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.
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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 Monday, August 16
William “Bill” Odell Roberts, age 64 of Hazard, Kentucky, and formerly of Baxter, died Sunday, August 15 in Hazard. Arrangements are incomplete.
Michael Clarence Austin, age 70 of the Dodson Branch Community, passed away Saturday August 14, 2021 at his home. Private family services will be held at a later date.
Talmadge (Tal) Carver, age 77 of Cookeville, passed away Saturday morning August 14 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Janet E. Walker, age 81, of Monroe, will be conducted 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 17 from the Overton County Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Walker passed from this life on Sunday evening, August 15 from the Livingston Regional Hospital. She was born in Overton County to the late O.V. Savage Dishman. Baptist in Faith, Janet loved her family, and enjoyed flowers of all kinds. Janet leaves behind her sons, Michael and Jeff Walker. The family will welcome friends at the time of services.
Funeral services for Donald Lee Gatts Jr., age 55 of Algood, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday August 17 at the Algood Family Event Center, 124 First Ave., Algood, TN. Pastor Jeff Monday will officiate. Interment will follow at the Algood City Cemetery. He passed away on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born December 4, 1965 in Washington DC to Mary Jane (Janie) Beaty Gatts of Algood, and the late Donald Lee Gatts Sr. Donnie was formerly employed at Builder’s Supply Block Facility in Algood. He was a avid Nascar fan an enjoyed dirt track racing. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his son, Lee and his wife Jorie Gatts of Livingston. The family will receive friends Monday from 5 – 8 p.m. and again Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service time. Social distancing and use of masks are appreciated.
Funeral services for Revel Jerl Masters, 89, of Livingston, TN, will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 11 A.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Smith Chapel Cemetery in Putnam County. He passed away on Friday, August 13, 2021, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born January 6, 1932, in Jackson County, TN, to the late Birdel Masters and Florence Lee Masters. He was married to the late Sallie Mae Scott Masters, who passed away June 14, 1996. He was an automotive factory worker, and affiliated with the Church of Christ. He also served in the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include 3 Sons: Jerl Masters of Livingston, TN, Bill (Barb) Masters of Newport, MI, and Randall Masters of Arizona. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M., and Tuesday from 9 A.M. until time of services. Bro. Danny Scott will officiate at the services.
Funeral Services for Mr. Christopher Lee Hooks, age 41, of Livingston will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 17, 2021 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Grant Pennington, Bro. Anthony White, and Bro. David Sadler, Jr. will officiate. Burial to follow in the Overton County Memorial Gardens. Chris passed from this life on Thursday evening, August 12, 2021 from his home in Livingston. He was born in Livingston, Tennessee on April 22, 1980 to Carolyn White and Jimmy Hooks. Chris enjoyed fishing, drawing, family get togethers and music of all kinds. His greatest enjoyment was coaching and playing baseball. Chris leaves behind his wife of 17 years, TaShana Stephens Hooks of Livingston, TN; son, Ethan Hooks of Livingston, TN; mother, Carolyn White of Algood, TN; father, Jimmy Hooks and wife Kathy of Livingston, TN; brother, Steve Hooks and wife Chrissy of Cookeville, TN; and sisters, Melissa Hooks of Algood, TN, and Melody Sadler and husband David of Livingston, TN. The family will welcome friends on Monday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. at Speck Funeral Home.
Masonic Rites and funeral services for Mr. Fred Lucius Simms, age 84 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm, Tuesday, August 17, 2021 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Blue Spring Cemetery. He passed away Friday, August 13, 2021 as a result of a farming accident. Mr. Simms was born September 18, 1936 in the Cherry Creek Community to the late William James and Zettie Florence Tittsworth Simms. He had a strong and meticulous work ethic as evidenced by his employment in tool and die, and as owner of Sparta Lawnmower & Saw Service for 15 years. He was known by many White County students for his longtime service as a bus driver. Fred also served over 21 years in the National Guard. One of his passions was his service in the Masonic Lodge. He was awarded Lifetime Membership of Most Wonderful Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Tennessee and Sparta Lodge No. 99 F. & A.M. of Tennessee in August 2004. He was also a member of the Eastern Star. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Tuesday at Hunter Funeral Home. Everett Wilson will officiate.
Funeral services for Arthur Ronald Brockett, 86 of Sparta, will be at 1:00 PM on Tuesday at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with burial to follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Our beloved father and your friend Arthur R. Brockett (Art) went to be with God on August 12th, 2021. Born in Effingham, IL on June 26th, 1935 to James and Minnie Brockett, he lived a long life devoted to serving God and others. As a firefighter and later a Captain in the Dekalb County (Ga) Fire Dept for 25 years, he often put himself in harms way with no regard to the risks or for his own personal safety. Marrying Reba Jewel (Martin) Brockett on June 27, 1959, they were blessed to share a beautiful life together until her death in 2008, raising four children (Patty, James, Charles and Mike). The family will receive friends from 11:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Shirley Ann Harper, 77, of Gainesboro, will be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 3 P.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the John L. Clark Memorial Cemetery in the Stone community of Jackson County, TN. She passed away on Friday, August 13, 2021, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born December 26, 1943, in Jackson County, TN, to the late Amos Smith and Katie Katherine Hix Smith. She was a retired RN, and a member of the Dodson Branch Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include her Husband: Donnie Wayne Harper of Gainesboro, TN; Son: Kenneth (Stinker) Estep, Jr. of Gainesboro, TN; Daughters: Teresa (Wendell) Hall of Hilham, TN and Julie (Shaun) Thomas of Gainesboro. Bro. Ronnie Dunn will officiate at the services. Memorial donations may be made to the Charles R. Holland Memorial Library or the Jackson County Rescue Squad by contacting the funeral home. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M., and Tuesday from 12 Noon until time of services.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Frank Martin, age 87 of Livingston will be conducted 6 p.m., Tuesday, August 17 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. John Cahill will officiate. Mr. Frank Martin passed from this life on Thursday evening, August 12 from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Frank was currently serving as a County Commissioner for the 1st district of Overton County. He also served as a past Mayor of Livingston, Tennessee. He also was currently serving as a probation officer. Frank was Methodist in Faith, a 1952 graduate of Livingston Academy, and served in the Army National Guard. He enjoyed traveling and was a community service man for many years, where he enjoyed moving the city and county forward. A true family man who enjoyed his family very much, telling a good story and cherished his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Frank leaves behind his daughters, Teresa Collins, Missy (Bruce) Shook , and Mindy (Phillilp) Pennington. The family will welcome friends on Tuesday afternoon from 4 until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
Funeral Services For Roger D. “High Roller” Swafford, Age 66 Of Monterey, Will Be Conducted On Wednesday, August 18 At 11:00 AM From The Chapel Of Goff Funeral Home. Rev. Tony Phipps Will Officiate With Interment To Follow In The Woodcliff Cemetery. Mr. Swafford Passed Away On Sunday, August 15 At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He Was A Housekeeping And Laundry Supervisor Working With Masters Health Care For Over 20 Years. He Was A Member Of Woodcliff Baptist Church. He Is Survived By two daughters, Sarah (Greg) Blessing, and Katie (Cameron) Swafford. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Tuesday, August 17 From 5:00 PM Until 8:00 PM.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bonnie Ruth Wright, age 79 of the Hilham Community, will be held on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 2 PM from the chapel of the Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Mount Gilead Cemetery in Hilham, Overton Co. She passed from this life on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Livingston Regional Hospital. Bonnie Ruth Wright was born in Hilham, Overton Co., TN to the late Charlie and Dessie Lea (Hammons) Bilbrey on Saturday, January 24, 1942. Bonnie was a hard worker for her family and worked in the garment factory until she retired. She had a love for flowers especially day lilies, so she took her passion for them and opened Wright’s Day Lilies; growing fifteen hundred or so different varieties. She loved her family very much and she will be greatly missed. Survivors include Her loving Husband: Tommy O’dell Wright; 1 Daughter: Kimberly Gaye Wright; 2 Sons: Rocky Gene Wright, Stephen O’dell Wright. The family will welcome friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 17th starting at 5 PM until 9 PM. Officiating with the service will be Bro. Jeremy Bilbrey.
Funeral Services For Christopher Lee Walker, Age 51, Of Monterey, Will Be Conducted On Thursday, August 19, 2021, At 11:00 AM From The Chapel Of Goff Funeral Home. Pastor Steve Looper Will Officiate With Interment To Follow In The Woodcliff Cemetery. Mr. Walker Was Born On Friday, February 27, 1970, In Cookeville, Tennessee, To Lee Earl Walker Of Monterey, Tennessee, And The Late Goldie Irene Holloway Walker. Mr. Walker Passed Away On Saturday, August 14, 2021, At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mr. Walker Was Owner/Operator Of Bark Busters. He Was An Avid Horseman, Loved Nature, And The Outdoors. He Was A Member Of The Sons Of Confederate Veterans. In Addition To His Father, He Is Survived By His Fiancée, Kristie Welch Of Cookeville, TN; Son, Colton Walker Of Monterey. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, From 5:00 PM Until 8:00 PM.
Funeral Services for Mr. Michael Charles Danner, age 69 of Algood, will be conducted 1 p.m., Saturday, August 21 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Mike Adams will officiate. Burial to follow in the Campground Cemetery. Mr. Danner passed from this life on Friday morning, August 13 from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. A master machinist in the tool and die industry, Michael loved his family dearly. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, raising cattle and horses, and outdoor sports. Michael was known for raising and training hunting dogs, and dove shoots. Michael leaves behind his sons, Daniel and Joshua Danner. The family will welcome friends on Saturday morning from 11 a.m. until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
A Celebration Gathering for Mabledean Willoughby, age 74 of Cookeville, will be from 5 -7 p.m. Saturday August 21 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. She passed away Thursday morning August 12, 2021 at her home. Mable was born September 24, 1946 in Baxter, TN to the late Orley D. Maynard and Dorothy Lee Daniel Maynard. She was raised on a farm and all her life she loved gardening, canning, cooking, and country line dancing. She loved to read and passed that love on to her children and grandchildren. Mable managed Artley in the Cookeville Mall, and later was the gift shop manager of the Cookeville Cracker Barrel for 27 years until her retirement. She dearly loved her family and friends, and never met a stranger. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Tran Willoughby Jr., whom she married May 21, 1965; daughter, Tracy Willoughby Clark (Mark); son, Thomas D. Willoughby III, all of Cookeville. Memorial contributions may be made to Avalon Hospice, 1080 Neal St., Ste. 300, Cookeville, TN 38501, or to an Alzheimer’s/Dementia organization of your choice.
