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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 Monday, April 1
Mr. Edward Milner, age 96 of Cookeville died Sunday March 31, 2024 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending.
Mrs. Nadine Kim Wilford, age 61 of Cookeville, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at her residence. She was born on August 5, 1962, in Burlington, Vermont to the late Jesse and Thelma (Brown) Wilford. Nadine worked in sales for the Shell Auto Company. She is preceded in death by her parents. Nadine is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Vanessa (Justin) Bell and Christina (Todd)Toler; and two sons Tony and Jonathan Wilford all of Cookeville. Two brothers: Randy Wilford of White County, and Gary Wilford of Orlando, Fla. Also, a sister: Tammy Sacco of Miami, Fla. 11 Grandchildren with one currently on its way. And 2 Great Grandchildren. Nadine is also survived by her companion of twenty years: Ray Frances of Monterey. A memorial service will be scheduled for a future date and time.
A graveside service for Jerry Lee Burgess, known affectionately as Jerry to his friends and family, 78 of Cookeville, will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Essex Cemetery. His memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He passed away peacefully at his residence on March 18, 2024. Born on August 2, 1945, in the same town he would call home for his entire life, Jerry’s presence was a constant in the community he loved and served. Jerry proudly served his country as a member of the US Navy, a period of his life that instilled in him a sense of discipline and camaraderie that he carried throughout his years. After his military service, he returned to Cookeville, where he established himself as a respected attorney. Jerry was also an active member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and a committed participant at the VFW Post 6296, where he shared bonds of fellowship with fellow veterans. Beyond his professional endeavors, Jerry was a man of many passions. An avid outdoorsman, he found solace and joy in the natural world, whether he was casting a line into a serene lake or hunting in the quiet woods. His love for the great outdoors was perhaps only matched by his accomplishment of hiking the Appalachian Trail with his son Carl, a feat that spoke to his adventurous spirit and physical endurance. Jerry also took great pride in working his land, a testament to his deep roots and connection to the earth. Jerry’s larger-than-life personality left an indelible mark on all who knew him. His laughter was infectious, his stories captivating, and his presence alone could light up a room. He was a cherished member of his family, a devoted husband to his wife, Lisa Murray Burgess, a loving father to his son, Carl Burgess, and daughters, LeeAnn Romero (and her husband Benny) and Kare Loyd (and her husband Ryan). Jerry’s spirit will live on through his grandchildren, William and Mia Romero, Barron and Avery Loyd. He is also survived by his brother, Dennis Burgess, and sister, Sandra Pigg, who will hold dear the memories of their brother’s unwavering support and enduring friendship. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Burgess and Kate Essex Burgess, his brother Glen Burgess, and his sisters, Nell Hunter and Judy McCrary.
A graveside service for Mary “Nell” Lyon, age 76, of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Nell was born on March 18, 1948, in Russellville, Kentucky to the late Laddie Epley and Late Louise Crafton Epley. Nell was hard working and loved to go to antique shops and travel in her spare time. Her favorite was shopping for vintage baskets. The people who loved Nell would describe her as a little firecracker or a bolt of lightning. In addition to her parents Nell is preceded in death by her niece Sharron Epley, one brother and one sister. Surviving family include: Husband – Robert Lyon of 58 years; Brother – George (Patricia) Epley; Nephew – Kevin (April) Epley; And two great-nephews. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Funeral services for Diane Michelle (Slogar) Easterday, age 53 of Jamestown, will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown. Burial will follow in the Fentress Memorial Gardens. She passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. Diane is survived by her: Husband, Robert Easterday; Children, Danielle Easterday, Robert Easterday, Jr.; Father, William Slogar; Mother, Ann (Weybrecht) Slogar and husband Edward; Brother, Michael Slogar and wife Angel; Sisters, Deborah Slogar, Rebecca Slogar; A host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her: Grandparents, Richard and Patricia Weybrecht, William and Jean Slogar. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Jennings Funeral Homes Chapel in Jamestown.
Memorial services for Carlen J. Wiggins Jr., 59 of Jackson County, will be on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 2 pm in the Chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. The family has chosen cremation. He was born November 14, 1964. He passed away on March 25, 2024. He passed away at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro. He was the son of the late Ina and Carlen Wiggins Sr. of the Wartrace Community in Jackson County. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Brittany Nicole Wiggins, and brothers: Robert and George Spurlock. Survivors include long time companion of 20 years, Melinda Bishop, and their children: daughter, Victoria Wiggins, and son, Carlen J. Wiggins III. Stepdaughter: Miranda Rush of Cookeville; brother: Michael (Tracey) Wiggins of Lebanon, TN; sisters: Sandy K. Jones of Chicago, IL, and Shirley (Joe) Hawkins of Gainesboro; nephews: Wayne Gerald Jones, Jr. of Memphis, T.J. Wiggins, and Ransom Wiggins of Cookeville; granddaughters: Daneisha Highland of Gainesboro, and Ayla Wiggins. Many other friends and relatives survive. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 1 pm to 2 pm.
Celebration of Life for Bevie “Rose” Rozelle (Pinkston) Yeager, 86, of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. She passed from this life on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Charter Senior Living of Cookeville. Rose was born Sunday, July 4, 1937, in Cookeville, she was the daughter of the late Luther Pinkston and the late Sena “Opal” (Clouse) Pinkston Smith. Rose was a loving daughter, sister, mother, Granny, aunt, and friend. She loved working in her garden with flowers and was very proud of the years she worked and was able to provide for her family. Her greatest blessings were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved sharing fond memories of her grandfather’s farm and spending time there. Rose was loved by those who knew her and will be greatly missed. Rose is survived by, 5 Children, Marcia Huddleston and her husband, Mike, Clint Steward (Wanda Elrod), Sandy Lamberson and her husband, Larry, Monesa Evans and her husband, Randy, and Jeff Steward and his wife, Lisa; 12 Grandchildren, Jonathan Jones (Tracy), Tyler Jones (Jackie), Tracey Manor (Mike), Christina Root (Geoff), Jason Steward, Dustin Steward, Patrick Mathis, Krystal Usrey, Taylor Bowman (Tori), Blake Evans, Jennifer Ward, and Alex Steward; 16 Great-Grandchildren; Sister, Janie Starr; Special Companion, her dog, Angie; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by, 6 Siblings, Aline Ogletree, Peggy Ogle, Nell Ballard, Jonnie Pearl Weber, Rola Pinkston, and Aaron Pinkston. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Julia Diane (Mayberry) Hall, age 67 of Byrdstown, will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 2:00 PM from Bloomington Christian Church with Bro. Steve McClure officiating. The family has chosen cremation. She passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. She was born March 8, 1957 in Nashville to Donald Seth Mayberry and Hessie Elizabeth (Doss) Mayberry. She was a member of Bloomington Christian Church and a school cafeteria employee. Diane is survived by (2) daughters: Melissa Moses, Sherra Bordelon; (5) grandchildren and (3) great-grandchildren; (2) sisters: Debra Trotter, Kathy Wilkerson; (1) brother: Charles Mayberry. Also survived by other family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents: Donald and Hessie Mayberry; husband: Martin Hall; (1) sister: Donna Parchman.
A Celebration of Life service for Deborah “Debi” Lynn (Howe) Christiansen, 70, of Baxter, will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Cookeville Church of Christ. Interment will be held at a later date. She passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center-Knoxville, due to complications following liver cancer surgery. She was surrounded by family. Born May 16, 1953, in Wyandotte, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late Ramon “Ray” D. Howe and Shirley A. (Fite) Howe. The second oldest of five children; her parents and siblings adored her. Debi graduated from Hohenwald High School, Hohenwald, TN in 1971. She attended Freed Hardeman University and worked as a secretary at the University of Michigan for many years. She later received a Medical Billing degree. More recently, she was employed as a bookkeeper for Collegeside Church of Christ in Cookeville, prior to her retirement. She met the love of her life, her husband Gary C. Christiansen, and they married on February 27, 2015. Debi is best remembered for her dedicated love for her family. She was generous and compassionate, always thinking of others before herself. Debi and Gary were both devoted caregivers to her parents, who resided in their home from 2017-2022. She loved baking; her delicious homemade cheesecakes were a family favorite. Her favorite season was fall because of the fall colors. She loved nature: the beauty of a flower, a golden sunset, or just the chance of spotting deer near the side of the road. She especially loved her cat “Mae” who was her constant companion for 13 years. She was an entrepreneur, having owned and operated several retail businesses both before and after her retirement. Most recently, she used her artistry, painting, and crafting skills to create and sell home décor items for others to enjoy. She always managed a positive outlook, despite the many years of cancer treatments, ill-health, and major events. Because of that she was a great inspiration and encouragement to all her family and friends. Her husband Gary was a great help and support to her in all her sickness. Debi found joy in being a child of God. Her strength came from her faith, trust and obedience to her Lord and Savior. Preceded in death by: Father – Ramon “Ray” D. Howe; Paternal Grandparents – Aurbrie and Eula Howe; Maternal Grandparents – Charles and Lillian Fite. Surviving loved ones include: Husband – Gary C. Christiansen, of Baxter; Mother – Shirley Howe, of Gainesboro; Siblings: Jerri Gilmer, of Eustis, FL, Karen Neilson, of Cookeville, Larry Howe, of Saline, MI, Robin Crawford, of Baxter; Many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, church members, and neighbors. The family will receive friends before the service from 9:30 AM until the time of service at 11:00 AM, at the same location. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Debi’s memory may be made to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NETRF) and can be mailed to NET Research Foundation, 31 St. James Avenue, Suite 365, Boston, MA 02116
Graveside service and interment of cremated remains for Georgie Ray Buck, 52 of Hilham, will be on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 3 pm at Old Antioch Cemetery with Bro. Danny Hembree officiating. He was born February 4, 1972 in Jackson County, and he passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Ray was the son of Georgie Clay Buck and Sue Jean Spivey Buck. He was a carpenter and a resident of Hilham. On January 28, 2020 he married Lisa Lee Richardson for a total of 4 years of marriage. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, uncles and aunts. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Buck of Hilham; daughter, Amy (Phil) Hunt of Ashland City, TN; step daughters, Tiffany (Josh) Savage of Cookeville and McKenzie Savage of Hilham; grandchild, Aiden Hunt of Ashland City, TN; other relatives and friends also survive. Memorial donations may be made to assist with final expenses by contacting the funeral home.
