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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, December 28
John Larry Dudney, 77 of Gainesboro, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Smith County Health and Rehab. He was born February 9, 1946 in Carthage. Mr. Dudney was the son of Robert Lee Dudney and Louise Upchurch Dudney. Larry was a farmer, teacher and businessman. He married Kathy Spivey on July 17, 1976 for a total of 47 years of marriage. He was a former member of the Carthage Church of Christ and a member of the Free State Church of Christ. Larry was a 1964 graduate of Carthage High School and received his BS degree in biology at Tennessee Tech University. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, David Dudney. Survivors include his wife, Kathy Dudney of Gainesboro; son, Travis (Amy Manning) Dudney of Gordonsville; sister-in-law, Retta Loftis Dudney of Cookeville; grandchildren, Will Manning Dudney and Anna Kate Dudney both of Hickman. Larry will be cremated and a graveside service will be held on the family farm at a later date. Memorials can be made to the Free State Church of Christ or donor’s favorite charity by contacting the funeral home.
Funeral service for Marilyn Aitken, 72 of Cookeville, will be held at the First United Methodist Church located at 165 E Broad Street of Cookeville on Friday, December 29th at 11:00 am. Marilyn leaves behind a legacy she spent 72 years building. Marilyn was born and raised in Monticello, Kentucky. A 1968 graduate of Monticello High School, Marilyn moved to Richmond, Kentucky to begin her studies at Eastern Kentucky University. Although she opted to get married and begin her family, she graduated with her degree in elementary education from TTU in 1994 fulfilling a life desire to teach. After working as a teacher’s aide for years, she returned to Northeast Elementary School in 1995 to be a third-grade teacher. Marilyn was very proud of her accomplishments in the classroom and fond of all the memories made with co-workers and students. After retirement, Marilyn spent time nurturing and instructing her own grandchildren. Marilyn loved her six grandchildren and doted on being called Mimi. She not only worked on their development while they were in her care, but she also volunteered at Algood Elementary School in their classrooms. She took great pride in helping her past colleagues from Northeast who had made the transition to teach at AES. Marilyn will be deeply missed by so many within the community. Her life of accomplishments and adoration will continue to be fulfilled by those who carry on in her namesake. She is survived by her husband Tom; daughters Michelle Aitken, Carey Aitken, and Laura Solomon (Stephen); grandchildren, Wilder Vaughn, Audrey Vaughn, Jiake Vaughn, Ellison Vaughn, and Eva Solomon; her sister Lynn Connor (Larry); nephews, Jason Gregory, Brian Gregory (Lindsay, Camden, and Asher), Jeremy Connor (Brianna), and Jane Bowie (Alex). She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Geneva Worsham and grandchild Kinleigh Solomon. Visitation will be at Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 28th, and again on Friday, December 29th from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am at Cookeville First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please donate children’s books in her memory to Northeast Elementary School, Algood Elementary School, or any other county or school library.
Graveside services for Mrs. Evelyn Dean Phillips Grizzle age 87 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, December 29, 2023 at Saylors Cemetery. Jeff Howard will officiate. She passed away at 4:36am on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at NHC of Sparta. Mrs. Grizzle was born February 12, 1936 in Pettersville, Alabama to the late Knox J. and Gladys Johns Phillips. She was a retired garment factory worker. She enjoyed reading and was a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband Robert Nelson Grizzle who died March 3, 2014. Survivors include her great niece and caregiver Amy Crouch of Nashville; Special neighbor, friend and care-giver: Barbara Anderson of Sparta; A host of nieces, nephews and extended family members also survive. There will be no public visitation prior to the service.
Funeral Services for Verble Henry Roberts, age 93 of Walling, will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Elder Burl Rice officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. He passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at his home. He was born March 15, 1930 in Walling, and he was the son of the late Boston Roberts and the late Magaret Goodson Roberts. Verble was a farmer, and he really enjoyed doing farm work. He has been a member of Spring Hill The Baptist Church of Christ since October of 1946. He was ordained as a Deacon on October 2, 1977. He also served as the church clerk from September of 1977 until August of 1982. He loved his church and his church family very much. Verble especially loved his own family and always enjoyed getting to spend time with them. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jan Fletcher and his sisters, Elise Holder and Doris Epps. Survivors include: Wife of 74 Years- Lucille Roberts of Walling; Daughter- Barbara Farley (Larry) of Walling; Grandsons- Brent Farley (Milynda) and Jason Farley (Nicole); Great-Grandchildren- Jacob Farley, Adam Farley, Ethan Farley, Makayla Farley, Madison Farley, and Logan Farley; 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren and 1 on the way; Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. The family will welcome friends on Friday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Russell Eugene Carlock, 92 of Sparta, will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral with Bryce Murphy officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Veteran’s Honor Guard will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He joined Christ in Heaven on Friday, December 22, 2023. Russell, Tuffy as he was known by many, was born July 17, 1931 in Snicarte, Illinois to the late Walker Franklin Sr. and Nellie Maude Carlock. Russ served as a sergeant with the First Marine Reconnaissance Unit in The Korean War from 1951-1953. Upon his return, he married Charlene Lerrie (Boaz) Carlock on February 26, 1954 in Meredosia, Illinois. Russ worked for The Corp of Engineers for 36 years and retired in 1986. Russell loved Christ with his whole heart and always wanted his family to feel the same. Over the years, he served as a leader in several churches and was currently attending, with Carrie, at “The Way” in Doyle. Russ enjoyed tinkering with anything he thought he could fix even if there were left over parts. Russ usually played Yahtzee with Charley (mom), as he often called her, every morning with his cup of coffee. He also enjoyed playing other games, with family members, win or lose. Russell is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Walter; his sister, Mary; half brother, Arnold; and many other family members. Surviving family members include: Wife – Charlene Carlock; Sons- Steve (Sherry) Carlock and Stan (Kelli) Carlock; Daughter- Sue (Ken) Miller; Grandchildren- Jeremy (Karen) Turner, Shauna (Chris) Hidlebaugh, Shane (Lauren) Carlock, Jenny (Nathan) Lamb, Randy Miller, Brooke (Tristan) Tischer, and Eden Carlock; Great-Grandchildren- Kolton Turner, Lily Hidlebaugh, Charlie Carlock, Izzie Lamb, Aurora Lamb, Aleina Lomeli, Caidence Lomeli, and Kealian Tischer. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Merrill Phy, age 88 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. David Hill officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Merrill Phy passed from this life on Monday, December 25, 2023, at Signature Health Care of Putnam County. Merrill was born Saturday, November 9, 1935, in Algood, Tennessee, and he was the son of the late Erchel Marion Phy and the late Nellie May (Gilliam) Phy. He was a member of Northeast Church of Christ for many years. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 30, 2023, from 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Edwin Booz Garrett, 90 of Allons, will be conducted Saturday, December 30th at 2pm from the chapel of Halls Funeral Home in Livingston. Burial will be in the Garrett Family Cemetery on Mitchell Creek Road in Allons. Bro. Thomas Hale, Thurman Seber, Roy Lee Seber and family members will be officiating. Edwin passed from this life on Wednesday morning, December 27, 2023, from Bethesda Healthcare in Cookeville following an extended illness. He was born in Overton County, Allons, to the late Booz B. Garrett and Ove Mae Buck Garrett on November 5, 1933. He was a member of the Allons Baptist Church for over 65 years. He was ordained as a deacon in 1966 and served till the time of his passing. In recent years he was a member of Gideons International, an organization he believed in deeply. Edwin leaves behind a son, Martin Garrett and wife Lounetta of LaVergne, a daughter Lisa Coil and husband Chris of Allons, grandchildren Stephen Garrett and wife Jaime of Antioch, Russell Garrett of Nashville, Ivan Coil of Cookeville, and EmmaClaire Coil of Allons. Great grandchildren, Carter, Wesley, Cooper and Savannah Hope Garrett all of Antioch. He leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews that were near and dear to his heart. Many of them were with him during his last hours of life. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 65 years, Peggy June Robbins Garrett, and his dear daughter Juliet Kim Garrett. He was also preceded in death by his beloved sister Ann Maxine Garrett Nivens, and a half-brother, Pascal Garrett, Jr. Edwin was the oldest living member of the Jacob Garrett lineage at the time of his passing. Visitation will be Friday, December 29th from 5pm-9pm and Saturday from 12pm – 2pm time of services.
Funeral Services for Mr. George Alan Hill, age 84 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Saturday, December 30, 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Taylors Providence Cemetery. Hill passed away Christmas Day, December 25, 2023 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering for Rebecca “Becky” Lynne Anderson, 62 of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, December 31, 2023, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home. She passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at her home surrounded by her family after her second bout with cancer. Becky was born Monday, January 9, 1961, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of George Orlando Goodboy, Jr. and the late Mary Ann (Kuskie) Goodboy. Becky was a loving wife and mother. She was adored by her family, friends, and co-workers. Becky is survived by her husband of 38 years, Carl Anderson; Son, CJ Anderson.
Graveside services for Darrell Gentry, age 69 of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday December 31 at Stewart Cemetery. Pastor Rick Lowhorn will officiate. Darrell passed away Tuesday December 5, 2023 at his home. He was born February 3, 1954 in Detroit, MI to the late Doyle Gentry and Lela Ruth Stewart Gentry. Darrell is survived by his brother, Jimmy Gentry; sisters, Betty Chaffin (husband Larry) and Wanda Grasty (husband Junior); former wife, Nancy Gentry; and step-children, Joseph Neely and Tashana Clouse. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Franklin and Barbara Smith.
