We Remember: Obituaries For Wednesday, February 14

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 Wednesday, February 14

Mildred McConnell Copeland, affectionately known as Mimi to her friends and family, 70 of Cookeville, departed from this life on Monday, February 12, 2024, while at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Born on March 10, 1953, in Chattanooga, Mimi was a beacon of light and love to all who knew her. Mimi was characterized by her kindness, compassion, and a genuine concern for others. Her warm personality and radiant smile were her trademarks, making her a beloved figure in her community. Mimi’s passion for helping others led her to a fulfilling career with the Putnam County School System, where she dedicated many years as a special education teaching assistant. Her patience and nurturing nature impacted the lives of countless students and colleagues. Mimi was a lifelong member of the Cookeville First United Methodist Church. She was a constant source of positivity, always ready with a gracious word or a compliment. Mimi’s presence was a comfort and joy to those around her. Mimi’s loving spirit extended to her family, who were the cornerstone of her life. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth (Betty) and Dan Dodson, as well as several adoring nieces and nephews. Mimi was predeceased by her daughter, Courtney and her husband, Mike. Each family gathering was brightened by her friendly demeanor and her ability to make everyone feel cherished and valued. Her journey on earth may have concluded, but her story will be recounted with love and admiration by those who were fortunate enough to have been part of it. Her unwavering kindness, boundless love, and the joy she brought to the world will never be forgotten. Private services will be held to honor the beautiful life of Mimi Copeland.

Funeral services for Bobby “BOB” Eugene Mathis, 86 of Baxter, will be Thursday, February 15 at 11 AM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mathis-Jared-Shoemake Cemetery on Nashville Highway, Baxter. Bro. Richard Perry will officiate. Mr. Mathis died Monday morning February 12, 2024 at his home. He was born May 14, 1937 in Putnam County to the late William Leslie and Susie Alcorn Mathis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law Cindy Williams Mathis a sister Louise Walker and a brother Dewey Mathis. Bob was a retired plumber, electrician and farmer. He enjoyed riding his tractor on the farm and taking care of his cattle. He looked forward to putting out a big garden each year. Survivors include wife of 63 years (Married May 28, 1960) Carolyn Clouse Mathis of Baxter, sons Johnny Mathis, Jeff and wife Donna Mathis all of Baxter, grandchildren: Chris (Tiffany) Mathis of Cookeville, Jessica (Josh) Morgan of Baxter, Zachary (Ashley) Brazle of Georgia,great-grandchildren: Kristian Mathis and Haylee Mathis, Libby and Finley Brazle, sister-in-law Sue Mathis, niece Melissa (Radford) Duke. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM and after 9 AM Thursday at the funeral home.

A Funeral Service for William “Rellon” Allen, 77 of Cookeville, will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at Presley Funeral Home with Bros. John Chowning and Jeff Monday officiating. Interment will follow in Shipley Cemetery, Cookeville. He went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 12, 2024, while being surrounded by his family. Born Friday, July 12, 1946 in Cookeville, he was the son of the late Charlie Allen and the late Mary Mabry Allen. He was the loving husband of Helen Farris Allen for 58 blessed years. Rellon was a loving son, brother, husband, father and Papa. He always provided for his family, working late most nights. He enjoyed mowing his yard and watching westerns. He helped Marshall Dillon shoot the bad guys, and disliked Ms. Kitty and Chester. Rellon was the owner of the Spring and Willow Shell, N. Washington BP and later Tech BP stations. All the girls worked at those stations for their Dad. After retiring for the stations, he stayed at home for a couple of years. He then went to work for Cummins Filtration as a security guard for 17 years. Rellon and Hazel were married at the Algood Church of Christ and were members of that congregation. He loved the Lord, his God. He was a jokester, always poking fun at his kids and grandkids. He so loved those babies of his. He was loved and will be greatly missed. He is survived by wife Helen Hazel Allen of Cookeville; daughters Kelly (Nathan) Cobble of Cookeville, Carrie (Daniel) Sherrell of Cookeville; grandchildren Stephen and Jacob Whitehead, Brittney and Gracie Sherrell, Matthew and Allie Cobble; great-grandchildren Temperance, Ellie, and Zayden; siblings Charley Lewis (Pat) Allen and Dian (Jim) Beaty; And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, Rellon was preceded in death by daughter, Becky Allen Whitehead, brothers Shirrel and Bob Allen, sister Mary Anna Allen. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, and again on Thursday from 11:00 AM until time of service at 1:00 PM.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Mary Lavada “Tillie” Farley, age 87, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Teston Gilpatrick, and Bro. Luke Wilken will officiate. Burial to follow in the Old Bethel Cemetery. Mrs. Mary Lavada Farley “Tillie” passed away peacefully at home with her family gathered around her on Sunday morning, February 11, 2024. She was born March 15, 1936, at home in Overton County to the late James Porter and Elvira Shelvy Jane Martin Reagan. She was a member of the Fairview Church of Christ and enjoyed visiting Douglas Chapel Church with her family, where she loved to sing. She was married on March 4, 1970, to the late Edward Lytle Farley, they would spend the next 31 years building their legacy. Tillie loved all of her grandkids, they truly brightened her life. She enjoyed talking on the phone, loved her old TV shows, especially the Golden Girls, Andy Griffith, Heat of the night, and Perry Mason. Tillie also loved visiting with family and friends. Family gatherings was very important to her especially keeping the family all together, where she would always make potato salad for all of the gatherings. Tillie leaves behind her son, Carl Reagan and wife Ethel of Cookeville; daughter, Martha Kirby and husband James of Algood, sister, Velma Mae Reagan of Monroe, 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 16 great great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Tillie was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Lytle Farley; brothers, Carlie, Farley, and Norman Reagan; sons, Jimmy Doyle Reagan, and Ricky Lynn Reagan. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday evening from 5 until 8 p.m., then on Thursday from 12 noon until time of services.

A celebration of life service for Mrs, Johnnie Pearl Matheney, age 85 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11:00am in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Shady Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Matheney died suddenly, Monday February 12, 2024 at her residence. Her family will receive friends Thursday from 4:00pm until 7:00pm and again Friday from 9:00am until service time at the funeral home.

Funeral services for Mr. Joe R. Stover age 82 of Livingston, will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 2 PM from the Chapel of the Hall Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Green Hill Cemetery in the Alpine Community of Overton Co. He passed from this life at his residence on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Joe Stover was born in Livingston to the late Lewis and Nora (Ledbetter) Stover. Joe loved meeting people, he enjoyed sitting at Stover’s restaurant at the liars table and talking politics or any subject that would get brought up and drinking coffee with the best of them. Joe will be greatly missed by his family and all that knew him. Survivors: 1 Son: Scott Stover and his wife Trish; 1 Stepson: John Lovelace; 1 Grandson: Patrick Stover and his wife Haley; 1 Granddaughter: Amber Anderson; 5 Siblings: Kenneth Stover, Patsy Stover Hicks, Sue Stover Garrett, Elean Stover Reeder, Veola Stover Hammock; a host of other family and friends also survive. Preceded in death by: In addition to his parents; Wife: Emma Stover; 1 Stepson: Edward Lovelace; 1 Granddaughter: Kristen Anderson; 5 Siblings: Claudine Ledbetter, Charley “Dink” Stover, Lola Ruble, Betty Moody, Roger Stover; 1 Nephew: Michael Stover. Family will welcome friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening, February 15th starting at 5 PM until 9 PM.

Funeral services for Mr. Stephen Michael Carter, better known as Steve, age 72 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, February 17, 2024 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Carter Cemetery. He passed away at 6:10pm on Friday, February 9, 2024 at his residence. Steve was born May 20, 1951 in Sparta. He was a retired truck driver with a career that took him through all of the lower 48. He was a classic car and muscle car enthusiast, he enjoyed building and working on the classics especially anything with a chevy bow tie emblem. He was Harley Davidson enthusiast as well. Anything that would go fast and be loud doing it made him happy. Steve is preceded in death by his mother Jewel Ellis Carter Jones; father Van Wesley Carter; two brothers Jim “JC” Carter and Richard Denning “Rick” Carter. Survivors include his four children: Jason Carter-Francis and wife Tracie, Heather Bull and husband Ray, Vanessa Lynn Carter and Shaun Michael Carter; Grandchildren: Vaughn Francis, Dayton Francis, Ashleigh Francis, Kailey Francis, Malekia Carter and Byron Carter. The family will receive friends after 11:00am Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life service for Alton Daniel “DANNY” Underwood, 69 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 1 PM at Bear Creek Baptist Church in Cookeville with Bro. Danny Hembree officiating. His wishes of cremation are being honored. Mr. Underwood died Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Signature HealthCare in Algood. He was born January 23, 1955 in Biloxi, Mississippi to the late Charlie “Chuck” McKinley Underwood, II and the late Martha Marie Rush Underwood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Irene Underwood Bosarge; brothers, Ralph “Butch’ Underwood, Brian Underwood and Charlie “Chuck” “Bo” McKinley Underwood, III. He was a retired civilian ship fitter with the Navy. Danny was a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church. Survivors include wife of 18 years (Married December 17, 2005) Donna Kay Criswell Underwood of Cookeville; daughters, Priscilla Underwood Walraven and April Marie Underwood Jalbert both of Biloxi; sisters, Lou Underwood Tapper of D’Iberville, MS, Patsy Underwood Bailey of McHenry, MS and Sharon Underwood Smith of Biloxi; brother, Randell “Randy” Underwood of MS; 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

A memorial service for Ivie Jean Young , 70 of Sparta, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Christpoint Church with Steve Qualls officiating. She passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. She was born May 16, 1953 in Sparta, she was the daughter of the late F.L. Young and the late Edna Young. Surviving family include: Husband – Willian Kerry Young of 53 years; Sons- Jamie Young and Denic Brooks, Jesse (Kelly) Young); Grandchildren – Deric (Leslie) Young, Phillip (Rachel) Young, Zion Young, Jasine Brooks, Trevor Harville and Tobias Foy; Great Grandchildren – Natalie Young, Isaiah Young, Ellie Young; Brothers – Larry and Micheal; Sisters – Pam and Connie.

A memorial service for John Bennett Cassetty, 70 of Gainesboro, will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 2 P.M. in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. The family has chosen cremation at this time. He was born January 8, 1954, in Jackson County, and he passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville. He was the son of Charles Edward Cassetty and Navoy Virgie Hawkins Cassetty. He worked for Northern Telecom. He was a gifted musician and loved music. He was a former member of the Legacy Band and was a member of various other musical bands throughout the years. Survivors include his son: Ian Bennett Cassetty of Gainesboro; sisters: Deborah (Mike) Searcy and Charlene Cassetty both from Gainesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Angie Reed Cassetty. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024, from 11 A.M. until time of service at 2 P.M. in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to help assist the family with the cremation expenses by contacting the business office of the funeral home.

Funeral services for Mr. Robert James “Bob” Nicholas, age 84 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, February 18, 2024 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans’ Honor Guard will follow in Old Bon Air Cemetery. He passed away at 2:22pm on Monday, February 12, 2024 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. Bob was born October 25, 1939 in Warwick, New York to the late Mark and Helen Elizabeth Simmons Nicholas. He served in the U.S. Navy where he gained construction experience as a United States Naval Construction Battalion known as the Seabees that would benefit him for life. Bob retired from construction with an emphasis on building shopping malls. In his retirement years, he enjoyed farming, gardening and woodworking but most of all, he loved being Pop to his grandchildren. Surviving family members include his wife of 51 years Nancy Nicholas; Sons: Eric Nicholas and wife Danielle, Mark Nicholas and wife Kelly, Kurt Dempsey and girlfriend Peggy Schiele; Granddaughter: Peyton Nicholas; Grandsons: Evan Nicholas, Matt Nicholas and wife Natasha, Ryan Nicholas and wife Brianna, Lee Dempsey and wife Chelsea, Darrell Conklin and girlfriend Kimberly; Great-granddaughters: Charlotte, Madison and Nova; Great-grandson: Lawson; Sister: Mary Fish and husband John; Brother: Richard Nicholas and girlfriend Cheryl Ferguson. The family will receive friends after 1:00pm Sunday at Hunter Funeral Home.

A Memorial service for Theresia Ellen Grogg, 81 of Cookeville, will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Presley Funeral Home. She passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born Tuesday, March 10, 1942 in Greenville, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Leo Goubeaux and the late Mary Beyke Goubeaux. Theresia was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She raised her 5 children by herself while working and always providing for her children. She never missed one of their practices or ball games. She always nurtured her children, but was terribly scared when they got sick. Theresia loved her family, and enjoyed the gatherings during Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. She was an awesome cook, cake decorator, even making several wedding cakes. She enjoyed going to the beach and loved eating at Calabash Seafood Restaurant. She worked at Fentress Industries as a seamstress and at Russell Stover’s Candies. She enjoyed sewing, making most of her children’s clothing. She never knew a stranger. Theresia was a member of the Catholic Church and loved the Lord. Jimmy was her favorite child! Actually, her favorite was who ever was doting on her at that time. Surviving are 3 sons Eric (Betty) Grogg of GA, James “Jimmy” Grogg of Monterey, Mike (Sandra) Grogg of Hendersonville; 1 daughter Rhonda Marie Tinch of Crossville; grandchildren Melissa Miller, Justin Laster, Jameson Laster, Tyler Tinch, Erin Grogg, and Ashlyn Grogg; great-grandchildren Dawson Miller, Melyssa Grogg, Masien Shelton, Lydian Laster, Jaylee Laster, Gavin Laster, and Jacob Laster; Special friends Mary LaPeer and Debbie Klem; siblings Larry (Jeanettia) Goubeaux, Doris (Dennis) Brown, and Cecil (Diane) Goubeaux; And a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Theresia was preceded in death by daughter Robin Laster, siblings Joan Franks, and George Goubeaux. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:00 AM.