Reba Joyce Cunningham Young, 73, of the Gum Springs Mountain community of White County, passed away Aug. 7, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
Joyce was born April 26, 1950, in Sparta, to Lester Franklin and Betty Reba Steele Cunningham. She was a former shirt factory worker but found her passion in being a home health nurse. She was a longtime Central View Fire Department Volunteer and was active many years in their fair booth and was a first responder. She was a doctor to many of her friends, neighbors, and family. In her quiet time, she loved watching westerns.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Young, who died Nov. 19, 2022; sisters, Sue Cunningham, June Young; brothers, Wayne Cunningham, Tommy Cunningham; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Pauline Young.
Surviving family members left to cherish her memory include her three sons, Chris Young, Johnny Young, John “PeeWee” (Makayla) Young, all of Sparta; seven grandchildren, Alicia Jarrett, Heather (Shawn) Dillon, Jessica Marcum, Cole Young (Mindy), Sarah Young (Aaron), Clayton Young, Victoria Young; five great-grandchildren, Danny Young, Noah Wilson, Arabella Perry, Brandon Marcum, Ava Smith; sister, Wanda (Don) Youngblood; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ricky Young, Sandy Cunningham, Kerry (Ivie) Young, Ray “Buster” (Patty) Young, Roger (Fran) Young, Bethene Cunningham, Timmy (Gail) Young, Peggy Robbins; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Aug. 10, 2023, at Hensley Chapel Baptist Church, with burial in Young Cemetery. The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m., Aug. 9, at the funeral home. Joyce will lie in state after 10 a.m., Aug. 10, at the church. Mike Kirby and Dewey Young will officiate.
Don Youngblood, Jeremy Youngblood, Matthew Cunningham, Clayton Young, Bubba Young, Carlos Young, Joey Young, Shawn Dillion, and Thomas Cunningham will serve as pallbearers.
Hunter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
