Jeff Yarber
The funeral for Bradley County Commission Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber, who died suddenly at his home on Sunday, will be Thursday at 6 p.m. at South Cleveland Church of God.
Mr. Yarber, who was 49, served on the commission for 17 years.
He was born in Cleveland on April 15, 1970 and was the son of Danny and Debbie Humphries and Charles and Christina Yarber. He graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1989. He went on to earn a degree in criminal justice from UTC. He also completed a master of business administration.
Mr. Yarber, who was elected to represent the citizens of the firth district, was the second longest serving member of the existing County Commission.
He had been employed as an independent sales representative of various companies doing business in Southeast Tennessee.
It was said of Vice Chairman Yarber, "Besides his love of his family, Mr. Yarber’s passion was his service to the people not only of the Fifth District but also of the entire county. He was known for his smile, his contagious friendly personality, and his desire to help anyone in need. If you saw him and talked for a few moments, you were almost certainly going to learn of the accomplishments of his daughters and his unsurpassed dedication to their success in life."
Mr. Yarber served the Commission as an active member and chairman of the Law Enforcement Committee and was elected by his fellow commissioners to be vice chairman for several terms.
He was known for his commitment to those who serve as first responders and putting their lives and personal health on the line in their daily service.
Survivors include all four parents, Danny and Debbie Humphries and Charles and Christina Yarber; his beloved daughters, Haley and Hannah Yarber; brother, Tim Yarber; his niece and nephew, Carly and Seth Yarber; his niece, Morgan Blitchington, all of Cleveland, Tn.; and many other family members.
Presiding a the funeral will be Sheriff Steve Lawson, George Gray and Commissioner Bill Winters. Commissioner Charlotte Peak Jones will be soloist.
Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery with Brian Smith, Tim Yarber, Matt Coven, Don Scoggins, Raj Patel, Eric Phillips, Travis Culpepper and Jason Dean serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Bradley County Commission and the Bradley County Honor Guard. A white dove release ceremony and the playing of bagpipes will conclude the service.
The family will receive friends from 3-6 p.m. at the church on Thursday prior to the service.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Jeff Yarber Memorial Fund or to the South Cleveland Church of God.
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.