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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 Tuesday, May 11
Larry D. Wilson, Age 76, Of Rickman, Passed Away On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Barney Whaley, Age 70, Of The Glade Creek Community, Passed Away On Monday, May 10, 2021, At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Diana Sue Shappard, 74 of Cookeville, passed peacefully in her sleep on May 9 at Mabry Healthcare surrounded by family. Diana had a love for the outdoors and could always be found camping and fishing with Joe on area lakes. Diana was an avid supporter of Tennessee Tech basketball and was honored as the Lady Eagles’ millionth fan in 2011. Many of Diana’s years were spent working with the youth of Putnam County as a Girl Scout leader and camp counselor at Bend of the River as well as cheering on her girls and grandchildren in various sports through the years. Diana is survived by her loving Husband of 53 years, Joseph Robert Shappard; and daughters, Stacey Ann (Jimmy) Mott and Amanda Jo Shappard. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Avalon Hospice and Mabry Healthcare for their amazing support and care. Memorials or donations can be made to Tennessee Tech Athletics Association at TNTECH.EDU. The family has chosen cremation and no visitation or service is planned at this time. A private celebration of life for Diana will be held at a later date.
Funeral services will be held for Mr. Johnny M. Bilbrey, age 83 of Rickman, on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 2 PM with Military Honors, from the chapel of the Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Eckels Cemetery. Mr. Johnny Madison Bilbrey age 83 of the Rickman Community of Overton Co., TN passed from this life on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Mr. Johnny Madison Bilbrey was born Monday, January 10, 1938 in Rickman, Overton Co., TN to the late William Dewey and Zelphia Inez (Sink) Bilbrey. Johnny was a member of the Swallows Chapel Church of Church. He was a hard worker for his family and he loved them very much. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include Wife: Cathy Bilbrey; 1 Daughter: Monica Jenkins and her husband John; 2 Step Daughters: Christie Carr, Julie Carr; 2 Sons: John David Bilbrey and his wife Mary Lou, William Travis Bilbrey and his wife Jessica Garrett; 2 Step Sons: Scottie R. Carr and wife Sierra, Cody W. Goad and wife Destani. Family will welcome friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, May 11th starting at 5 PM until 9 PM. Officiating with the service will be Bro. Justin Reeder.
Graveside Services for Mr. Michael Ray Cyphers, age 65 of the Willow Grove Community, will be conducted 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 12 from the Fellowship Cemetery, with Military Honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Bro. Kerry Duke will officiate. Mr. Cyphers passed from this life from the Overton County Health & Rehab Center in Livingston, Tennessee on Sunday, May 9, 2021. He was a loving, and devoted son to his parents and took wonderful care of them before they passed away. Michael was a graduate of Clay County High School in Celina, and a veteran of the United States Army. He later attended Livingston, Tennessee College of Applied Technology and studied Automotive Technology and worked in that field until retirement. Michael also enjoyed driving to the lake, going camping and enjoyed being outdoors. The family will welcome friends at the graveside.
Funeral services for Amanda Elizabeth Hennessee, age 83 of Sparta, will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at Thurman Funeral Home. She passed away May 6, 2021 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. She was born August 18, 1937 to Issac and Daisy Eller in Sparta, TN. She is survived by children, Deborah Hennessee, and Clifford Wayne (Helen) Hennessee. Visitation will be Wednesday May 12, 2021 from 11:00 A.M. till 2:00 P.M. at Thurman Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Hallie Christine Draper, age 93 of Cookeville, will be at 11 a.m. Thursday May 13 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Bro. James Rogers will officiate. Interment will follow at Smyrna Cemetery. Mrs. Draper passed away Sunday evening May 9, 2021 at Smith County Care and Rehabilitation in Carthage. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 -7 p.m. and again Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time.
Funeral services for Ms. Shirley Ann Sparks Usrey, age 67 of the Board Valley Community, will be conducted 11:00am Thursday, May 13 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Lower Board Valley Cemetery. Ms. Ursey passed away Saturday, May 8 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was a 1972 graduate of White County High School and started her work career the next day at Red Kap. She was a longtime employee of THK Rhythm in Sparta. She loved to work but when she wanted to get away her destination was the beach at Panama City Beach Florida. She enjoyed traveling to Gatlinburg but she loved to go to the beach. Shirley enjoyed gardening and working with her flowers however, above all else her favorite time was spent with her family and grandchildren. Survivors include her, son Roger Usrey; and daughters, Lisa Usrey, and Rhonda Usrey. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. Ray Young will officiate.
Funeral services for Tommie Edward Curtis, 89 of Cookeville, will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Presley Funeral Home located at 695 Buffalo Valley Road Cookeville, with the Bro. Clarence Jared officiating. Interment will follow at the Double Springs Cemetery, Cookeville. He passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Born Thursday, July 23, 1931 in Sherwood, Tennessee, he was the son of the late John Curtis and the late Sarah Garner Curtis. He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War. Tommie was a worker, he was always working. When he had spare time he enjoyed taking his family to the Smokies, specifically to Cherokee for the Native American show, education, and dances. He would also take his family to the many beaches in Florida spending a week just relaxing and being with family. He would also take his kids camping, enjoying the outdoor and what nature had to give. He is survived by 2 daughters Patricia McWhirter of Cookeville; Melissa (Darrel) Smith of Livingston and 2 sons Tommy (Debbie) Curtis of Baxter; Richard (Sherry) Curtis of Baxter. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, on Friday , May 14, 2021 at Presley Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service for Lonnie “Ruth” Sledge Van Beber, age 87 of Cookeville, will be held at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper–Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 1:00 pm with Reverend Bill Stone officiating. She passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, after a brief illness. She was born on August 1, 1933, in Springville, MS to the late Reverend W.C. and Mrs. Lottie McCharen Sledge. Ruth attended Blue Mountain College where she studied voice and music. At an early age, Ruth developed a love for music and a passion for singing. She had a beautiful soprano voice that inspired many who were blessed to hear her sing in her Father’s churches. Ruth was also an accomplished pianist and served as a pianist for multiple churches over the years. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to service time at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Van Beber Endowed Scholarship at California Baptist College.
Funeral Services with full military honors for Ralph “Gator” Mounce Gann, 81 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, May 15 at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Pastor Shane Warren officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Gator passed from this life on Monday, May 10 at Bethesda Health Care Center. Ralph was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and was in the Vietnam conflict. Ralph retired after 30 years as the plant manager of DACCO Incorporated. Ralph enjoyed watching The Bend Church online. He and his wife Judy loved to ride motorcycles and often they rode with multiple people. Ralph was loved by all that knew him and he will be greatly missed. Ralph is survived by 2 Children, Robert Gann and Laurie Ann Ross, and Tim and Dana Gann. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Friday, May 14 and again Saturday, May 15, from 12:00 pm until the time of service at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life for Mr. Donnie Lavone Manning, age 53 of Sparta, will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, May 16 at Rock Castle Emmanuel Church of Christ. Elder Fabon Nicholson will officiate. Fellowship with a potluck dinner will follow at the Twin Oaks Community Center. Mr. Manning passed away Friday, May 7 at his residence. He was an employee of Ficosa after a long career at Norcom. Donnie as an avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and to fish below his home at Tulip Bay on Center Hill Lake. He enjoyed working with his hands and tinkering in his shop. Donnie loved to spend time with family and friends as he enjoyed the simple comforts of life. He is preceded in death by his father Alvin Porter Manning. Surviving family members include his wife Hattie Manning of Sparta; and children, Andrew Billings of Sparta, Alesha Billings and Marty of Baxter, Donnie Adam Manning and wife Amy of Cookeville.
