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.
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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 Wednesday, May 12
Mr. Dieter Kalis, age 70, of Allons passed from this life on Monday evening, May 10, 2021 from the Livingston Regional Hospital. Dieter was born May 13, 1950 in Germany to the late Zigismund and Helene Drews Kalis. A member of the Allons Baptist Church, he loved traveling and reggae music. Dieter also enjoyed Chicago sports, and coaching little league baseball. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and loved his family dearly and spending time with them. A true tender hearted man. Dieter leaves behind his wife, Phyllis Kalis of Allons, TN; sons, Daniel Kalis and wife Jessica of Sarasota, FL, and Joseph Kalis and wife Heather of Livingston. There are no services scheduled at this time for Mr. Dieter Kalis.
Jeffrey “Jeff” Mark Gibbons, 61 of Baxter, died Monday morning, May 10, 2021 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. His wishes of cremation and no service is being honored. He was born March 30, 1960 in Cookeville to Ruth Maxwell Gibbons of Baxter and the late James Thomas Gibbons. Jeff was a 1978 graduate of Upperman High School in Baxter. He played on the UHS baseball, tennis and basketball teams and was a member of the National Honor Society. He continued playing golf and tennis after his school years. He also played church league softball for many years. He graduated from Tennessee Tech with a degree in Business Management and Systems Analyst. He worked at Foutch Packing Company as an office clerk, Genco Stamping as an Transportation Manager and Averitt Express as an Fuel Analyst.
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 Lois Marie Maxwell, 85 of Cookeville, will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 1:00pm in the chapel of Presley Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cookeville City Cemetery, Cookeville. She passed away on Monday, May 10, 2021, at NHC Healthcare of Cookeville in Cookeville, Tennessee. Born Monday, December 16, 1935 in Gainesboro, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Ewin Mayberry and the late Martha Lou Anderson Mayberry. Lois was a member of the Freewill Church of Christ in Jackson County in her younger years and Holladay Church of Christ after she married. She was the sweetest, kindest and loving woman, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She never met a stranger. Lois was always jolly and laughing. Surviving are daughter Tammy Kay Mayberry of Cookeville. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, and again on May 13, 2021, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm at Presley Funeral Home, 695 Buffalo Valley Road, Cookeville, Tennessee.
Funeral Services For Larry Dewayne Wilson, Age 76 Of Cookeville, Will Be Conducted On Thursday, May 13 At 1:00 PM From The Chapel Of Goff Funeral Home. Rev. Bud Hargis Will Officiate With Interment To Follow In The Martha Washington Cemetery. Mr. Wilson Passed Away On Tuesday, May 11 At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mr. Wilson Was A General Laborer. He Was Baptist In Faith. He Is Survived By Three Daughters, Terri Bledsoe Of Rickman, Sherry And Lance Hill Of Cookeville, Pam And Sean Brannon Of Chattanooga. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Thursday, May 13 From 11:00 AM Until Time Of Services At 1:00 PM.
Funeral Services For Barney W. Whaley, Age 70 Of The Glade Creek Community, Will Be Conducted On Friday, May 14 At 11:00 AM From The Chapel Of Goff Funeral Home. Rev. Bobby Floyd Will Officiate With Interment To Follow In The West Cemetery In Cookeville. Mr. Whaley Passed Away On Monday, May 10 At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mr. Whaley Worked With General Motors In Toledo, Ohio. He Was A Fan Of NASCAR, Hunting, Fishing, Detroit Lions Football, John Wayne, Western Movies, Traveling And Visiting With His Family. He Is Survived By His Wife Of Almost 50 Years Who He Married On December 28, 1972, Beulah Mae Farley Whaley Of The Glade Creek Community; Two Sons And Daughters-In-Law, Barney And Christina Whaley, Rocky And Valerie Whaley. The Family Will Receive Friends At Goff Funeral Home On Thursday, May 13 From 6:00 PM Until 8:00 PM.
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.
Funeral services for Mr. Jeffrey Allen Mohr age 78 of Hilham, will be held Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 10 AM at the Hall Funeral Home of Livingston with burial to follow in the Overton County Memorial Gardens with Military Honors. Mohr passed away at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center on Monday, May 10, 2021. Mr. Jeffrey Allen Mohr was born in Rossburg, Ohio on Thursday, June 18, 1942 to the late Dewey Mohr Jr. and Iola J. “Thornhill” Mohr. Mr. Jeffrey Mohr was a U. S. Army Veteran. Survivors include Wife Pamella Mohr; Daughter Sheri Taylor; Son Robert Curfman. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 14, 2021 from 6 PM until 8 PM. Officiating will be Bro. Nolan Cantrell and Tim Lafever.
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.
