Mr. John Franklin Young, affectionately known as Big John, age 73, a lifetime fixture of the Gum Springs Mountain community, passed away at 1:40pm Saturday, November 19, 2022 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.

Big John was born May 11, 1949 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Charlie Paul & Mammie Pauline Barnes Young. He was a log truck driver and a member of Hensley Chapel Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon for over 30 years. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by two brothers Roy Lee and Paul Jr. Young.

Surviving family members left to cherish his memory include his wife of 56 years Reba Joyce Cunningham Young of Sparta

Three sons: Chris Allen Young, Johnny Darryl Young, John Franklin "Pee Wee" Young, Jr. and Michalia all of Sparta

Seven grandchildren: Alicia Jarrett, Heather (Shawn) Dillon, Jessica Marcum, Cole Young, Sarah Young, Clayton Young, Victoria Young

Five great-grandchildren: Danny, Noah, Arabella, Brandon and Ava

Four brothers: Kerry (Ivie) Young, Ray "Buster" (Patty) Young, Roger (Fran) Young, Timmy (Gail) Young all of Sparta

Two sisters: Paula Bethene Cunningham and Peggy Robbins

Several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends

Funeral services will be conducted 3:00pm Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Hensley Chapel Baptist Church with burial in Young Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8:00pm Monday at Hunter Funeral Home. John will lie in state from 9:00am until service time Tuesday at the church. Dewey Young, Ricky Dickson and Mike Kirby will officiate.

Jeremy Youngblood, Shawn Dillon, Matthew Cunningham, Carlos Young, Joey Young, Clayton Young, Timmy "Bubba" Young and Don Youngblood will serve the family as pallbearers.