Mary Sue Loftis

Mary Sue Loftis, of Cookeville Tennessee, formerly of Gainesboro, passed peacefully from this life at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at the age of 80.

Born on June 10, 1945 in the Flynn’s Lick Community of Jackson County, Tennessee, Sue was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. A teacher at heart, Sue earned her Bachelor’s in Secondary Education in June of 1970. As an educator in the Jackson County school system for many years, Sue always hoped to instill a love for learning in her students.

She was well respected and well loved by her students and colleagues with many sharing over the years how she has positively impacted their lives. She was a long time member of the

Gainesboro Church of Christ where she taught their Ladies Bible Class, extending her natural talents as a teacher to help instill a love of God in those that she taught. Sue and her sister Virginia owned a greenhouse business in Gainesboro for many years.The flowers and plants that she nurtured and grew were some of the most vibrant and beautiful of God’s creations. She loved to cook and bake and she has left us with many beautiful memories of family meals made with love and a treasure trove of delicious recipes.

Sue was married to her husband Lloyd Douglas Loftis on December 4, 1964 in Gainesboro Tennessee. Married for 61 years, Sue passed away just 15 days after her husband, further

confirming what everyone who loved them already knew, that they were true partners in all things; in life, in love and even in death.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd, her parents Homer T. Brown and Nola Ethel Meadows Brown; her sister Virginia (Doug) Strong and her brother Rod Brown. Her

brothers-in-law Lewis Loftis, Horace Lee (Sandy) Loftis; Tom Stockton and Carlos Cook; and her sister-in-law Jeanette (Kenneth) Conner.

She is survived by her daughters Jennifer Loftis and Natalie (Jonathan) Downs both of Cookeville, TN; her grandchildren Zander Martin and Skylar Martin, both of Cookeville, TN; her

brothers Phillip (Cathy) Brown and David (Martha) Brown all of Gainesboro, TN; her sisters-in-law Annette Brown of Gainesboro, TN; Ina Stockton of Clinton Township, MI and Myra Cook of Sterling Heights, MI; her brothers-in-law Ray (Paulette) Loftis of Livonia, MI and Ronnie (Kaye) Loftis of Bloomington Springs, TN; several nieces, nephews and their families also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1:00 pm in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home, with Brother Douglas Downs officiating. Burial will follow at

the Richmond Cemetery in the Flynn’s Lick Community of Gainesboro, TN. Visitation will be Friday from 11:00 am until time of services.

Memorial donations may be made to the Jackson County Historical Society by contacting the funeral home.

Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements 931-268-1550