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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 Wednesday, September 6
Lynn (Chedester) Dunham, 86 of Cookeville, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Signature Health Care of Putnam County in Cookeville. Lynn chose cremation, the family followed her wishes, and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Sheryl Ann Speck Looper, age 76, of Livingston will be conducted 11 a.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Good Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Sherry passed from this life on Sunday evening, September 3, 2023, from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born in Putnam County, on October 24, 1946, to the late William Keith “Bill” and Mary Elizabeth Howard Speck. She was a 1964 graduate of Livingston Academy where she was active in the Livingston Academy Alumni. A member of the First United Methodist Church of Livingston, she worked many years for the Department of Human Services. Sherry was someone who never met a stranger and enjoyed being with her family, friends, listening to music, and being a “Nana”. Sherry leaves behind her husband, Joe Looper of Livingston; daughter, Beth Hooper and husband Michael of Livingston; grandson, Connor Hooper of Livingston, sister, Martha Kay Hunter and husband Don of Livingston, sons, Chris Huddleston and wife Misty of Rickman, and Andrew Looper and wife Ashley of Allons. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday evening from 5 until 8 p.m.
Funeral Services for Nina Mae Brown, age 85 of Byrdstown, will be held Thursday Sept. 7, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. from the Brown Funeral Chapel with Bro. Henry Colbert officiating. Burial will be in the Moody Cemetery. She passed away on Sunday August 27, 2023 at her residence. She was born April 4, 1934 in Pall Mall to Mack and Helen (Moody) Brown. She was a past employee with ITT Communications. Nina Mae is survived by nieces, nephews and friends. Nina Mae was preceded in death by her Parents: Mack and Helen Brown; (4) Sisters: Ruby Smith, Irene Kerney, Alma Williams and Jill Peterson; (2) Brothers: Glenn Brown and Kirby Brown. The family will receive friends at Brown Funeral Chapel on Thursday Sept. 7, 2023 from 11:00 A.M. until time of the service at 1:00 P.M.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Bonnie Sue Ward Strong, age 80, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday, September 7, 2023, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Bro. Jeremy Bilbrey will officiate. Burial to follow in the Old Union Cemetery. Mrs. Bonnie passed from this life on Monday evening, September 4, 2023, from the comforts of her home in Livingston. She was born at home on November 17, 1942, to the late Robert and Clara Danner Ward. Bonnie was a 1961 graduate of Livingston Academy, and Baptist in faith. She loved her hometown Livingston Wildcats football team, also the Tennessee Titans. She was known for her green thumb for flowers and gardening. Bluegrass and Gospel Music were her favorites. Bonnie’s greatest joy was her family. Bonnie leaves behind her sons, Timothy Coffee and wife Diann of Livingston, Herman Kevin Coffee and wife Angela of Hilham, and Daryl Anthony Coffee of Livingston; daughter, Robin Perdue of Livingston; Wendy Maddox, Cindy Hudson, Tonya Cote, Jimmy Cote, Jacob and Josh Coffee, Issac Hargis, Nathan Hargis, Elijah Tate, Ayden Coffee, and Brodey Coffee; great grandchildren, Chloe Maddox, Addison, and Madelyn Cote, also Hudson Womack; brothers, Jim Ward and wife Deborah of Livingston, Jerry Ward and wife Sharon of Cookeville, and Jack Ward and wife Joyce of Hilham; sisters, Linda Sells of Cookeville, Kathy Fry and husband Jack of Nashville, Maxine Dooley and husband Ray of St. Albany, WV, Deborah Bilbrey and husband Danny of Hilham, Darlene Pennington of Hilham, and Vickie Deck and husband Roger of Cookeville; several nieces, nephews, and cousin dearly loved; aunts, Gerline England and Faye Hultberg both of Livingston. In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Frank Mitchell Strong; brother, William Alan Ward; daughters, Lisa Kay Coffee, and Janie Sue Cote; father of her children, Luther Gene Coffee. The family will welcome friends on Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until time of services. Memorial Donations may be made to the Livingston Funeral Home to help with funeral cost.
A memorial service for Sara Catherine Tinch, 79 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday evening, September 7th at 6pm at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Sara, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2023, in Cookeville. Born on June 7, 1944, in Monterey, TN, Sara’s life was characterized by her generous and selfless nature, her love for travel, and her dedication to her faith and family. Sara was the cherished daughter of the late Daniel Welch Horn and Wahlena Rogers. She was a proud graduate of Monterey High School. After school, her career took her to Geneva Pharmaceuticals in Reno, NV, and Denver, CO, where she worked diligently and made many lifelong friends. Later, she was employed in brokerage at Averitt Express in Cookeville. She was known for her infectious laughter, her love for Jimmy Buffet’s music, and her independent spirit. Sara had an adventurous side, always ready for a road trip or a beach getaway. Her journeys were not just about the destination, but the joy of the journey, the people she met, and the memories she made. Sara leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory. Her daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Marion Knowles of Walling, TN, will miss her deeply. Her granddaughters, Krista and her husband Kevin Dwyer of Louisiana, and Brandi Robbins of Sparta, will remember their grandmother’s love and guidance. Sara’s sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Rev. Gaylord “Bud” Rich of Watertown, will keep her spirit alive in their hearts. Sara was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Barbara Gill. Sara’s special friends and caretakers, Pat Mansell, Wanda Phifer and Sheila Eller were a great source of comfort and friendship in her life. She also leaves behind her cherished Aunt Delores Rogers, of Monterey. Each of these individuals played a significant role in Sara’s life, and she considered them not just friends, but family. Her family will receive friends Thursday from 4pm until service time at the funeral home.
A celebration of life for Jerry Samon Sr., age 79 of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 1pm-5pm at Life Church Cookeville. The gathering will be in the Edge building of the Cookeville campus. Samon passed away on August 31. A long-time resident of Cookeville, he was widely known for his leadership at Cassemco for 34 years and coaching in Cookeville youth football. He left behind wife Sharon Samon, brother Joel Samon, daughter Kim Sweat, son Jerry Samon Jr.(Rebecca Samon).
A memorial service for Helene Mae (Rowe) Furst, 97, a resident of Cookeville, will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16 at Heavenly Host Lutheran Church in Cookeville. Her ashes will be buried with her husband’s at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR. She died peacefully September 5, 2023, after a long and healthy life. She was born May 23, 1926 on the family farm near Scandinavia, Wisconsin to Harry and Ella Rowe. After her graduation from Scandinavia High School, she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, the first in her family to attend college. Growing up during the Great Depression, she developed life-long attributes of strength, fortitude, and common sense typical of the Greatest Generation. Following college graduation in 1948, she worked in public school and Luther College as a librarian. She earned her Master of Library Science degree at the University of Michigan and also met Edward Furst, whom she married in 1951. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Ed passed away in 2007. Helene was an outgoing person who could strike up a conversation at any time or place and quickly find something in common with her new friend. A devoted wife and mother keenly interested in the activities of her husband and children, she enjoyed each of the college towns the family lived in during her husband’s life as a professor. The last stop was Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she put down deep roots and lived for 50 years. She was one of the founders of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with which she was deeply involved, and she established and maintained its library. She dedicated her time to volunteering in the community, for example, serving for decades at Washington Regional Hospital. She relished her Norwegian heritage and was sought out for her skill in making the traditional lefse flat bread. Without fail, every October she would don her shirt emblazoned with “Leif Landed First.” Her trips to Norway with family members were life highlights she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Julian and Kermit, and her husband Edward Furst. She is survived by her children Linda (Dennis Tiche), Don (Ellis) and Ken (Denene); her grandchildren Caren Michael (Josh), Brian Furst, Kevin Furst (Kristin), Laura Dwyer (Ryan), Rachel Tiche, Emily Tiche, Paris Furst, Juliet Furst, and Evangeline Furst; and her great-grandchildren Tommy Michael, Nate Michael, Sam Michael, Ethan Michael, Finnegan Furst, Vivien Furst, Matthew Dwyer, and Elise Dwyer. The family wishes to thank the devoted staff at Heritage Pointe Senior Living for their kind and professional care of Helene during her residency there, as well as Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Helene in her final days. In honoring her life you can donate to your local library in her name.
