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 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, March 27
Rita Sharon Adams, 69 of Sparta, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2020, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was born Friday, September 22, 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Varick Austin and Edith Coker Austin. She moved to Michigan as a little child, where she lived until 2007, then moved to Sparta. She enjoyed surrounding herself with her family, and she enjoyed taking care of the children at daycare for more than 30 years in Michigan and Tennesssee. She enjoyed doing things for her family, loved ones, and friends. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her life. She is preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include: Husband- Jimmy Adams of Sparta; Son- James Adams (Lee) of Altamont Springs, FL; Daughter- Angie Adams of Sparta; Grandchildren- Eric Adams, Amanda Goff (Kyle), Phillip Adams (Stephanie), and Morgan Spohn; Great-Grandchildren- Evan Adams and Loralei Goff; Brothers- Joe Austin (Jeanne) of CA and Tommy Austin of Sparta; Sisters- Gloria McDonald (Robert) and Pamela Austin, both of MI. A Celebration of Life will be held in Sparta, and Michigan at a later date with Kyle Goff officiating.
Leslie Wayne Luna, 61 of Sparta, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at his home. He was born Tuesday, June 10, 1958 in Crossville, he was the son of the late L.V. and Bernice Campbell Luna. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include: Wife- Phyllis Luna of Sparta; Son- Sean Luna of Smyrna; Brothers- David Luna (Daisy) of Crossville; Stacy Luna (Lori) of Lyles; and Charlie Luna of Centerville; Sister- Tina Luna Hooper (Randy) of Waverly. Several nieces and nephews also survive. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Fred Wade Sherrill, age 61, of Livingston will be conducted at a later date. Mr. Fred Sherrill passed from the comfort of his home on Thursday morning, March 26, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 16, 1958 in Livingston to Kay Frances Smith Sherrill and the late Bud Sherrill, Jr. Fred worked in building construction for many years, and enjoyed doing it. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, building furniture, and playing his guitar. Fred was an outdoorsman at heart. His greatest joy was his family. Fred leaves behind his wife, Donna Lynn Bullock Sherrill, of Livingston; mother, Frances Sherrill of Algood; sons, Freddy Sherrill & fiancée Nicole of Algood, Wesly Sherrill & wife Lakota of Jewett, CT, and Bradley Sherrill & wife, Kristen of Daytona, FL; daughter, Kyria Stolt & husband Joshua of Livingston; grandchildren, Isiah Bowman, Ivan Bowman, Kloey Sherrill, Fred “Trip” Sherrill, III, Atlas Stopa, Lettie Stolt, and Eli Sherrill; brothers, Andy Sherrill & wife Shanda of Carlton, TX, and James Sherrill & wife Heather of Livingston; sisters, Debbie Wells & husband David of Livingston, Denise Thomen & husband Michael of Livingston, Amy Hill & husband Jeffery, Rebbeca Goforth & husband Gary, and Jennifer Ledbetter & husband Donnie all of Cookeville; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his father, Fred was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Sherrill and sister, Sheila Ann Sherrill. Memorial Donations, may be made to the family by contacting Speck Funeral Home.
Mr. Prentice Dwight Stewart, 73, of the Sulfur Community, passed from the comfort of his home on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. He was born in Overton County, Tennessee on January 19, 1947 to the late William T. “Buster” & Myrtle Grace Carr Stewart. Dwight was a member of the Church of Christ and a 1965 graduate of Rickman High School. Dwight leaves behind his sister, Barbara Lively of Danville, KY; several nieces and nephews. The family will have a private viewing. A Military Burial, with the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard will be announced at a later date.
Private services for Christene Miles, age 89, of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, March 28. Pastor Scott McKinney will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in the White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy, Michigan. Mrs. Miles passed away Wednesday March 25, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born Sunday, January 18, 1931 in Jackson County, TN to the late Carlin Champ Loftis and Della Moore Loftis. Christene retired from Stahl’s Felt Stamping in St.Clair Shores, MI with over 20 years of service. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Bryan Miles, Jr.; brothers, Joe Loftis, Bob Loftis, Bill Loftis and infant brother, Carl Loftis; sister, Mary Langford; and sister-in-law, Opal Miles. Christene is survived by her daughter, Brenda Michel and husband Mark of Cookeville; sisters, Willene Phy, Georgia Morgan and husband Cooper of Cookeville; sisters in law, Peggy Loftis and Barbara Loftis; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Graveside Services for Paul Garrison, age 81 of Cookeville will be held March 28, 2020 at 2pm at Boma Cemetery. He passed from this Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born Monday, March 28, 1938 in Gainesboro, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Vestel and Annie (Ramsey) Garrison. Paul was a Machinist and retired from Clawson, Michigan. The family has chosen cremation.
Memorial services for Wayne H. Lawton, 72, of Cookeville, will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at Anderson – Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. The family has chosen cremation. He passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He was born April 28, 1947, in Pawtucket, RI, to the late Albert Forrest Lawton, Sr. and Betty Mo Mitchell Lawton. On December 14, 2003, he was married to Carol Sue Dailey Lawton, who survives. He was a truck driver, and served in the U.S. Army. He was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his Wife: Carol Sue Dailey Lawton of Cookeville; 1 Son: Caleb Lawton of Cookeville; 2 Daughters: Christina (Edward) Laquerre and Jaclyn (Tony) McCloud, all of Cookeville, TN; 8 Grandchildren: Patrick, Eric, Dylan, Amara, Marcus, Haven, Balon, and Kayson; 6 Great Grandchildren: Gayvn, Alina, Abigail, Jaden, Logan, and Bailey; 1 Brother: Albert Lawton, Jr. of RI; 1 Sister: Janice Trottier of RI; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 9 A.M. until time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project by contacting the funeral home.
Graveside services for Mr. James H. Wilson, 88, of Sparta, will be held at 2 P.M. on Saturday, March 28, 2020, at the Cubb Creek Cemetery in the Cubb Creek community of Jackson County. He passed away on Monday, March 23, 2020, at Signature Health Care in Algood. He was born November 15, 1931, in Jackson County, to the late Oscar Wilson and Flossie Wilson. He was married to the late Lucy Martin Wilson. He was an aircraft factory worker at Avco, and a member of the Cubb Creek Church of Christ. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by 3 Sons: Eddie Wilson, Jack Wilson, and James Wilson. Survivors include 1 Son: Charles Wilson of Cookeville; 1 Daughter: Janie Wilson Hardee of Myrtle Beach, SC; 2 Brothers: Bobby Wilson of Whitwell, and Paul Wilson of Cookeville; 2 Sisters: Margaret Way of Cookeville, and Connie Ballard of Gainesboro; Step Sister: Bonnie Jones of Gainesboro; 20 Grandchildren; and 14 Great Grandchildren. There will be no visitation or services at the funeral home.
The Honorable Oliver James Hill, age 87, a resident of Sparta, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Life Care Center of Sparta. Judge Hill, affectionately known as “Judge” or “Pal”, was the General Sessions Judge in Sparta for 25 years. He was born December 19, 1932 in Sparta to the late Malcolm Carnes Hill, Sr. and Rebecca Lacy Hill. As an avid golfer and tennis player, Judge was a founding member of Sparta Country Club. He was also an outdoorsman, who enjoyed hiking in Scott’s Gulf or walking around his neighborhood on Story Mountain. If he was not in the woods, he was making things out of wood in his workshop at his home. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife Lauretta Rich Hill on December 15, 1995 and his brother Malcolm Carnes Hill, Jr. Surviving family members include his Son: Justin Hill and wife Tatum of Cookeville; Grandson: Oliver Grey Hill; Granddaughter: Lennon Elizabeth Hill; Sisters: Carmine Smith of California and Sarah “Sado” Pfeiffer of North Carolina; Longtime Companion: Judy McDonald and her family Steve, Kim, Elin, Layne, Makayla, Robert, Sherry, Shayna, Rett, Lyla, Gage, Seth, Kendra, and Brody. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In honor of Judge’s wishes, a visitation will be held April 10, 2020 from 4-7:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home following a private service at Sparta City Cemetery.
Memorial services for Mrs. Freda Denise Margeson Baker better know as Denise, age 58 of Sparta. will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, April 10, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. She passed away Tuesday morning , March 24, 2020 at Generations of Spencer. Denise was born November 12, 1961 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Willie J. Margeson, Sr. and Betty Ross Cope Margeson. She was a farmer and a sawmill worker. At home, she enjoyed taking care of her chickens but her true joy was taking care of her grandchildren. Surviving family members include her daughter Dena Hopkins and husband JohnThe family will receive friends from 11:00am until service time at Hunter Funeral Home.
