Rev. Jake Eugene "Cotton" Debuty Sr., 79, of Blount County, Tennessee, finished his race, kept the faith, and entered into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ whom he faithfully served for more than fifty years on August 25, 2026, at his home, the place he loved most and where he desired to spend his final days.

Born on March 6, 1947, in the home of his parents in Blount County, Tennessee, Jake spent nearly his entire life in the community he loved. To most who knew him, he was simply "Cotton." Whether on a construction site, behind a pulpit, in a bass boat, or surrounded by family, he was a man who left an unmistakable impression on everyone he met.

On January 3, 1972, Jake experienced the greatest turning point of his life when he trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. From that day forward, Christ became the center of everything he was. Soon after, God called him to preach the Gospel, and for more than fifty years he faithfully proclaimed the message that never changed: Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. His final testimony remained the same as his lifelong message that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, and that all who would be saved must come to Him.

Throughout his ministry, God gave him the privilege of serving and helping many churches across East Tennessee. He not only pastored congregations but also helped establish and strengthen others, always seeking to be faithful wherever the Lord opened a door. His greatest labor was the founding and faithful pastoring of Sunshine Tabernacle, a work that remained especially dear to his heart. Though he loved the people God entrusted to his care, his passion was never centered on building a name or a ministry. It was centered on preaching Christ. Whether behind a pulpit, on a job site, in a hospital room, or around a kitchen table, Jake never missed an opportunity to point someone to the Savior he loved.

By trade, Jake was an accomplished brick, block, and stone mason, earning a reputation for craftsmanship that can still be seen throughout East Tennessee. Yet there seemed to be very little he could not do. A true jack-of-all-trades, he built beautiful cabinetry, handcrafted furniture and woodworking projects, restored vehicles, kept bees, tended gardens, and could fix nearly anything placed before him. If there was a problem, Cotton usually had a solution.

Those who knew Jake knew a man of unwavering integrity. His handshake was his word. He believed in hard work, personal responsibility, and doing things the right way, even when it was the difficult way. He was determined, dependable, and remarkably resilient. Though he could certainly be stubborn, that same resolve enabled him to persevere through life's greatest trials without surrendering his convictions. He quietly carried burdens for others while rarely asking for help himself.

More important than anything he built with his hands was what he built with his life. Jake was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, pastor, and friend. He loved his wife, Donna, faithfully for fifty years. Together they built a Christ-centered home, weathered life's joys and trials side by side, and remained devoted to one another until the very end. In recent years they became nearly inseparable, serving one another with quiet devotion. He willingly cooked, cleaned, and did whatever was needed, demonstrating that true leadership is found in humble service.

As a father, he gave his children something far greater than possessions. He gave them an example worth following. He taught them to work hard, to keep their word, to persevere through hardship, and above all, to love and follow Jesus Christ. His children learned not only from his sermons but from his daily life. His greatest sermon was the one he lived.

Jake is survived by his beloved wife of fifty years, Donna Debuty; his children, Sharon Donohoo and husband Mitchell, Jake Debuty Jr. and wife Rachel, Sarah Debuty, Seline Debuty, Jonathan Debuty, Christian Debuty, and Emarald Weiss; his grandchildren, Tyler Humphrey, Gage Hembree, Mason Burns, Roman Burns, Novaleigh Debuty, and Jrue Baker; his brothers, Charles Debuty and wife Ann, Albert Debuty, Larry Debuty and wife Kathy; his sisters, Rita Sellers and Wanda Kreutzer and husband Bill; his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Debuty; many beloved nieces and nephews; along with many foster children and their families whose lives were forever touched by his love and generosity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jake EV Debuty and Pauline Debuty; his sisters, Elizabeth Morton and Edna Blair; his brother, Don Debuty; and his brothers-in-law, Raymond Sellers, David Blair, and Rev. Ronald Morton.

Funeral services will be held at Miller Funeral Home and will be officiated by his son, Rev. Jake Debuty Jr., and Rev. Justin Thomas. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 7:00 p.m. The graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Louisville Memorial Cemetery, 3008 Louisville Road, Louisville, Tennessee 37777.

While Jake built beautiful buildings, restored old vehicles, crafted fine woodworking, and left countless tangible reminders of his labor, none of those things were the legacy he treasured most. His greatest desire was that people would know the Savior he loved.

His family finds comfort in knowing that the faith he preached for more than five decades became sight on August 25. The Christ he proclaimed from pulpits, construction sites, hospital rooms, and conversations with friends faithfully kept His promise: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The servant has gone home to be with his Master.

If Cotton could leave one final message to every person reading these words, it would simply be this:

Turn to Jesus Christ. He alone is the hope of salvation.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord " — Matthew 25:23