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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, February 5
Jim Albert Spors, 69 of the Brook Bend Community of Jackson County, he passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at his residence. He was born October 26, 1954, in New York. He was the son of Albert Raymond Spors and Rose Monica Murray Spors. He worked as a project manager over the years. Also, he was an avid turkey hunter and a proud member of the The National Wild Turkey Federation. Survivors include his wife, Debbie Spors; son: Shawn Wade of Maria, FL; daughter: Tennelle (Martin) Boss of Gainesboro; brother: Jerry Spors of Mocksville, NC; sister: Linda Boston of Boston, NY; grandchildren: Calin Boss, Laelynn Boss, Alyssa Wade, and Suri Wade. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. The family has chosen cremation at this time, per his request. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and The Wild Turkey Federation by contacting the business office of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home.
Julie Williams, age 60, of Cookeville, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024, at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Ms. Williams was born on Saturday, November 16, 1963, in Concord, California, to the late Leroy and Donna Anderson Maxon. She was a graduate of Concord High School and Diablo Valley College graduating as a Registered Dental Assistant. She formerly worked with Kramer and Martin Family Dentistry. She is survived by, 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara Toft of Hendersonville, Jessica and Matthew Harris of Monterey; 6 grandchildren, Kylie, Taylor, Maclain, Owen, Brock, and Clayton; 3 great grandchildren, Layla, Kinley, and Harrison; 2 brothers, James Maxon of Veneta, OR; Jack Maxon of Walnut Creek, CA. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Lindsey Toft; and husband, Wyman Williams. Her wishes of cremation are being honored with no services planned at this time.
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.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Betty-Jo Spurrier, age 94, of Livingston will be conducted 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 7, 2024, from the Good Hope Annex Cemetery. Bro. Josh Grubs will officiate. The family will welcome friends at the graveside service.
Funeral Services for Danny Clinton Dodson, age 66, of Sparta, will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Eugene Bray officiating. Burial will follow in Board Valley Cemetery. He went to be with his Lord and Savior unexpectedly on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Danny was born in Sparta on July 9, 1957 to Horace Clinton and Soto Elise Dodson. Danny attended White County High School and made a life long career from his love for music. He spent many years traveling with band mates and friends on tour playing steel guitar with the Dixie Line Band, as well as joined later bands such as High Caliber, The Tennessee Back Roads Band, but his love for music began with the Dodson Brothers Band. From childhood his family enjoyed playing music together. He also spent many years employed with Bill Boruff Automotive, and later was employed with his family at James Dodson Service Center before retiring. He spent his days retired recording music in his studio, traveling with the love of his life and enjoying time with his friends and family. To know Danny he was a jack of all trades, a true mister fix it. He was always tinkering, building and creating something wonderful. Danny was preceded in death by his Father, Horace Clinton Dodson and Mother, Soto Elise Selby Dodson Evans, and is survived by his darling Wife, Debbie Holland Dodson; Siblings, Dale (Janet) Dodson, Donna Dodson, Darwin Dodson, Darlene (Donnie) Hall, and James (Patty) Dodson; Children, Tanya (Joey) Krantz, Mandy (Eddie) Cole, Clinton (Amanda) Dodson, Christal (David) Dodson; Grandchildren, Alyssa Cole, Ashton (Whitney) Krantz, Leyton (Morgan) Krantz, Keegan Krantz, Nikkyah Dodson, Grant Dodson, Landon Dodson, and Alton Dodson; Great-Grandchildren, Brynlee and Ellie Krantz; and many nieces and nephews also survive. The family will welcome friends for visitation on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
The family of Lloyd Eugene Blackwell, age 81 of Byrdstown, will receive friends Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Brown Funeral Chapel. He passed away Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Livingston Regional Hospital. He was born May 25, 1942 in Milford, IL to James Calder Blackwell and Lucille (Finch) Blackwell. He was a iron molder for John Deere, a union representative for John Deere, a board member for Grant-Ross Credit Union and a former councilman for Hoopeston City, IL. Lloyd is survived by his wife: Marsha Jean (Rickart) Blackwell; (2) daughters: Robyn Reagan and husband: Tommy, Lori Montez and husband: Rey; (1) son: Jeremy Furrow; (6) grandchildren and (10) great-grandchildren; (1) sister: Carol Marez; (2) brothers: Harold Blackwell and Steve Blackwell. Also survived by other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: James and Lucille Blackwell; (2) sister-in-laws: Barb Blackwell and Connie Rickart; (1) brother-in-law: Allen Edwards. The burial will be in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston, IL at a later date.
Funeral Services for Michael Aaron Winnett, age 33 of Sparta, will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed away on Friday, February 2, 2024. He was born July 18, 1990 in Sparta, and he was the son of the late Tommy Winnett and Becky Woody Winnett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jimmy and Joyce Woody and Linda Dunn-Winnett. Survivors include: Sister- Amber Sims (Jerrod) of Smithville; Nephews- Michael Williams of Sparta, and Justin Sims of Smithville; Nieces- Haley Sims of McMinnville, and Samantha Sims of Smithville; Aunts- Patricia Anderson (Holli) of Cookeville, and Misty Bell (John) Cookeville; Uncle- Chris Randolph (Lisa) of Sparta; Cousins- Candi Philips, Olivia Philips, and Colton Philips of Cookeville; Lori Head of Sparta; and Brittany Randolph of Sparta. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Mr. Robert Allen Arney, age 69, of Monroe, will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, February 10, 2024, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Burial to follow in the Overton County Memorial Gardens, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Robert Arney passed from this life from the comforts of his home in Monroe, on Friday, February 2, 2024. He was born in Fort Benning, Georgia on August 11, 1954, to the late Shirley Ray and Betty Ruth Arney. Robert was an avid marksman, had a love for the outdoors, and was a true patriot to his core. He was meticulous in nature and kept a close circle of friends. He could be found off roading in his Polaris. He cared for his neighbors dearly. In his spare time Robert could be found building household furniture. His family described him as one to do his own thing. Robert loved his family fiercely. Robert leaves behind daughter Rebecca Cruise and husband Jason of Hendersonville; grandchildren Victor Cruise and Madeline Cruise; sister Shirley Morreale and husband Bob of Sparta; nephew Eric Lindsay and wife Casey of Kingston; special cousins David Arney and wife Gail of Rickman, and Cynthia Mitchell of Byrdstown; and a host of family that will miss him dearly. James was preceded in death by his parents. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
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.
