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, December 27
Funeral services for Sammy “Sam” Kenneth Winfree, 79 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Bro. Doug Dillard will officiate. Interment will follow in Cookeville City Cemetery. He passed away peacefully on December 22, 2023, in Cookeville. Born on September 12, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan,Sam was a beloved son to the late Alton J. and Clara Loftis Winfree, and a cherished brother to his late sister, JoAnn Winfree Myers. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cynthia Loftis Winfree; devoted son, Alan J. Winfree, and daughter-in-law Jennifer; his loving daughter, Sarah K. Mellema, and son-in-law Robert; his goddaughter, Meg Galloway and her daughters Seattle and Nyomi; as well as his adored granddogs, Harley, Annie, and Parker. He was a respected uncle and great-uncle, leaving behind several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, who will miss his guidance and warmth. Sam’s educational achievements were noteworthy, having earned two Ph.Ds, one in food science and another in animal science. His passion for knowledge and dedication to his field were evident to all who knew him. Sam proudly served his country in the United States Army, where his bravery and service were recognized with a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Following his military service, he embarked on a distinguished career as a Professor of Pre-Vet and Animal Husbandry at Tennessee Tech University, a role he held from 1980 until his retirement in 2008. He also served for 8 years on the Putnam County School Board. His family will receive friends Wednesday from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm and again Thursday from 9:00 am until service time at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Funeral services for Randal Wayne Bozza, age 65 of Byrdstown, will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 1:00 PM from Brown Funeral Chapel. The burial will be in Davidson Cemetery. He passed away Saturday, December 23, 2023 at his residence. He was born October 6, 1958 in Nashville, TN to Willie F. Bozza, Sr. and Frances (Lavendar) Bozza. He was of the Christian faith and a retired truck driver for Pickett County Highway Department. Randal is survived by his wife: Leisha Ruth (Beaty) Bozza; (4) daughters: Raven Bozza, Crystal Troxell, Jennifer Delk and husband: Jerry, Latonya Delk and husband: Edward; (2) sons: Steven Bozza, Randal A. Bozza and wife: Tamara; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; father-in-law: David Beaty. The family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM.
Funeral service for Louise Gaw, age 69 of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday December 28 at Washington Avenue Baptist Church. Pastor Mark Gaw will officiate. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Louise passed away Monday December 25. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 – 8 p.m. and again Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.
Funeral Services for Billie Ruth Roberson, age 84, of Monterey, will be conducted on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 1:00 PM from The Chapel of Goff Funeral Home. Rev. Bobby Floyd will officiate with interment to follow in the Sand Springs Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Roberson was born on Tuesday, December 19, 1939, in Monterey, Tennessee, to the late Curtis Floyd Sr. and Agnes Wallace Floyd. Mrs. Roberson passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Standing Stone Care and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Roberson was owner/operator of Billie’s Beauty Shop for over 38 years. She was a member of Sand Springs Baptist Church. She is survived by her sons, Barry (Patricia Ryerson) Roberson of Monterey, TN, Randy (Jennie) Roberson of Monterey, TN; grandchildren, Philip (Carissa) Roberson, Savannah Roberson, Serena Roberson, Steven Winebarger, Kimberly Winebarger, and Michael (Amber Stainbrook) Winebarger; 7 great grandchildren; sister, Pat Swafford of Monterey, TN; brothers, Curtis Floyd Jr. of Peoria, IL, Rev. Bobby (Geneva) Floyd of Monterey, TN, Ronnie Lee Floyd of Monterey, TN. The family will receive friends at Goff Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 12:00 PM until time of services at 1:00 PM.
Funeral service for Marilyn Aitken, 72 of Cookeville, will be held at the First United Methodist Church located at 165 E Broad Street of Cookeville on Friday, December 29th at 11:00 am. Marilyn leaves behind a legacy she spent 72 years building. Marilyn was born and raised in Monticello, Kentucky. A 1968 graduate of Monticello High School, Marilyn moved to Richmond, Kentucky to begin her studies at Eastern Kentucky University. Although she opted to get married and begin her family, she graduated with her degree in elementary education from TTU in 1994 fulfilling a life desire to teach. After working as a teacher’s aide for years, she returned to Northeast Elementary School in 1995 to be a third-grade teacher. Marilyn was very proud of her accomplishments in the classroom and fond of all the memories made with co-workers and students. After retirement, Marilyn spent time nurturing and instructing her own grandchildren. Marilyn loved her six grandchildren and doted on being called Mimi. She not only worked on their development while they were in her care, but she also volunteered at Algood Elementary School in their classrooms. She took great pride in helping her past colleagues from Northeast who had made the transition to teach at AES. Marilyn will be deeply missed by so many within the community. Her life of accomplishments and adoration will continue to be fulfilled by those who carry on in her namesake. She is survived by her husband Tom; daughters Michelle Aitken, Carey Aitken, and Laura Solomon (Stephen); grandchildren, Wilder Vaughn, Audrey Vaughn, Jiake Vaughn, Ellison Vaughn, and Eva Solomon; her sister Lynn Connor (Larry); nephews, Jason Gregory, Brian Gregory (Lindsay, Camden, and Asher), Jeremy Connor (Brianna), and Jane Bowie (Alex). She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Geneva Worsham and grandchild Kinleigh Solomon. Visitation will be at Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 28th, and again on Friday, December 29th from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am at Cookeville First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate children’s books in her memory to Northeast Elementary School, Algood Elementary School, or any other county or school library.
Funeral Services for Russell Eugene Carlock, 92 of Sparta, will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral with Bryce Murphy officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Veteran’s Honor Guard will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He joined Christ in Heaven on Friday, December 22, 2023. Russell, Tuffy as he was known by many, was born July 17, 1931 in Snicarte, Illinois to the late Walker Franklin Sr. and Nellie Maude Carlock. Russ served as a sergeant with the First Marine Reconnaissance Unit in The Korean War from 1951-1953. Upon his return, he married Charlene Lerrie (Boaz) Carlock on February 26, 1954 in Meredosia, Illinois. Russ worked for The Corp of Engineers for 36 years and retired in 1986. Russell loved Christ with his whole heart and always wanted his family to feel the same. Over the years, he served as a leader in several churches and was currently attending, with Carrie, at “The Way” in Doyle. Russ enjoyed tinkering with anything he thought he could fix even if there were left over parts. Russ usually played Yahtzee with Charley (mom), as he often called her, every morning with his cup of coffee. He also enjoyed playing other games, with family members, win or lose. Russell is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Walter; his sister, Mary; half brother, Arnold; and many other family members. Surviving family members include: Wife – Charlene Carlock; Sons- Steve (Sherry) Carlock and Stan (Kelli) Carlock; Daughter- Sue (Ken) Miller; Grandchildren- Jeremy (Karen) Turner, Shauna (Chris) Hidlebaugh, Shane (Lauren) Carlock, Jenny (Nathan) Lamb, Randy Miller, Brooke (Tristan) Tischer, and Eden Carlock; Great-Grandchildren- Kolton Turner, Lily Hidlebaugh, Charlie Carlock, Izzie Lamb, Aurora Lamb, Aleina Lomeli, Caidence Lomeli, and Kealian Tischer. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Merrill Phy, age 88 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. David Hill officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Merrill Phy passed from this life on Monday, December 25, 2023, at Signature Health Care of Putnam County. Merrill was born Saturday, November 9, 1935, in Algood, Tennessee, and he was the son of the late Erchel Marion Phy and the late Nellie May (Gilliam) Phy. He was a member of Northeast Church of Christ for many years. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Mr. George Alan Hill, age 84 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Saturday, December 30, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Taylors Providence Cemetery. Hill passed away Christmas Day, December 25, 2023 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.