Sara Joan Burgess

BAXTER CHAPEL-Sara Joan Burgess, 71 of Baxter, Tennessee, was born March 2, 1955, in Sparta, Tennessee, and passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Joan was a hardworking woman who took pride in both her work and her home. She retired from the Putnam County Maintenance Department and was also a former employee of Helen's Restaurant and Dipsy Doodle. In her daily life, she found joy in gardening, taking care of her flowers, cooking, and mowing her own yard. She was known as a hard worker, and that steady spirit showed in the way she cared for the things and people around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Robert and Winnie Milse Vinson Butler, husband, Douglas “Doug” Allen Burgess (died August 24, 2021); and her brother, Charles Wendell Butler.

Joan leaves behind a loving family who will cherish her memory. She is survived by her sons, Chris Tucker and his wife, Ginger, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Danny Tucker and his wife, Tammy, of Baxter, Tennessee; and by her daughter, Jennifer Cobb and her husband, Brian, of Cookeville. She is also survived by her brother, James Butler and his wife, Sandy, of Rickman, Tennessee, and her sister, Debi Bailey of Baxter, Tennessee.

Her memory will also be treasured by her grandchildren, Candace Cobble and her husband, Jason; Corey Ragland and his wife, Mary; Cade Tucker and his wife, Taylin; Cassidy Shope and her husband, Brenden; William Tucker; Samuel Tucker; Autumn O'Donnell; June O'Donnell; Charles Cobb and his wife, Sarah; Lucas Cobb; and B.J. Cobb. She is further survived by her great-grandchildren, Easton Spurlock, Cooper Tucker, Oakley Tucker, Ellison Ragland, Evie Ragland, Cooper Cobb, and Alice Cobb, as well as by many nieces and nephews. Their lives stand as part of the lasting legacy of love and family she leaves behind.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Baxter Chapel, 532 4th Ave. South, Baxter, Tennessee 38544. Funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Baxter Chapel. Burial will be at Smellage Memory Gardens, 10825 Hopewell Road, Silver Point, Tennessee 38582. Bro. Charlie Wills and Bro. Fabron Nicholson will officiate.

Serving as pallbearers will be Corey Ragland, Cade Tucker, Brenden Shope, Brent Mathis, Jason Cobble, Richard Burgess, William Tucker and Samuel Tucker.

Sara Joan Burgess will be remembered with love for her strength, her devotion to her family, and the care she gave to the simple, meaningful things that made a house a home.

Baxter Chapel Hooper-Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931)858-2134. You may share condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com