Rufus Desmon Tarter

Rufus Desmon Tarter, born in Norfleet, KY, passed to his eternal place of joy and peace, July 15, 2016. He was an active, faithful member of New Tazewell First Baptist Church. He was a US Army Veteran, 1954-56 serving in Germany. After a 26 year career, Desmon retired as the multi-county Head Start Director with Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative (1973-1999), Claiborne County, TN. He was preceded in death by his infant Daughter: Trevenna Bea Tarter; parents, Rufus and Ella Mae (Atchie) Norfleet Tarter, Nancy, KY; brother, Clifford Wayne Tarter of Nancy, KY; Half Brothers: Athel and Malcolm Tarter of Nancy, KY; Half Sister, Bea Woods Tarter, husband Delbert of Somerset, KY’ Brother-Friend: Dr. Charles Burkett of Hiltons, VA.

He is survived by his Loving Wife of 27 years: Patricia Tarter

Children: Polly G. Mathews, husband David , Howell, MI

Mae E. Tarter, Lancaster, KY

Mark D. Tarter, Pittsburg, PA

Allishia Stevenson, husband Steve , Somerset, KY

Grandchildren: John Mathews; Kelsey Bray, husband Justin

Great Grandson: Sawyer; Shelby Stevenson

Step Children: Paul Essary, wife Missy, and Jaden Brock, Tazewell, TN

Brother: Marlon Tarter, wife Sandie, Knoxville, TN

Cousin: Morris Lee Norfleet, Nancy, KY

Sisters-in-law: Betty Tarter, Nancy, KY; Elizabeth Harmon (Pat’s Sister), husband Gary, New Tazewell, TN

Many loving nieces, nephews, extended family member and loyal friends share great memories of Desmon.

Brother-Friends: Tennis and Hunting Buddies: A.C. Gibbs, Harrogate, TN; Frank Stewart, Flat Lick, KY; Ron Gilley, Pineville, KY; Jeff Ramsey, VA; Preston Wheatley, Speedwell, TN; O’Dell Keene, Harrogate, TN

The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 P.M. Saturday August 13, 2016 when Celebration of Life to follow at 3 P.M. Saturday in the Coffey Funeral Home Chapel and burial to follow in the Irish Memorial Garden. The famiy will receive friends and Celebration of Life Sunday August 14, 2016 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Nancy, KY at 3:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Tazewell First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 248, New Tazewell, TN. 37824.

Arrangements under the direction of Coffey Funeral Home, Tazewell, TN.