Leola Jane

Nutt

Leola Jane “Jane” Nutt, age 82, of Sparta, Tennessee, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. She was born October 19, 1944, in Georgia, to the late John David Bennett and Verna Lee McCrary Bennett.

After graduating from high school, Jane entered the United States Air Force, where she met and married her first husband, Daniel C. Johnson III. Together they had three sons: Daniel, Chris, and Greg. She later married David R. Kerley, and they were blessed with a son, David Kerley Jr. On June 10, 2005, Jane married Robert W. Nutt.

Jane was a loving and caring mother and wife, and she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a faithful Jehovah’s Witness for more than 50 years and found deep joy and satisfaction in sharing her faith and the good news with others. Jane never met a person who didn’t love her kind, generous heart, and she treasured her long spiritual discussions with her best friend, Juanita. Jane had a strong faith in a future resurrection, where she will be young and healthy, and her family looks forward to seeing her again.

In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her former husbands, Daniel C. Johnson III and David R. Kerley; and her siblings, Jackie Bennett Lynch, Billy Joe Bennett, and David Laverne Bennett.

She is survived by her husband of 21 years, Robert W. Nutt; her sons, Daniel C. Johnson IV, Christopher Johnson (Margaret), Greg Johnson (Sherri), and David Kerley Jr.; her stepdaughters, Elaine Nagy (Tony) and Carolyn Davis (Steve); her grandchildren, Jacob Johnson (Madison), Jarod Johnson, Jaden Johnson (Alexandra), Jailyn Johnson, Clint Johnson (Brooke), Christopher Johnson, and Chelsea Brown (Jeremy); her siblings, Joy Imel, Jerry Bennett (Sandra), Julian Bennett (Linda), Tony Bennett (Mary), Phyllis Bennett Dartlone, and John Bennett (Mona); her best friend in life, Juanita Barton; and a host of extended family and friends.

Thurman Funeral Home of Sparta is honored to serve the Nutt family.