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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, January 22
Mrs. Michelle Castaneda, age 74 of Cookeville, passed away Monday, January 20, 2020. Arrangements for Mrs. Castaneda are incomplete.
Memorial service for Mr. Wesley Harold Johnson, age 92 of Sparta, will be conducted 7:00pm Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. He passed away Friday morning, January 17, 2020 at Life Care Center of Sparta. Mr. Johnson was born in the Bon Air Community of White County May 1, 1927 to the late Riley Magnus Johnson and Phronie Belle Sapp Johnson. He had a work career that took him inside most White County homes, most notably as a Milk Man, delivering milk for Irwin Dairy which eventually became Southern Belle and then he retired as a Sears repairman. When Mr. Johnson was not working, he could be found in the woods or around a body of water as he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a longtime member of Hickory Valley Baptist Church. He was also a proud United States Army Veteran, serving in the 82nd Airborne during World War II. As part of his service, he was assigned as an instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. There he was a member of the crew that trained cadets on the firing of the 105mm and 165mm guns and all of the duties connected with the firing of the gun, cleaning, oiling and rust proofing parts of the gun. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife of 62 years Willie Mae Greene Johnson; sisters Laura Stacey, Ruby Jackson, Ova Rollins and Dorothy Lawson. Surviving family members include his two daughthers Anna (Brett) Rich and Kathy (Aaron) Cole all of Sparta; Son: Tommy (Rita) Johnson of Sparta; Five grandchildren: Riley (Jen) Rich of Cookeville, Scott (Brooke) Johnson of Sparta, Jennifer (Jacob) Spivey of Sparta, Kayla Johnson of Cookeville, Macy (Jared) Woodward of Memphis; Five great-grandchildren: Collin & Hallie Johnson, Lydia, Alethea and Irene Rich. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-7:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Hickory Valley Baptist Church in care of Hunter Funeral Home, PO BOX 90, Sparta, TN 38583 or Gideons International.
Funeral services for Mrs. Nancy Crowder, 82, of Gainesboro, will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, January 23, 2020, at Anderson – Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro, TN. Burial will follow in the Rob Draper Memorial Cemetery in the Stone community of Jackson County, TN. She was born October 29, 1937, in Jackson County, TN, to the late Tom Sisco and Lola Sisco. On July 2, 1955, she was married to the late John D. Crowder, who passed away March 9, 2014. She was a homemaker, and a member of the Cubb Creek Church of Christ. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by 2 Brothers: Richard Sisco and Jimmy Sisco; and 1 Sister: Jo Helen Sisco. Survivors include 2 Daughters: Judy Cootes and husband, Russell, of Smithville, TN, and Patricia Witherspoon and husband, George, of Summertown, TN; 4 Grandchildren: Terra (Michael) Long, Tandi (Cody) Stafford, Tyrell Bowman, and Trent (Jamie) Jones; 6 Great Grandchildren: Paige and Colby Long, Harley and Hayden Stafford, Bryson Bowman, and Nora Jones; 2 Sisters: Jean Funke of Lebanon, TN, and Marie Cato of NC; and Special Niece: Polly Whitaker of Gainesboro, TN. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 P.M. – 9 P.M., and Thursday from 10 A.M. until time of services. She passed away on Monday, January 20, 2020, at her daughter’s residence.
Funeral services for Donna Ray Daniels, age 43, of Lebanon and formerly of Cookevlle, will be at 1 p.m. Thursday January 23 in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Pastor Tim Miles will officiate. Donna passed away Saturday January 18, 2020 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Donna’s family will receive friends Thursday from 11 a.m. until service time.
Funeral services for Winnie Elise Peterson, 92, of Cookeville will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday January 24, 2020 at Presley Funeral Home with Rob Wheeler officiating. Burial will be in West Cemetery. Mrs. Peterson passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020 in NHC Healthcare after an extended illness. She was born Sept 1, 1927 in Cookeville, to the late Eldridge Lee & Nora (Hudson) Lee. She lived in California & Tennessee. She returned to Cookeville in 1980, her hometown of birth, where she has lived for the last 40 years. Winnie did work & volunteer services for church, rescue mission, UCHRA, City Hall & Career Center. She will be remembered as a wonderful person, a loving wife, kind person and good friend to all who knew her. Winnie was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, James Peterson, and a son, Gary Baker, Sr.. James & Winnie (Lee) Peterson were married August 25, 1978, at Hidden Hollow. After their wedding, they resided in Big Bear Lake, CA for two years. When Winnie’s stepmother was placed in a nursing home, they moved back home to be near her. Winnie was a native to Cookeville, TN. and like a lot of kids, was transplanted to CA, where her sisters and brother worked in Defense Plants during WWII. She finished her last year of High School in Long Beach, CA. After the war, she married John Baker Jr. and was divorced after 25 years. Eight years later, James & Winnie were married. Winnie’s family includes her three children by John Baker Jr., sons, Gary Baker Sr. (deceased) of Utah , daughter in law, Christine (Aggas) Baker, Allan Baker of Cookeville, Merilee (Baker) and husband, Joseph Langley of Hesperia, CA; 5 grandchildren, James Langley, Kurtis Langley, Mandy Marszelak, Cameron Baker and Gary Baker II; 14 great-grandchildren, Kadence, Riley, Ethan, Colton of James & Marie Langley, Montgomery, Brody, Gavin and Colin of Kurtis & Megan Langley, Chase, Paige and Bailey of Mandy and Justin Marszelak and Allison, Lauren & John of Cameron Baker; James Peterson’s daughter, Arlene Watson, a son-in-law, Ken Elberson, and great-granddaughters, Alyssa, Carla Elberson and granddaughter, Dawn Elberson. Gary Baker Sr, was married to Christine (Aggas) Baker and Allan Baker was married to Linda (Beaman) Baker, they divorced after 4 years and Merilee (Baker) Langley married Joseph Langley. Winnie’s two sons served in the United States Navy, Comdr. Gary Baker Sr. & Third Class Petty Officer Allan Baker & a son-in-law Joseph Langley. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until service time on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Cookeville Rescue Mission or First United Methodist Church Outreach Missions.
Memorial services for Peyton Louis Gunnels, Sr. 81 of Cookeville, will be Friday, January 24 at 6 PM at the Edge Facility of Cookeville Life Church. Pastor Donnie Davidson and Pastor Ted Kocher will officiate. Mr. Gunnels died Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 6, 1938 in Macon, Georgia to the late Louis and Thelma Lowe Gunnels. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jane Utley. He graduated from Lanier High School in Macon. He was a 1961 graduate of Auburn University with a degree in graphic design. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He was a big diehard, lifelong Auburn fan. He was a member of Life Church. He was owner/operator of his company, P.L. Gunnels Company of Cookeville. He enjoyed photography, especially of the grandkids. Survivors include wife of 43 years (married August 9, 1975 in Cookeville) Becky Love Gunnels of Cookeville, daughters and sons-in-law Alicia and Daniel Eldridge of Cookeville, Stephanie and Al Picken of Columbus, GA, Kimberly and Todd Mills of Bainbridge, GA, son Peyton Louis “Bo” Gunnels, Jr. of Cookeville, grandchildren: Macey, Shawn and Gabe Allen, AJ and Lauren Picken, Stephanie Sues, Melissa, Michael and Abby Mills, sisters and brother-in-law Sherry Love Hilton, Suzanne and Ed Buck, brothers and sister-in-law Tommy and Rose Love, Bill and Roberta Love, many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Friday from 3 PM until service time at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Seeds for Souls Program c/o Life Church 2223 North Washington Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501.
Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Susan Browning, age 65, of Cookeville, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday January 25 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home.Dr. Charles McCaskey will officiate. Interment will follow in the Shipley Cemetery. Mrs. Browning passed away Tuesday January 21, 2020 at Life Care Center of Sparta. Her family will receive friends Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time.
Funeral services for Maxine Loftis, age 87, of Cookeville will be held 12:00 noon, Saturday, January 25th 2020 in the chapel of Presley Funeral Home with James Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in Smyrna Cemetery. Mrs. Loftis passed away peacefully, January 16, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Sunrise Beach Village of Llano County Texas. Maxine Loftis was born March 2, 1933 in Cookeville, to the late Cecil Carmack and Susie May (Davis) Maddox. Max was born and raised in Putnam County. After marrying Ralph Loftis on December 15, 1954, they moved to Detroit where she worked for Goodson Bindery until early 1960; when she gave birth to their first child. Max was a homemaker who enjoyed raising her two children. She loved sewing and crafting for others often making clothes and porcelain dolls for friends and family. She was a fabulous baker making cakes and cream puffs for church gatherings and whimsical chocolate candies for birthdays and Easter baskets. After retiring back to Cookeville she focused her energy and attention on her grandchildren and those of her brothers and sisters. One of her favorite hobbies was shopping at thrift stores and going to garage sales. She was known for her generosity and good will towards others, and for her compassion and care of animals of any sort. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Art Maddox, sisters Josephine Maddox and Hazeltine Weaver. Mrs. Loftis is survived by; daughter, Regina (Scott Olguin)Johnson of Sunrise Beach, TX; son, Leonard “Lenny” (Melissa) Loftis of Medina, OH; four grandchildren, Tanner Johnson, Madison Loftis, Brooke Loftis, Allie Loftis and great grandson Lucas, one sister, Earnestine “Plum” Poole; four brothers, Ken (Sidney) Maddox, John Zell (Sarah), Don (Brenda) Maddox and Jim (Christine) Maddox. Family will receive friends from 10 am until service time at the funeral home.
Funeral services for Ricky Howard Burchett, age 62, of Cookeville, will be at 1 p.m. Saturday January 25 at Dyer Funeral Home. Bro. Steve Peek and Bro. Phillip Peek will officiate. Interment will follow in the Gentry Cemetery. His family will receive friends Saturday from 11 a.m. until service time. Ricky passed away Saturday January 18, 2020 at his home. He was born September 1, 1957 in Cookeville to the late Nevil Howard Burchett and Pauline Gentry Burchett Apple. Rickey was a retired painter. He was a talented musician who loved to play the guitar and banjo. He also enjoyed fishing and helping on the family farm. He is survived by his daughter, Tashauna (Michael) Burchett-Flannery of Whittier, CA; sister, Debbie (Kenneth) Apple Jones of Mt. Juliet, TN; brother, Scott (Candice) Waites of Algood; granddaughter, Kaylee Flannery; special aunt, Jo Ann Harrod of Cookeville; step-father, Leonard Apple of Mt. Juliet; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Graveside Services for Mr. Jack N. Brown, age 80, of Livingston will be conducted 2 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 from the Fellowship Cemetery. Bro. Randy Pickens will officiate. The family will welcome friends on Saturday at the graveside. Mr. Jackie Brown passed from this life on January 20, 2020, at the Saint Thomas Hospital Mid-town after complications from cancer. Jackie was born March 3, 1939 to the late Van Buren and Sarah Ethel Nelson Brown in Clay County, Tennessee. He was a member of the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church where he attended as a young boy for many years. Jackie had a love for drawing, reading, and working crossword puzzles. He also enjoyed listening to Gospel and Jazz Music, and had an extensive collection of albums and sheet music of his favorite artists. Jackie did well in school and went to Business College, and held several public jobs in Nashville until his heath declined with limited his ability to continue to live and work independently. Jackie was a quite man, but he had a sweet spirit, and loved his family and friends. For those who knew him, it was evident that he loved life, and had it not been for his declining health, he would have continued to work and be productive in the Mainstream of life. He spent many years being care for by his loving mother, sisters, and brother. As he aged he became a resident of the Overton County Health & Rehab where he lived until his death. Jackie will be missed by his family, and those who knew him, but there is a comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with his loved ones, and is now spending Eternity with this Lord and Savior. Jackie leaves behind his brother, Jerry Brown and wife Sammy of Byrdstown, TN; several nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Funeral Service for Michael “Mike” David Bray, 49 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 2:00 pm from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home. He passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mike was born Friday, April 10, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan and he was the son of the late Michael Bray and the late Shelia Williams. Mike was a loving son, brother, husband, Dad, Papa, Pops, and friend. He was loved by all that knew him and he will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Mike is survived by, Wife, Linda Bray; 3 Daughters, Brittany Angel Bray and Aspen Bray, and Alisha Dowell; 2 Sons, Joseph and Michael Dowell; 18 Grandchildren; Brother, William Bray; Sister, Tamara (Bray) and Matt Pelc; Best Friends, Jeannette Phy and Michelle Gosnell; Biological Fur Baby, KoKo. In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by, Maternal Grandparents, Aunt, Pamela Williams; Uncle, Dave Williams; and Biological Fur Baby, Carlo. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life Services for Dr. Chuck Olds (Charles Houston Olds, II), age 74 of Cookeville, will be Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home, with Celebrant Judy Duke officiating. Interment will be in the Cookeville City Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. He died at his home with his wife on January 16, 2020 at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife, Mary Crawford Galyean Williamson Olds; his children — Chuck (Charles) Houston Olds, III (and his mother Sharon Olds Stewart) of Riverbank,CA; daughter Sarah Olds Wiley (Joshua) of Sparks,NV; daughter Katie Olds Ocha(Aaron) of Roseville, NV; son Hunter Hardin Olds(Cory Chitwood) of West Valley City, UT; his grandsons Zach Williamson of Cookeville, TN; Jacob Williamson of Algood, TN; Parker Littrell of Sparks,NV; granddaughter Izzy Ocha of Roseville, NV; his Very Special Chosen Daughter-Carmon Ferrell (Michael) of Murfreesboro, TN; his brother Robert (Regina) Olds of Reno, NV; his sister Fran Olds Eastep (Lee —d.10-15-2019) of North Las Vegas, NV, Very Special Chosen Brother Coy Van Meter (Sheryl) of Hendersonville, TN; Beloved Brother in law Danny Galyean & Sister-by-Love Rhonda Robbins Galyean of Rogersville, ALFlowers will be received at Hooper, Huddleston &Horner Funeral Home or you may make a memorial donation to any NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER of your choice as “Doc” dearly loved all dogs!
