Chantel "Alyjah" Gomez

Chantel "Alyjah" Gomez, age 18 of Cookeville, died Monday, September 23, 2019 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. A 2019 graduate of Upperman High School, Chantel was in her 1st year of college with aspirations of becoming a detective. Chantel was born on December 1, 2000 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her smile was contagious, it spread for miles. She greeted everyone with a hug. Her best quality was her desire to help bring happiness and a smile to others. Her love of soccer was surpassed only by her love for her family and friends. She was truly an inspiration to many, she demonstrated selflessness in every aspect of her life and was an exceptional example of outstanding character. She may have had a stutter, but her voice was clear as crystal when she sang to the tunes of all the music she loved. Just like the music she so loved remains, so will the memory of her. Chantel is survived by her loving mother and father April and Steve Raines; grandparents, Kenneth Paul and Wanda Connally, Wayne and Sandra Roussel, Ralph and Janice Lewis and Mayzell Raines; sisters, Cadan Lilly Frazier, Julie Leann Eicholtz; brother, Taylor Drew Raines; aunts, Erin Cinense, Gloria Viera, Becki Raines, Hilda Groce, Joan Hembre, Donna England, and Kelley McNeal; uncles, Mike Connally, Mark Cinense, Leon Raines, Jim Groce, Phillip Raines, Terry Hembre, Charles England, and Harvey McNeal; and beloved Cousins, Ellena, Waverly, Mariela, Sarah, Rebekah, Isaiah (Bob), and Evelyn. She is preceded in death by her Great-Grandfather Alford Connally and Great-Grandmother Mildred Meeks. Visitation for Chantel Alyjah Gomez will be Thursday, September 26, 4 to 8 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. until service time at Poplar Grove Baptist Church. Funeral will be Friday at the church at 11:00 am. The family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Upperman HS Girls Soccer team as this is what Alyjah would have wanted. Donations can be sent to Upperman HS at 6950 Nashville Hwy, Baxter, TN 38544. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share memories and condolences at hhhfunerals.com.