October 28, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
A 15-year Putnam County girl found dead in a wooded area east of Cookeville Thursday afternoon had family ties in DeKalb County.
The funeral service for Olivia Daryl Taylor will be held on Monday, October 31, 2022 at 12noon from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Darrell Gill & Bro. Trent Colwell will officiate with burial following at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with family will be on Saturday, from 2-8pm, Sunday, 2-8pm & Monday, from 9am until the service time at 12noon.
Taylor was reported missing Wednesday night and her body was found Thursday afternoon by employees of the Putnam County Road Department.
Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said that the investigation is clearly being worked as a homicide. Sheriff’s investigators had worked throughout the night Wednesday trying to locate Taylor since she had been reported missing. There has been one arrest in the investigation thus far. Charles “Chuck” Carter was arrested and charged Thursday night with Aggravated Statutory Rape in the case and is being held at the Putnam County Jail without bond. Now, Carter is also a suspect in the death investigation regarding Taylor. The body was sent for an autopsy at the medical examiners office in Nashville. No other information can be given at this time according to Sheriff Farris.
The Putnam County Schools district also released the following statement on her death Friday:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Olivia Taylor. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and the students, faculty and staff at Upperman High School and surrounding Baxter community schools.
Olivia was born on June 21, 2007 in Cookeville, TN to her parents, Ronnie Taylor and Stephanie Machelle Harness. Olivia was a student attending Upperman High School in Baxter, TN where she was a member of the Wrestling Team and the ROTC. She loved baking, sewing, singing, being an artist and playing the ukulele.
Olivia was preceded in death by her Brother, Justin Taylor. Step Father, Jon Morris. Maternal Grandmother, Vivian Hoose. Maternal Grandparents, Larry and Marge Morris. Paternal Grandmother, Brenda Taylor & Paternal Grandfather, John Wright.
Survivors include her Father, Ronnie (Stacy) Taylor of Smithville, TN. Mother, Stephanie (Jeff Burchett) Harness of Cookeville, TN. 5 Siblings, Jared Taylor and Chad Taylor both of Smithville, TN, Tyler Whitcomb of Cookeville, TN, Haley Grace Taylor of Smithville, TN, Keegan Taylor of Smithville, TN and Emily (Arrion) Matthews of Smithville, TN. Maternal Grandfather, Darrel (Joy) Harness of Cookeville, TN. Paternal Grandfather, Grady Taylor of Smithville, TN. Paternal Grandmother, Kathy Wright of Smithville, TN. 3 Special Aunts, Megan Harness and Leatrice Myers both of Cookeville, TN and Vickey Atnip of Smithville, TN. Several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends also survive.
In addition to flowers, donations can be made to the Lighthouse Christian Camp of Smithville, TN or to the Upperman High School ROTC of Baxter, TN in memory of Olivia.
Love – Cantrell Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.