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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.
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Obituaries For Friday, September 8
Funeral services for Mrs. Patricia Ann Luna Griffin, affectionately known as Pat, age 71 of Sparta, will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, September 9. 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Taylors Providence Cemetery. She passed away at 9:34am on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Pat was born August 18, 1952 in Sparta, to the late Wilburn Lee and Rosie Emma Luna. She was seamstress at Red Kap for 33 years. She enjoyed camping and spending time with her husband on Center Hill Lake. Her close relationship with her God was always evident in her love of singing, whether it was in church or cooking supper, she loved to sing hymns. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by a brother Leon Luna. Surviving family members include her husband of 56 years Claude “Melvin” Griffin; Son: Melvin “Lee” (Glenda) Griffin; Two daughters: Terrie (Mark) McKay and Tammy Hood; Grandchildren: Joshua Griffin, Kyle Hood, Jennifer Langston, Nikki Hood, Brandon Griffin, Jazmine McKay, Destiny Battaglia; Nine great-grandchildren; Brother: Wilburn Collin Luna. The family will receive friends from 4-8:00pm Friday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Mr. B.D. Ray age 87 of Cookeville, will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11 AM from the Chapel of Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Hunter Cove Cemetery in Allons. He passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 surrounded by his family. He was born on December 17, 1935 in Allons to C.B and Lucy (Eldridge) Ray. B.D. was the second of 12 children. He spent most of his life working and retired from Rudy’s Farm in Nashville. Survivors: Wife: Theresa Holland Ray; 4 Son: Billy, James, Joey and Terry (W) Sheila; 3 Daughters: Judy Goodpasture (H) Frank, Margie Wilson (H) Richard, and Tammy Goodpasture (H) Gerald; Brother: Jackie Ray; 3 Sisters: Rozelle Barnes, Mazelle Painter, and Annazell Johnson; 17 Grandchildren; 18 Great Grandchildren; 3 Great Great Grandchildren; B.D. is also survived by a host of other family and friends. Preceded in death: Parents: C.B. and Lucy (Eldridge) Ray; Daughter; Janet Sue Ray; Brothers: Dewayne, W.C., Paul, and Clearence; Sisters: Ozell Ray, Linnie Garrett, and Izell Johnson; Grandson: Michael Goodpasture; and Granddaughter: Christy Hammock. Family will welcome friends at the funeral home on Friday, September 8 at 5 PM until 8 PM.
Funeral Service for Mr. Edward Lawson, age 94, of Algood will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, September 9, 2023, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Bro. Roger Phillips will officiate. Burial to follow in the Aarons Chapel Cemetery, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Lawson passed from this life on Tuesday morning, September 5, 2023, from the comforts of his home in Algood. He was born at home in Hilham, Tennessee on February 27, 1929, to the late Haskell and Nannie V. Scantland Lawson. Edward enjoyed going fishing, making a garden, yard work, collecting pens, and wood working. He loved his family unconditionally, spending time with them and watching the Price is Right. Edward leaves behind his daughters, Juanita Slattery of Anderson, IN, and Carol Davis of Algood; grandchildren, Melissa, Adam and wife Allie, Bill, Chris, Ken, Randy, Kathy, and Vickie; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchild. In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Bertie Lawson and son, Kenneth Glen Lawson. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. from the Livingston Funeral Home.
A celebration of life for Jerry Samon Sr., age 79 of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 1pm-5pm at Life Church Cookeville. The gathering will be in the Edge building of the Cookeville campus. Samon passed away on August 31. A long-time resident of Cookeville, he was widely known for his leadership at Cassemco for 34 years and coaching in Cookeville youth football. He left behind wife Sharon Samon, brother Joel Samon, daughter Kim Sweat, son Jerry Samon Jr.(Rebecca Samon).
Funeral Services for Mrs. Janie Sue Watkins Rogers, age 82, of Livingston, will be conducted 2p.m., Sunday, September 10, 2023, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Danny Staggs will officiate. Burial to follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Janie passed from this life on Wednesday evening, September 6, 2023, from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born at home in Livingston on August 7, 1941, to the late Carl and Lucille Ogletree Watkins. Janie was a 1959 graduate of Livingston Academy and a member of the Walnut Grove Church of Christ. She and her husband owned and operated Rogers Trucking Company. She loved and adored her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved all sports, riding around the countryside, and going to church. Janie leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Carl Rogers, of Livingston; son, Richard Rogers of Livingston; grandchildren, Justin Rogers and Amy Rogers both of Livingston; brother, Baily Jack Watkins and wife Karen of Livingston. In addition to her parents, Janie was preceded in death by her brothers, Jimmy and Charles Ricky Watkins. The family will welcome friends on Saturday evening from 5 until 9 p.m.
Funeral Services for Ray Lamar Scoggins, age 94 of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, September 11, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with John Chowning officiating. Burial will follow with full military honors provided by the Veteran’s Honor Guard in Jericho Cemetery. He passed away on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Life Care Center of Sparta. He was born July 25, 1929, and he was the son of the late Erasmus and Reatha Howell Scoggins. He preached at Bluff Springs Church of Christ in Warren County, O’Connor Church of Christ and Lansden Church of Christ in White County. He faithfully served the Lord and preached at many different congregations. He also worked at the Doyle Shirt Manufacturing Company for 37 years. Ray was a faithful husband to Frances, the love of his life, and father to Tim and Mike. He was a faithful minister and servant of his Heavenly Father. He endured hardships beyond what most will ever be able to understand. His Faith is what carried him through those hardships. He carried his load with grace and dignity. He had a quiet, gentle spirit and a tender, caring heart. He had a passion for souls and touched the lives of many in the area. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Scoggins; brothers, Joe Scoggins (Myrtle) and John Thomas Scoggins (Geneva); and sister, Mary Lee Rowland (Theron). Survivors include: Sons- Michael Scoggins (Lisa) of Chapmansboro, TN and Timothy Scoggins (Sharon) of Sparta; Grandchildren- Kristin Bledsoe (Ben), Mandy Hopper (Josh), and Matthew Scoggins (Carlon); Great-Grandchildren- Elanor Scoggins, Ayden Phelps, Olivia Phelps, Laney Bledsoe, Gray Bledsoe, Faith Hopper, Huntley Hopper, Forrest Hopper, and Camden Hopper. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family will welcome friends on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
A memorial service for Helene Mae (Rowe) Furst, 97, a resident of Cookeville, will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16 at Heavenly Host Lutheran Church in Cookeville. Her ashes will be buried with her husband’s at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR. She died peacefully September 5, 2023, after a long and healthy life. She was born May 23, 1926 on the family farm near Scandinavia, Wisconsin to Harry and Ella Rowe. After her graduation from Scandinavia High School, she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, the first in her family to attend college. Growing up during the Great Depression, she developed life-long attributes of strength, fortitude, and common sense typical of the Greatest Generation. Following college graduation in 1948, she worked in public school and Luther College as a librarian. She earned her Master of Library Science degree at the University of Michigan and also met Edward Furst, whom she married in 1951. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Ed passed away in 2007. Helene was an outgoing person who could strike up a conversation at any time or place and quickly find something in common with her new friend. A devoted wife and mother keenly interested in the activities of her husband and children, she enjoyed each of the college towns the family lived in during her husband’s life as a professor. The last stop was Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she put down deep roots and lived for 50 years. She was one of the founders of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with which she was deeply involved, and she established and maintained its library. She dedicated her time to volunteering in the community, for example, serving for decades at Washington Regional Hospital. She relished her Norwegian heritage and was sought out for her skill in making the traditional lefse flat bread. Without fail, every October she would don her shirt emblazoned with “Leif Landed First.” Her trips to Norway with family members were life highlights she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Julian and Kermit, and her husband Edward Furst. She is survived by her children Linda (Dennis Tiche), Don (Ellis) and Ken (Denene); her grandchildren Caren Michael (Josh), Brian Furst, Kevin Furst (Kristin), Laura Dwyer (Ryan), Rachel Tiche, Emily Tiche, Paris Furst, Juliet Furst, and Evangeline Furst; and her great-grandchildren Tommy Michael, Nate Michael, Sam Michael, Ethan Michael, Finnegan Furst, Vivien Furst, Matthew Dwyer, and Elise Dwyer. The family wishes to thank the devoted staff at Heritage Pointe Senior Living for their kind and professional care of Helene during her residency there, as well as Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Helene in her final days. In honoring her life you can donate to your local library in her name.
