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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 Wednesday, February 19
Funeral services for Edward Kenneth Walden, II better known as Ken, age 68 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, February 20, 2020 beginning at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home, with Pastor Paul Ramsey officiating. Interment will follow in Isom Cemetery, Sparta. He passed from this life Monday, February 17, 2020, at his home in Cookeville. He was born Saturday, April 21, 1951 in Nashville. He was the son of the late Edward and June (Catignani) Walden. Ken was a loving Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He was a Deacon at Church on The Hill in Algood, He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. He owned and operated B and E Wholesale Florist which was a family business. He loved hunting, fishing, and just being outdoors. Ken is survived by: 2 Daughters and Sons-in-law: Latishia and Stacey Carlile of Cookeville, Crissy and David Bechler of Livingston; 7 Grandchildren: Carrie, Tori, Landon, Payton, Brycen, Alaney, and Nathan; 2 Great Grandchildren: Zoey Grace, and Addison Kate; 4 Sisters and Brothers-in-law: Cheryl and John Myers of Cookeville, Pam and Gary Stewart of Cookeville, Deborah and Sam Sneed of Dixon, Anna and Rick Jones of Bartlett; Sisters-in-law: Lynn Davis of Cookeville, Doddie Cash of Cookeville; 1 Brother-in-law: Gary Rittenberry and Wife Tina of Cookeville; A host of Nieces and Nephews; 2 Special Friends: Stanley Duke and Terry Julian. The family wishes to express a special thanks to Caris Health Care for the love and support to Ken and family. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his Wife: Barbara, (BJ) Walden, and 1 Brother: Patrick Walden. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm and again on Thursday, from 11:00 am until time of service at 1:00 pm.
Funeral services for Mary Jane “Mollie” Rogers, age 83 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday February 20 at 2 p.m. in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. She passed away Saturday morning February 15, 2020 at Signature Health Care of Putnam County. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 – 8 p.m. and again Thursday from 12 noon until time of services.
Funeral services for Billy Harold Ford, age 81, of Cookeville, will be Friday February 21 at 11 a.m. at Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow at Sand Springs Memorial Cemetery. Rev. Lonny Davis and Rev. Jason Davis will officiate. Mr. Ford passed away Monday evening February 17, 2020 at Bethesda Health Care Center. He was born Monday January 30, 1939 in Monterey to the late Howard Edward and Etta Fereby Welch Ford. Mr. Ford was a long time member and deacon of Mill Creek Baptist Church. He was US Army veteran and served in the TN National Guard. He was a member of the Monterey Masonic Lodge 751 F & AM and Cookeville Eastern Star Chapter 152. He also was a member of Nashville Al Menah Shrine Temple. Mr. Ford retired from the TN Highway Patrol after 28+ years of service, during which he was a member of a joint TBI Task Force and graduated from the FBI Academy. He was a history buff and genealogist. He enjoyed antique cars and had a extensive collection of hammers. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia Nichols Ford, who he married November 6, 1956 in Cookeville; son, Billy Patrick (Marsha) Ford of Cookeville; daughter, Ronda (Sam) Chowaiki of San Francisco, CA; sister, Linda Ford of Hawaii; two grandchildren, Resasha (Adam) Van Deven of Cookeville, Omar (Rebecca) Chowaiki of Napa, CA; and two great-grandchildren, Lenny Chowaiki and Brayden Van Deven. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Carl Ford; and sister, Betty Revis. His family will receive friends Thursday February 20 from 5 – 8 p.m and again Friday February 21 from 9 a.m. until time of services. A Masonic Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday.
Funeral Services for Jerry Wayne Cope, age 76 of Sparta, will begin on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 1:00PM at Thurman Funeral Home. Interment at Old BonAir Cemetery. Officiating Doug Benningfield. He passed away on February 18, 2020 at his home in Sparta, Tennessee. Jerry was born on July 11, 1943 to Sherman and Clydell Cope. Jerry is survived by his son, Michael and wife Rachael Cope; daughter, Gina and husband Terry Haley; grandchildren, Brandon Cope, Shauna and husband Kyle Hicks; great grandchildren, Blakelyn Cope and Knox Hicks; brother, Lanny and wife Debbie Cope; brother-in-law, Douglas Price; nephews, Randall Price, Jeff Price, Cayce Cope; niece, Brandy Cope; special thanks to the caregivers, Samantha Haney, Melanie Marshall, Robert Officer, and Glenda (June Bug) King. The family will accept visitors on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM. In lieu of flowers please make donation to the Old BonAir Cemetery fund in care of Randall Price, 260 Low Gap Rd. Sparta, TN 38583.
Funeral services for Hershell Glenn Simmons, age 64 of Sparta, will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, February 22, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Smith Chapel Cemetery. Hershell, beloved brother, father and friend went to be with his Lord February 18, 2020. Hershell was born July 31, 1955 in Anderson, Indiana, the fourth of eleven children to the late Herbert Eston and Virgie Mae Simmons. He attended Madison Heights High School and went on to work in construction for his brother-in-law Bill Zile. He learned many skills that he would carry with him through his life. While growing up in Indiana, he vacationed with family in Tennessee and longed for the day he would be able to move there. In 1979, Hershell made the move to White County. During his time in Tennessee, Hershell worked for Cookeville Heating and Cooling for over 30 years. He was a loyal employee and made many friends while working there. He adored his Bon Air Mountain home, and enjoyed the friendships he made. Hershell spent many weekends swimming, sailing and fishing at Thousand Oaks Lake or up in a tree stand on his property. In 1981 he welcomed his daughter into the world on his birthday. Twenty years later in 2001, he welcomed his granddaughter Kiya Simmons. He was so proud of her and she was the apple of his eye. Hershell loved his family and cherished his friends. He was even a friend to animals. He had many beloved companions he came to care for over the years. Hershell was very proud of his personal relationship with Christ. He was secure in his belief that his salvation would be ensured by his faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by brothers Virgil Lee Simmons, Jesse Clay Simmons and Herbert Eston Simmons, II; sister Betty Carol Stittums. Family members left to cherish his memory include his daughter Misty Dawn Simmons-Poteet and husband Josh of Sparta; Granddaughter: Kiya Simmons of Sparta; Brother: Malcolm Vernon Simmons of Sparta; Sisters: Vernell Nash, Shirley Evelyn Zile, Martha Ann Sullivan, Rhonda Jean (James) Barnes all of Sparta, Norma Kay High-Smith of Texas. The family will receive friends Friday from 4-8:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral Service for Ray Watson, age 95 of Sparta, will begin at 11:00AM Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Thurman Funeral Home with Interment Doyle Cemetery. He passed from this life to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 16, 2020 with Phillip and Deborah by his side at his residence of Sparta. Ray was a member of Doyle United Methodist Church and a Mason of 66 years at the Sparta Masonic Lodge. Ray was a construction foreman most of his working life. He built many buildings in White and surrounding counties. This included the White County High School, Edd Rogers Chevrolet, and Woodland Park. He also worked at the Sparta Planning Mill. He enjoyed sitting on his front porch in Doyle watching the world pass by. He was a fan of the University of Tennessee sports program and the Atlanta Braves. He was born January 3, 1925 in the Hickory Valley Community to the late Charlie and Lillie Watson. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 59 years, Lula Watson; daughter, Devon; sisters, Charlene (Earl) Nash and Emma Lilliam McKellips; brother, Joel (Florene) Watson. Survivors include his son, Phillip Watson; daughter, Deborah and son-in-law Barry Roberts. He was Papa Ray to Janna, Raela, Stefan, Rachel, Stephanie, Brandon, Angie, and Casey. He was great-Papa Ray to Olivia, Laney, and Lucas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. The family will accept visitors from 5:00PM until 8:00PM on Friday, February 21, 2020 in the chapel of Thurman Funeral Home.
A memorial service for Mr. James Robert Hughes, age 78 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Kevin Conrad will officiate. A reception will follow the service at the church. His family will receive friends Friday, February 21st from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Mr. Hughes passed away Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. His family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Cookeville First United Methodist Church, 165 E Broad St, Cookeville, TN 38501, Cookeville Regional Medical Center Charitable Foundation, 1 Medical Center Blvd., Cookeville, TN 38501 and/or Mended Hearts, Chapter 127, (also at) 1 Medical Center Blvd., Cookeville, TN 38501.
Funeral Service for Sheila Ann McMurry, 52 of Cookeville, will be Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 1:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Rev. Diantha McLeod officiating. She passed from this life on Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at her home. Sheila was born Monday, May 15, 1967, in Cookeville, she was the daughter of John McMurry and Wanda (Peake) McMurry. Sheila was a loving daughter, sister, niece, and friend. She loved working with kids, she was loved by all that knew her, and she will be greatly missed. Sheila is survived by, Mother, Wanda McMurry, Father, John McMurry. Siblings, Gregory, Anglie, Derrick McMurry; Other Siblings Tyrone, Steve, and Jaqueta McMurry, and Domanick McMurry – Owens. Special Aunt, Teresa and Bobby Smith; A host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Sheila was preceded in death by, Brother, Timothy McMurry; Paternal Grandparents, Howard and Nevada McMurry; Maternal Grandmother, Elease Ervin, and Maternal Grandfather, Frank Peake. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Funeral services for William Herman Smith, age 86, of Cookeville, will be on Sunday February 23 at 2 p.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church. Interment with military honors will follow at Smith Chapel Cemetery. William was a corporal during the Korean War Era in the Army National Guard. He graduated from Dondero High School located in Royal Oak, MI in 1962. He later graduated from a Missionary studies course through the Lutheran Church. He learned French, at the Paris Institute of Language Studies as preparation for the mission field. William was a missionary to Garoua Boulai, Cameroon, Africa from 1965-1968, serving as a house parent in the children’s home. He opened his first bicycle shop in 1952 in Berkley, MI. Moving to Cookeville, TN in 1985, he opened Smith’s Bikery and owned it until his retirement in 1997. He was an avid bicycle rider and a lover of VW Bugs. He was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church where he enjoyed teaching Sunday school. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 p.m. until time of service at church. Mr. Smith passed away Saturday February 15 at his home.
