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 For Thursday, July 13
Funeral Services for Greg Blessing, age 46, of Cookeville, will be conducted on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM from The Chapel of Goff Funeral Home. Bro. Tony Phipps will officiate with interment to follow in the Woodcliff Cemetery. Greg was born on Saturday, December 25, 1976, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Susan Blessing Jackson of Monterey. He passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at his home. Greg was a Commercial Manager with Auto Zone in Algood. He enjoyed working on and racing RC cars, and fishing. He was a member of Sand Springs Baptist Church. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of almost 20 years, Sarah Swafford Blessing; his “5 rug rats”, Jaycee, Zachary, Paislee, Maddy, and Zayden; brother and sister-in-law, John Curtis and Roselyn Jackson; nieces and nephews, Christian, Nathaniel, Adrienne, and Casey; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Debbie and Tommy Beechboard; brothers-in-law, Tommy (Baley) Ferree, and Tyler Ferree; sister-in-law, Katie Swafford; and many cousins and special friends. He was preceded in death by Roger Swafford, John H. Jackson, Sara Elaine Blessing, Alfred Jr. and Clara Blessing, Gary Blessing, and Ronald Blessing. The family will receive friends at Goff Funeral Home on Thursday, July 13, 2023, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Funeral Services for James “Jamie” Matthew Holloway, age 47, of Cookeville, will be held on Friday July 14, 2023 at 2:00pm from the Chapel of Whitson Funeral Home. Bro. Danny Whitson will officiate at the service and Jason Holloway, Jimmy Banks, Marcus Banks, Max Greenwood, Stephen Hood, Levi Holloway, Mark Thompson, Mike Carnes and Gabriel Norris will serve as Pallbearers. Burial will follow in the Rocky Point Cemetery. James “Jamie” Matthew Holloway was born on February 7, 1976 in Putnam County to James Freddie Holloway and Tina Louise Looper. He passed away on July 10, 2023 in Cookeville. Jamie was very proud of his position as Lead Carpenter with Holloway and Sons Construction. He Loved spending time with his family and spending time outdoors fishing. He was preceded in death by; Son, James Paul Holloway, Paternal Grandparents, L.D. and Evelyn Holloway, Maternal Grandparents, Oral and Gladys Looper. His family includes Loving wife, Jamie Holloway; Father, Freddie and Janet Holloway; Mother, Louise and Jerry Hinson; 1 Son, Quinn Holloway; Step- Daughter, Megan Lynn Williams; 1 Brother, Jason Holloway; 4 Step-Sisters, Crystal Odom, (Daniel), Niki Stewart, Stacy Hinson and Beth Hinson; Niece Davie May Holloway. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00pm until 8:00pm and Friday from 1:00pm until time of the services at 2:00pm.
Funeral Services for Mr. Larry Lee Key, age 75, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m., Friday, July 14, 2023, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Jason Robertson will officiate. Burial to follow in the Eckel Cemetery. Mr. Key passed from this life on Tuesday evening, July 11, 2023, from the Overton County Health and Rehab surrounded by his family. He was born in Livingston, Tennessee on March 10, 1948, to the late Frank and Myma Wilson Key. Larry enjoyed watching westerns, NASCAR races, and baseball on tv. He enjoyed gardening and working on things that needed fixing. He enjoyed family get togethers. He loved his family dearly. Larry leaves behind his daughter, Penny Loftis and husband Randy of Livingston; step-daughter Angel Lewis and husband Phil of Livingston; step-son, Bobby Cantrell and wife Rachel of Monterey; grandson Colby Loftis and wife Katie of Livingston; granddaughter Madison Woodroof and husband Brandon of Livingston; grandchildren Zachary, Hudson, Harlee, Gracie, Alyssa, Lawson, and Meela: great-grandchildren Chip, Walton, Darcy, Deacon; brothers Noel Key of Livingston, and Doyle Key and wife Trish of Livingston; sister Lois Lawson and husband Billy of Rickman; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his son Chad Lee Key, great-grandson Max Jace Loftis, and brothers Earl Key, Jim Key, and Tom Key. The family will welcome friends on Friday from 11 am until time of services at the Speck Funeral Home.
Funeral services for James R. Loftis, age 80 of Cookeville, will be 3 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Mr. Loftis died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. His family will welcome friends Thursday 5-8 p.m. and Friday from 12 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Graveside services and interment services for Vickie Sue Bryant, 65 of Baxter, will be Saturday, July 15 at 1 PM at the Layton Bryant Family Cemetery. Pastor J.C. Allen will officiate. Miss Bryant died Wednesday, July 12, 2023 in Sparta. She was born May 5, 1958 in Nashville the late Franklin Delano and Sarah Virginia Searcy Bryant. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Janice James and Beverly “Chickie” Mainer, and a brother, Larry Dale James. Vickie was a 1976 graduate of Upperman High School in Baxter. She was a retired clerk with Putnam County Circuit Clerk Office with 30 years of service. Vickie enjoyed video games and ghost hunting. Survivors include daughter, Amanda Likovich of Baxter; son, Phillip Likovich of Sparta; partner, John Dulworth of Sparta; grandchildren: Sarah Robinson and Brent Robinson both of Baxter; sister, Judy Storie of Cookeville; brother and sister-in-law, Frankie and Victoria Bryant of St. Louis, Missouri. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following services.
A memorial service for Ashley Nicole Clark, 32 of Sparta, will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Christian Life First Assembly of God in Sparta. Ashley passed away on July 7, 2023 in Sparta. Ashley was born on October 10, 1990 in Cookeville. She is preceded in death by her father, Jerry Christopher Harp; sister, Hope Angel Johnson; and uncle, James Howard Harp. She is survived by her four children, Matthew Hammock (14), Braydon Spurlock (11), Roman Clark (3), and Everly Eller (2); mother, Shawn (Larry) Johnson; fiancé, Justin Eller; sisters, Elizabeth Johnson and Dakota Tanner; brother, Jacob Johnson; grandmother, Edna Wright; aunt Sarah Wright; grandmother, Carlos Johnson; along with several nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by her sense of humor and her love for everyone.
Celebration of Life for Renee Latrice Austin, 37 of Baxter, will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Abundant Grace Church in Sparta. She passed from this life on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at her home. Renee was born Saturday, July 13, 1985, in Nashville to parents, the late Joe Austin and Martha Edmiston. Renee was full of life, silly, loved to be funny, and thoughtful. She was a great daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved bright colors, full of light, loved the Lord, and singing gospel music. She loved fashion, makeup, and animals especially her dog, Lila. She enjoyed playing with her nieces and nephews, and family meant everything to her. Renee was loved by everyone she knew, and she will be greatly missed. Renee is survived by, Foster Mom, Theresa Humes; Foster Brother, Joshua Brooks and his wife, Sandra; Foster Sister, Tiffany Andrews and her husband, Caleb; Foster Nieces and Nephews, Elijah, Tai, and Zakariah Andrews, Jaylen and Shaila Mullins, Trevor, and Isabella Brooks; Special Foster Aunt, Martha Brennecke and her husband, Mark; Special Friend, Michael Martin; A host of Foster Aunts, Uncles, and other Foster family members. In addition to her parents, Renee was preceded in death by, Foster Step Dad, Mark Humes; Foster Maternal Grandparents, Roy, and Ruby Hudson.
Funeral Service for Rena Carlene (Keylon) Lynn, 70 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 3:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Donnie Davidson officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She passed from this life on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at her home. Rena was born Monday, September 29, 1952, in Kingston, she was the daughter of the late Carl Fred Keylon and the late Clara Rine (Branson) Keylon. Rena was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was an avid reader, collected teddy bears, and rescued animals. She worked as a medical technologist specializing in blood banking. She was a devoted homemaker and loved her grandbabies. Rena was loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed. Rena is survived by, Husband of 48 years, Dr. Kenny Lynn; Son, Bret Keylon Lane; Daughter, Robyn Kathleen (Lynn) Willis and her husband, Seth; 2 Grandchildren, Liam Boyd Willis and Lorelai Eden Willis; Sister, Judy Summers and her husband, Art; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to her parents, Rena was preceded in death by, Sister, Linda McCarthy. Visitation with the family will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 12:00 pm until the time of service at 3:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral Service for Mary Eva (Roberts) West, 85, of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, July 16, 2023, at 3:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bros. Ed Malone and Jimmy Simpson officiating. Interment will follow in the Cooke Cemetery. She passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023. She was born July 8,1938, in Hawesville, KY, to the late Moncie and Hazel Roberts. Much of her early years were spent in Kentucky, eventually moving to Detroit, Michigan, where she met and married her husband of 48 years, the late Bobby Lee West. They moved to Cookeville in 1960, raising their family on Buffalo Valley Road. She is also preceded in death by her brothers Donald Roberts, Hubert Roberts, and Dean Roberts. She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Kevin) Jernigan and Karla West; grandchildren Bryan Jernigan and Jacob Crocker; sister-in-law Patsy Roberts-Perkins; brother-in law James West; and many nieces and nephews in Tennessee, Michigan, Florida and Arizona. She was also surrounded in love by friends Rachel Morrison, her husband, Tim, children Samuel, Sybil, and Isaac, and Rachel’s mother Mary Bean. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 pm until the time of service at 3:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Paul Terry Netherton, age 76 of Cookeville, will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023, beginning at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Michael Giaimo officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed from this life Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville. Born Monday, June 2, 1947, in Cookeville, he was the son of the late James and Wilma (Hutchings) Netherton. Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He enjoyed spending time with his family and worked 28 years at Wilson Sporting Goods in Cookeville, and also worked and retired from APCOM of Cookeville. Paul enjoyed gardening, yard work, and watching baseball and softball especially when his children played. His grandchildren were his world. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Anna (Taylor) Netherton of Cookeville; 2 daughters and Sons-in-law: Trish and Michael Giaimo of Cookeville, Jenny and Troy Furton of Cookeville; 5 grandchildren: Lauren, Tyler, Caleb, Gage, and Haylee; 3 great-grandchildren: Aubree, Paislee, and Oaklee; 2 sisters: Phyllis Stallion, Marie Johnson; A host of nieces and nephews; In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by1 son, Robert Netherton, 1 sister, Jean Daniels, 2 brothers, James and U.L. Netherton. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, July 17, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and again on Tuesday from 12:00 noon until the time of service at 2:00 pm.
A memorial service for Mrs. Susan Lin Schmitt, age 71 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, July 29th at 4:00pm at Boma First Church of God in Baxter. Rev. Tim Sharp will officiate. Mrs. Schmitt died Friday June 30, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born December 21, 1951 in McKeesport, PA to the late J. Howard and Sue (Lloyd) McKee. Susan worked in supermarkets throughout her life, most recently at Kroger in Cookeville where she worked for 12 years until her retirement. She was a member of Boma First Church of God near Baxter and a member of Eastern Star Cookeville Chapter #152. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Frank Schmitt; sons, James (Kathy) Schmitt of Gary, Indiana, Sean (Melanie) Schmitt of Bourbonnais, Illinois and Scott Schmitt, of Cookeville; grandchildren, Matthew, Brendan and Andrew Schmitt; and by brothers, Richard McKee and Jeffrey (Collette) McKee. Her family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00pm until service time at the church.