Hunter Funeral Home

04/06/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Mr. Livesay.

Mr. James Douglas Livesay, better known as Buddy, age 83 of Sparta, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2026 at his residence. Buddy was born June 26, 1942 in Algood, Tennessee to the late Joe Hilary and Effie Velma Cooper Livesay. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a

04/06/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Mrs. Kinniard.

Mrs. Margaret Ann Jones Kinniard, age 76 of Smyrna, a native of Sparta, passed away at 435am on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Margaret was born March 16, 1950 in Sparta, Tennessee. She was a retired office worker and caterer. She enjoyed all crafts

04/03/2026

[Please note: our website is temporarily down.]

It is our honor to serve the family of Mrs. Austin.

Mrs. Maxine Bumbalough Austin, age 93 of Sparta, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at her residence.

Maxine was born February 28, 1933 in White County to the late Byrd Monroe Bumbalough, Sr. and Eula Lee Geer Bumbalough. She loved working outside in her garden and on the family farm. When she was not working around her home, she enjoyed serving as a substitute postal carrier and visiting with friends. She will be fondly remembered as “Mama Maxine” to both family and friends. Some affectionately called her “Trouble” which is a nickname that stuck due to her quick wit and feisty quips. Everyone will remember Mama Maxine for the love and devotion she had for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, in addition to her strong, sassy, tenacious spirit.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by husband, Billy “Meatball” Austin who died October 26, 2016; son Mike Austin who died April 29, 2021; sister Ruby Bumbalough Gregory and brother Byrd M. Bumbalough, Jr.

Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her two daughters Regina (Jeff) Jolly and Cherri (Richard) Taylor

Grandchildren: Zachary (Heather) Jolly, Michele (Kevin) Leatherwood and Austin Taylor

Great grandchildren: Mavery Jolly and Nolan Jolly

Several nieces and nephews also survive

The Austin family would like to extend a special thank you to the ladies that provided special and loving care to Mama Maxine, Lori Swah, Brenda Cravens, Maxine Garrett, Christy Sims, Jada Preacher and Paula Savage

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00pm Sunday, April 5, 2026 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Old Zion Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-7:00pm Saturday at Hunter Funeral Home. Doyle Crawford will officiate.

Richard Taylor, Kevin Leatherwood, Zach Jolly, Tommy Austin, Austin Francis and Corey Austin will serve as pallbearers.

04/02/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Mr. Bulakowski.

Mr. Jeffrey Theodore Bulakowski, affectionately known as Bull, age 42 of Sparta, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at his residence. Bull was born February 10, 1984 in Michigan City, Indiana. He had a proud career in law enforcement. He served as a sergeant for over 15 years for

04/02/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Mrs. Seibers.

Mrs. Evelyn Marie Davis Seibers, age 79 of Sparta, passed away at 104am on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Evelyn was born January 16, 1947 in Sparta to the late James Roy and Clarkie Holland Davis. Evelyn grew up working on the family farm. That work

04/02/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Mrs. Bennett.

Mrs. Wilma Jean Holman Bennett, age 90 of Sparta, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at NHC of Sparta. Wilma was born February 8, 1936 in the Bear Cove community of White County to the late Jimmy and Monerva Bryant Holman. She had a work career that spanned from

04/02/2026

It was our honor to serve the family of Mr. Brown.

Mr. Rickie C. Brown, age 69 of Sparta, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family. Rickie was born July 19, 1956 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Claude Junior Sonny and Gladys Jeanette Thompson Brown. His career as a truck driver had him traveling

03/30/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Ms. Kirby.

Ms. Shirley Diane Kirby, age 68 of Sparta, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 27, 2026 at her residence. Shirley was born November 6, 1957 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Elmer R. and Willie Dorothy Stoglin Kirby. Shirley was an apartment manager for 45 years, managing apartments at Knollcre...

03/30/2026

It was our honor to serve the family of Mr. Steele.

Mr. Robert Lee Steele, Sr. age 72 of Sparta passed away Wednesday morning, March 25, 2026 at his residence. He was born October 4, 1953 in Sparta to the late Virgil and Mary Young Steele. He was also preceded in death by his wife Vivian Darlene Spivey Steele, his brothers

03/30/2026

It was our honor to serve the family of Mr. Bray.

Mr. Billy Vernon Bray, age 87 of Sparta, passed away Friday morning, March 20, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family. Billy was born November 10, 1938 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late William Chester Dow Bray and Mandy Livine LaFever Bray. He was a retired carpenter that specialized

03/20/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Mr. Presley.

Mr. Jimmy Loyd Presley, age 77 of Sparta, passed away Thursday, March 19, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family. Jimmy Loyd was born January 18, 1949 in Sparta, Tennessee. He was a retired carpenter and cabinet builder who spent his retirement years maintaining rental properties and working...

03/19/2026

It is our honor to serve the family of Ms. Stults.

Ms. Virgie Ella Stults, age 87 of Sparta, passed away at 833am on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at NHC of Sparta. Virgie was born April 15, 1938 in Scotts Gulf to the late Clarence Ray and Linnie Mary Scott Stults. She worked a variety of jobs - serving as a