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.
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Obituaries For Tuesday, September 7
Larry Sellers, age 90 of Cookeville, passed away Monday September 6, 2021 at Heritage Pointe Senior Living. Arrangements are incomplete.
Mr. James Maberry, age 94 of Cookeville died Monday September 6, 2021 in NHC of Sumner County in Gallatin. Arrangements are incomplete.
Mr. John Powell, age 71 of Sparta, passed away at 4:03pm Friday, September 3, 2021 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Kennith “Gene” Smith, 78 of Cookeville, passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Born Thursday, July 1, 1943 in Gainesboro, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Henry Smith and the late Dollie Odell Hammock Smith. Gene served honorably in the National Guard. He was a very happy, go lucky man. He enjoyed fishing, and being with family and friends. Some would say that Gene was “the best roofer ever”. He was a generous man that would give the shirt off his back. Most of all, he loved the Lord and his tight knit family. Surviving are 4 children Danny Horn of Cookeville, Alex Horn of Cookeville, Pamola Bailey of Cookeville, Jimmy Horn of Cookeville. Mr. Smith chose cremation and the family followed his wishes. A private inurnment will be planned at a later date.
Mr. John Powell, age 71 of Sparta, passed away at 4:03pm Friday, September 3, 2021 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. John was born August 10, 1950 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Elmer Ledford and Laura Jean Cowden Powell. He was known as the “Rock Dog” by his many listeners for years of work as a DJ at Sparta’s WSMT. He was a restaurant owner as well, owning Super Subs and later Second Act Deli. He was a well known bass player for several local bands over the course of over 50 years. Survivors include his brother Bill Powell of Sparta. Hunter Funeral Home has been entrusted with John’s cremation and a memorial service will be planned at a later date, when the COVID cases are manageable and it is safe for family and friends to gather together.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Millard Mayhew (affectionately know as Buster) Brown, Jr., 79 of Livingston, will be conducted September 7 from the Donelson Church of the Nazarene, in Nashville from 4 until 5 p.m. Mr. Brown passed from this life on Friday evening, August 20 in Hermitage. A graduate of Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, he was active in the National Guard and was fortunate to be able to work in a profession he loved for his entire working years. Buster retired from Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and USDA Animal Control. He was honored to be chosen to go after 9/11 to New York/New Jersey to assist in animal control of the remains of the devastation of the World Trade Center. He took great pride in his professions. Buster grew up in the United Methodist Church in Livingston, TN. He also assisted in the building/development of Historic Collinsville in Southside, TN, a living history Museum which opened to the public in 1997 with 16 restored log structures interpreting history from the 1800s, which his sister and brother-in-law restored and opened to the public. Buster leaves behind his daughter, Amy Lynn Brown Clark.
Graveside Funeral Services For Bobby L. Blaylock, Age 69, Of Monterey, Tennessee, Will Be Conducted On Tuesday, September 7, 2021, At 5:00 PM At The Wilson Cemetery. Rev. Bobby Floyd Will Officiate. Mr. Blaylock Was Born On Sunday, January 27, 1952, In Monterey, Tennessee, To The Late Charlie Joe And Leva O. Hargis Blaylock. Mr. Blaylock Passed Away On Sunday, September 5, 2021, At His Home. Mr. Blaylock Was A Welder. He Is Survived By His Daughter And Son-In-Law, Bobbie Jo And Brian Vaughn Of Monterey. The Family Will Receive Friends At Wilson Cemetery On Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Memorial services for Samuel Martin (Marty) Smith, age 67, of Cookeville, will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 8th, at Salem Cemetery. He passed away Saturday August 28, 2021 at NHC of Cookeville after an extended illness. Marty was born March 13, 1954. He was the son of the late Sam D. Smith and Claudine Martin Smith of Cookeville. Marty’s working career was spent in Emergency Medical Services and the Cookeville Fire Department. He was also a past volunteer member of the Putnam County EMA/Rescue and the Putnam County Fire Department. Marty loved his family and friends. He was witty and always had a keen sense of humor. His working companions have many funny memories to relate. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his son, Samuel Curtis Smith (April) of Woodbury. Marty was a member of the Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to the Putnam County Rescue Squad, 700 County Services Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501 or the charity of your choice.
Funeral services for Ms. Helen Frances Emerton Knowles, age 72 of Sparta, will be conducted 11:00am Wednesday, September 8, 2021, from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Roy Whited will officiate. Burial will follow in Rose Chapel Cemetery. Ms. Knowles passed away at 8:19am Friday, September 3, 2021 at her residence. Helen was born April 5, 1949 in Sparta. She was a former garment factory worker and retired as custodian of the Putnam County Justice Center. After retirement from the Justice Center, she could often be found helping out at her grandson’s tire shop. She loved a good game of cards but most of all she loved being with her family. She is preceded in death by her father, William Franklin Emerton; mother Bessie Marie Emerton Parks; daughter Melissa Elaine ; sisters Dora Emerton Parks, Easter Emerton Parks, Rose Emerton Spivey, Tina Emerton Spivey, Pauline Emerton Dodson, Dorothy Emerton Perry, Betty Emerton Crain; brothers Robert, George, Jimmy, Earl Emerton and John Thomas Parks. Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her daughter Sandra Knowles Smith; Son: Troy “Bo” Knowles; Four grandchildren: Randy Dewayne Knowles, John Thomas Knowles, Sarah Knowles, Chelsea Smith and fiance’ Tyler Dolin; Seven great-grandchildren: Justin, Kaylee, Jacob, Braiden, Jaislyn Knowles, Weston Smith and Gracelynn Dolin; Sister: Marie (Ronnie) Brock; Brothers: William (Sue) Emerton, Carl Emerton, Randall Parks, Michael (Michelle) Parks, Marcus (Beverly) Parks, Paul Parks; Several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 4-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Vera Mae Smith, 89, of Buffalo Valley, formerly of Algood and Cookeville, will be held on Wednesday September 8, 2021 at 1:00pm from the chapel of Whitson Funeral Home, Pastor Mike Adams will officiate at the services and family and friends will serve as Pallbearers. The burial will follow in the Algood City Cemetery. Vera Mae Smith was Born Jan. 23, 1932 on the mountain of Brotherton. Vera was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Vesta (West) Oakley. She passed away peacefully into the arms of Angels, surrounded by family on Thursday September 2, 2021. Vera is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law; Rick (Debra) Smith, Ronnie (Kim) Smith, Zaine (Amy) Smith; one daughter, Sandra Rains (Scott Spencer). She loved to tell stories of how she was raised and grew up on the mountain, the two room school and church at Mt. Pleasant which she attended as a young girl, walking or riding the rails between Algood and Monterey with her brothers and time spent with her sisters. She enjoyed listening to gospel and country music and she loved to dance. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, on Tuesday from 5:00pm until 8:00pm and on Wednesday from 10:00am until time of services at 1:00pm.
Funeral services for Mrs. Wilma Izell Johnson, age 80 of Livingston, will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2pm at the Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Overton Co. Memorial Gardens. She passed from this life on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at the Signature Health Care in Jamestown. Mrs. Wilma Izell Johnson was born on Sunday, October 6, 1940 in Allons, Overton Co., TN to the late C.B. and Lucy (Eldridge) Ray. She was Baptist in faith, she loved her children and grandchildren and family very much, she will be greatly missed. Survivors include Daughter: Vicky Savage; 2 Sons: Tony Nelson, JR., Billy Joe Nelson. Family will welcome friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, Sept. 7th starting at 5 PM until 9 PM . Officiating with the service will be Bro. Lucian Finch.
Funeral services for Eddie Royce Dyer, 70, of Bloomington Springs, will be held on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 2 P.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Byers Cemetery in the Center Grove community of Jackson County. He passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born July 26, 1951, in Detroit, MI, to the late JD Dyer and Myrtle Haney Dyer. He worked as an auto mechanic. Survivors include 2 Sons: Austin Dyer of Gainesboro, TN, and Eddie Lee Dyer of Cookeville; 1 Daughter: Lisa Johnson of Manchester, TN. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 9 A.M. until time of services.
Funeral services for Eddie Nance, 53 of Cookeville, will be at 2:00 PM on Wednesday September 8, 2021 at Presley Funeral Home located at 695 Buffalo Valley Road Cookeville, Tennessee 38501. Interment will will follow at Dobbs Cemetery on Dobbs Cemetery Rd, Baxter. Born Thursday, March 21, 1968 in Ironton, Ohio, he was the son of the late Norval Nance and the late Dorothy Martin Nance. He was the husband of Delora Nance. Eddie was the sweetest, loving, warm, and funniest man you have ever known. He was the best son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a family man that would drop whatever he was doing to care for his grandbabies. Anyone who knew him never had anything bad to say about him. To know him was to love him. Eddie enjoyed going to yard sales and watching Gas Monkey Garage. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, “Lorie” Delora Bumbalough Nance of Cookeville; 1 daughter Jamie (Devery) Kirkman or Cookeville; 1 son Jesie Wayne Nance of Cookeville. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Presley Funeral Home until time of service at 2:00 pm. Due to the increased numbers of COVID-19, the family asks to please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers and plants, please consider making a donation to Presley Funeral Home for the family’s funeral expenses.
Funeral services for Mr. George Stephen Barlow, better known as Steve, age 70 of Quebeck, will be held 3:00pm Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Full military honors will be conducted by the Veteran’s Honor Guard. In consideration of Mr. Barlow’s wishes, he will be cremated following his funeral and his ashes will be buried in McElroy Cemetery. He passed away Saturday, September 4, 2021 at his residence. Steve was born September 27, 1950 in Sparta, Tennessee. Steve was a plumber and electrician. He enjoyed boating and fishing out his back door on the Caney Fork River and he loved to watch movies with a bowl of ice cream. Steve also served his country in the United States Army. Survivors include his wife of 28 years Minda Barlow of Quebeck; Step-son: Paul Miktarian of Sparta; Step-daughter: Veronica Miktarian of San Diego, California. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1-3:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. Emery Thompson will officiate.
Graveside Services for Mr. Anthony “Tony” Jerome Johnson, age 63, of Livingston will be conducted 11 AM Thursday, September 9th, from Holly Springs Cemetery. Rev. James Shenko will officiate. Tony passed from this life on Monday, September 6, 2021, from his residence. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 24, 1958, to Katherine Johnson. Tony loved watching Tennessee Vols football, fast cars, and all kinds of sports. Tony leaves behind his mother Katherine Johnson of Livingston. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Betty Dimple Abston, age 84 of Livingston, will be conducted 2 PM Thursday, September 9th, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Greg Jenkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Mayland Cemetery. Betty passed from this life on Friday evening, September 3, 2021, from St. Thomas West in Nashville. She was born in Overton County on September 15, 1936, to the late Haskell and Daisy Hill Stephens. Betty loved spending time with her family, raising plants and flowers, and watching westerns. She loved spending time playing the guitar and talking on the phone to her kids and grandkids. Mrs. Abston leaves behind her daughters Janice Hargis of Monterey, Jan Smith and husband Mike of Cookeville, Donna Brown of Sparta, Debbie Stults of Crawford, Dana McDonald and husband Jeff of Livingston, and Delana Stamps of Monterey. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday evening from 5 until 8 PM at Speck Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for William “Bill” C. Sessions, Jr., 87 of Cookeville, will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Presley Funeral Home at 695 Buffalo Valley Rd Cookeville, TN 38501. Interment will follow at Shipley Cemetery, Cookeville. He was called home on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta in Sparta, Tennessee. Born Sunday, January 21, 1934 in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the son of the late William Sessions, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Knight Sessions. He was the loving husband of Geraldine King Sessions for 62 blessed years. Bill entered and served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1952 – 1955. He attended and graduated from TTU with a BS in Animal Husbandry. He retired from the U. S. Postal Service after 32 years. He was a Mason and Shriner. Bill was an ordainded deacon at West View Baptist, a charter member and deacon at Eastwood Baptist, and Double Springs Baptist Churches. Bill lived his life by Faith, Family, Farming, and had a wonderful ability to be frank and to the point. He is survived by wife, Geraldine Sessions; 1 son William (Boo) C. Sessions, III of Lakeland, TN; 2 daughters Helen Wheeler of Cookeville, TN, Rebecca Morgan of Cookeville, TN. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Presley Funeral Home, 695 Buffalo Valley Road, Cookeville. In lieu of flowers and plants, please consider making a contribution to the William Sessions Scholarship Fund at Trinity Theological Seminary in care of Presley Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Dr. Sam B. Coward Jr., age 90 of Algood, will be at 1p.m. Saturday September 11 at Good Hope Cemetery in Livingston. Dr. Coward passed away Saturday August 28, 2021 at Morningside Assisted Living. He was born April 30, 1931 in Livingston, Overton County, TN to the late Sam B. Coward Sr. and Marie England Coward. Sam was a longtime and respected Pharmacist in the Upper Cumberland area. He owned and operated Algood Drugs for over 30 years and after selling the business he worked as a relief Pharmacist at pharmacies in Livingston, Sparta, Monterey, Crossville, and Gainesboro. He served in the Tennessee National Guard and was called to active duty as a medic during the Korean War. Sam and his wife Kathyrn were bird watching enthusiasts. During retirement they traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and the Dominican Republic in search of new birds to add to their life list of sightings. He is survived by his daughter, Kay (husband David) Brady of Cookeville; son, Sam B. (wife Wendy) Coward III of Crosslake, MN.
Funeral Services for Joe Reeves Loftis, age 85 of Gainesboro, will be on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 3 pm in the Chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home with Bro. Jimmy Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Byers Cemetery. He was born March 21, 1936 in Jackson County, TN and he passed away on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at the age of 85. He was the son of John P. Loftis and America Ramsey Loftis. He was a retired factory worker and a member of the McCoinsville Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Donna Keith Loftis of Gainesboro, sons, Timmy Loftis of Carthage and Stephen Loftis of Cookeville, daughters, Patsy Parks of Cookeville, Penny Savolto of FL and Kathy Grover of AL. Visitation will be on Friday, September 10, 2021, 4-8 pm and again on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 from 12 noon to 3 pm.
