Stella Thearp

Stella Lorane Small Thearp, 79, a resident of Niota, TN, moved to her Heavenly home on Thursday morning, April 17, 2025, at Sweetwater Hospital. She was born in Sweetwater, Tennessee, on April 16, 1946, a daughter of the late Earl and Glaphrie Small. Stella was of the Baptist faith and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. She was a cosmetologist for many years, helped run the family farm, and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years James "Jimmy" Thearp, brothers Leon Small, John Small, and Jim Small, and her sister Annabelle Goins.

Stella leaves behind to cherish her memory her loving son Kenny Thearp, two grandsons Andrew Thearp (Rachael) and Tyler Thearp, two great grandsons Joshua and Brian Thearp, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Troy and Linda Thearp, Phyllis and Larry Bembas, June and Tommy Latham, and Gwen and Tim Pitts, numerous other extended family members, church family, and a host of special friends.

A service celebrating her life is planned for Easter Sunday, April 20, at 6 PM at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 1799 County Road 250 in Niota, TN, with the Reverend Philip Thompson and the Reverend Gabe Brannon officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 3 PM - 6 PM preceding the service.

The interment and committal service will take place on Monday, April 21, at 11 AM in the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery with the Reverend Mark Latham officiating and with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

You are encouraged to share a memory of Stella and/or your personal condolences with her family by visiting her memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service of Athens, TN, and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.