Stan Cavness, 67, of Dyersburg, TN, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2020 at his residence.

Stan was born on October 4, 1953, in Tiptonville, TN, to the late Rev. Ray Cavness of Halls and the late Merle Cooper Cavness Carter of Jackson. Stan graduated from Upperman High School in Baxter, TN, attended Tennessee Tech University, and earned a diploma in Christian Ministry and an Associate of Divinity from Union University.

He retired with the rank of Captain in 2001 from the Dyersburg Police Department. He spent twenty-five years serving the City of Dyersburg, Dyer County, the State of Tennessee, and even the nation by helping to serve and protect children, teenagers, and their families. During his law enforcement career, he was recognized with multiple awards and accolades at the local and state level for his leadership of the Youth Guidance Division and in his efforts in helping to address and prevent child abuse- including helping to draft state legislation. In 1999, he was recognized nationally for his efforts in facilitating and promoting community oriented policing around the country in a ceremony in Washington D.C., where he was awarded the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement by, then U.S. Attorney General, Janet Reno.

However, law enforcement was only one aspect of his life. The grandson and son of Baptist pastors, Stan was an ordained minister who served in churches throughout Tennessee from the time he was nineteen years old. He served in various roles through the years, including youth minister, music minister, deacon, associate pastor, and pastor. He also spent 20 years serving as the Campus Minister for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Dyersburg State Community College. Most recently he had served as pastor of Enon Baptist Church and then Elon Baptist Church in Lauderdale County. He ministered, counseled, preached, taught, organized events, led mission trips, raised up and equipped generations of leaders, and served people and communities all over Tennessee, the United States, and the world.

Due to his many roles as a minister, police officer, campus minister, community organizer, trusted advisor, counselor, and friend, there are thousands of people whose lives have been indelibly impacted by his life, service and ministry of Stan Cavness.

Having been raised on a farm, Stan maintained a lifelong appreciation of tractors and farm life. He also enjoyed growing vegetables, flowers, and attracting and watching birds. A lifelong advocate of drinking Dr. Pepper at "10, 2, and four" (and any other time of day, really) he was also an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, frequently buying the entire family Cardinal themed Christmas gifts, and buying tickets for everyone to attend ballgames together in St. Louis. But above all, what he valued most was family. Stan was always quick to pass on family history and stories, often with a punchline ending and a laugh that was outsized only by his well-known frame. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, "Papaw", uncle, and cousin.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Cathy; daughter, Stephanie Cavness King and husband, Tracy, of Trenton; son, Stephen Cavness and wife, Christi, of Fulton, KY; and four grandchildren, Cameron, Charlie, Alex and Piper. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Gale Ray Cavness.

Services will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2020 in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with his son, Stephen Cavness and the Rev. Charlie Halliburton officiating. The family will receive visitors from 4-7 p.m. at Dyersburg Funeral Home. Burial will be in Enon Baptist Church Cemetery in Halls, TN at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 8, 2020.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Baptist College Ministry at DSCC.