Jennifer Waller

Jennifer Luce Metcalf Waller passed away peacefully at her home in Sweetwater on August 8, 2025. Jennifer and her twin brother Jeffrey were born on December 23, 1947, in Somerset, Kentucky to John and Juanita Metcalf. As a young child attending Oak Ridge, Tennessee public schools, Jennifer’s introduction to the study of foreign language inspired a lifelong interest in language and culture. After graduation from Oak Ridge High School, Jennifer studied speech and language at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. After working as an in- home ESL instructor for Laotian refugees in Murfreesboro during the 1980’s, Jennifer was accepted into the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program. During her two-year tenure with JET, Jennifer worked as an Assistant Language Teacher in public and private schools in Japan. After returning to the U.S., Jennifer was hired by Tennessee Meiji Gakuin (TMG), the first Japanese high school in the U.S., to develop and implement an expanded ESL curriculum. She also developed and coordinated summer school programs at TMG for junior high school students from Higashi Murayama. At the time of her death, Jennifer was serving as the Director of the Office on Aging for Monroe County at the Cora Veal Senior Center in Madisonville where she also taught tai chi and aerobics classes for seniors. Jennifer is preceded in death by her parents, John and Juanita Metcalf; her brother, Jeffrey; her son, John Waller; and the father of her children, Allen Waller. She is survived by her son, David Todd Waller and grandchildren Forrest Waller and Avarie Waller, and her former husband Douglas Cooksey of London, England. A memorial gathering for Jennifer will be held later. It is requested that memorial contributions be made to support the education of Jennifer’s granddaughter. Donations can be made at any Peoples bank of East Tennessee branch location. All checks should be written to PBET and include “Avarie Waller Education Fund” on the memo line. Cash contributions designating the Avarie Waller Education Fund are also accepted. The mailing address is PBET, PO Box 128, Madisonville, Tennessee 37354. Kyker Funeral Home in Sweetwater is honored to serve the Waller family.

Jennifer Waller

December 23, 1947 - August 8, 2025