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.
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 are presented by Gunnels Florist. Gunnels Florist has been helping families and friends to say goodbye for more than 70 years. When you want to send a message of sympathy with beautiful flowers and arrangements, trust Gunnels Florist. Call (931) 526-7149 or stop by Gunnels Florist at 104 North Washington Avenue, Cookeville. The Gunnels Family will take care of your expression with compassion, accuracy and timeliness. Gunnels Florist.
Obituaries For Tuesday, May 26
L.B. Johnson, 79 of Gainesboro, passed away peacefully dressed in orange and surrounded by his family on May 23, 2020. His name was truly just initials, despite the variations he told thousands over the years. Known as B and Jo since they had grandchildren, he and Jo Kathryn were married for 57 years. Her love and smarts were all he ever needed or wanted. L.B. worked at Twin Lakes Telephone Co. in his younger days. He and his fearless friends worked for the City of Cookeville Electric Department in his early career also. He helped bring in and became the owner of the Baxter Bee Hive restaurant in the 70s, giving families a great place to eat and socialize. A private family graveside service will be held. Family and friends will be invited to a kickoff party at a later time to tell stories and laugh.
Rhett Alexander Verble, age 31 of Sparta died May 23, 2020. He was born November 23, 1988 to Robert and Patricia (Pat) Jennings Verble. He was educated in the White County school system and graduated from White County High School in 2007. He was currently employed at Fed Ex. He was a loving father to his two sons, Reagan and Ryatt Verble. He loved the outdoors and attained the rank of Eagle Scout in scouting. He attended Life Church in Sparta. Honoring Rhett’s wishes he will be cremated. A private service with his immediate family will be held at Hunter Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Ms. Jennifer Leighann Jacobs, age 45 of Smithville, Tennessee, will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 27th, from the Franklin Family Cemetery with military honors provided at graveside by the Overton County Veterans Honor Guard. Bro. Denton Hummel will officiate. The family will welcome friends at the graveside. Ms. Jacobs passed from this life on Friday, May 22, from her residence. She was born in Overton County on November 29, 1974, to Kathy Coffman and the late Doyle Edward Bilbrey. She loved going to concerts, shopping, and travelling. Most of all she loved her family, especially her son J. J. Jennifer leaves behind her son Jason Michaels Jacobs, Jr. of McMinnville; mother Kathy Coffman of Livingston; sister Hayley Matthews and husband Dillon of Livingston; and nephews Connor and River Matthews.
Funeral services for Joe Curtis Dietz, age 86 of Cookeville, will begin Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Farris and Rev Maston Jackson officiating. Due to Covid-19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed. Interment will follow in Cunningham Cemetery. Mr. Dietz passed away suddenly Sunday morning May 24, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Joe was born June 2, 1933 in Putnam County, TN to the late Dave Melton Dietz and Maude Davis Dietz. He was retired from US Postal Service with over 30 years of service. He was a proud veteran of the US Army. Joe was a member Hampton’s Crossroads Baptist Church. He loved to farm and ride motorcycles. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virgie Cunningham Dietz; brother, Jerry (Shirley) Dietz of Cookeville; sister, Linda Rusha of Macon, GA; and several nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to come by Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home to sign the guest book and pay their respects on Wednesday May 27 from 1 – 3 p.m.. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cunningham Cemetery c/o Gary Farris 5688 Mt. Herman Road, Cookeville, TN 38506.
Graveside Services for Newton Eugene Judd, 89, of Detroit, MI, formerly of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 11:00AM at Smyrna Cemetery with Bro. Johnny Fox and Bro. Charlie Judd officiating. He passed away Sunday, May 24, 2020 at his home surrounded by his family. Gene was born on May 8, 1931 in Cookeville to the late Newton Everett Judd and Velma Crabtree. Gene was a Christian, a loving husband and father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He proudly served his country during the Korean War and received a bronze star. He was very modest in this honor, but he fiercely loved his country and was proud to have served. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Judd of Cookeville, TN; son, Charlie (Rhonda) Judd of Seattle, WA, daughter, Karen (Lynn) Grime of Mount Clemens, MI, daughter, Sherry Feril of Springhill, TN, and son, Steven (Lorie) Judd of Cookeville, TN, and 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and 7 step grandchildren. He’s also survived by his brother Paul (Sharon) Judd of Mt. Clemens, MI and sister, MaryAnn Bullington of Cookeville, TN. As well as many nieces and nephews. Gene worked as an Electrician and Plumber. He lived in Michigan many years where he raised his family, but his heart was always in Cookeville. He retired from Uniroyal in 1980 and returned to Cookeville and the land he so dearly loved. Memorial Donations may be made In Memory to The Mustard Seed Ranch. Jeremy Bullington, Andy Bullington, Kevin Allen, Jeff Allen, Mike Feril, and Pat Field will serve as Pallbearers.
Funeral services for Mrs. Myra Williams Burton. Age 59 of Algood, will be held Thursday, May 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Friends are invited to come by the funeral to sign the guest book and pay their respects on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Due to Covid-19 precautions social distance measures will be observed. Interment will follow at Paran Cemetery. She died Monday May 25, 2020 at 8 a.m. in NHC of Cookeville.
Funeral services for Pope Elton Allen, age 75, of Cookeville, will be held on Friday, May 29, 2020 at 2:00pm from the Chapel of Whitson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Morgan-Pippin Cemetery. Bro. Johnny Fox will officiate. He was born on February 3, 1945 in Jackson County, TN to the late Abner and Dona(Jackson) Allen. He was also a member of Holiday Church of Christ. Pope is survived by his wife: Reba (Wheeler) Allen (whom he married June 26, 1965). His brothers: Shirl(Lenora) Allen, Donnie(Peggy)Allen; His Sisters: Sue(Denny) Turney, Beverly(George)Papuchis; His Brothers-In-Laws & Sisters-In-Law: Dewey(Nita)Wheeler, Billy(Pam)Wheeler, Edith Upchurch, Dorothy Harris, Mary Waller, & numerous nieces & nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister: Evelyn (Rellon) Petty & brother: Dalton (Louise) Allen, his father-in-law & mother-in law: Haskell & Sadie Wheeler, brothers-in-law: Gene Wheeler, Ed Harris, Grover Upchurch, & Jerry Waller.
Celebration of Life services for Mrs. Marie Louise Richardson, age 73 of Allons, will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home in Livingston. Bro. John Keith will officiate. Mrs. Richardson passed from this life on Monday morning, May 25, 2020, from the comfort of her residence. She was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 29, 1946, to Beryl Anne Craig Dunn and the late Robert Howard Dunn. She loved gardening, enjoyed horses, and adored her grandchildren. She often attended home demonstration shows, enjoyed going to the county fair, and loved to go to church. Mrs. Richardson leaves behind her son Jason Paul Richardson and wife Brook of Kansas City, Missouri; mother Beryl Anne Dunn of Allons; sister Jo Ann Gorsuch and husband Marvin of Alliance, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. In addition to her father, Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her husband David Gene Richardson and brothers Raymond George Dunn and Edwin Howard Dunn. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m.
