Bettye Schwiersch Yates

Bettye Schwiersch Yates of Pleasant Hill, TN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 in Crossville, TN with family by her side. She was born July 3, 1925, in Evansville, IN, the daughter of Mabel (DeFur) and Elmer Schwiersch. 

She was a 1947 graduate of Evansville College (now University of Evansville), where she met her husband, Reverend Jack Edward Yates. They were married June 22, 1947. He passed away March 23, 2016. 

She is survived by her daughters, Jane Yates Jerger (Lee) of Greenfield, IN, and Susan Yates of Oak Park, IL, grandsons John Jerger (Maggie) of West Orange, NJ, and Quinn Cowell of Chicago, IL, and great grandchildren Elizabeth Jerger and Joseph Jerger of West Orange, NJ.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her grandson David Jerger.

Service arrangements are pending.

Cecil Calvin Burgess

Cecil Calvin Burgess, age 55 was born on February 1, 1966 to Paul Calvin Sylvester Burgess and Helen Louise Simmons Burgess in Dearborn, Michigan. He passed away on September 2, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.

A Graveside Service will be held for him in Akins Cemetery on Friday September 24, 2021 at 1:30pm.

Joel Todd Wilbanks

Joel Todd Wilbanks, 61, was born to Paul Edward Wilbanks and Stacy Barnwell Wilbanks on Sept. 11, 1960, in Crossville. He passed away on Sept. 18, 2021.

He is survived by his mother, Stacy; his sister, Jill Little, along with her husband Craig and children Emily and Luke; along with numerous extended family members.

He is preceded in death by his father, Paul; and his grandparents, Beecher and Mabel Wilbanks and Bert and Nellie Barnwell.

A graveside service will be held for family and close friends on Thursday, Sept. 23, at Green Acres Cemetery at 2:00pm.

Rocky Brent Gora

Rocky Brent Gora, age 43, was born on May 25, 1978 to George and Judy Kerley Gora in Crossville, TN and passed away on September 18, 2021.

He is survived by his parents, wife Shylah Parsons Gora, children Cayden Brent Gora and Gracie Jo Gora, sibling GeLynna Gora Shaw and husband Tony Shaw, sister in-law Sherry Parsons, brother in-law Tyler Parsons, niece Bryleigh Young, and nephews Bryce Young and Jordan Parsons.

He is preceded in death by his mother in-law Lavonda Parson and grandparents Paul and Lou Ann Parsons.

Rocky was a devoted husband and father, second only to this family, was Rocky’s love of football.  After graduating from Cumberland County High School, Rocky signed to play at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY.  He later devoted his spare time to coaching at Pleasant Hill Elementary, North Cumberland Elementary, and lastly at his home school of the Cumberland County Jets.  Rocky’s generous spirit and passion made him a favorite of his players and he touched the lives of so many over the years.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Simple Life Church of the Cumberlands from 5-9 and services will be Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 11:00.  Hank Jones will officiate with burial to follow at Mayland Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Harlan Walker, Travis Massengill, Abe Wilson, Jeremiah Faalafua, Dustin Smith, and Tyler Parsons.

Raymond Adolphe DarDar

Raymond Adolphe DarDar, age 72, was born to Homer Omar Sr. and Valetine Serigny DarDar on June 17, 1949 in Golden Meadow, Louisiana and passed away on September 13, 2021 in Crossville, TN. He loved his job as a boat captain, and in his down time enjoyed trawling on his trawling boat, the RJ6K. He also enjoyed fishing and playing with his cats.

He is survived by his wife- Judith DarDar, children- Merci DarDar, Raymond DarDar Jr. (Selene), Nathaniel DarDar (Shannon), Kellijo Gaspar (Charles), Zachary DarDar (April), Penny Jarreau (Chad), Toby Billiot (Tammy), Jackie Orgeron (Chad), Lester Serigny (April), Nicole Taylor (Josh), 26 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and siblings- Arthensia DarDar and Summergills DarDar.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son- Wenceslaus DarDar, 5 siblings and 3 grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 17, 2021, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sparta from 12 to 2 with service to follow. Pastor Hampton Bisalski will officiate and burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery.

Logan Ryan Sherrill

Logan Ryan Sherrill, age 20, was born to Fred and Deborah Crabtree Sherrill on September 1, 2001 in Crossville, TN and passed away on September 9, 2021 in Elkton, VA. He enjoyed hiking, golfing, and soccer. He loved hanging out with his niece and nephews and hanging out with his friends, and no one remained sad when he was around. And he loved fishing with his dad and Donald. He is survived by his parents, sister- Laci Pugh (Josh), brother- Kyle Sherrill (Jessica), and his niece and nephews- Haylee, Briggs, Ryder, and Kameron.

The family will receive friends on Monday night at Lantana Road Baptist Church from 5 to 8 pm and a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 10:00 with Pastor Scott Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery.

Linda Ruth Woods

Linda Ruth Woods (Reed), 62, of Deer Lodge, Tennessee entered into eternal rest on September 9th, 2021. Linda is survived by her daughters: Mabrena D. Moore and Amber A. Haley. Linda is also remembered by her grandchildren: Austin R. Moore, Catelyn M. Moore, Dylan A. Moore, and J. Eli Haley, as well as her sisters: Geraldine Snow and Wilma Thompson, and her brother: Gary Reed. Linda is preceded in death by her father, Dellmer Clyde Reed, mother, Mabel Irene Reed (Hatmaker), and daughter, Amanda Gail Lindsay.

Linda was the true embodiment of a nature lover. Her fervor for all things natural and animal-related knew no bounds. She was known to be able to tame any animal, a gift that she was always happy to put to use and share with others. That same gentle and kind spirit beckoned to not only animals, but people as well. During her life, Linda shone a light that drew others to her; a beacon of all that was good, she was never one to dim that light. Many of those friendships, formed on the basis of true love and compassion for others, turned into lifelong family bonds.

If she was not spending time in nature, Linda could be found standing over a trove of confectionary ingredients- creating baked goods that were truly unique and delicious. Her creativity extended far beyond the mixing bowls and sugar-filled spoons of her kitchen, to all aspects of her life. Never was there a challenge she could not overcome, never a mountain too steep to climb, or an obstacle to tough to face.

Linda was the sweetest, most beautiful soul that one could have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was an angel on Earth, now amongst others in heaven. Linda will be missed more than she could have ever imagined, but she will always be remembered: in the first bite a freshly baked cake, in the warm greeting from each rising sun, and in all our hearts. We love you, and miss you, Momma. Always watch over us.

“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”

Linda’s memorial service will be held Monday, September 13th, 2021, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm, at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home- 2653 N. Main St., Crossville, TN 38555.

Justin Cunningham

Justin Lynn Cunningham, age 35, was born to Johnnie Lee David and Marlene Elizabeth Rapp Cunningham on June 8, 1986 in Springfield, Ohio and passed away on September 6, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, TN. He worked for Stonepeak Ceramics.

He is survived by his mother, brother- Jason Cunningham, son- Tyler Cunningham, and aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his father.

The family would like your participation in his Celebration of Life on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021 at Smith Chapel from 4:30 to 5:30. His mother, Marlene Cunningham will officiate.