Thelma B. Glenn

89 year old Thelma B. Glenn of McMinnville died Monday at NHC Health Care Center in Smithville of an extended illness. She was a homemaker, a factory worker, and a member of the Bybee Branch Church of Christ. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville. Tony Lawrence will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from noon until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter L. Glenn; her parents, H.B. and Maggie Thompson Stiles; four brothers, John Stiles, Ross Stiles, George Stiles, and H.B. Stiles, Jr.; and five sisters, Willie Cantrell, Wavie McCormick, Delma Hill, Mae Moore, and Mildred Duke. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Glenn and Shirley and her husband Johnnie Cripps of Smithville. Two sisters, Ruth McGee and Betty Preston of McMinnville. Three brothers, N.B. Stiles, Charles Stiles, and Fred Stiles all of McMinnville. Two grandchildren, Tammy and her husband Steve Williams of Johnson City, Scott and his wife Gena Cripps of Smithville. Three great grandchildren, Brenna Williams of Johnson City, and Loren and Tyree Cripps of Smithville. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.

City To Apply For CDBG Grant

The Smithville Mayor and Board of Aldermen Monday night, following a public hearing, adopted a resolution seeking a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
The resolution states that the city is in dire need of a sewer system rehabilitation project due to excessive infiltration or inflow of surface water into the sewer system.
The total project is estimated to be $582,000. The city’s local matching portion would be $82,000 if the grant is approved.
Fire Chief Charlie Parker gave notice to the Mayor and Aldermen that the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department would no longer be providing extrication services at wrecks outside the city limits effective January 1st.
Parker says ” A couple of weeks ago I was informed by DeKalb County Fire Chief Donny Green that the County Fire Department had purchased some rescue equipment and wants to assume extrication service to the county as of January 1, 2007.”
Parker says “This is just to go on record that as of January 1st, the Smithville Fire Department will no longer be responsible or liable to respond to calls outside the city limits of Smithville as first call or automatic response.”
“We will continue to provide service to the City of Smithville as we have for the past 21 years. We will however respond outside the city with available personnel to requests from any agencies, including law enforcement, EMS, fire, and rescue anywhere that our services may be needed.”
Parker says “The Smithville Fire Department started rescue services to Smithville and DeKalb County in 1985. Under the leadership of then Mayor Waniford Cantrell, the city managed to purchase the Jaws of Life equipment, and with a lot of personal involvement from then Fire Chief W.J. “Dub” Keith and then Captain Buddy Parker, members of the community and the fire department, a used step van was converted into the first rescue vehicle. We have been adding or replacing some equipment ever since.”
In other business, the city board approved the employment of certified police officer Travis Bryant and water treatment plant trainee Bruce Medley.
The mayor and aldermen entered into an agreement with Charles McGaughy, doing business as Mack Air LLC, to use a portion of the main airport terminal building to make repairs and maintenance to aircraft there.
The city board also set the regular meeting dates for the calendar year 2007.
The mayor and aldermen will meet at 7:00 p.m. at city hall on the following dates: February 5th and 19th, March 5th and 19th, April 2nd and 16th, May 7th and 21st, June 4th and 18th, July 2nd and 16th, August 6th and 20th, September 17th, October 1st and 15th, November 5th and 19th, and December 3rd and 17th.
The city board will not meet on January 1st for New Year’s Day, January 15th for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday observance, and on Labor Day, September 3rd.

Mitchell Jones

64 year old Mitchell Jones of Florida died Thursday at his residence. He was retired from the Aetna Insurance Company. Jones also served in the United States Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Jones and Pauline Mullican Starnes. He is survived by his wife, Michelle Cannon Jones and a daughter, Michelle Jones both of Florida. Two sons, Paul Jones of Florida and John Mitchell Jones of California. A sister, Janis Martin of Silver Point. Cousins, Glen Gill and Jimmy Mullican both of Smithville and Donna Evans of McMinnville. An aunt, Wilma Greer of Dibrell and a host of other relatives and friends. The family has chosen cremation. The George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. This information provided as a courtesy of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.

School System to Receive Funds from Microsoft Settlement

The Tennessee Department of Education will distribute $15-million 315- thousand 586 in software vouchers to local school systems as a result of a settlement in a lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation. The class action suit alleged Microsoft used unlawful trade practices to maintain a monopoly and overcharge Tennessee consumers.
The DeKalb County School System is to received $43,448.
State Education Commissioner Lana Seivers says “We are pleased that the outcome will allow Tennessee school systems to upgrade technology for the benefit of their students and allow additional resources to be directed toward improving teaching and learning.”
Each school district will receive approximately $16.40 per student according to the district’s average daily membership (ADM) at the end of the 2005-06 school year. Local administrators may use software vouchers for current or future Microsoft operating system software such as Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office applications and encyclopedia software and certain non-Microsoft software.
Dr. Tim Webb, Assistant Commissioner for Resource and Support Services says “The department is working diligently to help districts take advantage of these vouchers in a timely manner.”
Tennessee attorneys James Stranch of Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC and Ted Carey of Barrett, Johnston & Parsley handled Tennessee’s case, which was one of the first cases to be filed and has resulted in one of the stronger settlements nationwide.

Sheriff Seeks Donations Of Cell Phones For Abuse Victims

If you are thinking of replacing your cell phone with a new one this Christmas, Sheriff Patrick Ray is asking you to please donate your old one to the Genesis House so that victims of domestic violence may have a cell phone to call 911 as they need assistance.
Sheriff Ray says the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department is the collection point for your donation of cell phones and battery chargers.
The Genesis House mission is to promote the general welfare of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing shelter, goods, and services.
If you are a victim of abuse, the Genesis House has a 24 hour crisis hotline at 1-800-707-5197

Avis Novella Ray

92 year old Avis Novella Ray of Smithville died Saturday at her residence. She was retired from the Smithville Shirt Factory. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the New Union The Baptist Church where she was a member for 44 years. Darrell Cantrell and Bransford England will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Florance Edna Jones Dunham and a son, Gordon Lee Ray. Survivors include her husband, Burnice Ray of Smithville. One daughter, Geraldine and her husband Paul Blankenship of Smithville. One son, Grady and his wife Charlotte Ray of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Paula and her husband Danny Roller of Rock Island, Teresa and her husband Keith Turner of Maryville, Marla and her husband Jimmy Nix of Fayetteville, and Melvin and his wife Melissa Ray of Smithville. One step grandson, Traeton McCoy of McMinnville. Nine great grandchildren, Allison and Daniel Turner, Sarah and Mary Elizabeth Roller, Lynsey, Mallory, and Ethan Nix, Madelyn Rose Ray, and Lane McCoy. One sister, Agnes Dunham of LaFolette. Two brothers, Royce Dunham of LaFolette and James M. Dunham of Nashville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Hobert Estell Trusty

82 year old Hobert Estell Trusty of Lebanon died Thursday at his residence. He was retired from Lebanon Woolen Mill and he attended the Fairview Baptist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Dr. James Hutchings will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cohen and Aurbie Midgett Trusty and a sister, Alma Graves. Survivors include his wife, Helen Lockhart Trusty; a son Fred and his wife Peggy Trusty all of Lebanon. Two grandsons, David and his wife Kelly Trusty of Watertown and Michael and his wife Kaycee Trusty of Smithville. Two great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Darvin Trusty both of Watertown. Two sisters, Katherine and her husband David Beal and Dorothy and her husband George Moss all of Lebanon. One sister-in-law, Sadie Trusty of Riddleton. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:30 p.m.

Arley Herman Cantrell

92 year old Arley Herman Cantrell of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Hospital. He was a retired farmer and a member of the New Union The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bransford England will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 3:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Euna Young Cantrell; his wife, Ethel Cantrell; six brothers, Fate, Leslie, Charles, Gentry, James, and Doris Cantrell; and two sisters, Effie Head and Jeffie Humphrey. Survivors include four brothers, Elzie and Horace Cantrell, Jr. both of Smithville, Dennis Cantrell of McMinnville, and Billy Cantrell of Smithville. Three sisters, Ressie Taylor of Smithville, Ruthene Benkley of Florida, and Ethel Redmon of Rock Island. Seventeen step grandchildren, Willie and Danny Cantrell both of Woodbury, Kenneth Cantrell of Smithville, Tommy Winfred and Jerry Gooch all of Lancing, Jackie Gooch of Seymour, Janet Morgan of Lancing, John Ann Poss and Faye Barrett both of Smithville, Carolyn Summers and Mark Driver both of Sparta, Barbara Poss of Dowelltown, Gail Taylor of Smithville, Anita Bailey of Sparta, Joyce Pistol of Maryville, and Penny Sylaskie of Smyrna. Several step great and great great grandchildren also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Frances Oleda Hale Kerr

54 year old Frances Oleda Hale Kerr of Dowelltown died Wednesday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. She was a nurse, a member of the Emmanuel Bread of Life where she was also a youth leader. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. She was preceded in death by her father, Bratten Hale; a brother, David Hale; her maternal grandparents, Cridner and Nancy Martin; and her paternal grandparents, Cecil and Lela Hale. Survivors include her parents, Frances and Louis Foster of Smithville. A sister, Doretta and her husband Jerry Hutchins of Smithville. A step-sister, Donna Swain of Memphis. Two nephews, Jerry and his wife Laura Hutchins of Dowelltown and Chris and his wife Leslie Phillips of Chicago. One niece, Jerretta and her husband Terry Certain of Murfreesboro. A step-nephew, Hunter Swain of Colorado. Great nieces and nephews, David, Katelin, and Kristen Hutchins of Dowelltown, and Joel and Grace Certain of Murfreesboro. Several aunts and uncles also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.