Richard Elmore Judd
by: Dwayne PageMay 14, 2025
Richard Elmore Judd, age 89 of Sparta, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Sparta. He was a Baptist pastor for 51 years and last attended Johnson Baptist Church. He was an Air Force and National Guard veteran. He enjoyed gardening and talking to everyone.
He was born on July 7, 1935 in Cookeville. He was preceded in death by his wife; JoAnn Judd, parents; Ernest Payne and Mae Pittman Judd, 1 brother; JD Judd and 1 great-grandchild; Hudson Walker.
\Visitation with the family will be on Thursday from 1:00 to 7:00 pm and Friday from 10:00 until the service at 1:00 in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Tim Judd, Bro. Clint Walker and Bro. Darrell Billings will officiate. Burial will follow in Johnson Chapel Cemetery.
Survivors include his son; Tim (Christy) Judd of Walling, 2 daughters; Cindy Roberts (Tim Henry) of Sparta and Samantha (Ernie) Hargis of Baxter, 7 grandchildren; Michelle (Clint) Walker, Kerrie (Chris) Stone, Casey (Raquel) McCloud, Sierra (Ian) Adkins, Chet (Kyndra) Hargis, Marie Mosley and Justin (Sara) Worrix, several great-grandchildren also survive, 1 sister; Ruby (Bob) Fisher of Cookeville and 1 brother; Fred (Dean) Judd of Smithville.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements
Rickie “Ty” Taylor
by: Dwayne PageMay 14, 2025
On Sunday, May 11th, Rickie “Ty” Taylor passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. Ty was born in Millstadt, Illinois on November 23rd, 1956, to the late Virgil Taylor and Judith Ann Taylor, as well as his surviving Aunt, Vicki Brumitt, of Fairview, Illinois.
Ty is also survived by his wife, Jeanne Joy, of 33 years, son Tyler, and wife Martha, as well as daughter Katy, and her husband Jonathan; his grandchildren, Maggie and Tucker, to whom he was known as their, “Cowboy Papa”.
Besides being a real-life Cowboy, Ty was a professional auctioneer, and country music artist, singer/songwriter, and producer.
He enjoyed being at home on the ranch, where one could find him doing anything from fixing fence, to breaking a colt or training a stock-dog.
Country music was a part of his roots – as Ty put it, “Country music is all about real life, about real people. It’s about real situations, it’s part of our heritage, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Ty began his musical education by listening to the radio, and playing the songs he heard on his guitar. This helped develop his highly acclaimed ear for music, which was a God-given gift, handed down through his mother.
Ty toured throughout the country from coast to coast. Quickly gaining national acclaim for his extraordinary vocals, backed by the superb musicianship and vitality of his band. Ty’s strong vocals backed by some of Nashville’s finest vocal session players put the country back into country music in his album, Take Me As I Am.
For part of his career, he performed as a George Strait tribute artist, with the trademark Texas sounds, and the same classic voice and style of delivery. In 1995 he was dubbed, “The Number One” George Strait Tribute Artist in the country.
He performed at the well-known Fan Fair and “Live at Riverfront” with over 50,000 fans in Nashville Tennessee, The Grand Ole Opry, and many other places.
Throughout his career as an entertainer, he opened for name acts such as Chris LeDoux, Mark Chesnutt, Diamond Rio, Joe Nichols, Clay Walker, Charlie Daniels, Tanya Tucker, Tim McGraw, Billy Ray Cyrus, just to name a few.
He spent a year and a half singing background vocals for the First Lady of country music…none other than, Ms. Loretta Lynn. He has performed with country superstars such as Johnny Lee, Vern Gosdin, Tammy Wynette, Crystal Gayle and Atlantic recording artist, Doug Stone, who said about Ty, “A great singer and a great entertainer…a very funny guy!”
With a larger-than-life personality, he would light up a room with his presence. His smile and laugh were infectious. He was a stranger to no one and always left people laughing with the stories he told.
He loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and a good campfire, whether he was at home, or at deer camp with his friends.
His family and friends will forever cherish his infinite kindness, quick wit, and generous spirit, which touched everyone he met.
He had a deep love for his family, music, and Cowboy way of life, but above all else, he loved God and was unafraid to share his faith with others.
He will be dearly missed by so many, and his memory will live on with all of us. The Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
David Burton Dillard
by: Dwayne PageMay 12, 2025
David Burton Dillard, 65, of Smithville, TN, a master craftsman and beloved comedian at heart, passed away peacefully at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, TN after more than 20 years battling cancer and related health issues.
Born on May 23, 1959, in Ferndale, Michigan, David grew up with a passion for craftsmanship. After graduating from Lamphere High School, David built a career in construction and later specialized in cabinetry, delighting in teaching his trade and sharing his humor. Known for his quick wit and sayings like ‘Bub, one stipulation!’ David brought laughter to every room.
David is survived by his children, Edward (Shannon) Dillard and Jolene (Matt Short) Dillard, both of Murfreesboro, who inherited his love for creating and laughing; his brother, Kerry (Diane) Dillard, of Troy, MI; and three grandchildren, Elliot Dillard, Lillian Dillard, and Jude Short. David also leaves behind cherished extended family, including his niece Tamara Dillard and nephew Kerry (Tracy) Dillard of Royal Oak, MI, niece Tia (Jesse) Adcock of Smithville, and niece Kylie Dildine of Sparta, along with their families.
David was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Jo Dean Dillard, of Troy, MI, and his siblings, Duane Dillard and Sandra Dildine, both of Smithville.
David’s loyal dogs, Izzy and Baby, were his constant companions, and he was grateful for the unwavering support of dear friends Jerry Taylor and Jeremy Mauldin in his final years.
David’s requests were to be an organ donor and for his body to be donated to medical/cancer research. There will be no public service at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in David’s name to Cancer Research Institute at cancerresearch.org
If David ever called you ‘Bub’ or shared one of his renowned stipulations, you knew you were a true friend.