We Remember: Obituaries For Friday, February 2

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 For Friday, February 2

Toni Faye Davis, age 62, of Crossville, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Ms. Davis was born on Monday, November 6, 1961, in Evansville, Indiana, to the late Jackie Lee Pace Sr. and Marie Hope Laymon Pace. Ms. Davis had previously worked in Custodial Arts in Las Vegas. She was a hard worker and loved taking care of her husband and family. She is survived by, daughter and son-in-law, Brittany and Cameron Sauls of Las Vegas, NV; son and daughter-in-law, Patrick J Davis Jr. and Amanda Davis of Crossville; 4 grandchildren, Timothy, Wyatt, Krystie, and Brynley; 1 great granddaughter, Alayah; sister, Peggy Pace of Oklahoma; brother, Jackie Pace of Indiana. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick J Davis Sr., and brothers, Chuck Pace and Jimmy Pace. Her wishes of cremation are being honored with no services planned at this time.

Mr. Justin Holman, age 60, of Livingston passed from this life on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from the Livingston Regional Hospital. He was born on May 3, 1963, in Livingston to the late John Riley and Wilma Dean Jackson Holman. Justin enjoyed being outdoors and swimming. His passion in life was drawing. He enjoyed spending time with his friends. He loved his family dearly. Justin leaves behind his son Jared Holman and wife Kasey of Livingston; grandchildren Jamison Holman and Kadan Vaughn; brothers Joe Holman and his wife Pat of Georgia and Johnny Holman and wife Myrna of Livingston; sisters Janie Carter and husband Jimmy of Livingston, and Judy Reagan of Livingston; special Nephew Jonathan Walker and his wife Lindsay of Monroe; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers Jack Holman and Jeff Holman. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at a later date.

Zelda Dorothy Nelson, 90 of Baxter, died Thursday, February 1, 2024 at NHC of Cookeville. She was born December 24, 1933 in Silver Point, TN to the late Frank and Adell Hancock Phillips. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Tom Nelson, sisters Pauline Courtney and Juanita Loftis Schroeder. She moved with her family to Michigan at a young age and later became a hair stylist, owning her own shop. Zelda then moved to Virginia where she became a tow motor operator for Pannells (a division of Sara Lee). Zelda was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include nieces and nephews: Gail Woodard of Baxter, Philip Loftis of Meridianville, Alabama, Gary Loftis of Midland, MI, Sheila Coleman of MI, Michael Courtney of Farmington Hills, MI, Paulette Kadzielewski of MI. Zelda’ s wishes of cremation are being honored. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

A graveside service for Rene Colleen Roberts,age 62 of Cookeville, will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at her home after an extended illness. She was born October 15, 1961 in Union City, Tennessee, and she was the daughter of the late Roy and Effie Luna Roberts. Rene loved everyone, especially Elvis, Dolly, and Loretta Lynn. She also loved to dance. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Claudette Roberts. Survivors include: Brother- Sam (Emilie) Roberts of Sparta; Sister- Connie Robinson of Spencer; Many nieces, nephews, and her extended Pacesetters family from Cookeville also survive.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Barbara Jean Baier, 73 of Cookeville, will be held on Saturday, February 3 at 12 p.m. at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she passed away peacefully on January 26, 2024, at NHC of Sparta. Born on May 8, 1950, in Lexington, KY, Barbara’s journey through life was marked by her warmth, kindness, and the joy she brought to those around her. Barbara dedicated many years of service as an administrative assistant, where her love for students and commitment to their care shone brightly. She worked with great pride at the University of Kentucky and Auburn University before her tenure at Tennessee Tech University’s Alumni office. Her passion for nurturing young minds was evident in every interaction, creating a legacy of warmth and guidance that many will remember. She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Dr. James Baier, whom she married on December 3, 1997. Their partnership was a testament to mutual respect and adoration. Barbara’s legacy lives on through her daughter, Leigh Ann Clark, and son, Bryan Woodruff, as well as her adored grandchildren, Isaac Clark and Alex Woodruff, who brought immense joy and laughter into her life. Barbara was a caring daughter to her late parents, Leroy Prewitt and Billie Cadle Prewitt, and she cherished memories of her late sister, Leah Prewitt. An introvert at heart, Barbara had the unique ability to transform into an extrovert in the company of a crowd. Her friendly disposition and kind nature drew people to her, and she became the life of any gathering. Her interests were varied and rich; she found solace in her garden, tranquility in the pages of a good book, and challenge in the twists and turns of a crossword puzzle. Barbara’s love for animals was profound, and her compassion for all living creatures was a reflection of her generous spirit. Barbara’s presence was a gift to those who had the privilege of knowing her. She approached life with a rare combination of grace and tenacity, forging a path of love and service that will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her family will welcome friends and family from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Barbara’s commitment to education and the well-being of students will continue to be honored through memorial contributions to the Agricultural Engineering Technology Innovation Student Center at Tennessee Tech University. Crawford Alumni Center, Box 5157, 705 N Dixie Ave, Cookeville, TN 38505.

Funeral services for Michael “Mike” Howard Alexander, 74, of Goodlettsville, formerly of Baxter, will be Saturday, February 3 at 1 PM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Bro. Roy Graves will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Mike passed away suddenly but peacefully in his sleep, Tuesday morning January 30, 2024 at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville. He was born June 16, 1949 in Cookeville, TN to the late Howard Nelson and Clara Phillips Alexander. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife Brenda Joyce Carter Alexander on December 12, 2008, grandparents Ray Van and Velma Roberts Phillips, Albert and Daisy Ann Maddux Alexander. Mike was a 1967 graduate of Upperman High School in Baxter. He later graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a Masters Degree in Math and Computer Science. He was a member of Parkway Baptist Church in Goodlettsville. Mike retired as Vice-President of Management Operations Systems at Service Merchandise Corporate Office in Nashville. Mike was a “jack of all trades” kinda guy. He enjoyed genealogy, knife making, guitar, banjo and clock restoration. His interests included boating, water skiing and he was a certified scuba diver. He loved radio control airplanes, leatherwork, motorcycles, car/jeep restoration and off roading and dune buggy adventures. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman. Mike was an artist and helped his daughter with a mural project. He was a people person and enjoyed life, family and friends. Mike was also a model train enthusiast. Mike was a member of the Baxter Seminary/Upperman High School Scholarship Association, he was their website creator and one of the reunion coordinators. Survivors include daughter Emily Celeste Alexander of Nashville, son Michael Howard Alexander II of Goodlettsville, a host of cousins. The family will receive friends Friday 5 to 8 PM and after 11 AM Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baxter Seminary/Upperman High School Alumni Association, PO. Box 222, Baxter, TN 38544.

Funeral services Mrs. Edwina Bumbalough Hutson, age 83 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, February 3, 2024 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery. She passed away at 3:52pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at NHC of Sparta. Mrs. Hutson was born November 8, 1940 in Sparta, to the late Riley J. and Mary Belle Clouse Bumbalough. She was a retired garment factory sewing supervisor. She loved gardening and being outdoors with her flowers. She also enjoyed sewing when she was not a work and many family members will remember all the quilts that she made over the years. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband Lynn H. Hutson who died March 8, 2006; sister Christina Bumbalough Dunham and husband David; brother Arlin Bumbalough and his wife Lois. Survivors include her son Jeff Hutson and wife Stephanie; Grandchildren who fondly knew her as Ma Hutson: Lindsay Brooke Hutson and Braxton Wade Hutson; Special friend: Dawn Jones; Nieces: Kathy Goff and husband Benny, Kim Mills and husband James; A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews and extended family also survive. The family will receive friends after 10:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Linda Watson, age 79 of Jamestown, will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown. Burial will follow in the Fentress Memorial Gardens. She passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro. Linda is survived by her: Husband, Bill Watson; Children, Gina Emery and husband John, Brian Beaty and wife Tammy, Jason Watson and wife Leta; Grandchildren, Kevin Beaty, Tessa Beaty, Zoie Lierly and husband Jacob, Noah Emery and wife Haylee, Karlin Watson, Kelsey Watson, Kason Watson; Great Grandchildren, London Lierly, Reagan Lierly, Preston Claire Lierly; Brother, Tom Reagan and wife Carolyn; Sister, Mary Cravens and husband Pete; Special Loved Ones, Tim Buck and wife Melanie, Gina Mullinix; A host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her: Grandson, John Wayne Emery, III; Father, John Dayton Reagan; Mother, Zora (Cantrell) Reagan; Siblings, Naoma Rankin and husband Ralph, Ralph Reagan and wife Zula, Owen Reagan and wife Vina, Hoyt Reagan and wife Ceyna. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown.

A Funeral service for Gladys Marie Chaffin, 91 of Cookeville, and Westland, Michigan, will be at 2:30 PM on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 at Presley Funeral Home with the Brother Duey Dyer officiating. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 28, 2024, while surrounded by her family. Born Wednesday, March 23, 1932 in Jackson County to the late Haskell Dyer and Flossie Pippin Dyer. She was the loving wife of the late J.B. Chaffin for 45 blessed years. Gladys was a loving wife and mom, that cared so much about her family. She was a homemaker and an outstanding cook. J.B. and Gladys always had a vegetable garden and canned the bounty of their labor. She enjoyed sewing, even sewing outfits for the grandchildren and matching outfits for their dolls. Gladys enjoyed entertaining with her cooking, having Saturday dinners and picnics in the park. She was a member of a gospel quartet with her cousin and 2 friends, singing in nursing homes, shut-ins and other venues. Gladys was a member of the Sycamore, Wayne and Garden City Churches of Christ. Surviving are daughter Barbara Ann Chaffin of Garden City, MI; 2 grandchildren Natalie (Mark) Fenwick of Spencer, Jonathan “JD” Muszynski of Panama City, FL; 9 great-grandchildren; siblings Reba Turner, Raymond Dyer; And a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Gladys was preceded in death by husband JB Chaffin, daughter Kathy Marie Chaffin, and 9 siblings. The family will receive friends from 11:30 AM until time of service at 2:30 PM on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024.

A celebration of life service for Mr. Jim Sutherland, age 77 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, February 3rd at 5pm at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. He died Tuesday evening, January 30th. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 3rd from 3pm until 5pm at the funeral home.

Funeral services for Mrs. Shelby Jean (Jones) Beaty, age 85 of Crossville, will be held Sunday, February 4 at 1 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes-Clarkrange Chapel. She passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024. She was born on March 8, 1938 to Herschel and Mossie (Whittenburg) Jones. She was the only girl with three brothers Arthur “Skip”, Daniel “Bill”, and David “Wink”. Shelby Jean was married to Ruble “Rube” Beaty for 62 years until his passing. She was a talented seamstress who loved to quilt. In addition, she was a proud member of the order of the Eastern Star Mary Chapter. Mrs. Shelby Jean Beaty is survived by: Daughters, Rujena Dotson and husband Philip, Renita Beaty and friend Jim Gifford, Raquel Dice and husband Kelly; Grandsons, Colten Dotson and wife Kayla, Eli Dotson; Great-Grandson, Rex Dotson; Special Nephew and Nieces, Danny Jones, Lisa Jones Hedrick, Lori Jones Hedgecoth; Special Friends, Butch and Judy Hall. She is preceded in death by her: Husband, Ruble Beaty; Parents, Herschell and Mossie (Whittenburg) Jones; Brothers, Arthur “Skip” Jones, Daniel “Bill” Jones, David “Wink” Jones. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 3 from 5 pm-8 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes-Clarkrange Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Clarkrange Cemetery Fund.

A Gathering of Family and Friends, to celebrate the life of Mr. Jeffery Dale Hargis, age 46, of Livingston will be held 2-4 pm Sunday, February 4th from the Livingston Funeral Home Chapel. Jeff passed from this life on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from the Vanderbilt Medical Center. He was born on September 14, 1977, at the Vanderbilt Medical Center to Keith Allen Hargis, and Shelia Gene Stevens Richardson. He was a 1995 graduate of Livingston Academy. Jeff was a hard worker and enjoyed working. He enjoyed the art of conversation to his family and friends and never met a stranger. Jeff loved hard and observed the good in everyone he came in contact with. Jeff leaves behind his children, Isaac Hargis and Nathan Hargis both of Livingston; father, Keith Hargis of Livingston; mother, Shelia Richardson of Livingston; sister, Martina Hargis of Cookeville; brothers, Patrick Richardson of Rickman, Jeremy Hargis of Livingston, and Chris Hargis and wife Diana of Cookeville; also, several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Memorial Donations may be made to the family by contacting Speck Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Mr. Kevin Lee Sherrell, age 35 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, February 4, 2023 from the chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Thomas McCulley will officiate. In honor of Kevin’s wishes, he will be cremated following his funeral service and his ashes will be spread in the mountains that he loved so much. He passed away at 6:11am on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville. Kevin was born September 9, 1988 in Cookeville. He was a construction worker and truck driver. He was an outdoorsman and could always be found in the mountains off-roading in his Jeep or camping. Kevin enjoyed working and could fabricate anything. Kevin is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Glynn and Dian Sherrell; maternal grandparents, Wayne Vinson, Carolyn and Eugene Howell. Surviving family members left to cherish his memory include his three children Kennedi Sherrell, Kamron Sherrell and Kimber Lawson; Father: Kent (Karen) Sherrell; Mother: Melissia (Jeff) Mace; Siblings: Kristopher Sherrell, Shanese (Jacob) Maynard, Audrey (Dylan) Lockwood, Jesse Sherrell and Misty Rice, Dewayne (Kimberly) Mace; Special friends: Katie (Joey) Pickett; Several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends members also survive. The family will receive friends Sunday after 11:00am at Hunter Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers the family request donations to Hunter Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

Funeral services for Destiny Herren, age 18 of Cookeville, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday February 4 The River Community Church. Graveside service and interment will follow at 4 p.m. on Monday February 5 at Cookeville City Cemetery. Destiny passed away January 29, 2024. Her family will receive friends Sunday from 2 p.m. until service time at the church.

Memorial services for Sam Murphy, age 57 of Crossville, will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 6:00 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown. He passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at the St. Thomas Rutherford. Sam is survived by his: Daughter, Kelsey Baxter; Brother, Brent Murphy; A host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his: Father, Lester Glen Murphy; Mother, Susie (Rich) Murphy; Sister, Kim Parham; Brother, Stevie Murphy. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 5, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown.

A memorial service for John Bennett Cassetty, 70 of Gainesboro, will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 2 P.M. in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. The family has chosen cremation at this time. He was born January 8, 1954, in Jackson County, and he passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville. He was the son of Charles Edward Cassetty and Navoy Virgie Hawkins Cassetty. He worked for Northern Telecom. He was a gifted musician and loved music. He was a former member of the Legacy Band and was a member of various other musical bands throughout the years. Survivors include his son: Ian Bennett Cassetty of Gainesboro; sisters: Deborah (Mike) Searcy and Charlene Cassetty both from Gainesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Angie Reed Cassetty. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024, from 11 A.M. until time of service at 2 P.M. in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help assist the family with the cremation expenses by contacting the business office of the funeral home.