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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.
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.
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Obituaries are presented by Presley Funeral Home, West Jackson Street in Cookeville.
Obituaries For Friday, January 10
Charlene Clouse Andrews, 73 of Sparta, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020, at Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Mr. Robert Gregson, 81 of the Austin Bottom Community died Thursday January 9, 2010 at 12:25 a.m. in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete.
Graveside funeral services for Joyce Kay Gronek (nee Henry), age 84, of Milton, Florida, formerly of Monterey, will be conducted on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sand Springs Memorial Gardens. She passed away on January 4, 2020, at Covenant Care Hospice in Pensacola, Florida, from complications related to pneumonia. She was born July 13, 1935, in Monterey, Tennessee, to Allen and Moncie Henry (Robinson). She lived her early years in Tennessee and Kentucky before moving to Detroit, Michigan, with her family as a young child. In her twenties, she moved to Lake Worth, Florida, where she lived most of her adult life. She was employed as a bookkeeper at the Gallo Insurance and Real Estate Agency in Lake Worth, Florida, for over 30 years until her retirement. In the mid 1990’s, she relocated to Milton, Florida, with her late husband, Kenneth A Gronek, to be close to family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen and Moncie Henry; brothers, Noble Henry, Claude Henry, Bill Henry and Ronnie Henry; sisters, Audrey Atkinson and Patricia Collins; and step-daughter, Susan Routh. She is survived by her son, Kenneth Bellis; daughter, Stacey Bellis; son-in-law, Terry Yee; grandson, Alex Yee; brothers, Donald Henry, Thomas Henry (Eve Newman-Moore); sisters, Faye Ashbrook and Bonnie Goldner (Richard Goldner); along with many beloved nephews and nieces and great nephews/nieces. In her later life, she married Kenneth A. Gronek and they enjoyed 24 years together. She is survived by her step-children, Martin Gronek (Sandy), Larry Gronek (Joanne) and Laura Brewer; grandchildren, Michelle Gronek (James Richardson), Sarah Brewer and Kyle Brewer; great-grandchildren, Tyler Richardson, Cambria Warner and Kya Warner. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Search Developmental Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614. Services for Mrs. Gronek will be held on January 8, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at The National Cremation and Burial Society, 5461 Highway 90 West, Milton, FL 32583. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sand Springs Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the cemetery immediately following the services.
Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. LeAnn Denise Morgan Duke, age 62, of Livingston will be conducted 11 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2020 from the West End Church of Christ. Bro. Tim Smith, Bro. David Hill, Bro. Glenn Ramsey, and Bro. Bob Howton will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date in the Overton County Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Duke passed from this life on Monday afternoon, January 6, 2020 from the comfort of her home. She was born July 26, 1957 in South Bend, IN to the late John W. & Modena M. Slatton Morgan. LeAnn’s first passion was serving the Lord. She loved singing hymns, studying the Bible, and helping the poor, the abused, and the sick and teaching others the Bible. She loved and adored her children and grandchildren and was thrilled to spent time with them. LeAnn loved traveling and working with Kerry. She was blessed to go to Russia, Taiwan, and Singapore with him as well as numerous places in the U.S. to spread the gospel. She also enjoyed traveling to different places in the United States just to relax. LeAnn loved writing, where her articles appeared in Christian Woman magazine and other gospel publications. She contributed two chapters to the book “My Sister’s Keeper” which has gone through numerous printings. She also wrote an unpublished mystery novel. LeAnn enjoyed crafts of all kinds and was especially good at making bows for weddings and other occasions. After an almost five-year battle with a blood cancer LeAnn has found peace in the arms of our Lord. She was a giver, and was at her best and the most content when she could do something for others. LeAnn spend endless hours listening to people’s problems and study the same to prepare herself to teach others. She bore heavy burdens and fought a good fight until the end. LeAnn leaves behind her loving husband of 30 years, Bro. Kerry Duke of Livingston; sons, Brady Wright & wife Kayla of Cookeville, and Jared Duke & wife Amy of Springfield, OR; daughters, Amy Sexton & husband Chris of Pleasant Shade, and Lacey Hall & husband Adam of Baxter; grandchildren, Brileigh Hall, Emry Hall, Nolie Sexton, Josie Sexton, Taylor Sexton, Brian Wright, and Lilleann Wright; adopted sons, Mxolisi Ncube of Zimbabwe, Robert Ati Amukwei of Ghana, and Vishal Srinivas of India; daughter in the Lord, Candy Chan of Malaysia. In addition to her parents, LeAnn was preceded in death by her first husband, Brian L. Wright; and brother, Jerry Morgan. The family will welcome friends on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. at the West End Church of Christ. Memorial Donations in Memory of Mrs. LeAnn Denise Morgan Duke can be made to the LeAnn Duke Memorial Fund by contacting the Tennessee Bible College, 1616 McCulley Road, Cookeville, TN 38506.
Funeral services for Mr. Benny Joe Smith, age 90 of Quebeck will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, January 11, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. He passed away Saturday evening, January 4th at Rhea Medical Center. “Ben” as he was most commonly known was born August 9, 1929, to the late Gordon Hicks and Edna Marie (Myers) Smith. He grew up near the Tennessee community of Doyle, later moving to Chattanooga. He was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force from 1949 to 1952, where he repaired aircraft engines and instrumentation. Upon discharge from the military, he embarked on a 19-year aerospace career. Most notably, Ben worked at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral in the 1960s where he worked as the electrical supervisor on the command and service modules of the Apollo spacecraft. He was proud to have helped achieve the national goals of human spaceflight and manned missions to the Moon. Mr. Smith left the space program in 1971 and returned to White County. Hobbies included hunting, fishing, competition pistol shooting, cattle farming, and watching football on TV. After working for 23 years in various supervisory roles for Mallory Controls, he retired in 1994. Ben and wife Almedia spent the remainder of retirement on their farm in Quebeck. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his sister Helen (Smith) Land. Surviving family members include his wife of 66 years, Mrs. Almedia (Gravitt) Smith; two daughters: Anita Ann Worthington and Rose Marie Dunning; and one son, Ronald Joe Smith. Six grandchildren will recall their grandfather’s stories of the Apollo program: Jennifer Parks, Cody Vineyard, Jason Worthington, Nathan Worthington, Victoria Shiller, and Kayla Evans. The extended family includes nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00am until service time at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Mrs. Caroline Edna Miller, age 92 of Cookeville, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday January 11 at Heavenly Host Lutheran Church. Rev. Andrew Smith will officiate. She will be transferred to Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee WI. for additional services and burial to be in the Amberg Cemetery in Amberg, WI. Her family will receive friends Saturday 10 – 11 a.m. at the church. Mrs. Miller passed away Saturday January 4, 2020 at Mabry Health Care and Rehabilition in Gainesboro, TN. She was born February 3, 1927 in Fredonia, WI to the late George Stecker and Hilda Wenzel Stecker. She was a member of the Heavenly Host Lutheran Church. She was active in the Red Hat Society and honorary member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She formerly owned operated Caroline’s Crafts in Amberg, WI. Mrs. Miller is survived by two daughters, Karen Halvorsen of Baxter, Donna (Jimmy) Suzawith of Amberg, WI; two sons, David (Jeanne) Miller of Auburndale, FL, Craig (Barbara) Miller of Waupaca, WI; sister, Arline Holzman of Oak Creek, WI.; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
A memorial service for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Martin Fowler, USA, Retired, age 91 will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Christian Smith and Dr. Charles McCaskey will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. His family will receive friends Saturday 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. LTC Fowler died Friday December 27, 2019 at Bailey Manor, Cookeville. He was born October 14, 1928 in Corbin, KY to Carl Fowler and Elizabeth Welch Fowler. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. LTC Fowler enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and was a Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a fixed-wing pilot, helicopter pilot and aircraft maintenance supervisor. During his distinguished military career, he was awarded many honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He was an excellent, loving father who raised six daughters from two marriages. He never used swear words or raised his voice. He instilled a strong work ethic in his girls and grandkids. His motto was-“work hard and get ahead.”He also taught his children and grandchildren practical skills such as changing a tire, using a screwdriver and fixing minor things around the house. He was a longtime member of Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he was an Ordained Elder. He also taught Sunday School and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He is survived by his adoring family, daughters, Kathy Fowler of Cookeville, Mym Fowler of Virginia Beach, VA, Rebecca Michael of San Francisco, CA, Nancy Townsend Byers and husband Gary, Tina Townsend Thurman and husband Ron, all of Cookeville; niece Linda Disney McBurney and husband Bob of Corbin, KY; grandchildren, Jason B. Courtney of Knoxville; Justin Lytal and wife Rachel of Knoxville; Loren Lytal Korch and husband Jonathan of Charlotte, NC; Blake Thurman and Parker Thurman of Cookeville; Richard, Nicholas, and Alex Michael all of California; and by great grandchildren, Palmer and Sutton Lytal and Emery and Nora Korch. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers, TN, Cumberlands Office, 1459 Interstate Dr., Ste 211, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Funeral services for Dr. Rural Allen Peace, age 89 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday January 11th at 2:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Rev. Bill Stone will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Overton County Memorial Gardens in Livingston. Dr. Rural Allen Peace died peacefully with his family by his side on January 6, 2020 in Sparta, Tennessee at the age of 89. His family will receive friends Friday from 4:00 p..m until 7:00 p.m. and again Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Graveside service for James “Jim” Mansfield Grimes, 80, of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, January 12, 2020, at Double Springs Cemetery in Cookeville at 2:00 PM with a meal and fellowship that all are invited to at Willow Ave Church of Christ to follow. He passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at his home. Jim was born in Cookeville on Thursday, January 12, 1939, to the late Bethel and Edna Phillips Grimes. Jim was a loving caring Husband to Patricia Dyer Grimes for 60 years. He was a great Dad to his children and an awesome Pops to his grandchildren. Jim was very active at Willow Ave Church of Christ where he served as a Deacon, taught classes, served on the board for Happy Haven ,and was “keeper of the Bell”. He retired from General Telephone and was also co-owner with Al Glover of G-Tel Communications. Jim never met a stranger and would help anyone. Jim had a special place in his heart for all his animals. Jim is survived by his wife: Patricia Dyer Grimes; One Daughter: Susan Grimes Fortner; Two Sons: Mark Grimes and wife Lynne Grimes; Richard Grimes and wife Geanette Grimes; Two Granddaughters: Kathleen Fortner, Sophia Grimes; Two Grandsons: Rhett Fortner, Paul Fortner. Donations may be made in Jim’s honor to the Willow Meals at Willow Ave Church of Christ and the Putnam County Animal Shelter.
Funeral services for Reba Alene Kinniard, age 84, of Cookeville will be held Sunday, January 12th, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home with Johnny Fox officiating. Interment will follow in Smellage Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 12, 2020, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home. Reba Alene Kinniard passed away Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Memorial Service for Michael Wayne Holeman, age 53 of Sparta, will be held Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Cumberland Height Church of Christ at 6:30 pm with Bro. Doug Downs officiating. He passed away Tuesday, January 07, 2020 at his home. He was born in Louisville, KY on March 08, 1966 to Ozrel and George Ann (Speer) Holeman. The family will receive friends on Sunday at Cumberland Heights Church of Christ from 5 pm till the time of service.
Graveside services for Jackie “Butch” Coffee, age 75, of Elmwood, TN, will be held at 10 A.M. on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the John L. Clark Memorial Cemetery in the Stone community of Jackson County, TN. There will be no visitation or services at the funeral home. He passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at Smith
County Health and Rehab Center in Carthage, TN. He was the son of the late Noah Whitaker Coffee and Rubie Hamlet Coffee. He was a brick mason by trade, and of the Baptist faith.
Graveside Funeral Services For Richard Gentry, Age 69, Of Cookeville, Tennessee, Will Be Conducted On Monday, January 13, 2020, At 2:00 PM At The Sand Springs Cemetery. Rev. Adam Risher Will Officiate. Mr. Gentry Was Born On October 22, 1950, In Monterey, Tennessee, To The Late Dewey And Versa Richards Gentry. Mr. Gentry Passed Away On Wednesday, January 8, 2020, At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mr. Gentry Was Owner/Operator Of A Cleaning Service. He Also Worked With Hardee’s In Monterey, Dell Computer, Advanced Cleaning And Several Other Businesses. He Was A United States Air Force Veteran. He Is Survived By His Best Friend And Mother To His Children, Tyna Ford Of Monterey, TN; Daughter, Michelle And Anthony King Of Sparta, TN; Son, Matthew And Jessica Gentry Of Monterey, TN; 2 Grandchildren, Noah King And John Moses Gentry; Sister And Brother-In-Law, Carolyn And Charles Harris Of Cookeville, TN. In Addition To His Parents, He Was Preceded In Death By His Sisters, Bobbie Jean Henry And Betty Randolph; And Brother, Charles Gentry. The Family Will Receive Friends At The Cemetery Immediately Following The Services.
The Memorial Service for Miguel Guevara, 52, of Sparta, will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at 6 pm at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. He passed away Monday, January 06, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was born on April 11, 1967 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras to Miguel Guevara and Alba Turcios. The family will receive friends on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 4 pm to time of service.
