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.
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 are presented by Presley Funeral Home, West Jackson Street in Cookeville.
Obituaries For Friday, January 17
Mr. Jerry Leon White, age 66, of Monroe passed from this life on January 17, 2020 from his residence. He was born February 18, 1953 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Dick & Orlean Davis White. A 1971 graduate, Jerry went on to serve his country in the United States Navy. He retired as a Machinist for the automotive industry. Jerry leaves behind his sister, Elaine Larson of Richmond Heights, Ohio. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his brother, Gary White, and Joey White; sister, Sue Yoh. There are no services scheduled at this time for Mr. Jerry Leon White.
Rickey Dale Long, 61, of Bloomington Springs, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at his residence. The family has chosen cremation. He was born November 11, 1958, in Jackson County, to Mary Willine Long and the late Odis Eugene Long. He worked in the logging industry. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by the Mother of his Children: Sharon Long. Survivors include 1 Son: Derek Charles Long of Baxter; 1 Daughter: Suzanne Long of Bloomington Springs; his Mother: Mary Willine Long of Cookeville; 3 Brothers: Roger Long of Gainesboro, Ronnie Long of Cookeville, and Richard Long of Granville; 1 Sister: Rose Long of CA; 4 Grandchildren; and 6 Great Grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Funeral Services for Mr. Wayne Hancock, age 75, of Monroe will be conducted 11 a.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Hancock Cemetery. Bro. Aaron Dillon will officiate. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Speck Funeral Home. Mr. Wayne Hancock passed from this life on Tuesday morning, January 14, 2020 from the Livingston Regional Medical Center. He was born in Overton County to the late Carlos & Laura Davis Hancock. A 1964 graduate of Livingston Academy, Wayne went on to serve his country in the US Navy Submarines for 23 years. He enjoyed going to the Monroe Community Center and his retirement. His greatest joys was his grandchildren, family and taking care of his animals. Wayne leaves behind his son, Damon Hancock & wife Leigh Anne of Hendersonville, TN; daughter, Galena Salais & husband Raymon of Denton, TX; grandchildren, Marisa Salais, Brandon Salais, Joshua Salais, Liam Hancock, Nick Hancock, Grant Hancock, and Helena Hancock; sister, Wanda Phillips & husband Jimmy of Florida; brother, Jimmy Hancock & wife Brenda of Virginia; nieces, Kerri Stevenson, and Mandy Wenger.
Funeral Services for Ms. Leatrice Melton, age 90 of the Copeland Cove Community in Overton County will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 2020 from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Bro. Brett Gibbons will officiate. Burial to follow in the Fellowship Cemetery. Ms. Leatrice passed from this life on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born in Clay County on August 31, 1929 to the late Elliot & Lee Emma Chowning Melton. Leatrice was a member of the Martin Chapel United Methodist Church. She enjoyed gardening, being outside, and her Butter Pecan Ice Cream. She also enjoyed getting up early and catching the morning news on WLIV radio. She leaves behind 6 nieces and nephews, several cousins also survived. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Livingston Funeral Home.
A memorial service for Mrs. Wanda Beverly Lundskog, age 93 of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the downstairs chapel of Cookeville First Baptist Church. Mrs. Lundskog died Saturday January 11, 2020 at Bethesda Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. She was born May 8, 1926 in Salt Lake City, UT to the late Earl and Alta Oakden Barns. She was a resident of Utah until 1998 and lived in Colorado before moving to Cookeville in 2008. Wanda had a sweet and kind nature. Seemingly always happy, she loved to laugh-and laughed often! She made the best of circumstances, whatever they may be. She was a great cook and enjoyed baking with her favorite ingredient, chocolate. Wanda’s quite strength came from her faith and love of her Lord, Jesus Christ. She enjoyed friendship and fellowship from the people at Cookeville First Baptist Church where she attended. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Lundskog; son, Lee Lundskog; daughter, Minnie Loiselle; and by sister, Muriel Dutton. She is survived by daughters, Janet Doxsee of Cookeville, Beverly Willardson and Joan Scott; brother, Vernon Lundskog, all of Salt Lake City; sister, Alta Godwin of Washington state; and by several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Mr. Charles E. “Buddy” Booher, age 75, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m., Sunday, January 19, 2020, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the St. Johns Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Saturday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Speck Funeral Home. Mr. Buddy Booher passed from this life on Wednesday evening, January 15, 2020 from the Bethesda Health Care in Cookeville. He was born November 21, 1944 in Overton County, Tennessee to the late Charlie & Lola Mae Walker Booher. Buddy enjoyed riding his moped, going to church, making a garden, and going to the fair. He loved his family and friends very much. He greatest joy was working at the Overton County Jail with Herman Moody and being a strong Democrat. Buddy leaves behind his brother, Gordon Booher & wife Kim of Monterey, TN; sisters, Viola Wilkens of Indianapolis, IN, Jewell Lester of Burkesville, KY, and Marietta Upchurch of Monroe, TN; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Patty Cole, Herman Moody, and Tosha Clemmens.
Funeral Services For Dortha Pierce Bowman, Age 83, Of Hanging Limb, Will Be Conducted On Sunday, January 19, 2020, At 2:00 PM From The Chapel Of Goff Funeral Home. Bro. Mike Kirby And Bro. Kenny Pierce Will Officiate With Interment To Follow In The F.A. Norrod Cemetery. Mrs. Bowman Was Born On February 18, 1936, In Overton County To The Late Roy And Edna Hoover Pierce. Mrs. Bowman Passed Away On Thursday, January 16, 2020, At The Standing Stone Care And Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Bowman Was A School Cook For Over 30 Years With Wilson School And Also Worked With Ely & Walker. She Was A Member Of Calvary Freewill Baptist Church. She Is Survived By, 2 Sons, Gary Bowman And Fiancée, Sherri Wyatt Of Monterey, Michael And Tiffany Bowman Of Hanging Limb; 2 Grandsons, Eric Bowman Of Hanging Limb, Brent And Anastasia Bowman Of Monterey; Sister And Brother-In-Law, Anna And Clyde Bowman Of Hanging Limb. In Addition To Her Parents, She Was Preceded In Death By Her Husband, A G Bowman Jr. On January 16, 2018; Son, Keith Douglas Bowman; Brothers, Willie Ray And Floyd Pierce; And An Infant Brother And Sister. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Saturday, January 18, 2020, From 5:00 PM Until 8:00 PM.
Funeral Service for Debra “Debbie” S. Smith, 63 of Cookeville, will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020, at 2 pm in the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bros. Mark Gaw and Ronnie Dunn officiating. Entombment to follow the service. She passed from this life on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at home in Cookeville with her family surrounding her. Debbie was born Monday, May 7, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late James “Mitch” Poteet and the late Kim Stafford Poteet. Debbie was an avid writer, authored her own book “Trusting Eyes”. She enjoyed going to the beach and visiting Gatlinburg. She loved animals, especially her many dogs. Most of all she loved and was committed to her family. She was the claims manager of McGriff Insurance Company, formally known as BB&T Legge Agency. She is survived by her husband John W.G. Smith. 6 children: Warren Smith of Murfreesboro; Alan and Bonni (Fitzgerald) Smith of Murfreesboro; Shannon and Charlie Simon of Mt. Juliet; Rebecca Williams Gainesboro; Angelia Swift of Cookeville; Maegon and Darek Cherry of Cookeville; 13 Grandchildren: Roger Smith, John Alan Smith, Sarah Smith, Ella Grace Smith, Bain Smith, Lillian Smith, Isabelle Simon, Emmy Simon, Atticus Simon, Cody Williams, Hayden Swift, Kaylee Cherry and Bentlee Cherry; 1 Great-grandchild: Reese Smith of Dawsonville, Georgia. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 18, 2020, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to the Putnam County Animal Shelter.
Memorial services for Mr. Brandin Bays, age 50, of Cookeville, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday January 19 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston an Horner Fuenral Home. Judy Duke will officiate. His family will receive friends Sunday from 2 p.m. until service time. Brandin was born September 13, 1969 in Orange County, CA to Candace Bays of Cookeville, and the late Jon William Bays.
A memorial service for Mr. Robert “Bob” Dewey Presley, age 75 of Sparta, will be held at 7:00pm Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. He passed away Thursday, January 16, 2020 at his residence in Sparta. Mr. Presley was born November 6, 1944 in Sparta to the late Thomas Presley Sr. and Christine Presley York. Bob was a simple man who loved to go fishing and watch Gunsmoke. At the age of 16, Bob started going to the Pool Hall and remained an avid pool and card player throughout his life. In addition to his parents, Bob is preceded in death by his stepfather Roy York, Brother Thomas Presley Jr. and sister Betty Hall Pinion. Family members left to cherish his memory include his Daughter: Lisa Presley Perry of Sparta; Son: Robert Lynn Presley of Sparta; Granddaughters: Adrienne Lowe, Kandace Gibson; Great-grandsons: Broderic Clayton Allen Jr., Cooper Wade Lowe; Sisters: Jeannette Bennett of Sparta, Sue Stephens of Chattanooga; Mother of his children: Diane Presley; Several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5-7pm Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial service for Mr. Wesley Harold Johnson, age 92 of Sparta, will be conducted 7:00pm Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. He passed away Friday morning, January 17, 2020 at Life Care Center of Sparta. Mr. Johnson was born in the Bon Air Community of White County May 1, 1927 to the late Riley Magnus Johnson and Phronie Belle Sapp Johnson. He had a work career that took him inside most White County homes, most notably as a Milk Man, delivering milk for Irwin Dairy which eventually became Southern Belle and then he retired as a Sears repairman. When Mr. Johnson was not working, he could be found in the woods or around a body of water as he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a longtime member of Hickory Valley Baptist Church. He was also a proud United States Army Veteran, serving in the 82nd Airborne during World War II. As part of his service, he was assigned as an instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. There he was a member of the crew that trained cadets on the firing of the 105mm and 165mm guns and all of the duties connected with the firing of the gun, cleaning, oiling and rust proofing parts of the gun. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Willie Mae Greene Johnson; sisters Laura Stacey, Ruby Jackson, Ova Rollins and Dorothy Lawson. Surviving family members include his two daughthers Anna (Brett) Rich and Kathy (Aaron) Cole all of Sparta; Son: Tommy (Rita) Johnson of Sparta; Five grandchildren: Riley (Jen) Rich of Cookeville, Scott (Brooke) Johnson of Sparta, Jennifer (Jacob) Spivey of Sparta, Kayla Johnson of Cookeville, Macy (Jared) Woodward of Memphis; Five great-grandchildren: Collin & Hallie Johnson, Lydia, Alethea and Irene Rich. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-7:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Hickory Valley Baptist Church in care of Hunter Funeral Home, PO BOX 90, Sparta, TN 38583 or Gideons International.
