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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 3
The family of Judy Dianne Cantrell 77 of Cookeville, Tennessee, will welcome friends Thursday August 3 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. She passed away peacefully on July 20, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 3, 1945 in Sparta, to the late James Beecher Dunham and Inez Bumbalough Dunham. Along with her parents, Judy was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Swindell, and nephews, Ryan Dunham and Scott Swindell. She is survived by her loving husband, Jerry Dwight Cantrell; her son, Jason (Tamara) Cantrell of Lebanon, Tennessee; her daughter, Jill (Dr. Jeff) Moore of Cookeville, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Cimberley Kaylin Moore and John Thomas Moore; her siblings, Ronnie (Debbie) Dunham, Carolyn (Joe) McDonald, and Melissa ( Bryan) Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, and many, many friends. As a devoted wife to Jerry for over 55 years, Judy showed tenderness, kindness, love, and true compassion. As a mother, sister, aunt, and friend, she exhibited strength, wisdom, patience, and grace. In her community, Judy showed intelligence, drive, and insight. As a woman well ahead of her time, she helped establish Cantrell Financial Services in 1970. However, her most precious and cherished role was that of “Grammie” to her two grandchildren, Kaylin and JT, with whom she shared her heart. Judy had an unwavering faith in her Savior Jesus Christ and will be remembered as a positive light to all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to her beloved Life Church of Cookeville.
A Celebration of Life Service for Martha Frances Eller Jared, age 91 of the Shady Grove Community, will be held at 3:00pm on Friday, August 4th, 2023 at the Shady Grove Methodist Church with burial in the Shady Grove Cemetery. Rev. Greg Gallaher will officiate. She died on the family farm in the Shady Grove community of White County, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 after a lengthy illness. She was lovingly cared for by her children, their spouses, and caregivers at her home where she lived for over 70 years. Martha loved the Lord and was a faithful member, servant, communion steward, and Sunday school teacher at the Shady Grove Methodist Church throughout her long life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, and aunt to her large, extended family. A gifted homemaker, expert quilter, and an exceptional Southern cook, Martha made her home a place of welcome and hospitality to all who entered its doors. She was a 1950 graduate of White County High School and a thirty-year employee of White County Farm Bureau in Sparta. Martha was the youngest of eleven children born to Isaac Beecher and Annie Pennington Eller on June 27, 1932. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold of 60 years, her parents, and all ten of her siblings. She is survived by four children: Brenda Dodson (Jeff) of Pleasant Hill, Lyndon Jared (Pat) of Walling, Connie Gallaher (Greg) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Max Jared (Barbara) of Sparta. Survivors also include ten grandchildren: Ginger McCormick, Venus Dodson, Christopher Jared, Daniel Dodson, Jared Gallaher, Mary Ann Kilgore, John Gallaher, Julie Sliger, Jordan Jared, Hannah Kelly, and nineteen great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00pm on Friday, August 4th, 2023 at the Shady Grove Methodist Church, 1155 Lowery Road, Walling.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ruby Gail Roberts Dial, age 71 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, August 5, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Highland Cemetery. She passed away at 6:50pm Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Alive Hospice Murfreesboro. Gail was born September 22, 1951 in Sparta. She was last surviving child of the eleven born to the late Norman Eldridge and Minnnie Mae Silcox Roberts. She was retired from Mallory. She enjoyed working in her yard and being outside. She was an active member of Shiloh Church of God of the Prophecy where she enjoyed singing and being with her church family. In her spare time she enjoyed reading the bible and talking to her numerous family members on the phone. Above all else, she dedicated her life to her family. In addition to her parents and siblings, she is also preceded in death by a son Joel Steven Blanton who died October 4, 2022. Survivors include her husband Buford Dial of Sparta; Daughter:Tina (Richard) Fortner of North Carolina; Son: Rodney Blanton of Sparta; Step-daughter: Penny (James) West; Grandchildren: Rachel (Sean) O’Neill of North Carolina and Kirsten West, Jason (Nora) Flatt of Cookeville, Luke Blanton and Caleb West; Great-grandson Alan Stoner; A host of nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Ms. Mary Melissa Hickey Roberts, affectionately known as Missy, age 54 and a native of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the Blue Spring Presbyterian Church with burial in Blue Spring Cemetery. She passed away Thursday morning, August 3, 2023 in Knoxville. Missy was born September 11, 1968 in Sparta, to John and Geraldine Hickey. There will be no visitation prior to the service.
Memorial services for Mrs. Janice Kay Pittman Plemons, age 74 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Christpoint Church in Sparta. She passed away unexpectedly at 11:58am on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Janice was born October 17, 1948 in Sparta to the late Zollie Martin Pittman and Hattie Slatten Pittman Adcock. She was a longtime beautician and beautician instructor. She was a well known Yogo instructor at the YMCA and the Senior Citizens Center. In addition to Yoga, she was a Tai Chi’ and aerobics instructor. Janice as an active member of Christpoint Church and was a founding member of the Christpoint Smithville campus. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by a sister Myrna Brown and brother Jimmy Pittman. Survivors include her high school sweetheart and husband of 14 years Larry Plemons; Two sisters: Billie Ruth Harris and Vickie Pittman; Step-children: Les (Ariann) Plemons, Jamie (Michael) Millians, Whitney (Jerry) Smith, Angela (Robbie) Hamby; Special granddaughter: Shaylah; Special nephew: Cole (Amber) Vinson; Two nephews: Danny (Shelly) Harris and James (Lisa) Harris. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Sunday at the church.
Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Ronald Keith Ledbetter, age 66, of Bloomington Springs and formerly of Livingston, will be conducted 5 p.m., Saturday, August 19, 2023, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Ron passed from this life on Sunday, morning, July 30, 2023, from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born in Livingston, on December 5, 1956, to the late Earl Anderson and Betty Reagan Ledbetter. Ron was a 1976 graduate of Livingston Academy graduating earlier than his classmates. He was a member of the Life Church of Cookeville. Ron enjoyed boating on Dale Hollow Lake, also fishing and camping with his grandchildren. Ron leaves behind his son, Matthew Ledbetter and wife Lauryn of Cookeville; grandchildren, Grace Mesler and husband Trevor, Noah Ledbetter, Makenna Ledbetter, Max Ledbetter, Connor Williams, Asher Johnson, Atticus Womack and Rowan Womack; sister, Penny Milton and husband Steve of Cookeville; stepchild, Aurelia Womack of Cookeville; friends that became family, Michael and Amber Lawhorn, Tommy and Barbara Bandie, Diane Mullinax, and Victoria Carmack. Ron was preceded in death by his parents. The family will welcome friends on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 3 pm until time of services.
