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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 are presented by Presley Funeral Home, West Jackson Street in Cookeville.
Obituaries For Thursday, January 2
Mrs. Opal Johnson, 91 of Cookeville died Thursday January 2, 2020 at 6:37 am in Bethesda Health Care. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Robert Elsworth Wright, age 75, of the Baptist Ridge Community will be conducted 1 p.m., Friday, January 3, 2019, with a Masonic service at 12:30 pm by the Eagle Creek Masonic Lodge #530, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home,. Bro. Morris McMasters will officiate. The family will welcome friends on Thursday evening from 5 until 8 p.m., then on Friday from 12 noon until time of services at the Livingston Funeral Home. Mr. Robert E. Wright passed from this life on Monday morning, December 30, 2019 from his residence. He was born September 5, 1944 in Muncie, Indiana to the late Ralph & Mary Napier Wright. Robert worked for many years for General Motors. He was a member of the Hilham Baptist Church and was a former Deacon. Robert enjoyed driving the church bus, search puzzle, reading his Bible, watching wrestling & NASCAR racing. He greatest joy was his family. Robert leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Mrs. Linda Nickol Wright of the Baptist Ridge Community; daughter, Melissa Raymond & husband Mike of Hilham, TN; son, Robert J. Wright & wife Melissa of Hilham, TN; grandchildren, Nicole Cline, Alyssa Lang, Destini Wright, Amanda Cunningham, Robert Cunningham, Joey Jones, Noah Wright, Caleb Allen, Tristan Allen, Caleb Lang, Josh Norris, Shea Gibson, Chas Evans, Aaron Hines, and Evan Gibson; great grandsons, Jacob Norris, Maverick Norris, Koby Cline, Marcus Cline, Blaze Hines, and Brayden Hines; brother, Jerry Wright & wife Jackie of Muncie, IN; daughter-in-law, Tracy Allen & husband Nathan of Hilham. Memorial Donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital by contacting Speck Funeral Home, 300 North Church Street, Livingston, TN 38570.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Mildred Louise Danner Conatser, age 88, of Livingston will be conducted 1 p.m., Friday, January 3, 2020 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. John Copeland will officiate. Burial to follow in the Potter West Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Thursday evening from 5 until 9 p.m. at Speck Funeral Home. Mrs. Louise passed from this life on Monday evening, December 30, 2019 from the Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born January 23, 1931 in Overton County to the late Virgil & Dimple Cobble Danner. Louise was a member of the Grace Baptist Church in Alpine. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly. Louise enjoyed reading her Bible, quilting, taking trips and traveling. Louise cherished her time with her friends at Bethesda. Louise leaves behind her daughters, Joyce King & husband Larry of Rickman, TN, Janice Ledbetter & husband Ricky of Rickman, TN, and Betty Sublett of Shelby Township, MI; son, David Conatser & June Conatser of Livingston, TN; grandchildren, Shane Conatser, Levi Ledbetter & wife Kayla, Jada Hughes & husband Patrick, Corey King & wife Amanda, Charley Sublett & wife Natalie, Celeste Few & husband Sam, Christian Sublett, Amy Burke, Matt Bullock, and Chris Bullock; great-grandchildren, Jake & Jackson Conatser, Easton Ledbetter, Paisley & Crily Colyer, Mia & Jake Hughes, Weston King, Rory & Reverie Sublett, Austin Burke, and Abby Cornelison; sister, Marie Perdue of Gallatin, TN; sister-in-law, Thelma Danner of Hilham, TN; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral Services for Kristie Danette Roberts, age 47 of Sparta, will begin at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 3, 2020 at First United Methodist Church of Sparta. Officiating will be Rev. Diantha McLeod. Internment at Davis Cemetery. Kristie was born March 6, 1972 in Cookeville, TN to Laura Carrick Roberts and the late John Albert Roberts. She passed from this life on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Saint Thomas Highland Hospital in Sparta, TN. She graduated from White County High School. Kristie had an out-going personality and was loved by family and friends. Kristie also had an active curiosity that she loved to share. She especially had an ear for the streets to keep all informed. Survivors include her daughter, Larissa Krishay Henderson; mother, Laura Ann Roberts; brothers, John Albert Roberts, Jr. and Jabbar Jordan; fiancée Christopher Henderson; aunts Wilma Gwynn and Linda (Morris) Irby, uncle, David Carrick; children she raised as her own Christavis Henderson and Alexus Thomas; children she adored Azariah Henderson, Ash’Lynn Dixon, Christavis Henderson Jr; Tyron Gribble and Leni Dibrell; God-daughter, Brittany Melton; numerous devoted cousins, friends and host of great aunts. The family will have 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Friday, January 3, 2020 at First United Methodist Church of Sparta.
Funeral services for Junior Dow Hix, age 79, of Cookeville will be held Saturday, January 4th, 2020 at 12:00 noon at Presley Funeral Home with Pastor Stephen Moore officiating. Interment will follow in Shipley Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 3, 2020, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Saturday, January 4, 2020, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Presley Funeral Home. Junior Dow Hix passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookeville. He was born Thursday, November 21, 1940 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late Lester Dow Hix and Florence Mae Sutton Hix. Junior was a faithful member of Algood Church of God for 46 years. He was best known by the children of the Church as “Candy Man” or “Gummy”. He was a Welder at Keene Corporation and Baron USA. His favorite place to work was at Mid-South Machine with his son, Tommy. He enjoyed watching UT football and New York Yankees baseball. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Katherine J. Hix; son, Tommy D. Hix of Baxter; brother, Joe (Sue) Hix of Cookeville; sister, Linda Hix of Cookeville; 2 sisters in-law, Betty Jo (James) Lynn and Sue Loftis all of Cookeville; nieces and nephews, Eric Hix, Kevin Hix, Donna Rinehard, Patty Burch, Rebecca Tillman, Jerry Lynn, Connie Kinnaird, Kathy Baggett, Pam Reed, Roberta Adams, Phillip Loftis, Jeff Phann, and Melinda Freeman; special friends Ronnie and Peggy West, and their daughter, Rhonda; special first cousin, Lavern and Judy Hix; his dog, Dixie aka “Baby Girl”.
Celebration of Life services for Mr. Luther Ray Buford, age 92 of Livingston, will be conducted 12 noon, Saturday, January 4, 2020, from the West End Church of Christ. Mr. Buford passed from this life on Friday, December 27, 2019, from the Overton County Health and Rehab Center. He was born in the Willow Grove Community of Clay County on May 13, 1927, to the late Luther Moore and Hettie Clark Buford. Ray was a 1943 graduate of Rickman High School, then went to Tennessee Tech for three years before serving his country in the Army during WWII. He loved playing cards at the senior center, going to church, and spending time with other people. Luther loved his family dearly, was always happy where he was, and never met a stranger. Mr. Buford leaves behind his wife Dean Webb Buford of Livingston; son Michael Ray Buford and wife Peggy Jean of Rickman; grandson John Michael Buford and wife Chelsea of Rickman; granddaughter Alison Michele Hensley and husband Brian of Mt. Juliet; great granddaughter Sara Jane Buford of Rickman; sisters Betty Jean Burroughs of Sunny Shade, Kentucky and Billie Reece and husband Felix of Tullahoma; and brother James Buford of Murfreesboro. Mr. Buford was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services for Mrs. Sherry Beth Cope Smith, age 58 of Doyle, will be conducted 1:00pm Saturday, January 4, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. She passed away Wednesday morning, January 1, 2020 at her residence. Mrs. Smith was born April 25, 1961 in Sparta to Bobby and Joyce Bennett Cope. For the last 24 years, Sherry worked at LTD as a supervisor. Prior to her time at LTD, she worked at Mallory for 18 years. She was an avid deer hunter and loved working cattle alongside her husband on the family farm. Sherry loved to cheer on the Volunteers on Saturdays, but her true passion was caring for her three grandchildren. Whether she was playing poolside with them or attending one of their games, Sherry was lovingly devoted to them and their activities. Family members left to cherish her memory include her husband of 41 years, Jeff Smith of Doyle; Daughter: Emilee Groce and husband Jacob of Doyle; Son: Shane Smith and wife Amanda of Sparta; Grandchildren: Rylee Groce, Maddox Groce and Carsen Smith; Parents: Bobby and Joyce Cope of Sparta; Two brothers: Jeff Cope of Sparta and Mike Cope of Murfreesboro; Nephew: Zac Cope; Nieces: Ciera Cope and Rachel Smith. The family will receive friends Friday from 4-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Martha Elizabeth Jackson Stout, age 101 of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday January 4 in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. T.A. Bryan will officiate. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Cemetery. Her family will receive friends Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time. Mrs. Stout passed away Tuesday evening December 31, 2019 at Quality Care Health Center in Lebanon, TN.
Funeral services for Eddie Dean Shockley, 69 of Sparta, will be held at 1pm on Monday, January 6, 2020, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Glenn Leftwich officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. He passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born on Saturday, June 3, 1950 in Spencer. He was the son of Tom and Eunice Cummings Shockley. He loved horses, motorcycles, being outdoors, and playing his saxophone. He was preceded in death by his father, Tom Shockley, and his daughter, Nakia Juan Irwin. He is survived by: Partner and Caregiver- Jackie Shockley of Sparta; Mother- Eunice Shockley of Sparta; Daughter- Dana (Ryan) Sexton of McMinnville; Son- Eddie Dean Shockley II of Sparta; Sister- Virginia (John) Cullom of Clarksville; Grandchildren- Meah, Layla, Kylle, Addison, Maliyia, J-Ray, Akari, Aikan, and Akadian; Nephews- Grady Clopton and Ryan Clopton. A special Thank You to Davita Dialysis. The family will welcome friends on Monday from 11am until time of the service at the funeral home.
A Memorial Service for Janet Jolene McPeak Rodgers, 68 of Walling, will be held at 4pm on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. James Rittenberry officiating. She passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2019, at NHC Healthcare of Sparta. She was born Saturday, October 6, 1951 in Sparta, to the late John Wallace and Clara Belle Sanders McPeak. She liked to shop, spend time with her sisters, and she always was cutting up and carrying on. Above all, she loved spending time with her grandbabies and family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Rita McPeak and Jeanie McPeak Smith. Survivors include: Sons- Phillip Adcock (Brooke) and J.D. Humphrey (Cathleen); Sister- Gwanna Mason (Ricky); Brother- Dewayne Mac McPeak (Lorena); Grandchildren- Zander Adcock, Jaxon Humphrey, and Cainnan Humphrey; Half-Sister- Sabrina McPeak; A host of nieces and nephews also survive. The family will welcome friends on Thursday from 2pm until time of the service at the funeral home.
A memorial service for Lieutenant Colonel Robert Martin Fowler, USA, Retired, age 91 will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Christian Smith and Dr. Charles McCaskey will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. His family will receive friends Saturday 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. LTC Fowler died Friday December 27, 2019 at Bailey Manor, Cookeville. He was born October 14, 1928 in Corbin, KY to Carl Fowler and Elizabeth Welch Fowler. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. LTC Fowler enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and was a Veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a fixed-wing pilot, helicopter pilot and aircraft maintenance supervisor. During his distinguished military career, he was awarded many honors, including the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He was an excellent, loving father who raised six daughters from two marriages. He never used swear words or raised his voice. He instilled a strong work ethic in his girls and grandkids. His motto was-“work hard and get ahead.”He also taught his children and grandchildren practical skills such as changing a tire, using a screwdriver and fixing minor things around the house. He was a longtime member of Cookeville First Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he was an Ordained Elder. He also taught Sunday School and served on the Building and Grounds Committee. He is survived by his adoring family, daughters, Kathy Fowler of Cookeville, Mym Fowler of Virginia Beach, VA, Rebecca Michael of San Francisco, CA, Nancy Townsend Byers and husband Gary, Tina Townsend Thurman and husband Ron, all of Cookeville; niece Linda Disney McBurney and husband Bob of Corbin, KY; grandchildren, Jason B. Courtney of Knoxville; Justin Lytal and wife Rachel of Knoxville; Loren Lytal Korch and husband Jonathan of Charlotte, NC; Blake Thurman and Parker Thurman of Cookeville; Richard, Nicholas, and Alex Michael all of California; and by great grandchildren, Palmer and Sutton Lytal and Emery and Nora Korch. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers, TN, Cumberlands Office, 1459 Interstate Dr., Ste 211, Cookeville, TN 38501.
