We Remember: Obituaries For Monday, January 22

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 Monday, January 22

Jamie Hedgecough, age 49, of Monterey, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Mr. Hedgecough was born on Thursday, April 25, 1974, in Cookeville, to the late Johnny Ray and Carol Ann Roberts Hedgecough. Mr. Hedgecough was a construction worker. He is survived by, 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Christopher and Rhonda Hedgecough of Monterey, Jonathan and Michelle Hedgecough of Upper Darby, PA; 2 nephews, Dylan Hedgecough and Dawson Hedgecough. His wishes of cremation are being honored with no services planned at this time.

Virginia Ruth Hutchings Sparkman, age 98 of Fort Myers, FL, and formerly of Sparta, went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Born in Sparta on Feb. 4, 1925, she was the daughter of Ora Kirby Hutchings Sarten and Carrick D. Hutchings. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Lefford Sarten, brothers Dean Hutchings and Dillard (Dutch) Hutchings, and her beloved husband of 70 years, Grady Sparkman. Virginia is survived by her daughter Denise Sparkman Plunkett, son-in-law Don Plunkett, and their son, Dylan Plunkett. As a mother and grandmother, she loved them unconditionally. Virginia will be buried next to her husband, Grady, in Highland Cemetery in her hometown of Sparta. A private service will be held at a later date.

Funeral services for Ms. Emma Jean Ashburn, age 90 formerly of Algood, will be conducted on Tuesday January 23 at 1:00 at Paran Church in Rickman. Burial will follow in Paran cemetery. Emma as she was called by family passed from this life on January 18 from her assisted living apartment at Charter senior living in Cookeville. She had been a resident there for the past four years. She considered it her home and loved all her caregivers. She was born in the Spring creek community of Rickman, in April 1933. She was the daughter of Edgar and Vallie Ashburn. A 1952 graduate of Rickman High School. She worked at Wilson Sporting Goods in Cookeville for forty-five years. Emma attended Paran Methodist Church all of her adult life and was a very active member. She worked with the ladies group, the youth group and participated in missions. Emma was a competitive bowler and bowled in leagues in Cookeville for many years. She enjoyed sewing, ceramics, knitting, crocheting, and many other crafts. She loved to garden and be outside, and she loved taking care of her chickens. She was a very family-oriented lady, she cared for her dad and sister, Gearldine until their deaths. She loved her nieces and nephews and loved to babysit for all of them. Emma loved her family dearly even in her last days she enjoyed looking at pictures of all of them and visits. She was preceded in death by her parents Edgar Lee Ashburn and Vallie Harp Ashburn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her brother William Ashburn, sister Gearldine Roach, nephew Donny Ashburn, and great nephew Sean Ashburn. Emma leaves behind her brother Fred (Carol) Ashburn of Livingston. Niece Lynn Ashburn and partner Joyce Walls of Rickman, nephews David (Donna) Ashburn of Alpine, Neil (Susan) Ashburn of Livingston. Sherry Ashburn and Jerry (Stella) Ashburn of Winchester, Kentucky. She leaves behind three great nephews, Anson, Devin, and Jordan: four great nieces, Courtney, Jessica, Ashton and Sarah. In addition, she has four great -great, nieces: Ava, Bella, Molly and Ella. She has four great-great nephews, Tucker, Adien, Ben and Jhett. The public viewing will be from 11 to 1 with services following at Paran Church in Rickman. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Paran Cemetery.

Services for Jackie Ray Dale, 63, of Hilham, will be held on Tuesday, January 23 at 1 pm at the Hooper, Huddleston, & Horner Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum, Cookeville. He passed away peacefully on Thursday January 18, 2024 at his home. Jack was preceded in death by his daughter, Megan Alexandria Dale; father, Earl Ray Dale; uncle Bobby Dale and aunt Reba Gaw. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Dale, his sons, Jacob (Kelly) Dale, Andrew Dale, Matthew (Vanessa) Dale, William Nathan (Lauren) Dale, and daughter April (Chris) Looper. He is also survived by his mother Alberta Dale, brother David (Patty) Dale, sister Rebekah (Brian) Glazier, his uncle Alton Dixon, his aunt Ruth Dale, as well as grandchildren Hunter and Hayden Dale, Ashlyn and Gracelyn Dale, Kingston and Drew Dale, Mercy and Harrison Dale, and Jonathan and Will Looper, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends and family on Monday, January 22 from 4-8 pm and on Tuesday, January 23 from 11 am – 1 pm. In lieu of gifts and flowers, the family requests donations to be made at any First National Bank of Tennessee office to the “Nathan Dale to the benefit of Jack Dale memorial” account. These donations will be used towards a memorial fund for supplies for students of the Building Construction Technology Program at TCAT

Funeral services for Paul McKinley Rush, 66 of Gainesboro, will be conducted on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 1 pm in the Chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home with Bro. Matthew Stafford officiating. Burial will follow in Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro. He was born July 14, 1957 in Jackson County, and he passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville. Paul was the son of William McKinley Rush and Mary Alice Ragland Rush. He was a laborer at Cummins, Inc. and a resident of the Gainesboro Community. He was a member of Shiloh Church of Christ and the Jackson County Lions Club. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Ann Allen of Cookeville. Survivors include his wife: Jacqueline Faye Wallace Rush; son, Nicholas (Brittany) Rush, Allons; brother: William (Lorie) Rush of Michigan; sisters: Janet Jones of Springfield, TN, and Patsy (Danny) Welch of Monterey; nieces and nephews: Dusty Jones, Brad Jones, Ricky Allen, Kimberly Allen, Christopher Robbins, Aaron Welch, Justin Harvey, Tanner Harvey, Anna Claire Williams, Franklin Williams, Charles Lindberg and Lacey Starling. Several other relatives and friends also survive. Visitation will be on Monday, January 22, 2024, beginning at 4 pm until 8 pm and Tuesday, 11 am to 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jackson County Lions Club by contacting the business office of the funeral home.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bobbie Nell Gunnels Wyatt, 79 of Cookeville, will be held Tuesday, January 23rd at 1 pm at Collegeside Church of Christ. She died Saturday morning January 20, 2024 in Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga. Bobbie’s family will receive friends Monday from 4 until 8 pm and Tuesday from 11 am until service time at the church.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Mary Cathi Cooper, age 74, of Smyrna and formerly of Overton County will be conducted 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2024, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Okolona Cemetery. Mrs. Cathi passed from this life on Tuesday, afternoon, January 16, 2024, from the Tri Star Stone Crest Medical Center in Rutherford County. She was born in Cookeville on November 21, 1949, to the late Robert Kirby and Edith Ann Garrett Combs. Cathi was an RN for a short time in her life and finished her working career as a private investigator. She would spend most of her time reading, knitting and sewing. Cathi leaves behind her loving husband Mikkel J. Cooper of Smyrna; daughters, Sandra D. Myers of Richmond, VA, and Tanessa K. Fisher and husband Greg of Johns Island, SC; grandchildren, Cooper and Owen; brothers, Robert E. Kirby, and Jimmy Kirby and wife Judy all of Fairview, TN; sister, Tina Adam of Murfreesboro; Cathi also is survived by many of her loving nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents, Cathi was preceded in death by her sisters, Anna Marie Tolley, and Cynthia Lynn Mobbs. The family will welcome friends on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until time of services.

Services for Virginia Clay, 92 of Georgia and fromerly of Cookeville, will be held at Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville, on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 11:00am. Reverend Casey Langley Orr will officiate. Interment will follow at the Salem Cemetery in Cookeville. She passed away on January 18, 2024 at the age 92 in Hoschton, GA. She was formerly of Douglasville, GA. Virginia was born and raised in Cookeville. She graduated from TPI (Tennessee Tech University) with a BS in Business in 1952. While attending Tech, she met Edward Larkin Clay and they were married in 1952. Virginia and Ed moved to Oak Ridge, TN as Ed began his career with Union Carbide/Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They later moved to Knoxville, TN where she received her BS in Education at University of Tennessee and began teaching at Cedar Bluff Elementary. In 1972, they moved to Douglasville, GA where she continued teaching at Winston Elementary School. She received her Masters in Education at West Georgia University. Gardening and canning with Ed, tennis, bridge, and grandchildren kept Virginia active for many years. Virginia was a dedicated volunteer with the Loving Hands Ministry. Virginia and Ed were active members of First United Methodist Church of Douglasville. She was passionate about the mission trips to Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Venezuela, where she helped to build churches in these countries. Virginia spent the last five years at The Oaks at Braselton. Her lively and outgoing personality brought smiles and cheer to the residents and staff who loved her well. She was adamant about staying busy and helpful so she claimed the role of mail carrier at her facility. Virginia is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Edward Larkin Clay, her parents Haggard Q. Broyles and Johnnie Dimple Huddleston Broyles and her sister Rebecca Broyles Langley. Virginia is survived by her children Lindsey (Rose) Clay of Doylestown, PA and Lucinda (Alan) Sienkiewicz of Braselton, GA. She has two grandsons, Bradley (Mandy) Sienkiewicz of Jasper, GA and Scott (Carrie Ann) Sienkiewicz of Cummin, GA and three great-grandchildren-Jack, Brady and Morgan. Visitation will be at 10:00am at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorials can be made to the Douglas County Animal Shelter, 2171 Mack Road, Deer Lick Park, Douglasville, GA 30135.

Funeral Service for David Ormonde Thomas, 94 of Sparta, will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 12:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Dr. Kevin Conrad officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed from this life on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Life Care Center of Sparta in Sparta. Dave was born Sunday, March 24, 1929, in Pensacola, Florida, he was the son of the late John Douglas and Sybil Rowena (Addenbrooke) Thomas. Dave graduated from Southwestern at Memphis which is now Rhodes College. He started with General Outdoor Advertising in 1951, he later became the Sales Manager at WHBQ in Memphis, he oversaw the start and was the general manager of a new easy listening format WEZI FM, moved to Nashville to be the general manager of WZEZ FM, moved to Cookeville to be the general manager of WGSQ FM which is the Country Giant, and then became a regional manager of Clear Channel Broadcasting and retired in 2004. He was the past President of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters in 1980, earned Broadcaster of the Year in 1988 from the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, and was a past president of the Cookeville Chamber of Commerce in 1999 – 2000. He married Mary Elizabeth Hickman on June 3, 1955. He played in the Senior Tour Pro-Am in 1980 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and played at Augusta National Golf Course in 1993 after the Masters was played the day before. He enjoyed raising money for the United Way and Alzheimer’s Research through the memory walk. Dave is survived by, Daughter, Rebecca Vanelli and her husband, Robert; Son, David Thomas, Jr and his wife, Irena; Grandson, Joshua Vanelli and his wife, Haley; 3 Great-Grandchildren; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Elizabeth (Hickman) Thomas; 2 Brothers, Peter and John Thomas; and 2 Sisters-In-Law, Helen and Stella Thomas. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers of Tennessee Alzheimer’s Tennessee, Inc. Cumberlands Office, 390 South Lowe Avenue, Suite I, Cookeville, Tennessee, 38501

Funeral services for Mr. Carrell “Ray” Neal, age 80 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Pastor Tim Miles will officiate. Interment will follow in Browns Mill Cemetery. A man of unwavering determination and a heart full of kindness, he passed away peacefully on February 20, 2024, at the age of 80 in Cookeville. Born on August 8, 1943, in San Luis Obispo, California, Ray’s life was a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. A proud graduate of Cookeville High School’s class of 1965, Ray’s life was characterized by his steadfast work ethic and his commitment to providing for his family. His career began with a position at UPS in Ohio, where he demonstrated his reliability and diligence. Ray later joined his father, Millard Arvil Neal, in the family business of building roads across the Upper Cumberland and throughout Tennessee. His tenacity shone brightly following a boating accident that resulted in the loss of his leg. Despite being told by doctors that he would never walk again, Ray proved them wrong and went on to work for 20 years as a production supervisor at Porelon, inspiring all who knew him with his perseverance and strength. Ray’s life was not solely defined by his vocational achievements; he was also a man with a deep love for the outdoors. Fishing was one of his greatest joys, a pastime he often shared with his son, his friend Ted Jones, and his brother-in-law, Donald Alcorn. These moments by the water were filled with laughter, stories, and the quiet companionship that comes from shared interests and familial bonds. Ray was preceded in death by his loving parents, Millard Arvil Neal and Velma Buckner Neal; his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Donald Alcorn; and his brother-in-law, Tommy Price. He was also preceded in death by his cherished mother and father-in-law, Earl and Virginia Price, who held a special place in his heart. He is survived by his family he loved dearly, his wife of 58 years, Janice Price Neal; a son, Tim Neal; a granddaughter, Katie Lee and husband Daniel; a grandson, Jacob Ray Neal; and by a great grandchild, Sawyer Grant Lee. Ray’s family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and again Friday from 9:00 am until service time at the funeral home.

A Memorial Visitation for Ronald Dale Stewart, 55 of Gainesboro, to be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 12 P.M. until 2 P.M. at the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. The family has chosen cremation at this time. He was born November 25, 1968, in Trenton, New Jersey, and he passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his residence. He was the son of Steven Stewart and Frances Ellen Burton Worthington. He was a welder by trade. Survivors include his son: Stephen (Kaitlyn) Stewart of Gainesboro; daughter: Kendall Stewart of Northeast, Maryland; sister: Kim Head of Gainesboro; grandchildren: Gunner Stewart, Barrett Stewart, and Rowan Reeves. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jonny Stewart, of Trenton, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help assist the family with the funeral expenses by contacting the business office of the funeral home.

Graveside Service for Sarah Beck (Springthorpe) Denmark, 86 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Cookeville City Cemetery. Inurnment will follow the service. She passed from this life on Friday, January 12, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family. Sarah was born Friday, May 7, 1937, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and she was the daughter of the late John Springthorpe, Sr. and the late Pansy Violet (Jackson) Springthorpe. Sarah was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-n-law, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Sarah is survived by, 3 Children, John William Denmark, Diane (Denmark) Kennon, Bruce Allen Denmark and his wife, Linda; 1 Step-Son, James Richard Denmark; 1 Daughter-in-Law, Carie Garrett Denmark, 6 Grandchildren, Spencer Kennon, Sarah (Kennon) Reynolds and her husband Brian, Christopher Denmark and Steven Denmark, Lindsey Edds and her husband, Andrew, and Nicholas Denmark; Great-Granddaughter, Piper Reynolds; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to her parents, Sarah was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Richard S. Denmark; Son, David Walter Denmark; 2 Siblings, John Springthorpe, Jr., and Clara (Springthorpe) Yokley. We request in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bangham Heights Baptist Church Food Bank, 5961 Hilham Hwy, Cookeville, TN 38506.

Celebration of Life Services Honoring the life of The Reverend Dr. David Leon Moore, will be conducted 3 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2024, from the Livingston First Christian Church. Rev. James Shenko will officiate. The Reverend Dr. David Leon Moore passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in Livingston. A lifelong pastor in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), his ministry began at small churches in Kentucky and New Jersey in the 1950s, before he settled with his family in Tennessee in the early 1960s. Over the next 60 years he served as Senior Minister at Central Christian Church and Dozier Church in Springfield, Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville, and First Christian Church and Millerʼs Chapel in Livingston, and he had a number of interim ministries at other Christian Churches in Tennessee and Kentucky. David Moore was preceded in death by his parents Earl Moore and Gladys Swiger Moore, his brothers Ronald Moore and Earl Moore, Jr., his first wife Dana Fisher Moore, and his second wife Frances Jean McGuire Moore. Survivors include his children Dee (Al) Wells of Crawford, David (Karen) Moore II of Livingston, Drew Moore of New York, New York; his grandchildren David (Jelena) Moore III of Harker Heights, Texas, John David (Hannah) Ledford of Vacaville, California, Dana (Matt) Duncan of Henderson, Kentucky, and Mary (Trevor) Miller of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and his great-grandchildren Natalie Moore, Jaydin Moore, Corey Moore, Lizzy Phillips, Clay Phillips, Annabelle Ledford, Nora Ledford, and Ella Miller. Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, January 26 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Saturday January 27 from 2:00-3:00pm, with the service to follow on Saturday at 3:00pm, at First Christian Church. Memorial contributions may be paid and sent to First Christian Church in Livingston, with reference to (1) Millerʼs Chapel, or (2) David Moore Scholarship for Bethany Hills Church Camp.