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 For Wednesday, May 5
Linda Hyland, Age 72, Of Brush Creek, Tennessee, Passed Away On Saturday, May 1, 2021, At Smith County Health And Rehab Center. Ms. Hyland Was Born On September 19, 1948, In Orlando, Florida, To The Late Carl Stanwood And Margaret Peggy DeBeech Hyland. Ms. Hyland Was A Retired United States Navy Veteran Serving 20 Plus Years. She Was A Member Of The American Legion. She Is Survived By Her Daughter And Son-In-Law, Donna L. And Wayne Phillips Of Watertown, TN; Granddaughter, Brittany Phillips Of Watertown, TN; Great Grandson, Alexander Phillips Of Watertown, TN; Brother And Sister-In-Law, Cal And Nancy Hyland Of Lebanon, TN. In Addition To Her Parents, She Was Preceded In Death By Her Granddaughter, Kayla Phillips; And Stepmother, Bernice Hyland. Her Wishes Of Cremation Are Being Honored With Private Family Services Planned At A Later Date.
Funeral services for Mrs. Charlene Dickinson will be held Thursday, May 6th at 11:00 a.m. at Cookeville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Rob Wheeler will officiate. Interment will follow at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Born to Charles and Bertha White in Fort Worth, Texas in 1938, Charlene Dixon White was their firstborn child. She married William Calvin Dickinson on September 12, 1960. She was very fond of her brother and sister-in-law George and Phyllis Dickinson, and their children Daniel and Cindy Dickinson. Daniel later married his wife Roxanne, who gave birth to two boys Maxwell and Isaac. Cindy married Will Garrison and they have two daughters Lucy and Rose. Charlene’s brother Tommy and her parents preceded her in death. Charlene Dickinson departed this life on April 30, 2021. Calvin and Charlene met at Baylor University, fell in love and married. She graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and continued her education with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Calvin and Charlene relocated to Murfreesboro, North Carolina in 1962 where Calvin began teaching History. While completing her Master’s degree, Charlene served as a social worker in the Tarheel State. In 1971, after Calvin completed his Ph.D. at UNC Chapel Hill, the Dickinsons moved to Cookeville where he accepted a tenure track position at Tennessee Tech. Charlene briefly taught introductory classes in Sociology. After two years at Tech, she resigned her position to pursue her love of cooking via the culinary arts. She owned and operated two restaurants and a highly successful catering service. Her first establishment was the Backdoor Restaurant. The next was The Cellar with its accompanying watering hole, The Vault. Her catering career provided food for numerous weddings, receptions, special occasions, fund-raisers and many more events for over thirty years. Visitation will be held Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church.
Funeral services for Gwendolyn Ann Dycus Johnson (Gwen), 82 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Thursday, May 6 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Frasier’s Chapel Cemetery. Mrs. Johnson passed away peacefully at her home on May 3 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/ dementia. She graduated from WCHS in 1958, and never lost her Warrior pride. Until her health condition made it impossible, Gwen loved to attend Warrior basketball games with her husband Roy. Gwendolyn took after her mother, Goldie Dycus, in her fantastic work ethic and exceptional customer service. After high school, she attended Draughn’s Business College and began a long and successful career in business. Gwen worked at Jim Brady Chevrolet, Rock City Packaging, and Chapel Dairy company, before opening The Fashion Shoppe in Livingston. She is remembered fondly by her customers and friends for her fun, outgoing personality. Other business ventures included real estate sales and ownership of Livingston Funeral Home and The Antique Shop in Sparta. Surviving family includes daughter, Jongee (John) Cheek. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-7:00pm at Hunter Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Gladys Lee Haney, 84 of the Step Rock community of Jackson County, will be held on Thursday, May 6 at 2 P.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Dodson Branch Cemetery. Mrs Haney passed away on Monday, May 3 at her residence. She was born November 16, 1936, in Jackson County, to the late Jay Stafford and Ethel Scott Stafford. She was married to the late Harold Gene Haney. She was a homemaker, and attended the Cummins Mill Baptist Church. She is survived by her children, Billy Sherril Haney of Cookeville, Carolyn Haney of Cookeville, and Patricia Denson of Gainesboro. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M., and Thursday from 10 A.M. until time of services.
Funeral Services for Mr. Sanford “Sam” Matthews, age 81, of Allons, will be conducted 2 p.m., Thursday, May 6 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Bro. Nolan Cantrell will officiate. Burial to follow in the Okolona Cemetery. Mr. Matthews passed from this life on Sunday evening, May 2 from the Overton County Health & Rehab. Baptist in faith, and a carpenter by trade. Sam was a member of the Mountain Cur Club of Jamestown. He enjoyed raising and training cur dogs. He also worked with Mules, winning State Championships. Sam leaves behind his sons, Thomas Matthews of Rockwood, TN, and David Matthews of Birmingham, AL. The family will welcome friends on Thursday from 12 noon until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Savannah Faith Buckley, 19 of Cookeville, will be held Friday, May 7 beginning at 11:00am from the chapel of Crest Lawn Funeral Home with Bro. Robert Haynes and Bro. Bobby Lee Hale officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery at 1635 Mt. Zion Road, McMinnville. Miss Buckley passed from this life Monday, May 3. Savannah was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend. She loved the Lord with all of her heart, was a shining example of a Christian and she was a member of the Bangham Heights Baptist Church. Savannah would go out of her way to make others smile and loved to make those around her happy. Savannah is survived by her mother, Tenessa (Shane) Self; father, Scott (Amanda) Buckley; and three siblings, Adyson Self, Caleb Buckley, and Candace Smith. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Camp Sandy Stone thru the Stone Association of Southern Baptist, or Child Evangelism Fellowship at P.O. Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383, or Baptist Collegiate Ministry, at Cookeville BCM. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm, and again Friday from 9:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.
Graveside Funeral Services Clarissa Ray Bilbrey Wilson, Age 101 Of Rickman Will Be Conducted On Friday, May 7 At 11:00 AM At The Welch Memorial Cemetery In Monterey. Mrs. Wilson Passed Away On Tuesday, May 4 At The Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services for Mr. Manuel Lewis Copeland, age 75 of the Hickory Valley community, will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, May 7 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Copelands Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Copeland passed away at 9:47am on Tuesday, May 4 at his residence. Mr. Copeland was born August 6, 1945 in White County, Tennessee to the late Charlie Clarence and Ozell Thompson Copeland. He was a graduate of White County High School and retired from Fleetguard and Thomas Industry. In addition to being an avid fisherman, Lewis was well known for his farming and gardening skills. Lewis is lovingly survived by his wife of 54 years, Beverly Hodge Copeland; and sons, Tony (Mindy) Copeland, Jeff (Miya) Copeland, and Clint (Kerrie) Copeland. The family will receive friends from 10:00am-1:00pm on Friday at Hunter Funeral Home.
Graveside services for Mrs. Shirley Claudette Winstead Ayala, age 75 of Sparta, will be conducted 1:00pm Friday, May 7, 2021 at Spring Hill Cemetery. She passed away Tuesday morning, May 4, 2021. Mrs. Ayala was born September 26, 1945 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Claude Potter and Beatrice Humphrey Winstead. Claudette was a graduating member of the White County High School Class of 1963 and attended Draughn’s Business College. She did clerical work for Thomas Industries before moving west and working as a cashier at the Vegas Showboat. There will be no public visitation prior to the service. Richard Haston will officiate.
Funeral Services for Mr. Joseph Willard Yates, age 87 of Allons will be conducted 2 p.m., Friday, May 7 from the chapel of Speck Funeral Home. Rev. James Shenko will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Mr. Joseph Yates passed from this life on Tuesday afternoon, May 4 from his residence. He was born November 9, 1933 in Trenton, New Jersey to the late Charles and Valiria Faltum Yates. A retired worker for General Motors, Joseph enjoyed woodworking, word search puzzles, and watching westerns on television. His greatest joy was his family. Joseph leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Judith Hanyecz Yates, of Allons; son, Joseph William Yates of New York; and daughter, Sandra Cianelli of Cookeville. The family will welcome friends on Friday morning from 11 a.m. until time of services at Speck Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Jeffrey “Jeff” Lynn Massa, age 59 of Baxter, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday May 8 at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Bro. Mark Herren will officiate. Interment will follow at the Judd Cemetery in Baxter. Mr. Massa passed away Tuesday, May 4 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born February 20, 1962 in Putnam County to Mae Maynard Massa of Livingston and the late Verdie Massa. Jeff was a supervisor with White County TDOT. He formerly was employed with Maberry Heating and Cooling, Martin Lumber Co., and Dacco in Cookeville. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lisa Morgan Massa, whom he married March 9, 1990; daughter, Nicole (Kevin) Asher of Baxter; and daughter-in-love Ashley Barcus. The family will receive friends Friday from 5 – 8 p.m and again Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time.
Services for William “Fred” Birdwell, 74 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday, May 8th at 11AM at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Union Hill/Flatt Cemetery in Bloomington Springs. Bro. Jimmy Anderson and Minister Kevin Daughrity will officiate the services. Mr. Birdwell passed away at home on Sunday, May 2 in Cookeville, after a battle with lung cancer. He was born May 15, 1946, in Jackson County to the late Velma and Odes Birdwell. Mr. Birdwell was a retired carpenter. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time on his farm and raising cattle. His surviving family includes his wife of 45 years, Pauline Foulks Birdwell; children, Sarah (Eric) Murphy of Avon, IN, Lynn (Hope) Eddington of Gainesboro, Beth (Jeff) Peterson of Oakfield, Michael Eddington of Cookeville, Shane Birdwell of Paris, TN, and Andrea (Casey) Fox of Cookeville. Visitations will be held 4:00PM-8:00PM Friday, May 7th and Saturday, May 8th 9:00AM until the time of services at 11 AM.
Funeral services for Mr. Jeremy Garland Holtzclaw, age 40 of Sparta, will be conducted 11:00am Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Gum Springs Baptist Church with burial in Highland Cemetery. He passed away at 12:14am on May 4, 2021 at his residence. Jeremy was born August 11, 1980 in Muncie, Indiana to John Garland and Julie Ann Hunter Holtzclaw. He worked as an automobile mechanic and was widely known as #979 on the racetracks of Tennessee and the southeastern United States. His need for speed began with four-wheeler racing at the age of 19. He later became a member of the 604 UCRA Series. Jeremy was a champion racer having success in both four-wheeler and the UCRA Series. Now #979 is racing to heaven. Surviving family members left to cherish his memory include his daughter Madison Jade Holtzclaw, Son: Hudson Lee Holtzclaw, Parents: John and Julie Holtzclaw. The family will receive friends Friday from 5-8:00pm at the church. Bo Hendrix and Jacob Sparkman will officiate.
Funeral services for Teresa Joann Henry, 50 of Gainesboro, will be held on Saturday, May 8 at 1 P.M. at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home. The family has chosen cremation. Miss Henry passed away on Saturday, May 1 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. She was born July 10, 1970, in Gainesboro, to the late Troy Eugene Gentry and Mary Ann Hagan Gentry. She was an automotive factory worker, and a Christian. Survivors include her children, Eric Henry of Cookeville, and Makensei Nicole Henry of Gainesboro. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 7 from 3 P.M. – 7 P.M., and Saturday, May 8, 2021, from 10 A.M. until time of services.
Funeral Services for Mr. Jimmie L. Davis, age 76 of Livingston, will be conducted 2 pm Saturday, May 8th, from the chapel of Livingston Funeral Home. Jimmie passed from this life on Tuesday morning, May 4, 2021, from his residence. He was born in Pulaski, Tennessee, on August 14, 1944, to the late George Lee and Lillie Ann Bilbrey Daniels. Jimmie loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren. He always enjoyed fishing, Sunday afternoon drives, and working with his tractor.
Mr. Davis leaves behind his daughters Donna Tinsley and husband Gary of Livingston and Barbara Dale and husband Jack of Hilham; son Terry Davis and wife Carole of Lebanon; step-son Brian Mills and wife Tracie of Indiana. The family will welcome friends from 1 pm until the time of services at 2 pm on Saturday.
Memorial services for Tommy Knight, 58 of the Dodson Branch community of Jackson County, will be held on Saturday, May 8 at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home at 4PM. Mr. Knight passed away Tuesday, April 20 at his residence. He was born January 1, 1963, in Cookeville, to the late Birdle Knight and Billie Jane Thornton Knight. He was a construction worker by trade. He is survived by his daughter, Misty Rittenberry of Cookeville. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 8 at the funeral home from 2 P.M. – 4 P.M.
A memorial service for Hollena “Holly” Arlene West, 47 of Cookeville, will be held Saturday evening, May 8 at 10:00 PM at the Dyer Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Mrs. West died Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at her home due to a house fire. Holly graduated with an associate degree in marketing and fashion design. She was a homemaker who enjoyed talking politics, music, art, outdoor activities and especially being with her children. She had many online friends, she was in contact with daily. Survivors include husband of 25 years (Married December 16, 1995) Kenneth West; and sons, Tanner and Gavin West all of Cookeville. The family will receive friends Saturday 8 PM until service time at the funeral home.
