Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association Inc.

01/04/2024

It is with much sadness we have learned of the passing of Todd Matthews. Todd spoke at many meetings and was a longtime friend and colleague with the UCFDA.

He served as the director of communications and case management for Namus. He shared many lectures with us regarding his work with missing and unidentified persons and unsolved cases.

Please keep all of his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Tonight we mourn the loss of Todd Matthews. He was a long time advocate for the missing, unidentified, unclaimed and unsolved. He served as the director of communications and case management for Namus. He is known and cherished by the majority of the missing persons world. He solved the long time mystery of the “tent girl” now known to be Barbara Ann Hackmann Taylor. He did podcasts, appeared in shows and was steadily available for anything that might bring light to a case.

Todd was always around to answer a question, lend a voice of reason, or even push buttons to get missing persons reports filed for those that were originally ignored. He did help with Tennessee Missing and Unsolved and we are forever grateful.

I ask that you help us keep his work alive by listening to and or sharing his podcasts and articles.

Please keep all of his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

05/24/2023

It is with deep sadness we share that we have learned of the passing of Mr. Todd Van Beck.

Our organization was very blessed to have Mr. Van Beck speak at many, many of our meetings. He was truly a remarkable storyteller.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

02/22/2023

Please continue to keep Ken Collins in your thoughts and prayers as he is now home and trying to recover.

Dodge Company has mailed these letters to all customers with information about ordering during this time.

12/14/2022

Thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas gathering and donated prizes!

We presented our 2022 UCFDA President, Brittany Agee, with her president’s plaque, and we elected new officers.

2023 Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association officers:

President- Corey Hall
Vice President- Brittany Agee
Secretary/Treasurer- Lucie Bolenbarker

Board Members- Kenyon Gibbs, Jeremy Ledford, and Zach Fuson

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the new year!

12/05/2022

Just a reminder of our Christmas gathering this week! On Thursday, December 8, 2022, the meal will start at 5:00 PM at Logan’s Roadhouse.

If you’ve committed to providing a door prize, please be sure to bring/or get those to one of the officers planning to attend.

We will also be electing new officers for the 2023 year!

Hope to see everyone there! 🎄

07/07/2022

Share Memories and Support the Family.

04/04/2022

The next UCFDA meeting will be held on April 14, 2022 at 5:30 PM, meal starting at 5:00PM, at Nick’s Restaurant in Cookeville, TN. The meal will be a Dutch treat with all attendees paying for their own meal.

This meeting has been approved by the state for 3 CEUs, there is no charge for members, $35.00 for non-members.

Our guest speaker for the evening will be Mr. Alex Hawes.

Hope everyone can make it out!

03/11/2022

Happy National Funeral Directors and Morticians Day!

It's your day - Happy National Funeral Directors & Morticians Day!

For all you do to support families and communities, we say, thank you.

👉www.nfda.org/ThankYou

03/10/2022

As I’m sure most of you have gotten an email this morning regarding CEU changes from John A. Gupton, I am forwarding this message in case anyone did not receive an email:

To: Funeral Directors and Embalmer in Tennessee

From: B. Steven Spann
​President John A. Gupton College
Phone: College: 615-327-3927, Cell: 615-347-4955

RE: Important Notice before TFDA District Meetings.
Re: SB 2570 and HB 2103

The purpose of my email is to contribute some insight and concerns regarding the above-mentioned bills that are scheduled to appear before your committee.

There are three parts to this bill, and I agree with Section 1 (dealing with Pre-need registration) and Section 3 (dealing with unlicensed assistants). However, I believe the proposed changes to Section 2 (dealing with continuing education requirements) will place an undue hardship on licensees in their process of renewing their license. I want to communicate that I am in 100% approval with the current continuing education requirements and the law as currently presented which states:
“62-5-601c. Of the ten (10) hours of continuing education coursework, five (5) hours must be attended in person. For purposes of this subsection (c), “attended in person” means the continuing education coursework is completed by the licensee in the physical presence of the provider of the coursework or is completed by the licensee through an interactive virtual program that requires participants to confirm their presence during the program.”

The new proposed law would change the BOLD SECTION to person-to-person real time programs. I would like to say that in my professional opinion, the proposed change would put the continuing education seminars, at the convenience of the Presenter rather than at the convenience of the Licensee. Please allow me to explain my position. John A. Gupton College provides both real-time/person to person seminars throughout the year. John A. Gupton College also provides 30 different recorded seminars (all approved by the state licensing board) that requires every licensee to pass a test with a minimum of 80% to prove participation during the seminar. This law change would eliminate this convenience for the licensee. The only seminars available would-be person to person real time at the convenience of the presenter.

I receive numerous calls each month from licensee stating that their license is ready to expire inquiring where can they get their CEUs. I realize the licensee should not wait until the last minute, but as you know most people do. Currently, there is an avenue that ensures the licensees in Tennessee can successfully obtain the necessary CEU hours, BUT if the law changes, that will not be the case. All in person CEU will be at the convenience of the presenter at a preset time which is usually during funeral times.
Either way, John A. Gupton College will still provide all the seminars, face to face, virtual and videos, we are currently providing but it will not be as convenient for the licensee.

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to express my view on this matter.

02/18/2022

Share Memories of Roger & Support the Burke Family

02/18/2022

It is with great sadness we share that a pillar of the funeral industry community and one of our own has passed away today. Roger Burke dedicated majority of his life to this profession that he was so passionate about. He was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. He will be very missed.

Crestlawn Funeral Home in Cookeville, TN will be in charge of arrangements. Please keep Roger’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

01/13/2022

Beginning 1/24/22 Cookeville Regional Medical Center will incorporate a new "Release of Body" form that identifies exactly who the physician is who will sign the death certificate. The Customer Service Manager at CRMC requested we pass this information along.

12/10/2021

One of our members/board members, Rod Higham, (he owns Decane Services) lost his step-son in a tragic house fire this week in Smithville. I am sharing information regarding his grandson and donations. I know any help would be greatly appreciated.

Good Afternoon Below is a picture of Alex Lemmons. Alex plays for Dekalb Co. football.

Last night Alex tragically lost his single dad and everything he owned in a house fire.

any help that the we can provide for Alex.

His clothing sizes are below. If you are able to donate we are setting up a drop off location at Meadows Homes with Leslie Buchanan. She will be in the office until 5 everyday this week, if you cannot make it there please comment below and we will set up a time to meet you.

Shirt/Hoodies- 3X
Sweatpants/Shorts - 3X
Shoes - 15

Although we are rivals on the field, we are all a football family. We are asking for help supporting this young man whether it be by donation or a simple prayer.

We ask that you please share this post in hopes of helping Alex as much as possible.

Monetary donations may be made to:
First Bank in Smithville +1 (615) 597-4366
or McMinnville Funeral Home to cover funeral expenses as there was no life insurance.

11/11/2021

UCFDA meets tonight. Meal will begin at 5pm and the meeting will start at 5:30pm. Mr. Paul Trumpore of the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains will be our speaker.

11/08/2021

Want to remind everyone of our meeting this Thursday night at Nick's restaurant in Cookeville. This meeting is approved for 3 CEUs. Help spread the word and come fellowship with your fellow professionals in the Upper Cumberland

10/27/2021

10/18/2021

Everyone please keep the Maynard family in your thoughts and prayers. Mr Maynard is the father of Harold Ralph Maynard, one of our members and a past president.

Obituary
BAXTER-Funeral services for Harold Loyd Maynard, 82 of Baxter, will be Tuesday, October 19 at 1 PM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in New Home Baptist Church Cemetery in the Boma Community. Pastor Ted Kocher, associate pastor of Cookeville Life Church will officiate. The family will receive friends Monday from 3 to 8 PM and after 10 AM Tuesday until service time at the funeral home.
Mr. Maynard died Saturday morning, October 16, 2021 at Signature-Putnam in Algood, TN.
He was born June 13, 1939 in the Buffalo Valley Community of Putnam County to the late Floyd and Edith Brown Maynard.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife Lucretia Sutton Maynard; son, Larry Ray Maynard; brother-in-law, Jimmy Ray Dyer; step-daughter, Angela "Angie" Huddleston, step son -in-law, Al DeVasher, step-father Iva Lowe.
He attended Buffalo Valley School and graduated in 1956 from Baxter Seminary.
His work history included driving a truck at Putnam County Highway Department, an oiler with McDowell & McDowell Construction Co., a foreman with J.F. Helmond Brothers in Chicago, Illinois.
He retired in 2002 as a Greyhound bus driver with over 31 years of service.
Harold Loyd enjoyed playing rook, traveling and listening to country music.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Harold Ralph and Sheri Maynard of Baxter, James Darren and Chrissy Maynard of Cookeville; sister, Shelby Dyer of Baxter; grandchildren: Beth, Rachel, Taylor, Abby and Alex Maynard; Special friend, Linda Upchurch Carr; special niece, Vicky and husband Mark Walker, great niece Hailey and husband Jordan Blackburn, great nephew Brett Walker, step-daughter Charlotte DeVasher, step-grandchildren: Carly and Noah DeVasher and Sam Fountain.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Home Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Virgle Brown, Jr. (Treasurer), 2420 Jared Ridge Road, Baxter, TN 38544.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931) 858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.

10/12/2021