News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
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 are presented by Gunnels Florist. Gunnels Florist has been helping families and friends to say goodbye for more than 70 years. When you want to send a message of sympathy with beautiful flowers and arrangements, trust Gunnels Florist. Call (931) 526-7149 or stop by Gunnels Florist at 104 North Washington Avenue, Cookeville. The Gunnels Family will take care of your expression with compassion, accuracy and timeliness. Gunnels Florist.
Obituaries For Friday, April 30
Louann Cantrell, 58 of McMinnville, passed away on Thursday, April 29 at her home. She was the daughter of Jimmy Self and the late Brenda Walker. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, and watching hoarders and the ID channel. Survivors include her children, Candra Averitte (John), Crystal Self, DeWayne Self (Mikelyn), and Lera Britt. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Hollena “Holly” Arlene West, 47 of Cookeville, died Wednesday, April 28 at her home due to a house fire. Holly graduated with an associate degree in marketing and fashion design. She was a homemaker who enjoyed talking politics, music, art, outdoor activities and especially being with her children. She had many online friends, she was in contact with daily. Survivors include husband of 25 years (Married December 16, 1995) Kenneth West; sons Tanner and Cavin West all of Cookeville. Arrangements are incomplete.
Funeral services for Terilyn Locke Allen, 35, of Gainesboro, will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 12 Noon at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Pharris Cemetery in the McCoinsville community of Jackson County. She passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at her residence. She was born June 11, 1985, in Cookeville, TN, to Janice Locke and the late Landon Locke. She was a caregiver to her mother. Survivors include 2 Sons: Lucas Allen and Leeland Allen, both of Cookeville; her Mother: Janice Locke of Gainesboro. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 1, 2021, from 9 A.M. until time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to help with funeral expenses by contacting the funeral home.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Bernard “Bernie” George Barton, age 78 of Rickman will be conducted 12 noon, Saturday, May 1 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Greg Maxwell will officiate. Military Honors will be provided at the services from the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Bernie passed from this life on Wednesday morning, April 28 from his residence in Rickman. Bernie served in the Air Force for 4 years. He also served with the Tennessee State Guard for 10 years. During a portion of his time with the Tennessee State Guard, he served as Chaplain – officiating over military funerals. He was a graduate of North East Christian Jr. College and David Lipscomb College. He pursued a Masters Degree at Johnson State College in Vermont. He preached for churches of Christ for over 50 years, lastly (until his brief illness) at the church of Christ in Pleasant Hill for 17 years. He was grateful to God for allowing him that opportunity of serving. He took great joy in volunteering for various causes especially with nursing homes and providing rides to treatments for persons with cancer. Bernie leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Elease Morrow Barton, of Rickman. Memorial Donations may be made to the Overton County Honor Guard or St. Jude’s Children Hospital by contacting Speck Funeral Home. The family will welcome friends from 10 a.m. until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mr. James Allen Carter, age 72 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, May 1 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Palmer Cemetery with military honors presented by the Veterans’ Honor Guard. Mr. Carter passed away Thursday, April 29 at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West in Nashville. He served his country as an EM3 in the United States Navy. Before retiring, James did it all – from being an antique dealer in California to working road construction in Tennessee. He was quite a talented musician, regularly performing at local nursing homes. James especially enjoyed playing guitar and singing with his granddaughter Mackenzie. He was a proud and devoted grandfather to all three of his grandchildren. James is lovingly survived by his daughters, Amanda (Paul) Stockton, and Jamie (John) Sullivan, all of Sparta. The family will receive friends from 11:00am on Saturday until the time of service at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Sylvia Dean Smith, age 92 of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m Saturday May 1 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Pastor Jason Stanford will officiate. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Mrs. Smith passed away Wednesday April 28 at her home. She was born January 30, 1929 in Putnam County, TN to the late Lee and Mary McCormick Sparks. Sylvia was a member of Trinity Algood Church. She formerly worked with various cleaning services. Sylvia loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She is survived by daughters, Betty (David) Morris, Dian (Larry) Jones; and son, Danny (Donna) Smith all of Cookeville. Her family will receive friends Friday from 5 – 8 p.m. and again Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time.
Funeral services for Mr. Michael Ernest Austin, age 61 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, May 2 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Old Zion cemetery. Bobby Cloyd will officiate. Mr. Austin passed away Thursday morning, April 29 at his residence. He worked as a machinist in tool & die for Tri-State and was an avid outdoorsman. Mike loved everything there was about fishing and was known as the ” Sandwich Brothers” with fishing partner Paul Wilhite. He was a University of Tennessee Vol fan through good times and bad, and cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals as well. Above all, Mike loved his family and was a Papa to many. Mike is preceded in death by his father. Survivors include his wife, Joyce Ann Poston Austin; and children, Michele Austin, Cody Wilhite and wife Leah, Lea Ann Gore and husband Mark. The family will receive friends from 11:00am-2:00pm Sunday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Internment for Mr. Fred Casteel, 86, of Gainesboro, will be Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 2 pm. Location will be at Pharris Cemetery with John Cason officiating. He passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at his residence. He was born April 30, 1934, in Jackson County, TN, to the late Howard Casteel and Pearlie Hamlet. He was a tree surgeon, and a member of the Harmony Church of Christ. Survivors include 3 Daughters: Nancy Schwarz of Cookeville, TN, Kimberly Casteel of Gainesboro, TN, and Angelia Anders of Gainesboro.
Funeral services for Howard Dean Loftis, age 93 of Cookeville, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday May 2 at Poplar Springs Baptist Church. Pastor Doug Hawkins will officiate. Interment will follow at Poplar Springs Cemetery. Howard passed away Thursday April 29, 2021 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Howard was a devoted Christian and member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. He was a farmer and formerly employed with Red Kap Industries, ACME Boot, and Tennessee Tech University Maintenance Dept. in Cookeville. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lennie Waites Loftis; daughters, Mary Joyce Hammett of Thomaston, GA and Debbie (Randall) Ramsey of Cookeville. His family will receive friends Sunday from 1:30 p.m. until time of services at the church.
Rite Of Committal Services For Betty Briggs, Age 95, Of Monterey, Will Be Conducted On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, At 11:00 AM At Goff Funeral Home. Father Christiano Nunes da Silva Will Officiate. Mrs. Briggs Was Born On Thursday, March 11, 1926, In Bridgeport, Connecticut, To The Late David A. And Mary A. Kidney Cronin. Mrs. Briggs Passed Away On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Briggs Was A Registered Nurse. She Was The First Female Graduate At University Of Connecticut With A Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing. She Was A Member Of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. She Is Survived By Her Daughter And Son-In-Law, Bette And David “Moon” Simpson Of Monterey. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, For Rite Of Committal.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth V. Houser, age 72 of Livingston, Overton Co., will be held on Tuesday, May 4 at 11 AM from the Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Overton Co. Memorial Gardens. Officiating with the service will be her Grandson Derek Houser. Mrs. Houser passed away Thursday morning, April 29 at her residence after living a long loving and fulfilling life. Ruth loved her family and friends more than anything. She enjoyed beating and cheating at playing board games, yantzee and cards; she had a huge soft spot in her heart for people in uniform. She left behind a hell of a lot of stuff for her daughter and son who have no idea what to do with it. She is survived be her loving husband of 56 years, Fred Houser; and children, Tina (James) Qualls, and Butch (Violet) Houser. Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday evening, May 3rd starting at 5 PM until 9 PM.
