C. O. Wynne

Collie Odell (C.O.) Wynne, 95, departed this life on Friday, January 20, at Heritage Pointe surrounded by his family. Mr. Wynne was born on June 19, 1921, to the late Aubrey Austin and Irene Young Wynne in Elkton, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his dearly beloved wife, Virginia (Ginny) Abernathy, also by five brothers and sisters and their respective spouses. He is survived by two sons, James (Linda)Wynne of Benbrook, TX, and Phillip (Belinda) Wynne of Cookeville; by two daughters, Jan (Roger) Presley and Colleen (Clark) Childress all of Cookeville. He is also survived by nine grandchildren Katie (Cory) Williams of Overland Park, Kansas; Amy (Kevin) Goodrich of Fort Worth, Texas; Ann (Chris) Hawkins of Gordonsville, Nathan (Melody) Presley, Matthew (Megan) Wynne, Kyle (Hollie), Andrew (Katy), & Jim (Mandy) Childress, and Wynne (Doug) Swann all of Cookeville; and fourteen great-grandchildren. Mr. Wynne grew up in Nashville where he graduated at the age of 16 as the valedictorian of East High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and of the Korean and Vietnamese conflicts and served both in Europe and in Southeast Asia. He was honorably retired as a Command Sergeant Major after serving twenty-two years in the Army and being awarded The Bronze Star Medal, the Department of Defense Commendation, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal (six times) as well as numerous service ribbons. Later, he also retired after twenty-two years as a Financial Aid Administrator at Tennessee Tech University. Mr. Wynne was also named an Honorary Tennessee Colonel by both Governors McWherter and Bredesen. Mr. Wynne was completely committed to his family and to his church both being equally important to him as evidenced by the fact that seven members of his extended family were Presbyterian elders. C.O. Wynne was proudly a Cumberland Presbyterian for over 80 years. He served the local church and his denomination as both chairman and member; he was one of the youngest people to be elected as a ruling elder. Mr. Wynne served as well as ecumenically on the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel. He was involved in the community with board membership on the Red Cross, Clearing House, Rescue Mission; delivered Meals on Wheels for over fifteen years, and served as a volunteer at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at the Cookeville Cumberland Presbyterian church on Tuesday, January 24, at 12 noon by Rev. Christian Smith, Dr. Charles McCaskey, and Rev. Kenny Butcher. Grandchildren and great grandchildren will serve as active Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Judge Ron Thurman, Dr. Ray Holbrook, Mrs. Janis Bulow, Mrs. Joyce Tatum, Mr. Lee Webb, Mrs. Liz Fournet, and Mr. John Benedict. Interment, with Military Honors will be in Crest Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM on Monday at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Church. The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Chelsey Light, Emily Horn, Emily Benton, Suzie Maynard, Lori Griggs, and Tara Norris. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cookeville Cumberland Presbyterian Church 565 E. 10th Street Cookeville, TN 38501. Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com