Mrs. Evelyn Jeanette Venson Exum, age 83, of Sparta, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Life Care Center of Sparta, surrounded by her loving family.
Evelyn was born February 4, 1943, in Sparta, Tennessee, to the late Bud and Ova Steele Venson. She worked many years as a CNA at Sunnypointe Nursing Facility and will be remembered for her time at Ragland Bottom Restaurant. She spent her retirement years as a dedicated homemaker and Granny to her family. She loved a good yard sale, and Sundays in the fall were reserved to cheer on her beloved Tennessee Titans after church at Shiloh Church of God of the Prophecy, where she was a longtime member.
In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband Royce Exum, who died December 4, 2012; daughter Cynthia Redmon; son Phillip Randall Exum; sister Barbara Dean Barrett; father and mother-in-law Luther and Ova Exum.
Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her five daughters, Lisa (Larry) Frasier, Amy Vinson and Hollis Mabe, Cathy (Lance) Brown, Marla Exum, and Melissa (Eddie) Cole.
Grandchildren: Christipher (Cheyenne) Frasier, Janelle (Jeff) Frasier, Adam Frasier, Amanda Tolsch, Randall (Jillena) Burger, Ashlee (Cody) Burger, Will (Taylor) Brown, Kaci (Josh) Collins, Eli (Danielle) Young, Kayla (Charles) Steelman, and Phillip (Katie) Cole.
Eighteen great-grandchildren.
One great-great-grandchild.
Brother: Jerry Venson and wife Wanda.
Brother-in-law: Luther (Sherrie) Exum.
A host of nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm Tuesday, July 28, 2026, from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home with burial in Peeled Chestnut Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8 pm Monday and after 1 pm Tuesday at Hunter Funeral Home. Pastor Chasity Starky will officiate.
Eddie Cole, Phillip Cole, Eli Young, Lance Brown, Christipher Frasier, and Randall Burger will serve as pallbearers.
The Exum family would like to extend a special thank you to Life Care Center of Sparta for all of the love and attention Evelyn received in their care.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
