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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 Friday, July 21
Graveside Services for Brenda Sue Hill Bryant, age 69 of Walling, will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Plainview Cemetery in the Cassville community. She passed away on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta. She was born February 13, 1954 in Cookeville, and she was the daughter of the late Claston Hill and the late Frona Hawkins Hill. Brenda worked at Thomas Industries for 23 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Pettit and her brothers, Glen Hill and David Hill. Survivors include: Husband- James Bryant of Walling; Brother- George Hill of Sparta; Sisters- Faye Horton of Sparta; Betty Howell of Sparta; Joey Woods of Cookeville; Connie Belts of Smithville, and Dorene Howard of VA. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Mr. David Ray Matheney, age 81 of Walling, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, July 22, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Plainview Cemetery in the Cassville Community. He passed away at 7:20pm Wednesday, July 19, 2023 surrounded by his family at his residence. Mr. Matheney was born June 14, 1942 in McMinnville, to the late Bud and Emma Donelson Matheney. He retired from Mallory with 22 years of service and was a shade tree mechanic. He was an avid fisherman and card player. He could always be found doing crossword puzzles and reading his bible. David was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in Vietnam as a radio operator, he later went on to serve in the Army National Guard. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a son Jimmy Ray Matheney and brother George Wesley Matheney. Surviving family members left to cherish his memory include his wife of 57 years Brenda Sue Wilmoth Matheney; Two daughters: Davia Sue Quistgaard, and Melissa Dell Davenport; Two sons: David Wayne Matheney, Christopher George Matheney and Candy Presley; Sister: Mary Ruth Roberts; Numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hunter Funeral Home, PO Box 90, Sparta, TN 38583 to assist the Matheney family with funeral expenses.
Funeral service for Betty Louise McBride, 76 of Sparta, will begin at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 22, 2023 with burial to follow at Old Bon Air Cemetery. She gained her wings on July 18, 2023 at NHC Healthcare in Sparta. She was born on October 5, 1946 in Sparta, to Willie H. McBride and Aredus Nash McBride of the Lovejoy Community. She is preceded in death by her parents, Willie H. and Aredus McBride; two brothers, Douglas and Dewey McBride; grandparents, Charlie and Cora Dibrell McBride, Abner Mack Nash and Morrine Emerton Nash; and one niece, Denise Barnes. Survivors include her daughter, Beverly Frazier; grandson, Allen Frazier; great-grandson Greyson Allen Frazier; two special great-grandchildren, Autumn Frazier and Caden Bryant; two brothers, Charlie McBride and Lonnie (Claire) McBride; one sister, Ann (Hugh) LaFever; a host of nieces and nephews; a dog, Rhino; and his friends, Duke, Rocky, and Mallee. She graduated from WCHS in 1965. She worked in a restaurant and Thomas Industries for a brief time. She also helped out at LBJ&C for a little while. Then she babysat for many neighborhood families. She was a caregiver for her mom and dad. She was a member of BonDeCroft Baptist Church. She liked to watch wrestling, soaps, the Cooking Channel, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Andy Griffith, westerns, and Channel 5 News. She loved being with her family at get-togethers, playing bingo, listening to Bro. Josh, and other activities at NHC. She loved seeing her great-grandson and dog, Rhino. The family would like to thank everyone at NHC Healthcare for the good care they provided during her stay there and the care for her family also. There will be a visitation in the Chapel of Thurman Funeral Home on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The funeral service for Sam Henry Hutchison, 84 of Cookeville, will be Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home, with Pastor Travis Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Cook Cemetery, located at 5555 Buffalo Valley Road, Cookeville, TN 38501. He passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at home surrounded by family. Sam was born Thursday, June 22, 1939, Cookeville, to the late James Winell Hutchison and late Lena B Hancock. He was one of three children. Sam loved to spend time with his buddies. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and camping. Sam opened Sam’s Upholstery in 1976, expanded the business to Sam’s Carpet and Upholstery in 1978, unitl his daughter purchased the business in the late 1990s. Sam is survived by Wife, Connie Hutchison, of 63 loving years of Cookeville; Daughter, Debra (Mike) Allen of Cookeville; Son, Danny (Jill) Hutchison of Baxter; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; and several neices, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by son Sam, Junior Hutchison; and sisters, Sue Werren and Betty Decker. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM until time of service On Saturday, July 22, 2023.
Funeral Services for Virginia Steele, age 94, of Cookeville will be held on Sunday July 23, 2023, at 3:00P.M. from the Chapel of Whitson Funeral Home. Bro. Glenn Ramsey will officiate at the service and family and friends will serve as Pallbearers. The burial will follow in the Palmer Cemetery. Virginia Steele was born in Putnam County, Tn on August 21, 1928, to the late Robert and Sarah Judd Thomas. She passed away on July 19, 2023, at NHC Healthcare in Cookeville. She was a member of the Herren’s Chapel Church of Christ and work as a Human Resource Agent for Norwalk for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, W.J. Steele, son, Stevan Steele and 7 brothers and sisters. Her family includes; daughter, Darlane Christian (Bill), granddaughters, Angelina Whitley (Gregg), Zane Steele (Heather), Stone Steele (Tammy), great grandchildren, Erica Ford (Josh), Alex Steele, Journi Steele and Tosha Steele, great great grandchildren, Bristol, Vaylan, Stella and Navey Ford. Honorary granddaughter, Dian Phy. Numerous Nieces and Nephews also survive. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00P.M. until the time of services at 3:00P.M.
Funeral services for Wanda Sue Davis, age 87 of Baxter, will be held Monday, July 24, 2023 beginning at 11:00 am from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Gary Norton and Bro. Jerry Blair officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She passed from this life Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Bailey Manor in Cookeville. Born Saturday, September 28, 1935 in Baxter, she was the daughter of the late Tom and Carrie (Thompson) Mathis. Sue was a loving sister and friend to all who knew her. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially “hair days” when she would gather with her sisters at different homes. Sue is survived by: 4 sisters and 2 brothers-in-law: Jimmie McKinney of Elmwood, Helen (Cricket) and Bobby Boyd of Baxter, Frankie and Joe Williams of Baxter, Karen Cole of Baxter; A host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; 2 stepdaughters: Annette and husband Roger Fuqua of Cookeville, Pam and Monte Manis of Cookeville. In addition to her parents Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Robert N. Davis, 2 sisters, Betty Elrod and Mary Clemons, 1 brother, Tommy Ray Mathis. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday, July 23, from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm, and again on Monday from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.
Funeral services for Gwynn Gregory Medlin, age 56 of Baxter, will be held Tuesday, July 25, 2023 beginning at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro. He passed from this life Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at his home in Baxter. Born Saturday, July 15, 1967 in Cookeville, he was the son of Patricia (Anderson) Medlin and the late Frazier Medlin. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He was an avid sportsman. He loved hunting, archery, playing cards, traveling, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of a book club which he enjoyed. Gwynn is employed by Fleetguard/Cummins Filtration as a machinist and has been with them 35 years. In addition to his mother, Gwynn is survived by his loving wife Susan Medlin of Baxter; 1 daughter and son-in-law: Samantha and Teddy Tweedy of Somerset, KY; 2 sons and daughters-in-law: Daniel and Toni Johnson of Alpine; Christopher and Lindsey Johnson of Byrdstown; 3 grandchildren: Zola-grace, Jaylee (Lil Boo) and Braxton; 1 aunt and spouse: Carol and Bobby Vinson of Cookeville; Several cousins; Special friends: Steven and Judy Farris of Baxter. In addition to his father Gwynn was preceded in death by a grandchild, Anna Kate Pryce Tweedy, maternal grandparents, Fred and Viola Anderson, paternal grandparents, Verble and Gladys Medlin. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, July 24, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and again Tuesday from 12:00 pm until the time of service at 2:00 pm.
Funeral service for Claude Samuel “Sam” Elder, age 81, of Sparta, will be held at 12:00 on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Latter Day Saints Church, of Sparta with David Day officiating. Burial will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery. He passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023, at his home with his family by his side. Sam was born Thursday, May 21, 1942 in Memphis, he was the son of James Elder and Emma Buss. Sam was a member of Tennessee Latter Day Saints Church for many years, and he was a member of the Cookeville Masonic Lodge #266. Sam retired from the park service and worked as an insurance agent for over 30 years. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his daughters, Teri and Sheri Elder, his brother, James Ronald Elder, his granddaughters, Daisy and Rose Elder, his grandson, Vincent Elder and his great granddaughter Robin Burlison. Surviving family include: Wife- Joyce Keltner Elder of Sparta; Son- Mark Elder, Sparta, Joe Elder ( Lori) Cookeville, and Steven Elder ( Carolyn) Sparta; Former daughter-in-law – Jennifer Elder; 11 Grandchildren; 9 Great-Grandchildren; Brother- Dennis Elder ( Shirley) of Sevierville, and Darryl Elder of Sparta. Several nieces, nephews, and friends also survived. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 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.
