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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, April 10
Gordon ” Rocky” Hunter, 68 of Quebeck, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024. Rocky was born on Thursday, October 13, 1955, in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Carl Hunter and the Late Billie Jan Hanson. He worked for Wright Brothers Construction of Charleston, Tennessee for over 20 years, he loved his work family. Wright Brothers took great care of him during his extensive illness. During the few weeks Gentiva took great care with Rocky. In addition to his parents Rocky is preceded by his brother, Steve Hunter, and his in-laws James and Phyllis Lewis. Surviving family include: Wife of over 45 years – Tammie Hunter; Sons – Brandon (Amanda) Hunter and Casey Hunter; Grandchildren – Nolan Hunter, Cadense Hitchcock, and Rayne Stowe; Siblings – Jim (Mona) Hunter and Julie (John) Holtzclaw; Carl’s wife – Sue Hunter. The family will have a private service at a later date for Rocky per his wishes.
Mr. Edward Maynard Scott, Sr., 91, of Cookeville died Monday, April 8, 2024 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending.
Funeral services for Mr. Garry Gene Boles age 67 of Hilham, will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM from the Hall Funeral Home in Livingston with burial to follow in the Campground Cemetery. He passed away on Monday morning, April 08, 2024 at his residence. Mr. Garry Gene Boles was Born in Detroit, MI on November 04, 1956 to the late Earl Gene and Mary Francis (Ayers) Boles. Mr. Boles was a famer, teacher, significant other, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his students and his family. He is survived by His significant other: Debbie Roddy; 1 Sister: Liz Carmack; 2 Sons: Alex and Logan Boles; 3 Grandchildren: Hudson (5 months), Hannah (10), and Justin (14). Garry is preceded in death by in addition to his parents his brother Randy Boles. The family will welcome friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, April 10th starting at 5 PM until 9 PM.
Funeral Service for James “Jim” Drake, 89 of White County, will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Charles Curtis officiating. Burial will follow at Jericho Cemetery, with military honors. He died at Vanderbilt on April 6, 2024. He was the son of Jay and Ruby Lumsden Drake. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He is survived by wife of 65 years Judy Williams Drake, preceded in death by daughter Kimberly Drake Peigh. He is also survived by a daughter Kelly Drake of Chattanooga and son John Drake (Kristine) of Murfreesboro. Grandchildren: Chad Peigh, Lyle Drake (Charlotte) of Newnan, Georgia, and Evelyn Drake of Los Angeles, California, and step-grandson Will Rakin, as well as several nieces and nephews. Mr. Drake died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from injuries sustained from a fall. He was a 1954 graduate of Isaac Litton High School and received his Bachelor of Arts from Middle Tennessee State University in 1959. He was a retired Army Lt. Col. and served two, one-year tours in Vietnam including command of A Company 1 st Battalion 5 th Cavalry Regiment, 1 st Cavalry Division. Among his awards were the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross. He completed a 20-year career retiring in 1979. He also served as Postmaster at Walling. He enjoyed farm work and raising cattle in his retirement years and was a past president of White Van Buren Cattlemen’s Association. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 11:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Mr. Robert Eugene Hall, age 76 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Thursday, April 11, 2024 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. He passed away at 1:45pm on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at his residence surrounded by his family. Robert served as a Lieutenant and Training Officer for the Sparta Police Department for 43 years. With a self-taught knowledge of computers, he founded RH Computer Systems in the early 1990s. Robert was a past member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, as well as a member of Ole Bethel Baptist Church for 32 years. In addition, he was a motorcycle enthusiast and active member of the Christian Motorcycle Association. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife and the mother of his children, Sarah Evelene Cagle Hall who died April 26, 2008 and half-sister Carol Emeigh. Survivors include his wife Shirley Hall; Son: Steven Hall and wife Kelly; Daughter: Jennifer Wheeler and husband Michael; Grandchildren: Ryan Wheeler, Cameron Wheeler, Candice Woody, Dillon Wilbanks and Anna Wilbanks; A host of extended family and church family also survive. The family will receive friends after 10:00am Thursday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral Service for Billy Edward Cowan, 87 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Don Blackwell officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed from this life on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Bill was born Saturday, December 26, 1936, on Little Indian Creek, Bloomington Springs, and he was the son of the late Walter Cecil Cowan and the late Lou Lillian (Alcorn) Cowan. Bill was a loving son, brother, husband, father, Pa, uncle, and friend. He worked for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department for many years. Bill was loved by those who knew him and he will be greatly missed. Bill is survived by, 2 Daughters, Brenda Miller and her husband, Dale, and Jennifer Cowan – Henderson, and her husband, David; 3 Grandchildren, Michael Mansell, Kacie Bryant, and Luxanna Steele; 3 Great-Grandchildren, Scottie Bryant, Jr., Kylie Bryant, and Branson Bryant; Sister-In-Law, June Cowan; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lela Marie Cowan; Daughter, Teresa Marie Cowan; 2 Brothers, Robert Cowan and Jerry Cowan; Sister, Dorothy Brown; Brother-In-Law, Raymon Brown. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Kathryn Haston England better known as Kay and affectionately known as Pet, age 88 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, April 12, 2024 at Central Church of Christ with burial in O’Connor Cemetery. She passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Life Care Center of Sparta. Mrs. England was born July 8, 1935 in Doyle to the late Charles Vincent and Elizabeth Mitchell Haston. She was a longtime bookkeeper and secretary for East Middle School in Tullahoma, Tennessee. In her retirement years, she volunteered at the Sparta Senior Citizens Center but most notably taught preschool in the First Steps program at Central Church of Christ where she was a member. Her grandchildren lovingly referred to her as “ Pet,” which became a beloved nickname used by her family and many close family friends. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, Don Carmichael England. Survivors include her three children and their spouses, Debbie and Ronnie Foster, David and Esther England, Lori and Tom Daniel; Grandchildren: Corrie (Eric) Higdon, Katy (Randy) Roberts, Lindsey (Josh) Lowery, Don (Dora) England, Jacob (Amy) England, Morgan Lynch, Braden Daniel, Brock Daniel; Great-grandchildren: Alex Holder, Kayli Higdon, Kelsey Roberts, Kassidy Roberts, Tripp Pinion, Tucker Pinion, Tate Pinion, Izzy Pinion, Annistyn Lowery, Paislee Lowery, Scout Lowery, Brody England, Evie England, Eloise England; Great-great-grandchild: London Foster; Sister: Judy McDonald; Brother: Lynn Haston and wife Frances. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Friday at the church. John Knox will officiate. Memorials may be made to Central Church of Christ, 45 North Main Street, Sparta, TN 38583
Funeral services for Marsha Kay (Welch) Molands, age 60 of Clarkrange, will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes-Clarkrange Chapel. Burial will be on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 12 noon at the Molands Family Cemetery. She passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Cumberland Medical Center. Marsha is survived by her: Husband, Jeff Molands; Son, Chris Molands and wife Jenny; Daughter, Kayla Dodson and husband Bobby; Grandchildren, Josh Molands and Haley Smith, Jacob Dodson and wife Brittany, Sarah Mize and husband Alec, Hannah Buck and husband Samuel, Ivy Housley and husband Jonathan, Piper Dodson, Carter Lee Rouse; Great Grandchildren, Brinsley Ann Marie, Layton Allan, River Lawrence; A host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her: Grandparents, Opal & Eugene Welch, Herbert & Lilly Conley; Parents, Billy & Carolyn Sue (Welch) Hassler; Father, Benton Conley; Brother, Randy Hassler; Grandchildren, Taylor Marie Wilson, Kira Paige Howard. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Jennings Funeral Homes-Clarkrange Chapel.
A Celebration of Life service for Deborah “Debi” Lynn (Howe) Christiansen, 70, of Baxter, will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Cookeville Church of Christ. Interment will be held at a later date. She passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center-Knoxville, due to complications following liver cancer surgery. She was surrounded by family. Born May 16, 1953, in Wyandotte, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Ramon “Ray” D. Howe and Shirley A. (Fite) Howe. The second oldest of five children; her parents and siblings adored her. Debi graduated from Hohenwald High School, Hohenwald, TN in 1971. She attended Freed Hardeman University and worked as a secretary at the University of Michigan for many years. She later received a Medical Billing degree. More recently, she was employed as a bookkeeper for Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville, prior to her retirement. She met the love of her life, her husband Gary C. Christiansen, and they married on February 27, 2015. Debi is best remembered for her dedicated love for her family. She was generous and compassionate, always thinking of others before herself. Debi and Gary were both devoted caregivers to her parents, who resided in their home from 2017-2022. She loved baking; her delicious homemade cheesecakes were a family favorite. Her favorite season was fall because of the fall colors. She loved nature: the beauty of a flower, a golden sunset, or just the chance of spotting deer near the side of the road. She especially loved her cat “Mae” who was her constant companion for 13 years. She was an entrepreneur, having owned and operated several retail businesses both before and after her retirement. Most recently, she used her artistry, painting, and crafting skills to create and sell home décor items for others to enjoy. She always managed a positive outlook, despite the many years of cancer treatments, ill-health, and major events. Because of that she was a great inspiration and encouragement to all her family and friends. Her husband Gary was a great help and support to her in all her sickness. Debi found joy in being a child of God. Her strength came from her faith, trust and obedience to her Lord and Savior. Preceded in death by: Father – Ramon “Ray” D. Howe; Paternal Grandparents – Aurbrie and Eula Howe; Maternal Grandparents – Charles and Lillian Fite. Surviving loved ones include: Husband – Gary C. Christiansen, of Baxter; Mother – Shirley Howe, of Gainesboro; Siblings: Jerri Gilmer, of Eustis, FL, Karen Neilson, of Cookeville, Larry Howe, of Saline, MI, Robin Crawford, of Baxter; Many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, church members, and neighbors. The family will receive friends before the service from 9:30 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM, at the same location. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Debi’s memory may be made to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) and can be mailed to NET Research Foundation, 31 St. James Avenue, Suite 365, Boston, MA 02116
A memorial service for Dr. Elijah Morgan Dudney of Gainesboro, age 94 of Gainesboro, will be held in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 13. Mark Dudney will officiate the service. Dr. Dudney chose cremation and the family will hold a private interment later at the Dudney family cemetery. He passed away on March 30, 2024. He was a retired physician and a member of the Gainesboro Church of Christ. Dr. Dudney was born at home in the Free State community of Jackson County on November 12, 1929, the only child of Mark and Sally Dudney. He graduated from Jackson County Central High School as Valedictorian at age sixteen in 1946. He attended Tennessee Polytechnic Institute from 1946-1949, then entered medical school at the University of Tennessee at Memphis. He obtained his M.D. in 1952 and entered the civilian internship program in the U.S. Air Force, interning at Nashville General Hospital. Dr. Dudney attended the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas and qualified as a flight surgeon. Assigned to Washington National Airport, his duties included taking care of VIP personnel entering and leaving the United States, including the Presidential flight crews. While on active duty in Washington, Dr. Dudney served as a White House Aide to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, acting as an escort for social and state functions at the White House. After completing active duty, he began a surgical residency at Baroness Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, serving as chief surgical resident in his final year. In 1959, Dr. Dudney returned to Gainesboro and began his private practice of medicine and surgery, continuing his military service as a reservist and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1973. He served as Jackson County’s Medical Examiner for many years. Dr. Dudney was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Janey Dudney; and his parents, Mark and Sally Dudney. Survivors include daughters Dr. Tina Dudney (husband Mike) and Jane Morgan Dudney Roberts (husband Jeff); and son Mark Dudney (wife Laurajane). Dr. Dudney had four grandchildren: Hannah Claire McCormack, Sarah Jane Dudney, John Morgan Dudney and Rachel Katharine Dudney. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, April 12, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the beautification fund at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce or the Share to Care Foundation, which benefits Jackson County youth and teachers. Donations may be made by contacting the business office Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home.
A Funeral service for Lewis “Lew” Francis Roberts, Jr., 100 of Baxter, will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Presley Funeral Home. Interment will be in Cookeville City Cemetery. He passed on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at NHC Healthcare Cookeville, surrounded by family. Born Monday, September 10, 1923 in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, he was the son of the late Lewis Roberts and the late Dorothy Thompson Roberts. He was one of five children. He was the husband of Mary Jo Reid Roberts for 69 wonderful years, and he leaves behind six children. Lew is remembered for his love of his family and the Lord. He was active in the choir, as well as education, serving as both a Sunday school teacher and the Sunday school superintendent at First Community Church of Buckeye Lake, OH, where he was baptized. He was also a member of Baxter United Methodist Church. Lew learned to paint in his seventies, mainly capturing landscape sceneries. Lew also loved his country, serving stateside in WWII from 1943 to 1946 as an artillery gunner instructor in the Army Air Corps. Surviving are 6 children, Suzan Haworth of Springfield, MS, Gary Roberts of Newark, OH, Daniel (Adelita) Roberts of O’Fallon, IL, Peggy (Lawrence) Buck of Baxter, Todd (Diane) Roberts of Cherry Hill, NJ, Casey (Carey) Roberts of Somerset, OH; 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, David (Cynthia) Roberts of Springhill, TN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, Lew was preceded in death by wife, Mary Jo Roberts, and 3 siblings, Frederick Roberts, Carl Roberts, and Margaret Barrett. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Presley Funeral Home, until time of services.
Graveside service and interment of cremated remains for Georgie Ray Buck, 52 of Hilham, will be on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 3 pm at Old Antioch Cemetery with Bro. Danny Hembree officiating. He was born February 4, 1972 in Jackson County, and he passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Ray was the son of Georgie Clay Buck and Sue Jean Spivey Buck. He was a carpenter and a resident of Hilham. On January 28, 2020 he married Lisa Lee Richardson for a total of 4 years of marriage. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, uncles and aunts. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Buck of Hilham; daughter, Amy (Phil) Hunt of Ashland City, TN; step daughters, Tiffany (Josh) Savage of Cookeville and McKenzie Savage of Hilham; grandchild, Aiden Hunt of Ashland City, TN; other relatives and friends also survive. Memorial donations may be made to assist with final expenses by contacting the funeral home.
Memorial services for Raymond Kassow, age 66 of Jamestown, will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown. He passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at his home. Raymond is survived by his: Wife, Margaret (Williamson) Kassow; Sons, Raymond Kassow, Jr., Jacob Daniels, Joseph Kassow, Kyle Kassow; Daughters, Rachel Chandler and husband Archie, Grace Kassow and husband Malcom Strong, and Other Children; Grandchildren, Zinobia Strong, Zaybon Strong, Raylon Chandler, Sylas Chandler, Eric Kassow Jr, Bobbie Jo Kassow, Rayanne Kassow, Colby Kassow, Sophia Kassow and Elias Kassow; Brothers, Wayne Kassow, Ernest Kassow; Brother-in-law, Joe Williamson; A host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his: Son, Eric Kassow; Parents, Ellis Charles and Peggy (Smith) Kassow; Brothers, John Kassow, Charles Kassow, Albert Kassow. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made towards funeral expenses.
Celebration of Life Services for William Briton “Bill” Burn, age 85, of Crawford, will be conducted on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Goff Funeral Home with Full Military Honors provided by the Veterans Honor Guard. Pastor Steve Looper will officiate. Mr. Burn was born on Monday, October 3, 1938, in South Beloit, Illinois, to the late Briton Barlow Burn and Mildred Losey Burn. Mr. Burn passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at his home. Mr. Burn was a police officer working with Fort Myers Police Department and retiring from Ft. Lauderdale Police Department where he served as Captain. He continued to serve as a school Resource Officer in the Florida Keys. He was a United States Air Force Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Adelaida Quileste Burn of Crawford; 2 daughters, Kim (Paul) Guisler of Gurley, AL, Monique Burn of Davie, FL; 1 son, Rick Burn (Nancy Buckland) of Gordon, AL; 5 grandchildren, Brandon Burn, Charlie Buckland, Dani Buckland, Matthew Guisler, and Melissa (Dustan) Williams; 3 great grandchildren, Brandon Jr., Jolee, and Libby; 1 sister-in-law, Barbara Burn of Chattanooga. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 6 siblings. The family will receive friends at Goff Funeral Home on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM until time of services at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be given to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
