Michael George Bryant age 59 of Smithville passed away at his residence Monday May 25, 2015. He was the son of the late George and Katherine McElwaney Bryant. He was a Baptist and Mechanic. Survivors include companion Ruth Guerrant of Smithville; 2 Sisters: Patsy (James) Fuller of Georgia, Linda (Mike) Hampton of Dickson, TN; Brother: Larry Bryant of Nashville; Daughter: Mary Elizabeth Lindsey of Nashville; 3 Step Children: Carol (Chris) Lewis, Joseph and Johnny Huff all of Smithville; Grandchildren: Braxton Linder, C.J. Lewis, Preston Ray. Mr. Bryant’s wishes were to be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Memorial Day Observance Held to Remember Fallen Soldiers
To commemorate the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes, the American Legion #122 held its annual Memorial Day remembrance Monday morning at the county complex.
The program featured patriotic songs by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, Victoria Vincent performing the national anthem and a poem about a World War II veteran authored by the late Ben Herman and read by Susan Hinton. Members of Scout Pack #347 posted Colors and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Judy Redman, President of the American Legion #122 Women’s Auxiliary recognized Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star spouses.
“This morning I want to remember those men and women, who gave their lives for our freedom. I would also like to remember the families of those who gave their lives. I know they too have sacrificed, “said Don Rigsby, keynote speaker for the program.
Rigsby retired from the United States Air Force on July 1, 1998 after more than 31 years of active and reserve military service including duty in Southeast Asia in 1968 through 1969. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Rigsby was the Recruiting and Retention Supervisor for the Tennessee Air National Guard.
In his remarks, Rigsby spoke of the freedoms we enjoy in America because of our veterans and he referred to a poem to help illustrate the point.
“It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Veteran, who salutes the Flag,
It is the Veteran, who serves under the Flag.”
He also quoted British philosopher John Stuart Mill in saying that “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling is much worse. A person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight is a miserable creature .”
“There are some things worth fighting for. Our freedom to live in America and our freedom to worship God. I say to you this morning, God Bless the USA. God Bless those who have fought and died for our freedom. Let us never forget them,” Rigsby concluded.
Following the program, a wreath was placed at the site of the Veterans Memorial Monument on the south side of the courthouse.
DeKalb West School Observes Eighth Grade Graduation
The 8th grade class at DeKalb West said its final good-bye on May 21 when 40 students picked up their certificate of completion.
DeKalb County Trustee Sean Driver, the keynote speaker and father of 8th grader Garrett Driver, encouraged the graduating class to conquer adversity. A double amputee who has undergone five different operations, credited his faith in God with helping him to make it through the tough times. He and his wife, school nurse Christie Driver, who has faced cancer the last year, also rely on each other for strength.
“She suffers, I suffer,” Driver told the students. “We attack this adversity with faith in God, and He is in control. In His word, he says he will never leave me.”
Nicknamed Smiley in high school, Driver urged the students to turn to Success, Ministry, Intelligence, Loyalty, and Encouragement to overcome the troubles that will come their way.
“Do what is best for you and others, you can say no, have faith God will bring you through, family and friends are so important.”
Homeroom teachers Cynthia Preston and Karen Pelham France handed out awards to students who excelled in the classroom this year.
Callie Mulloy dominated in France’s class as she picked up top honors for highest average in English Language Arts (ELA) with 97%, History (97%), Math (98%), and Science (98%). Ashley Reynolds tied with Mulloy in Math with a 98% finish.
In Preston’s class, Cheyenne Maxwell performed best in ELA with a 97% average. Josh Martin was tops in History with a 98% finish. Lydia Brown and Addison Oakley tied in Math with 97%. Oakley also tied with Martin in Science with a 98% average.
Peers elected a boy and girl from each classroom for the Citizenship award. In Preston’s homeroom, students chose Dillon Sullivan and Cheyenne Maxwell, and in France’s homeroom, Phillip Coats and Ashley Reynolds received the special honor. A.J. Gaskill was selected for the annual Mrs. Georgia Young Award, named in memory of the DWS Cafeteria Manager who never allowed a child to go hungry.
Graduating from DeKalb West for the 2014-2015 school year were John Arthur Biggerstaff, Natasha Bosenbark, Lydia Ann Brown, Noah Byrge, Shelby Elizabeth Clayborn, Phillip Nathaniel Coats, Zachary M. Cothern, Cedric Anthony Cruz, Jr., Kendall Cryer, Garrett Driver, Dakota Lee Fathera, Angelo Gaskill, Justin James Gohs, Tesa Campbell Hall, Samantha Haugh, Peyton Lemons, Keaton Tyler Lowery, Joshua Martin, Zoe Hannah Evelyn Maynard, Cheyenne Lee Maxwell, Callie Elizabeth Mulloy, Jeremy Rae Nabors, Joyce Neubacher, Addison Grace Oakley, Abbey Nicholle Parchman, Grayson Micheal Redmon, Ashley Nicole Reynolds, Justin William Reynolds, Emily Danielle Roehner, Ashton Cole Sensing, Harley LeighAnn Sloan, Sarah Michelle Starnes, Dillon Sullivan, Caleb Taylor, Austin Wayne Tittle, Diego Morales Vazquez, Destiny Vincent, Kayleigh West, Austin Winningham, and Alanna Renee Woodham.
Janice Nicole Butler
59 year old Janice Nicole Butler of Alexandria died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Northside Church of Christ. Butler was also employed at Three Forks Market in Watertown. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burnes Lyons will officiate. Burial will be in the Dowell Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Butler was preceded in death by her father, Robert Rutland and a brother, Ernest Rutland. Survivors include her mother, Betty Beasley Martin of Alexandria. Two nephews, Jermaine McCoy of Smithville and Ernest Rutland, Jr. of Nashville. A great niece and nephew Azya McCoy, Antwon McCoy and DeShown Reeder all of Smithville. Two uncles, James and Kenneth Beasley of Arizona. Three aunts, Mayrene Bates of California, JoAnn Floyd of Pennsylvania, and Jeanette League of Smithville. Two special friends, Gwendalyn League and Billie Ann Tubbs of Smithville. A sister-in-law, Shirley Rutland of Nashville. Dear friend, Jackie Jones of Nashville. A host of cousins and friends also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Northside Church of Christ Building Fund in memory of Janice.
Marshall Fish
Marshall Fish age 51 of Liberty, passed away Saturday afternoon at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was born April 13, 1964 to his parents, the late Marshall Don and Mallie Frances Crook Fish. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Francine Fish and Judy Bandy. Marshall was a member of Ramah Baptist Church and had been a factory worker and was disabled. He is survived by 2 children, Cody Fish of Smithville and Madeline (Jeremy) Ferdelman of Jacksonville, FL; 1 granddaughter, Kenli Fish; 3 brothers, Ray Donald (Elsie) Fish, Tim (Brenda) Fish and Mark Fish all of Watertown. Funeral services will be conducted 4:30 PM Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jimmy Atnip officiating and burial to follow in Jones Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 10AM until the time of the service at 4:30PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel in Smithville is in charge of the arrangements
Janice Nicole Butler
59 year old Janice Nicole Butler of Alexandria died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Northside Church of Christ. Butler was also employed at Three Forks Market in Watertown. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burnes Lyons will officiate. Burial will be in the Dowell Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Butler was preceded in death by her father, Robert Rutland and a brother, Ernest Rutland. Survivors include her mother, Betty Beasley Martin of Alexandria. Two nephews, Jermaine McCoy of Smithville and Ernest Rutland, Jr. of Nashville. A great niece and nephew Azya McCoy, Antwon McCoy and DeShown Reeder all of Smithville. Two uncles, James and Kenneth Beasley of Arizona. Three aunts, Mayrene Bates of California, JoAnn Floyd of Pennsylvania, and Jeanette League of Smithville. Two special friends, Gwendalyn League and Billie Ann Tubbs of Smithville. A sister-in-law, Shirley Rutland of Nashville. Dear friend, Jackie Jones of Nashville. A host of cousins and friends also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Northside Church of Christ Building Fund in memory of Janice.
Marshall Fish
Marshall Fish age 51 of Liberty, passed away Saturday afternoon at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was born April 13, 1964 to his parents, the late Marshall Don and Mallie Frances Crook Fish. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Francine Fish and Judy Bandy. Marshall was a member of Ramah Baptist Church and had been a factory worker and was disabled. He is survived by 2 children, Cody Fish of Smithville and Madeline (Jeremy) Ferdelman of Jacksonville, FL; 1 granddaughter, Kenli Fish; 3 brothers, Ray Donald (Elsie) Fish, Tim (Brenda) Fish and Mark Fish all of Watertown. Funeral services will be conducted 4:30 PM Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jimmy Atnip officiating and burial to follow in Jones Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 10AM until the time of the service at 4:30PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel in Smithville is in charge of the arrangements
Smithville Electric System Plans Citywide Power Outage
Smithville Electric System will have a citywide power outage at midnight on Saturday, May 30th for 2 to 4 hours, to upgrade equipment at the Smithville substation.
Power to be turned off affecting the entire city will be back on sometime early Sunday morning May 31st as soon as the upgrades have been completed.
Smithville Electric System understands that this power outage is an inconvenience to everyone, but is necessary to insure reliable electricity to the City of Smithville. Customers who are on oxygen or have special medical needs should make preparations for this event. If customers have any questions or concerns, call the SES office at 615-597-4735.
This outage is dependent upon good weather, so continue to listen to WJLE for further announcements.
Two Airlifted After Rollover Crash in Alexandria
Two people from Wilson County were airlifted after a one car rollover Saturday afternoon on West Main Street just outside the city limits of Alexandria.
Central dispatch was notified at 4:43 p.m.
According to Trooper Troy Withers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 45 year old Isaac Winfree, Jr. of Lebanon was traveling west on Main Street in a 2003 Buick Century when he lost control and left the road. The car overturned and came to rest upside down just off the road near 740 West Main Street.
Both Winfree and a passenger, 57 year old Helen Parrish of Lebanon were injured and taken by DeKalb EMS to a helicopter landing zone on Highway 53 (Brush Creek Highway) in Alexandria where they were airlifted by Air Evac and Life Force helicopter ambulances.
Members of the Alexandria Police and Fire Departments responded along with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Departments Liberty Station and Extrication and Rescue Team. Initial reports were that at least one of the wreck victims may have been trapped in the car.
Trooper Withers was assisted in the crash investigation by THP Lieutenant Joe Agee.
Gene Wallace Mangum
Gene Wallace Mangum, age 88, of McMinnville, Tennessee went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 22, 2015. He passed quietly at home surrounded by his family and loved ones. Gene was born in Smithville, Tennessee on April 28, 1927, the son of the late Jessie Brown and Novella Bond Mangum. He was raised on the family farm in Smithville, Tennessee.
Gene served his country in the Army Air Corp. out of Eglin Air Force Base in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. After military service he returned home, met and married the love of his life, Udeena White Mangum. They settled in McMinnville, Tennessee where they began and raised their family. Gene worked at Genesco where he retired at age 55 as a supervisor. He then started his own successful business, Mangum’s Vinyl Siding, and was also a local nurseryman.Gene was a dedicated and founding member of North Hills Church of God of Prophecy, where he was active and instrumental in growing the church through his witness, life testimony, and work. He taught Sunday School for 62 years. A devout Christian, you would find Gene every morning (early) at his dining room table with his Bible open reading the word of God. His walk with his Lord was the source of his strength on his life’s journey.
Gene is survived by three of his six children, Ron (Betty) Mangum of Cookeville, TN, Vickie (Patrick) Conway of Ocean Ridge, FL, Phyllis (Michael) Beecher of Joelton, TN; stepson Lloyd (Annette) Philpot of Alabama; sister Dora (Joe) Mangum Hutchings of McMinnville, TN; brother Herman (Marilyn) Mangum of Michigan; grandchildren Greg Mangum, Mindy Smith, Amy Mangum, Melody Tollison, Deena Beecher, Robert A. Dunlap, II, and Trence Dunlap; step grandchildren Terrence Conway, Christopher Conway, Brandon Beecher, Craig Beecher, Eva Vaughn, and Ana Philpot; eighteen great-grandchildren and longtime special friend Mildred Bumbalough. Mr. Mangum was preceded in death by his wife Udeena White Mangum and wife Ruth Cowan Philpot, children Christy Leigh Mangum, Jeffery Mangum, and Donna Mangum, parents Jessie Brown and Novella Bond Mangum, six brothers Jimmy Mangum, Jessie “Jack” Mangum, Fred Mangum, Ferman “BeBe” Mangum, Bill Van Hooser, and Johnny Carroll Van Hooser, four sisters Vella Mangum Blythe, Mildred Mangum Odom, Lela Mangum Bolieau, and Elizabeth Van Hooser Cummings.
Funeral service will be 12 PM Noon, Monday, May 25, 2015, in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Michael Harris will officiate. Interment will follow at Whorton Springs Cemetery in DeKalb County, TN. The Mangum Family will receive friends Sunday from 12 PM Noon until 4 PM and again Monday from 10 AM until 12 PM Noon at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home.
Our family expresses our gratitude to each of Dad’s caregivers Thomas Cantrell, Carolyn Odineal, Lanny Watson, and Jessie Turner, his neighbors, his church family, and friends for being there for Dad on his Journey to his heavenly home.
McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.