Lauri Jones Sweeney of Baxter, TN passed away August 9, 2024, at St. Thomas Hospital West in Nashville after an extremely graceful and courageous battle with cancer. Born November 28, 1975, Lauri was the daughter of Dr. Len Jones and the late Karen McKay Griffin. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Ben Sweeney, and their sons Matt Sweeney, Drew Sweeney, and Nick Sweeney. She is also survived by her father, Dr. Len Jones; step-mother, Kathleen Spears; grandmother, Ann McKay; step-grandmother, Vonde McKay; brothers Ray Jones (Joanna) and Ryan Jones (Laken); step-brother, Eric Griffin; step-sister, Cathryn Pease (Adam); mother-in-law, Sandy Phillips (Roger); sister-in-law, Bethany Arbuckle (Andy); brother-in-law, John Sweeney (Chelsea) and a host of beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen McKay Griffin; grandparents Ray and Ann Jones; grandfather, Charles McKay; and father-in-law, Herman Sweeney.
Lauri grew up in Alabama and graduated from Auburn University where she was a Tigerette and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She received her master’s degree in 2024 and taught for over 20 years in the Wilson, Cumberland, Dekalb, and Putnam County school systems.
Lauri was an amazing person, bringing joy and warmth to her family, friends, students, and colleagues. A lover of the outdoors and planner-organizer extraordinaire, Lauri was always ready to join her boys and her friends traveling, water-skiing, snow-skiing, hiking, or bicycling. She leaves us with memories of her beautiful smile, boundless energy, exuberant personality, and determined courage.
Visitation will be at River Community Church in Cookeville, TN on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 9AM to 12PM with a celebration of life to follow. In lieu of flowers, the Sweeney family requests donations to the Lauri J. Sweeney Memorial Education Fund, which is being established in Lauri’s memory to benefit graduating seniors pursuing careers in education. Please mail donations by check to First National Bank of Tennessee, c/o Lauri J. Sweeney Mem Ed Fund, P.O. Box 848, Cookeville, TN 38503. All donations are tax deductible.