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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 Thursday, August 24
Anna Ledford, age 66, of Monterey, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Ms. Ledford was born on Wednesday, June 26, 1957, in Monterey, to the late Ray and Mary Barnes Smith. Ms. Ledford was a homemaker. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Allie Ledford of Cookeville; grandson, Gabriel Ledford; sister and brother-in-law, Velma and Wayne Ledbetter; brother, George Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Clara Maxfield, Charlene Smith, and Charolette Smith; and brothers, Ray Jr., Arnold, and Mickey Smith. Her wishes of cremation are being honored with no services planned at this time.
A Funeral service for Tristen Phillips, 2 months, of Cookeville, will be at 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Presley Funeral Home. He passed on Sunday, August 20, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Born Monday, June 26, 2023 in Crossville, he was the son of Terrence Phillips and Reanna Welch. Although his family will miss him dearly, The Lord called Tristen home to be with him. Tristan is survived by his parents; brother Jackson Welch; Paternal Grandparents Shawn Michael Whitlow and Ruth Ann Gibson; Maternal Grandparents Brian Welch and Crystal Richards; Paternal Great Grandparents James and Michaela Copeland; Maternal Great Grandmother Debbie Smith; And a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until time of service at 7:00 PM.
Funeral services for Ila Mae Anderson, 92 of Cookeville, will be at 10 a.m. Friday August 25 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Ila Mae passed away Monday morning August 21, 2023 at Heritage Pointe Senior Living in Cookeville. Her family will receive friends Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. and again Friday from 9 a.m. until time of services.
Funeral service for Wanda Joyce Brock Hunter Ware, better known as “Granny J”, age 85 of Sparta, will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in the Old Bon Air Cemetery. She passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She was born August 22, 1937 in Derossett, TN to the late Harry Eugene Brock and Clara Bell Green Brock. She was also preceded in death by her husbands: Ray Hunter and Ivan Ware, Sister: Peggy Geer, & Brother: Gene Brock. She worked for Manual Officer and Jack Mitchell at the drugstore for many years and then to the old hospital which later became NHC of Sparta. There she worked as a CNA for 24yr and then retired. After retiring she loved to travel, also loved having family game nights, playing poker where she would clean the house. Loved playing her favorite games on the computer and word searches. She loved when family and friends came to visit. She would always ask “What’s your hurry you just got here”, she hated seeing them leave. She is survived by her Daughter: Vickie J Brown, Sparta; Granddaughters: Stephanie J Hickey & Husband Chris, Crossville & Jennifer Case & Husband James, Sparta; Great grandchildren: Rhealan Leonard & Camron, Zach Hickey, Morgan Case, & Isaac Case; Great-Great grandchildren: Tatum McClain & Remingtonn Leonard; Sister: Sandra Gail Majewski Wisconsin; Special Friend: June Goolsby;Honorable mention: Chris Tase; A host of nieces and nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 4 pm until 8 pm on Thursday Evening and from 8:00am until service time on Friday.
Funeral services for Felicia Sheree Bull, age 45 of Hilham, will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 beginning at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Lynn Cemetery in Jackson County. She passed from this life Saturday, August 19, 2023, at her home in Hilham. Born Monday, February 20, 1978 in Cookeville, she was the daughter of Rick and Wilma (Harness) Allen. Felicia was a loving wife, mother, gigi, daughter, sister and friend to all who knew her. The most important thing of all, she was gigi to her granddaughter Carolina. She was a nurse for many years, and an Advocate for DS surgery support group. In addition to her parents Felicia is survived by her husband of 20 years, Marty Bull of Hilham; 2 daughters: Destiny Bull of California, Kylee Bull of Mt. Juliet; 1 granddaughter: Carolina Rayne Castillo of Mt. Juliet; 2 sisters: Whitney Allen of Double Springs, Chelsea Allen of Double Springs; Maternal grandmother: Mildred Harness of Overton County. Felicia was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Elmer Harness, and paternal grandparents, Deloy and Maymie Allen. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, August 24 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and again on Friday from 11;00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm.
Celebration of Life for Jeffrey Don Comer, 67, of Cookeville, will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, at 5:00 pm at The Edge Annex of Life Church with Youth Pastor Davy Roland officiating. He went home to Jesus on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Jeff was a dedicated husband, father, Poppy, brother, educator, coach, and friend to many. He also loved cooking, spending time in God’s Word, and serving others. Throughout his life, he held an unwavering faith in God, sharing Christ’s love centered around serving, which he shared with those who surrounded him. Jeff joins his parents and father-in-law in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Carissa, son Christopher (Korie), daughter Meredith, two grand girls Kinley and Ellie, and a brother, Greg Groth (Petti). In addition, he is also survived by his mother-in-law, Brenda Bryant, Brothers in law James Bryant (Sherry), Matthew Bryant (Rachel), nieces Rachel, Emily, McKenzie, Claire, and nephew Caleb. “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14) was meaningful to Jeff because he wanted to live and finish strong in his strength in Christ. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to: PEP Foundation, 1400 East Spring Street, Cookeville, Tennessee, 38506. PEP Foundation supports students in the Putnam County School System.
Funeral services for James Edward “Jimmy” Lewis, age 69 of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, August 27, 2023 beginning at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Cookeville City Cemetery. He passed from this life Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at his home in Cookeville. Born Thursday, May 27, 1954 in Cookeville, he was the son of the late Henry B. and Geraldine (Terry) Lewis. Jimmy was a loving husband, father, brother and friend to all who knew him. He owned and operated Jimmy Lewis Auto Sales in Cookeville for several years, and was was an avid Horseman and Trainer. He loved working on the farm and enjoyed being outside in his tractor. He was a member of the 1966 Cookeville Allstars Little League State Champs. He was a member of Putnam County Senior High School Baseball and Basketball teams. Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 50 years: Jamie (Davenport) Lewis of Cookeville; 1 daughter and son-in-law: Beth and Sam Tays of Monterey; 1 brother: Henry Terry Lewis of Cookeville; Mother-in-law: Martha Davenport of Cookeville; 2 sisters-in-law: Jen Owen and her husband Dan of Fayetteville, GA, Carolyn Shell and her husband Ralph of Hixson; 1 brother-in-law: Melvin Keylon of Hendersonville; Several nieces, nephews and cousins; In addition to his parents Jimmy was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Frances Lewis, father-in-law, Jim Davenport, and a sister-in-law, Gwen Keylon. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday, August 26, from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Sunday from 12:00 noon until the time of service at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation or the Mustard Seed Ranch.
A Celebration of Life for James Andrew Wilhite, 63 of Sparta, will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with James Nash, and Jerry Nash officiating. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery. He passed away on Monday, August 21, 2023, at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. He was born on Monday, November 23, 1959, in Smithville. James was preceded in death by his mother Shirley Howell (Hosea) Broyles. Surviving family include: Father – Raymond ” Worm” (BobbyE) Wilhite; Brother – Nile (Diana) Broyles; Sisters – Amy (Neil) Givens and Emy Wilhite; Aunt – Carol W. Kennerly; Uncle – Roger (Linda Sue) Howell and David Howell; A host of beloved nephews, niece, cousins, a great niece, and a great nephew; Life Long Best Friend – James Nash; Loving Caregivers – Charlie and Jennifer Meadows, LD and Melanie Marshall and Patty Cusick. James will be remembered by his infectious smile, comical personality, and his kind spirit. These attributes extended to his professional life as a Medical Laboratory Manager at White County Community Hospital where he was known for his compassion towards patients and entertaining practical jokes. In his youth, James enjoyed fishing on Sunday afternoons with his best friend James on the Calfkiller River. He spent the winter seasons hunting and making lifelong memories with Papa, Andy Howell. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service for Sarah Denice Whittaker, age 52 of Sparta, will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m at Oak Lawn Funeral Home. She passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Saint Thomas Midtown in Nashville. She was born October 19, 1970 in Sparta, and was the daughter of the late Thomas Poston and Helen Jernigan Poston. Sarah is preceded in death by her father, Thomas Poston. Surviving family include: Husband – William Whittaker of Sparta; Mother – Helen Poston of Sparta; Sister – Teresa Hutchings (Anthony) of Sparta; Nephews – Daniel Swift, Zach Graves, David Graves; Several Aunts, Uncles, several cousins, many friends and neighbours also survive. Sarah was a member of Findlay Church of Christ. She worked for the State of Tennessee for 23 years. The family will recieve friends on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
A Celebration of Life for Rose Leigh Bilbrey Vines, 78 of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m. Friday September 1 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Dr. Kevin Conrad will officiate. She passed away in Nashville on August 21 after a brief illness. Her family will welcome friends Friday from 11 a.m. until service time.
A celebration of life for Cindy A. Scritsmier, 63 of Gainesboro, will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at Gainesboro Bridge Church at 4 P.M., with Pastor Ken Lewis officiating. The family has chosen cremation. She was born June 11, 1960, in Rochelle, IL, and she passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at her residence in Gainesboro. She was the daughter of Lorraine Cratolo and the late Phil Cratolo. On August 15, 2013, she was married to Fred E. Scritsmier, who survives. She was a homemaker, and a member of the Christian Fellowship Evangelical Free Church in Chicago, Paw Paw Bible Church in Paw Paw, IL, and Gainesboro Bridge Church in Gainesboro. Survivors include her Husband: Fred E. Scritsmier of Gainesboro; Daughters: Nicole Manley of Roselle IL, Regina Dyrda of Houston, TX, Corinne Dyrda of Glendale Heights, IL, and Dava Dyrda of Roselle, IL; Brothers: Al Cratolo, Ron Cratolo, John Cratolo, and Danny Cratolo; Sister: Brenda Cratolo of Lombard, IL; Mother: Lorraine Cratolo of Lombard, IL; Grandchild: Willow Dyrda; and other relatives. Memorial donations may be made to the Gainesboro Bridge Church by contacting the funeral home.
