We Remember: Obituaries For Monday, January 8

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, January 8

Funeral Services Jerry Lee Tayse, age 59 of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Jerry’s pastor officiating, Bro. Doug Benningfield. No graveside services will follow as Jerry’s wishes were to be cremated following the funeral service. He passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 7, 2024, after a four month battle with cancer. He was born on September 10, 1964 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Cecil Tayse and Betty Clinton Tayse. Jerry enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, scuba diving, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs. He enjoyed playing tricks and pranks on his friends and family. Jerry was always willing to try something new like skateboarding and playing the Native American flute at church. He was a member of Hickory Valley Baptist Church and loved his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his beloved father, Cecil Tayse. He leaves behind his mother, Betty Clinton Tayse; wife, Pamela Young Tayse; step-son, Brandon Young and wife, Rebecca Young; grandson, Trenton Young; granddaughter, Ella Grace Young; brother, Mark Tayse and wife, Gwen Tayse; nieces, Courtney Johnson and Chloe Tayse; several aunts and uncles and his buddies at G&L manufacturing also survive. The family will welcome friends on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.

The family of Richard “Rick” Harlan Henry, 72 of Cookeville, will hold a visitation on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. A private burial will follow. He passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2024. Rick is preceded in death by his parents Harlan and Robbie Henry, his brother Donald Henry, and his family’s beloved dog Lily. Rick is survived by his three children, Daisha Crabtree (Ben), Sonni Mackzum (Leyner), and Chase Henry (Tazia); the mother of his children Michelle Henry; his aunt Edith Bradley; and his nephew Boz Henry (Leanne). Rick graduated from Cookeville High School in 1969. An avid and talented baseball player, he continued playing competitively well into adulthood. Rick was the owner of Industrial Tools & Equipment. His incredible work ethic, strong relationship skills, and technical aptitude enabled a successful and storied 53-year career. Rick was a warm, sensitive, and generous man. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed spending time with his family, either at home or on the lake. A proud and present father, Rick ensured that his children had every opportunity to thrive. In lieu of flowers and in honor of Rick’s memory, the family requests that you look around your community and help meet the tangible needs of its members.

Funeral services for Mr. James Robert Mason, better known as Jimmy, age 84 of Quebeck, will be conducted 1:00pm Wednesday, January 10, 2024 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. He passed away at 4:30am Sunday, January 7, 2024 at NHC of Sparta. Mr. Mason was born July 23, 1939 in Walling, to the late John Beecher and Mary Emma Thompson Mason. He was a retired carpenter and farmer. He enjoyed old westerns and bluegrass music, but most of all he was a stock car racing enthusiast. He was a regular at tracks from Crossville to the Nashville fairgrounds on Saturdays and by his television or radio on Sundays for Cup series racing. Jimmy served 11 years in the National Guard. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife Janis Lynn Mason and his sister Susie Mason. Survivors include his three children, James Byron Mason and wife Sharron of Walling, Janet Kirby and husband Tracy of Sparta, Barry Mason and wife Debbie of Walling; Grandchildren: Mary Beth (Adam) Price, Tisha (Will) Pelfrey, Beka (Josh) Christy, Tyler (Michelle) Mason, Trey Kirby and fiance’ Cary; Seven great-grandchildren: Aubrey, Emma, James, Harper, Liam, Lilith and Sophie. The family will receive friends after 10:00am Wednesday at Hunter Funeral Home.

Funeral Service for Barbara Clydean (Bohannon) Maxwell, 81 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 11:00 am from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She passed from this life on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Bethesda Health Care Center. Barbara was born Sunday, February 8, 1942, in Cookeville, and she was the daughter of Clyde Bohannon and the late Stella (Dyer) Bohannon. Barbara was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, Granny, aunt, and friend. She was an active member of Stevens Street Baptist Church and the Ladies Friendship Class for 47 years. Barbara was loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed. Barbara is survived by, Daughter, Angela Mowell and her husband, Randy; Son, Blake Maxwell; 2 Grandchildren, A.J. Smith, and Landon Blake Maxwell; Cousin, James Cumby; Special Friends, Joyce Gentry and Pat Eldridge; 2 Nieces, Julie Galloway and her husband, Chris, and Jennifer Eberhart and her husband Doug; 2 Nephews, Greg and Robert Garner; 2 Great-Nephews, Clayton Galloway, and Matthew Eberhart; Great-Niece, Rachel Eberhart. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Buddy” Maxwell; Sister, Sabra Mills. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Virgil Chasten Cope, Jr. better known as ‘Jr.’, age 83 of Byrdstown, will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM from Brown Funeral Chapel with Bro. Rick Cross officiating. The burial will be in Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Wooster, OH. He passed away Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born September 11, 1940 in Akron, OH to Virgil Chasten Cope and Grace (Myers) Cope. He attended the Nazarene church and was a former employee at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Jr. is survived by (1) daughter: Melissa Walsh and husband: James; (2) sons: Craig Cope and wife: Janna, Ronald Kevin Cope and life partner: Glynis Carpenter; (8) grandchildren and (10) great-grandchildren; (1) sister: Georgia Lee Cope; special friend: Frank Gerard. Also survived by other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Virgil and Grace Cope; wife: Sandra K. Cope; (1) brother: Gordon Cope. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Brown Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services for Mrs. Patricia Ann Chang Simpkins, affectionately known as Pattie, age 76 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Oakwood Street Church of Christ in Sparta. In honor of Pattie’s wishes, she will be cremated following her funeral service. She passed away at 12:02am Sunday, January 7, 2024 at St. Thomas Highlands Hospital. Pattie was born January 22, 1947 in Honolulu, Hawaii to the late Harry Lee and Agnes Rosario Chang. She had a variety of work experience from the food service industry to a Platte County, Nebraska Deputy Sheriff. Her wonderful cooking will be missed but her love for God and her grandchildren will always be remembered. Pattie was a devoted member of Oakwood Street Church of Christ. In addition to her parent, she is also preceded in death by her sister Wanda Lee Chang and brother Raymond Chang. Survivors include her loving husband of 58 years Marvin “Butch” Simpkins, Sr. Two sons: Marvin Stanley Simpkins, Jr. and wife Diane, Harry Eugene Kalani Simpkins; Grandchildren: Elijah, Letani, Marvin Lee, Scarlett, Kyler, Andrew and Earan; Five great-grandchildren; Special friend: Lynn Griffis; Oakwood Street church family; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive. The family will receive friends after 10:00am Saturday at the church. Bro. Erwin Williams will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Happy Haven or the Shriner’s.