends after 11:00 am Friday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Patricia Stafford, 54 of the Center Grove community of Jackson County, will be held on Friday, August 27 at 2 P.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the John Young Cemetery in Jackson County. Mrs. Stafford passed away on Wednesday, August 25 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born August 21, 1967, in Detroit, MI, to the late James Walter Murray and Lois Hillda Cronk Murray. On May 18, 1985, she was married to Randal Stafford, who survives. She was a furniture factory worker, and was a member of the Cummins Mill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Randal Stafford; and children, Brandon Stafford, and Callie (David) Gibson. The family will receive friends on Friday from 9 A.M. until time of services.
Funeral services for Jessica Leighann Rush, 30 of the Center Grove community of Jackson County, will be held on Saturday, August 28 at 10 A.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Rodgers Cemetery in Putnam County. Miss Rush passed away on Tuesday, August 24 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born April 5, 1991 in Livingston. She was the daughter of Rusty Solomon and Betty Ann Solomon who survive. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 P.M. – 9 P.M.
Graveside services for Barbara A Casey, 82 of Sparta, will be at 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Plainview Cemetery in Cassville with the Bro. Dwight Henry officiating. She passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta surrounded by her family. Born on February 22, 1939 in Brighton, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Dwight Cain and the late Agnes Skinner Cain Mullican. Barbara was employed by Family Dollar and worked in management at several stores until her retirement. She was a songwriter, writing and playing country songs with song “Still the Fire” being published. She loved to work in her garden, crotchet and was an excellent seamstress. Surviving are 2 daughters, Joyce Janine McBee of Sparta; Diana (Bill) McClure of Zepher Hills, FL.
A Celebration of Life for TJ Arnold, age 49 of Cookeville, will be from 12 – 3 p.m. Saturday August 28 at Duck Pond Manor. TJ passed away Sunday August 15 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born May 12, 1972 in McMinnville, TN to the late Thomas Wilburn Arnold, Sr. and Mary Jane Carr Pinchon. TJ was a graduate of White County High School where he enjoyed a successful football (quarterback) and baseball career.. He was employed at Verizon Wireless in Cookeville for 16 years where he gained a second family of employees and several loyal customers who ultimately became his friends. He is survived by his children, Emily Arnold, Thomas Arnold, Tiffani (Daniel) Best and Heather Hayes
Graveside services for Hal “Silver” Dennis LaFever, 71 of Silver Point will be Saturday, August 28 at 1 PM at LaFever Cemetery in Silver Point with military honors by the Veterans Honor Guard. Chaplain Dr. Jim McAfee will officiate. Mr. LaFever died Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born December 3, 1949 in Cookeville to the late Hubert D. and Vallie Maynard LaFever. Hal was a graduate of Upperman High School in Baxter and was a U.S. Army veteran. Hal was a retired pipeliner. He enjoyed old cars, guns and TV westerns. Survivors include wife of 38 years (Married July 9, 1983) Donna Hensley LaFever of Silver Point (Donna worked in the Lab at Cookeville Regional Medical Center), daughter Holley LaFever and husband Youngho Kim of Centreville, VA, son Hayden LaFever and friend Sampson Martin of Silver Point. The family will receive friends following services at the cemetery.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Edna Mae Thurston Wilborn, age 96, of Hilham will be conducted 1 p.m., Saturday, August 28, 2021 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Eugene McCowan will officiate. Burial to follow in the Aaron Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Edna passed from this life on Sunday night, August 22, 2021 from the Livingston Regional Hospital. She was born in Spruce Knob, West Virginia on July 17, 1925 to the late Joseph and Rose Ross Thurston. Edna lived in the Hilham Community for the past 62 years. She received her high school GED at the age 65. Christian in Faith, Edna worked many years as a CNA for Masters Health Care. She was known by her family and friends as being the “best cook in the world”. Edna also loved being outdoors, having picnics and camping at the Obey River. Edna, loved the Lord, reading, and listening to her Bible and prayed for her family daily. She cherished her family, friends, and neighbors who were very important to her. Edna leaves behind her sons, Mac Wilborn of Akron, OH, and Michael Wilborn and wife Brenda, of Cookeville. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 7 p.m., then on Saturday from 11 a.m. until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
Graveside Services for Mr. Michael E. Aldridge, age 76 of Monroe will be conducted 2 p.m., Sunday, August 29 from the Overton County Memorial Gardens, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Bro. Steven Barlow will officiate. Mr. Aldridge passed from this life on Tuesday morning, August 24 from the comfort of his home, with his loving family at his side. A member of the Monroe Christian Church, Michael earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked for General Motors for many years. He loved antique cars and was currently restoring a 1951 Cadillac. Michael served his country in the United States Army from 1963 to 1966. He also enjoyed fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren. Michael leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Diane Crabtree Aldridge; and sons, Jeffrey (Dianna) Aldridge, and James Aldridge. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
A Memorial Service for Danny Marvin Denning, 68 of Sparta, will be held on Sunday, August 29 at 4 PM at The Christian Life First Assembly of God in Sparta with Brent Tevebaugh officiating. Mr. Denning passed away on Monday, August 23 in Cookeville. He was a member of The Christian Life First Assembly of God in Sparta. He helped people learn how to study the Bible and pray, he had a true servant’s heart. Danny loved helping people. He was always taking food to people and making sure that they had everything they needed. He loved to cook, his friends are going to miss his banana bread and his famous pound cake. He loved his dog, Lucy. Mr. Denning was survived by several family members, many friends and neighbors, and his church family.
Funeral Services for Mr. Ovid Winningham, age 93 of Livingston, will be conducted Tuesday, August 31st at 11AM from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home in Livingston. Bro. Russ Scott will officiate. Burial will be in the Overton County Memorial Gardens with military honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Winningham passed from this life on Thursday morning, August 26 from the Overton County Health and Rehab Center. Ovid was a faithful Christian and a member at Memorial Baptist Church. He enjoyed meeting his friends at McDonald’s, working around the house, and helping people any way he could. Ovid always loved reading his Bible. Ovid leaves behind his loving wife, Joy Seabolt Winningham of Livingston; and sons, Charles (Melanie) Winningham, and Duane (Barb) Winningham. The family will welcome friends on Monday evening from 5 until 8 PM. The Masonic Lodge Service will be conducted on Monday evening at 7 PM.
A Celebration of Life for Betty Viola Stewart Nabors Stark, age 93 of Cookeville, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday September 2 at Stewart Cemetery in Cookeville. Mrs. Stark passed away Sunday August 1 at her home. She was retired personnel manager at Kmart in LaPorte, IN where she was employed for over 20 years. She enjoyed researching genecology and cemeteries, she helped set up the Putnam County Veteran’s Archives, and the Doll House Museum, and she was known for her dowsing for lost graves. She is survived by six daughters, Donna Rose Rice of Cookeville, June Plassman of Brush Creek, Deborah Kay Barlow of Eastpointe, MI, Connie Mae Stokley of Edgewood, NM, Judy Lynn Switzer of Michigan City, IN, and Betty “Cricket” Nabors of Cookeville; three sons, Gary Lynn Nabors of Cookeville, Robert Duane Nabors of Hubbard, TX, and David James Nabors of Cookeville.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Millard Mayhew (affectionally know as Buster) Brown, Jr., 79 of Livingston, will be conducted September 7 from the Donelson Church of the Nazarene, in Nashville from 4 until 5 p.m. Mr. Brown passed from this life on Friday evening, August 20 in Hermitage. A graduate of Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, he was active in the National Guard and was fortunate to be able to work in a profession he loved for his entire working years. Buster retired from Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and USDA Animal Control. He was honored to be chosen to go after 9/11 to New York/New Jersey to assist in animal control of the remains of the devastation of the World Trade Center. He took great pride in his professions. Buster grew up in the United Methodist Church in Livingston, TN. He also assisted in the building/development of Historic Collinsville in Southside, TN, a living history Museum which opened to the public in 1997 with 16 restored log structures interpreting history from the 1800s, which his sister and brother-in-law restored and opened to the public. Buster leaves behind his daughter, Amy Lynn Brown Clark.
