Obituary for Jeffy Hutchings Turner (Hutchings)
Jeffy Hutchings Turner (102) passed away on December 21, 2022 at Life Care Center of Sparta where she lived the past four years. She was born Jeffy Lee Belle Hutchings on June 12, 1920, the daughter of John Lawson Hutchings and Callie Luna Hutchings of the Peeled Chestnut Community in White County.
Jeffy spent most of her life in Sparta and White County. She married Ray Turner on June 13, 1942. Throughout her adult life she spent many years as a seamstress in the local shirt factory and later, alongside her sister-in-law, Pearl Turner, at Red Turner’s Sporting Goods Store.
Following Ray’s death in 1978, Jeffy was appointed to finish his term as White County Trustee. After winning two more elections, she served her community a total of eight years as Trustee. Upon retirement, she continued to work from time to time in the office with her long-time co-worker and special friend who succeeded her as Trustee, Brenda Officer. Jeffy was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was steadfast in her dedication to veterans, past and present.
Jeffy taught Sunday School at West Sparta Church of Christ for many years and spent the last 25 years of her life as a faithful member and encourager at the Central Church of Christ in Sparta. She loved her Ladies Bible Class and the Prime Time Ministry. Her cakes and pies were always a hit at the many potluck dinners she attended.
Her family was her greatest joy. She was known to her grandchildren as Nana and her great-grandchildren as Little Nana. She was anticipating the arrival in February of her first great-great grandchild and namesake, Presley Belle Brewer. She was devoted to and loved by numerous nieces and nephews who knew her simply as Aunt Jeffy.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ray Turner, her sister Evie Hutchings Huddleston, and her brothers Jay, Alvin, and Dennis Hutchings.
Her surviving family includes:
Daughter, Brenda (Turner) Knox and husband, John, of Sparta, TN.
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren:
Ben Knox and son Cash Knox, of Sparta, TN.
Rebecca (Knox) and Steve Kohler, of Zephyrhills, FL, and daughters Madison Kohler and Addie Grace and CJ Brewer of Camp Lejeune, NC.
Daniel and Jessica Knox, of Greenbrier, TN, and children, Luke and Laine Knox.
David and Susan Knox, of Nashville, TN, and children, Margot and Leo Knox.
She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and great-nephews, and countless others who called her Nana.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Central Church of Christ with John Knox officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the church.
Pallbearers to serve are Ben Knox, Steve Kohler, Daniel Knox, David Knox, Madison Kohler, Addie Grace Brewer, Luke Knox, and CJ Brewer.
Honoroary pallbearers to serve are Aunt Jeffy's nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Happy Haven Children’s Home in Cookeville, TN and St. Judes Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN.
Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com
Jeffy spent most of her life in Sparta and White County. She married Ray Turner on June 13, 1942. Throughout her adult life she spent many years as a seamstress in the local shirt factory and later, alongside her sister-in-law, Pearl Turner, at Red Turner’s Sporting Goods Store.
Following Ray’s death in 1978, Jeffy was appointed to finish his term as White County Trustee. After winning two more elections, she served her community a total of eight years as Trustee. Upon retirement, she continued to work from time to time in the office with her long-time co-worker and special friend who succeeded her as Trustee, Brenda Officer. Jeffy was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was steadfast in her dedication to veterans, past and present.
Jeffy taught Sunday School at West Sparta Church of Christ for many years and spent the last 25 years of her life as a faithful member and encourager at the Central Church of Christ in Sparta. She loved her Ladies Bible Class and the Prime Time Ministry. Her cakes and pies were always a hit at the many potluck dinners she attended.
Her family was her greatest joy. She was known to her grandchildren as Nana and her great-grandchildren as Little Nana. She was anticipating the arrival in February of her first great-great grandchild and namesake, Presley Belle Brewer. She was devoted to and loved by numerous nieces and nephews who knew her simply as Aunt Jeffy.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ray Turner, her sister Evie Hutchings Huddleston, and her brothers Jay, Alvin, and Dennis Hutchings.
Her surviving family includes:
Daughter, Brenda (Turner) Knox and husband, John, of Sparta, TN.
Grandchildren and great-grandchildren:
Ben Knox and son Cash Knox, of Sparta, TN.
Rebecca (Knox) and Steve Kohler, of Zephyrhills, FL, and daughters Madison Kohler and Addie Grace and CJ Brewer of Camp Lejeune, NC.
Daniel and Jessica Knox, of Greenbrier, TN, and children, Luke and Laine Knox.
David and Susan Knox, of Nashville, TN, and children, Margot and Leo Knox.
She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and great-nephews, and countless others who called her Nana.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Central Church of Christ with John Knox officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the church.
Pallbearers to serve are Ben Knox, Steve Kohler, Daniel Knox, David Knox, Madison Kohler, Addie Grace Brewer, Luke Knox, and CJ Brewer.
Honoroary pallbearers to serve are Aunt Jeffy's nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Happy Haven Children’s Home in Cookeville, TN and St. Judes Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN.
Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com