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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 Wednesday, July 12
Greg Blessing, Age 46, of Cookeville, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Kelly Ann Kirby, 60 of Sparta, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2023, at Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. She was born August 23, 1962 in Nashville, and she was the daughter of the late Pedro Del Pena and the late Zelma Davis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Darek Kirby. Surviving family include: Daughter- Katelyn Kirby ( Shon Lee) of Sparta; Son- Hunter Kirby of Sparta; Grandchildren- Jayde Bumbalough, Korbyn Lee and Kamdyn Lee; Sisters- Dawanna Lopez (Jose) of Sparta, Tracey Simpson of Sparta, and Sharon Blaylock of Sparta; Brother- Randall Blaylock (Jeannie) of Sparta; In Laws- H. L and Norma Kirby of Sparta; Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Graveside services and interment with military honors for Alfred Thomas Bradford, age 92 of Baxter, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at Pleasant View Cemetery. Jim McAfee will officiate. Alfred died Friday, July 7, 2023, at Signature Healthcare of Putnam County.
Funeral services for Maria June Method, 16 of the Dodson Branch Community, will be conducted at 12 noon on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Lee officiating. Maria was born June 4, 2007 in Cookeville, and she passed away on Friday, July 7, 2023 at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. She was the daughter of Martin Norman Method and Elva Lucia Method. She was a student at Jackson County High School and a member of the Jr. Class for the upcoming school year. She was also a member of the Dodson Branch Missionary Baptist Church and a resident of the Dodson Branch Community. Maria weas preceded in death by her Maternal Grandfather, Michael T. Salcido; Paternal Grandfather, George Method; Paternal Great Grandparents, Norman and Emma Mayberry. Survivors include her parents, Martin Norman Method and Elva L. Method of Cookeville; brother, Martin Michael Method of Cookeville; Paternal Grandmother, Barbara June Method of Cookeville and Maternal Grandmother, Maria Salcido of San Antonio, TX, aunt, Bobbi Method of Cookeville. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, 4-8 pm and again on Thursday 10 am to 12 noon. Memorial donations may be made to the Dodson Branch Cemetery by contacting the funeral home.
Funeral services for Mr. Billie Gene Phipps, 74, of Rickman, will be held at 2 PM on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Hall’s Funeral Home. Interment to be at Netherland Cemetery. Bro. Eugene McCowan and Bro. Clayton Lee Jr. will be officiating the services. He died Sunday, July 9, 2023 at his home. Mr. Phipps was born January 27, 1949 in Monterey to the late Herman and Margaret Phipps. He was a member of the Livingston Masonic Lodge #259, having been a Mason for more than 53 years, and a 32* Scottish Temple Member of the Al Menah Temple in Nashville. Mr. Phipps was a Vietnam Navy Veteran and a member of United Auto Workers. He retired from Tennessee Tech after a long career. He proudly served Overton County, the community that he loved, as a county commissioner for 26 years of dedicated community service. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years Reba June (Hall) Phipps, 2 sons: Billie Odell Phipps and Jason Edward (Jennifer) Phipps, 3 grandchildren: Elizabeth Ann Officer, Donovan Lane Phipps, and Alexis Brook Phipps. He was preceded in death by 4 siblings: Richard, Roy, Ted, and Carol Ann. The family will receive friends at Hall’s Funeral Home in Livingston Wednsday, July 12, 2023 from 5 PM – 9 PM.
A memorial service honoring Terri Marie Heiderich, age 58 of Monterey, will be at 6 p.m. Thursday July 13 at Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home in Monterey. Pastor Steve Tiebout will officiate. She passed away at Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville on July 9, 2023. Her family will welcome friends Thursday from 3 p.m. until service time.
Funeral services for James R. Loftis, age 80 of Cookeville, will be 3 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Mr. Loftis died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. His family will welcome friends Thursday 5-8 p.m. and Friday from 12 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
A memorial service for Ashley Nicole Clark, 32 of Sparta, will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Christian Life First Assembly of God in Sparta. Ashley passed away on July 7, 2023 in Sparta. Ashley was born on October 10, 1990 in Cookeville. She is preceded in death by her father, Jerry Christopher Harp; sister, Hope Angel Johnson; and uncle, James Howard Harp. She is survived by her four children, Matthew Hammock (14), Braydon Spurlock (11), Roman Clark (3), and Everly Eller (2); mother, Shawn (Larry) Johnson; fiancé, Justin Eller; sisters, Elizabeth Johnson and Dakota Tanner; brother, Jacob Johnson; grandmother, Edna Wright; aunt Sarah Wright; grandmother, Carlos Johnson; along with several nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by her sense of humor and her love for everyone.
Celebration of Life for Renee Latrice Austin, 37 of Baxter, will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Abundant Grace Church in Sparta. She passed from this life on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at her home. Renee was born Saturday, July 13, 1985, in Nashville to parents, the late Joe Austin and Martha Edmiston. Renee was full of life, silly, loved to be funny, and thoughtful. She was a great daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She loved bright colors, full of light, loved the Lord, and singing gospel music. She loved fashion, makeup, and animals especially her dog, Lila. She enjoyed playing with her nieces and nephews, and family meant everything to her. Renee was loved by everyone she knew, and she will be greatly missed. Renee is survived by, Foster Mom, Theresa Humes; Foster Brother, Joshua Brooks and his wife, Sandra; Foster Sister, Tiffany Andrews and her husband, Caleb; Foster Nieces and Nephews, Elijah, Tai, and Zakariah Andrews, Jaylen and Shaila Mullins, Trevor, and Isabella Brooks; Special Foster Aunt, Martha Brennecke and her husband, Mark; Special Friend, Michael Martin; A host of Foster Aunts, Uncles, and other Foster family members. In addition to her parents, Renee was preceded in death by, Foster Step Dad, Mark Humes; Foster Maternal Grandparents, Roy, and Ruby Hudson.
Funeral Service for Rena Carlene (Keylon) Lynn, 70 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 3:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Donnie Davidson officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. She passed from this life on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at her home. Rena was born Monday, September 29, 1952, in Kingston, she was the daughter of the late Carl Fred Keylon and the late Clara Rine (Branson) Keylon. Rena was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was an avid reader, collected teddy bears, and rescued animals. She worked as a medical technologist specializing in blood banking. She was a devoted homemaker and loved her grandbabies. Rena was loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed. Rena is survived by, Husband of 48 years, Dr. Kenny Lynn; Son, Bret Keylon Lane; Daughter, Robyn Kathleen (Lynn) Willis and her husband, Seth; 2 Grandchildren, Liam Boyd Willis and Lorelai Eden Willis; Sister, Judy Summers and her husband, Art; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. In addition to her parents, Rena was preceded in death by, Sister, Linda McCarthy. Visitation with the family will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 12:00 pm until the time of service at 3:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral Service for Mary Eva (Roberts) West, 85, of Cookeville, will be held Sunday, July 16, 2023, at 3:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bros. Ed Malone and Jimmy Simpson officiating. Interment will follow in the Cooke Cemetery. She passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023. She was born July 8,1938, in Hawesville, KY, to the late Moncie and Hazel Roberts. Much of her early years were spent in Kentucky, eventually moving to Detroit, Michigan, where she met and married her husband of 48 years, the late Bobby Lee West. They moved to Cookeville in 1960, raising their family on Buffalo Valley Road. She is also preceded in death by her brothers Donald Roberts, Hubert Roberts, and Dean Roberts. She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Kevin) Jernigan and Karla West; grandchildren Bryan Jernigan and Jacob Crocker; sister-in-law Patsy Roberts-Perkins; brother-in law James West; and many nieces and nephews in Tennessee, Michigan, Florida and Arizona. She was also surrounded in love by friends Rachel Morrison, her husband, Tim, children Samuel, Sybil, and Isaac, and Rachel’s mother Mary Bean. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 pm until the time of service at 3:00 pm at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
A memorial service for Mrs. Susan Lin Schmitt, age 71 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, July 29th at 4:00pm at Boma First Church of God in Baxter. Rev. Tim Sharp will officiate. Mrs. Schmitt died Friday June 30, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born December 21, 1951 in McKeesport, PA to the late J. Howard and Sue (Lloyd) McKee. Susan worked in supermarkets throughout her life, most recently at Kroger in Cookeville where she worked for 12 years until her retirement. She was a member of Boma First Church of God near Baxter and a member of Eastern Star Cookeville Chapter #152. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Frank Schmitt; sons, James (Kathy) Schmitt of Gary, Indiana, Sean (Melanie) Schmitt of Bourbonnais, Illinois and Scott Schmitt, of Cookeville; grandchildren, Matthew, Brendan and Andrew Schmitt; and by brothers, Richard McKee and Jeffrey (Collette) McKee. Her family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00pm until service time at the church.
