We Remember: Obituaries For Friday, June 30

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 Friday, June 30

Funeral service for Bobby Joe Newman, 86 of Cookeville, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday July 1 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Chaplain Jim McAfee will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery. Bobby passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023, at Signature Health Care in Cookeville. Born on June 6, 1937 in Cookeville, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, whose life was defined by his unwavering devotion to his family, his impressive work ethic, and his selfless nature. Bobby’s life was marked by an unwavering commitment to his family. He was the cherished husband of Wanda Willoughby Newman, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. He was a devoted father to his daughters, Vicki Woolbert of Darrington, WA, and Rhonda Pennington of Gainesboro, and to his step-sons, Mark Oakley (wife, Sheila) and Pat Oakley (Charlotte Campbell) of Cookeville. He loved his grandchildren, Bud Woolbert, Joseph Woolbert, Katie Woolbert-Brinley, and Julianna Fenstermaker; and his step-grandchildren, Megan Broman and Mary Alice Bales. Bobby also had the joy of being a great-grandfather to Jacob, Camaron, Gene, Noah, Baker, Olivia, Scarlett, and Judd. Bobby was preceded in death by his wife, Gennell Farley Newman, his parents, Rupert and Gladys Means Newman, his sister, Barbara Sue Newman, his sons-in-law, Butch Woolbert and David Pennington, and his step-sons, James and David Oakley. Bobby was a proud veteran of the US Navy and had a distinguished career with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, where he served as a surveyor for over 30 years. His dedication to his work was evident in his meticulous attention to detail and the respect he garnered from his colleagues. In addition to his career with the Department of Transportation, Bobby also served with the Tennessee National Guard for 40 years, a testament to his love for his country and his unwavering commitment to service. Bobby was a true family man, always putting the needs of his loved ones before his own. He was dependable, always there for those who needed him, and selfless. He was a hard worker, never shying away from a challenge and always striving to do his best in whatever he undertook. His family will welcome friends Friday from 5 – 7 p.m. and again Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time.

Funeral Service for Richard “Wobble” Duane Rice, 66 of Baxter, will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 11:00 am from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Tiebout officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023. Wobble was born Tuesday, November 27, 1956, in Sparta, he was the son of the late James Elliott Rice and the late Reba Rhea (Lyles) Montgomery. Wobble was a loving son, brother, husband, father, Papa, uncle, and friend. He was a retired Union pipeline operator. He loved to fish, and be with his family. He was known to walk up to a stranger and strike up a conversation and was a friend to everyone. Wobble is survived by, Wife of 39 years, Kristi Susanne (Sparks) Rice; 3 Children, Christopher Dwayne Rice, and his partner, Mandy, Chadrick Lawrence Rice, and his wife, Christina, and Dustin Levi Rice, and his wife, Alesia; 6 Grandchildren, Ali Martinez, Luci. Jude, and Lennon Rice, and Chloe and Ricky Rice; Brother, Tony Rice and his wife, Elizabeth; 2 Sisters, Yvonne Rice, and Teresa Nichols; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to his parents, Wobble was preceded in death by, Son, Joshua McDonald Rice; his Dad, Bill Montgomery; 2 Brothers, Jimmy Rice, and William “Biggun” Rice; Sister, Gloria Cartwright. Visitation with the family will be held Friday, June 30, 2023, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and again, July 1, 2023, from 9:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.

Funeral Services for Mr. Ethan Wade Walls, age 30, of Allons will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, July 1, 2023, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Bro. Junior Dewayne Walls and Bro. Denton Hummel will officiate. Burial to follow in the Walls Family Cemetery. Ethan passed from this life on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, in Pikeville. He was born October 9, 1992, in Livingston to Rick and Brenda Hammock Walls. Ethan was a 2011 graduate of Livingston Academy. He enjoyed farming, fishing, and mechanic work in his shop. Ethan never met a stranger and enjoyed driving his dump truck. His greatest love was his family. Ethan leaves behind his wife Rebecca Brown Walls of Allons; sons, Koben Walls, and Maxton Walls of Allons; parents, Ricky and Brenda Walls of Allons; brother, Heath Walls and wife Ashley of Allons; and mother & father-in-law, Linda Allred of Livingston, and Doug Brown of Charleston, WV. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 9 p.m. at the Livingston Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Joseph “Everett” Burgess, age 90 of Livingston, will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 11 AM from the chapel of Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Netherland Cemetery in Cookeville. He passed away on June 28, 2023 in Livingston. The youngest of 11 children, Everett was born on May 28, 1933 in Bledsoe County to the late Frank and Marcia Burgess. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years Jane Burgess, daughter Brenda (Don) Evans, son Joe (Tina) Burgess, daughter Barbie Walker, daughter Melissa (Stephen) Fields, daughter Sherry (John) Farley, and daughter Sara Carr. Grandchildren, Shawna Farmer, Sam Walker, Melany Brady, Heather Reel, Rachel Penter, Kaitlyn Farley, and Daisy Fields. Great Grandchildren, Brayden Reel, Bella Reel, Briley Farmer, Baylor Farmer, and a host of nieces and nephews. Everett proudly served in the United States Army from 1953 – 1956, then became a supervisor for Oster Manufacturing, from where he retired. He loved farming, fishing, hunting, raising a garden, and most of all, his family. The family will welcome friends for visitation to the funeral home on Monday, July 3rd starting at 9 AM until the beginning of service.

Funeral Service for William Dell Lewis, 63 of Sparta, will be held Monday, July 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Oaklawn Cemetery. He passed away June 28, 2023. Dell was preceded in death by his Mother Ruby Johnson, Fathers Austin Lewis & L.J. Johnson, and Sister Donna Johnson Blaylock. Dell is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Linda Lewis, Brothers Danny Lewis (Mary Lewis), Stephen Lewis, and Larry “Bubba” Johnson. Children Amanda Lewis (Blaine Cecil), William Dell Lewis, Jr., Christopher Lewis (Rachel Lewis), Deiondre Lewis, Bradford Lewis (Kristna Lewis), Natasha Lewis-Aguilar (Leandro Aguilar). Grandkids Kaylen “Peanut” Lewis, Madison Hittson, Keeley Lewis, Kennedy Lewis, Kaison Lewis,Haley Lewis, Gracey Lewis, Alexandria Lewis, Owen Lewis, Terry Kristopher Lewis, Charlie Mae Lewis, Izzabella Aguilar, Alisa Aguilar, and Brantley Talent. Dell was a beloved Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, and Friend who loved his Family, Friends, Faith, and most of all…….he loved his own Jokes. With a no holding back, tell it like it is approach, Dad seemed to win us all over with his charm and stunningly good looks. He never met a stranger, he never let anyone go without, and his kind gentle soul made everyone around him feel welcomed. The family will receive friends from 4 pm until 8 pm on Sunday Evening and on Monday after 9 till funeral time.

Funeral services for Hilda Jean Packingham, 76 of Sparta and formerly of Baxter, will be Monday, July 3 at 1 PM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Dobbs Cemetery in Putnam County. Sister Judy Storie will officiate. Mrs. Packingham died Monday, June 26, 2023 at Bethesda Health Care Center in Cookeville. She was born March 26, 1947 in Putnam County to the late Clennie and Myrtis Jones Herron. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Archie Packingham on September 23, 2002, a son Jonathan Andrew Packingham on April 15, 2002, sister Neva Jo Packingham, brothers Rex Herron and Richard Herron. Hilda enjoyed nitendo games, crossword puzzles and puzzles. She also enjoyed cooking, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Hilda was a retired quality control inspector in the automotive industry. Survivors include sons Ryan Packingham of Baxter, Scott Packingham of Cookeville, step-son Russell Packingham of Florida, sister Anna Ruth (Eric) Sorenson of Crocker, Missouri, brother Ronnie D. (Sandra) Herron of Danville, Virginia, grandchildren: Hope Packingham, Samantha Packingham ( Brian) Ballard, Trent Packingham, great grandson Jaxon Packingham. The family will receive friends Monday after 11 AM until service time at the funeral home.

A Celebration of Life Service for Phyllis May Frese, age 69 of Baxter, will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023, beginning at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Jesse Flowers officiating. She passed from this life Saturday, June 24, 2023, at her home in Baxter. Born Monday, September 14, 1953 in Roseburg, Oregon, she was the daughter of the late Phillip and Shirley (Ireland) Flynn. Phyllis was a loving Wife and Sister . She was a Veteran and served during the Vietnam Era. She is survived by her loving Husband, Norman Allen Frese. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm.