News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 brings you the daily obituaries each morning, Monday through Saturday, at 7:25am, during The Upper Cumberland This Morning and afternoons at 5:25pm during The Upper Cumberland At 5.
Local news, weather and sports on your way to and from work from News Talk 94.1/AM 1600.
Obituaries For Thursday, September 7
Terry Denis Griffin, Sr., 80 of Cookeville, passed away suddenly after heart surgery complications on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville. Terry was born Saturday, June 12, 1943 in Akron, Ohio, to the late Robert Clyde Griffin and Imogene (Sadler) Griffin. Terry was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He proudly served in the United States Navy and the United States Army Reserves. He was an avid golfer, often playing three times a week at the local golf courses with the Cookeville Senior Golf Group. Terry worked for Chrysler for 40 years in Twinsburg, Ohio. He will be missed by his family and friends. Terry is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcella (McCandless) Griffin; His children, Thomas Griffin and his wife Deborah, Kathy Archer, Terry Griffin, Jr., and his wife Tina, Gerald Griffin, and Robert Griffin Kemp; Siblings, Dorothy JoAnn Bowman-Takacs, Robert J. Griffin and his wife Helen, and Jeanne Adair and her husband, Tim; Several nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will miss Alina’s eyes, Lauren’s sweet smile, and Daphne’s love. In addition to his parents, Terry was preceded in death by, 2 Brothers-In-Law, John Bowman and Carl Takacs. Terry chose cremation, the family followed his wishes, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Foundation, Attention to the Imaginary Library, or the Angel Garden.
A memorial service for Sara Catherine Tinch, 79 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday evening, September 7th at 6pm at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Sara, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2023, in Cookeville. Born on June 7, 1944, in Monterey, TN, Sara’s life was characterized by her generous and selfless nature, her love for travel, and her dedication to her faith and family. Sara was the cherished daughter of the late Daniel Welch Horn and Wahlena Rogers. She was a proud graduate of Monterey High School. After school, her career took her to Geneva Pharmaceuticals in Reno, NV, and Denver, CO, where she worked diligently and made many lifelong friends. Later, she was employed in brokerage at Averitt Express in Cookeville. She was known for her infectious laughter, her love for Jimmy Buffet’s music, and her independent spirit. Sara had an adventurous side, always ready for a road trip or a beach getaway. Her journeys were not just about the destination, but the joy of the journey, the people she met, and the memories she made. Sara leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory. Her daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Marion Knowles of Walling, TN, will miss her deeply. Her granddaughters, Krista and her husband Kevin Dwyer of Louisiana, and Brandi Robbins of Sparta, will remember their grandmother’s love and guidance. Sara’s sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Rev. Gaylord “Bud” Rich of Watertown, will keep her spirit alive in their hearts. Sara was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Barbara Gill. Sara’s special friends and caretakers, Pat Mansell, Wanda Phifer and Sheila Eller were a great source of comfort and friendship in her life. She also leaves behind her cherished Aunt Delores Rogers, of Monterey. Each of these individuals played a significant role in Sara’s life, and she considered them not just friends, but family. Her family will receive friends Thursday from 4pm until service time at the funeral home.
Funeral Services for Kyle Cooper Denton, age 35, of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, September 8, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Justin Veals officiating. Burial will follow in Copeland Chapel Cemetery with Robert Arms officiating. He passed this life on Sunday, September 3, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Kyle was born in Davidson County, Tennessee and was a mechanic by trade. He was a loving father, son, brother, fiancé, and friend. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, and he was active in many community projects with a passion for the Recovery Kitchen. Kyle was preceded in death by his father, Dickie Denton, his paternal grandparents, Herman and Carrie Denton, Jay Phifer, and his maternal grandparents, Jonah Cooper and Bertie Bledsoe. Surviving family include: Fiancé (mother of his children) – Tiphanie Poss; Children – Kylee, Jonah, Jasper, and Whitley Denton; Mother – Martha Denton; Brothers – Stoney Hunt (Theresa), Gary Hunt, Doug Hunt (Kathy Jo), Dickie Denton II (Amy); Sister – Misty Schulze (Mert); Grandmother – Ovean Phifer; Grandfather – Dester Bledsoe; A host of family and friends also survive. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Kyle’s life to Recovery Kitchen in Cookeville.
Funeral services for Mrs. Patricia Ann Luna Griffin, affectionately known as Pat, age 71 of Sparta, will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, September 9. 2023 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Taylors Providence Cemetery. She passed away at 9:34am on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Pat was born August 18, 1952 in Sparta, to the late Wilburn Lee and Rosie Emma Luna. She was seamstress at Red Kap for 33 years. She enjoyed camping and spending time with her husband on Center Hill Lake. Her close relationship with her God was always evident in her love of singing, whether it was in church or cooking supper, she loved to sing hymns. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by a brother Leon Luna. Surviving family members include her husband of 56 years Claude “Melvin” Griffin; Son: Melvin “Lee” (Glenda) Griffin; Two daughters: Terrie (Mark) McKay and Tammy Hood; Grandchildren: Joshua Griffin, Kyle Hood, Jennifer Langston, Nikki Hood, Brandon Griffin, Jazmine McKay, Destiny Battaglia; Nine great-grandchildren; Brother: Wilburn Collin Luna. The family will receive friends from 4-8:00pm Friday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral Service for Mr. Edward Lawson, age 94, of Algood will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, September 9, 2023, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Bro. Roger Phillips will officiate. Burial to follow in the Aarons Chapel Cemetery, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Lawson passed from this life on Tuesday morning, September 5, 2023, from the comforts of his home in Algood. He was born at home in Hilham, Tennessee on February 27, 1929, to the late Haskell and Nannie V. Scantland Lawson. Edward enjoyed going fishing, making a garden, yard work, collecting pens, and wood working. He loved his family unconditionally, spending time with them and watching the Price is Right. Edward leaves behind his daughters, Juanita Slattery of Anderson, IN, and Carol Davis of Algood; grandchildren, Melissa, Adam and wife Allie, Bill, Chris, Ken, Randy, Kathy, and Vickie; 20 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchild. In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Bertie Lawson and son, Kenneth Glen Lawson. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. from the Livingston Funeral Home.
A celebration of life for Jerry Samon Sr., age 79 of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 1pm-5pm at Life Church Cookeville. The gathering will be in the Edge building of the Cookeville campus. Samon passed away on August 31. A long-time resident of Cookeville, he was widely known for his leadership at Cassemco for 34 years and coaching in Cookeville youth football. He left behind wife Sharon Samon, brother Joel Samon, daughter Kim Sweat, son Jerry Samon Jr.(Rebecca Samon).
Funeral Services for Mrs. Janie Sue Watkins Rogers, age 82, of Livingston, will be conducted 2p.m., Sunday, September 10, 2023, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Danny Staggs will officiate. Burial to follow in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Janie passed from this life on Wednesday evening, September 6, 2023, from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born at home in Livingston on August 7, 1941, to the late Carl and Lucille Ogletree Watkins. Janie was a 1959 graduate of Livingston Academy and a member of the Walnut Grove Church of Christ. She and her husband owned and operated Rogers Trucking Company. She loved and adored her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved all sports, riding around the countryside, and going to church. Janie leaves behind her husband of 59 years, Carl Rogers, of Livingston; son, Richard Rogers of Livingston; grandchildren, Justin Rogers and Amy Rogers both of Livingston; brother, Baily Jack Watkins and wife Karen of Livingston. In addition to her parents, Janie was preceded in death by her brothers, Jimmy and Charles Ricky Watkins. The family will welcome friends on Saturday evening from 5 until 9 p.m.
A memorial service for Helene Mae (Rowe) Furst, 97, a resident of Cookeville, will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16 at Heavenly Host Lutheran Church in Cookeville. Her ashes will be buried with her husband’s at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, AR. She died peacefully September 5, 2023, after a long and healthy life. She was born May 23, 1926 on the family farm near Scandinavia, Wisconsin to Harry and Ella Rowe. After her graduation from Scandinavia High School, she attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, the first in her family to attend college. Growing up during the Great Depression, she developed life-long attributes of strength, fortitude, and common sense typical of the Greatest Generation. Following college graduation in 1948, she worked in public school and Luther College as a librarian. She earned her Master of Library Science degree at the University of Michigan and also met Edward Furst, whom she married in 1951. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Ed passed away in 2007. Helene was an outgoing person who could strike up a conversation at any time or place and quickly find something in common with her new friend. A devoted wife and mother keenly interested in the activities of her husband and children, she enjoyed each of the college towns the family lived in during her husband’s life as a professor. The last stop was Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she put down deep roots and lived for 50 years. She was one of the founders of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, with which she was deeply involved, and she established and maintained its library. She dedicated her time to volunteering in the community, for example, serving for decades at Washington Regional Hospital. She relished her Norwegian heritage and was sought out for her skill in making the traditional lefse flat bread. Without fail, every October she would don her shirt emblazoned with “Leif Landed First.” Her trips to Norway with family members were life highlights she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Julian and Kermit, and her husband Edward Furst. She is survived by her children Linda (Dennis Tiche), Don (Ellis) and Ken (Denene); her grandchildren Caren Michael (Josh), Brian Furst, Kevin Furst (Kristin), Laura Dwyer (Ryan), Rachel Tiche, Emily Tiche, Paris Furst, Juliet Furst, and Evangeline Furst; and her great-grandchildren Tommy Michael, Nate Michael, Sam Michael, Ethan Michael, Finnegan Furst, Vivien Furst, Matthew Dwyer, and Elise Dwyer. The family wishes to thank the devoted staff at Heritage Pointe Senior Living for their kind and professional care of Helene during her residency there, as well as Gentiva Hospice for their loving care of Helene in her final days. In honoring her life you can donate to your local library in her name.
