"Little Eddie"

Eddie Howard Gaw II, affectionately known as Little Eddie, entered Heaven on March 20, 2024, on his 52nd birthday, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Born on March 20, 1972, in Cookeville, TN to loving parents, Eddie H. Gaw and Joyce Dennis Sutton, Eddie was a beacon of kindness and friendliness in the community he loved and never left. He graduated from Cookeville HIgh School in 1990 and then TCAT Livingston in 1999. His love of horses led him to the sport of Cutting Horses, which led to meeting the love of his life, Calina Barnes Gaw, when he secured the services of her father, Ted Barnes, to train his horses. Calina and Eddie married on August 7, 1993 and enjoyed time together showing horses and traveling. 1999 brought two significant accomplishments for Eddie and Calina -the establishment of their business, Volunteer Heating and Cooling, and the arrival of their beloved daughter, Carley Faith. They soon taught Carley their love of the sport of cutting where she succeeded in reaching the top 15 in the world, to the great pride of her daddy who was by her side every step of the way. In addition to time with Calina and Carley, Eddie especially loved time with his brother Jason, sister-in-law Erin, and their children Luke, Noah, Ellie, and Lucy, including the times when Ellie and Lucy attempted to make him a ballerina. Eddie was known at Cookeville Boat Dock for his love of the lake and gatherings there where he showed off his grilling skills. He also thoroughly enjoyed attending cooking competitions with his competition barbeque team "the Snoring Hogs" with team members Brent Gentry and Tony Smith. He loved serving the community at the annual Lazy G stew cook every year, and his nephew Noah particularly loved the burgers his Uncle Eddie made. The cutting horse community across the country loved to see Eddie, Calina, and Carley at shows and enjoyed the close knit relationships they developed in and out of the show pen. In short, wherever Eddie was, the people around him benefited from his infectious laugh, his ability to fix anything, and his love of serving others.

Eddie is survived by Calina and Carley, father Eddie H. Gaw and wife Frida, mother Joyce Dennis Sutton and husband Danny, brother Jason Gaw and wife Erin, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ted and Anita Barnes, step-siblings Daniel Sutton and wife Rachel, Megan Swann and husband Ben, Christina Slemp and husband Jon, Carl Reece Nash, and Kimberly Nash, and several beloved uncles and aunts and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by grandparents Howard and Flossie Gaw and Dexter and Myrtle Dennis.

Visitation will take place on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Washington Avenue Baptist Church from 5 to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. with Pastor Mark Gaw officiating. Eddie will be laid to rest following the service at Smyrna Cemetery.

The pallbearers entrusted with the honor of carrying Eddie are Daryl Blair, Tony Smith, Chris Fox, Chris Hawkins, Steve Hawkins, Brent Gentry, Mark Brady, and Dawson Davidson. Luke and Noah Gaw will serve as honorary pallbearers, a testament to the special bond he shared with his nephews. Additional honorary pallbearers will be Mike Cass, Greg Cass, Jon Slemp, Bryce Gentry, Blake Gentry, and Will Roberts.

Little Eddie's passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him, but his memory will be cherished through the stories of his kindness, his readiness to help, and the countless ways he made the world a better place. He will be remembered not just for the things he fixed with his hands, but for the lives he touched with his heart.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital. www.stjude.org

Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.