Malcolm Lafever

DYER CHAPEL-Malcolm Lafever, age 83, of Putnam County, passed peacefully at Cookeville Regional Medical Center on Wednesday August 27, 2025. Malcolm was born November 13, 1941 to the late Toy Lafever and Octa Morris Lafever. He was raised on a dairy farm, served three years in the US Army then worked for and later retired from Fleetguard after 30 years of service.

Malcolm never met a stranger. He loved the Lord and he loved to talk. He loved so many things including golf, bird dogs, dirt track racing (when the Baxter Bullet was leading the race), shooting matches, fishing, bowling, and volleyball. He was good at all of them! He loved watching UHS Basketball and Football over the last 40+ years and he could quote all the stats from the starting players during this time. He had a mathematical mind. You didn't need a calculator when he was around.

His greatest love was his family. He and his wife, Joan Herron Lafever, have been married 60 years this year. He loved to see his girls and the grands come in to visit. No matter what they asked of him, he would do, help, or advise. He could fix anything and eagerly come calling when they were in need. He loved hard. He was stern but fair. You always knew where you stood with him. He didn't mince words. I think that's what many liked most about him. He was always transparent. He’d tell you the truth regardless if you wanted to hear it or not. This didn't just apply to his family but to his friends and coworkers as well. Malcolm had a tremendous amount of people he called friends, and he loved them all.

Malcolm was a member of Nash Grove Baptist Church and he loved his church family with his whole heart. He loved the Lord and telling people about Jesus’ love for them. He loved leading prayers. He loved praising Jesus and he loved the old hymns. He certainly had an extra soft spot for Bro. Gary West. Every time Bro. Gary left from a visit, he'd say how much he loved him.

Malcolm is survived by his beloved wife, Joan Herron Lafever; daughter Lori Swift of Baxter, TN; daughter Angie and son-in-law Jason Pitman of Baxter, TN; grandson Cody and Mason Mayberry of Baxter,TN; grandson Luke Pitman of Baxter, TN; granddaughter Bella Pitman of Baxter, TN; great granddaughter Sophia Mayberry of Cookeville, TN; great grandchildren Bentley, Oaklynn and Stella Mayberry of Baxter, TN.

In addition to his parents, Malcolm was preceded in death by his brother Morgan Lafever.

A funeral service to honor Malcolm will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday August 30 at the Dyer Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Bro. Gary West will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5 - 8 p.m. and again Saturday from 12 - 1 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mason Mayberry, Luke Pitman, Richard Lafever, Ronnie Lafever, Robert Lafever, Mark Allon Martin, Neal Sliger, and Nelson Lafever. Verble Nash will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

The Dyer Chapel is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-7158 Share condolences and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.