Funeral Services for Reba Lois Watson Clemons, 77 of Silver Point will be Saturday, February 14 at 11 A.M. from the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home with interment in Crest Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Clemons died Thursday Morning, February 12, 2015 at her home due to complications from dementia.
She was born July 28, 1937 in the Wolf Creek Community of DeKalb County (in what is now Edgar Evins State Park) to the late Leslie Grady and Mary Sallie Nixon Watson. Her family was later relocated due to the construction of the Center Hill Dam.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by son Randal “RANDY” Clemons, brother Jim Grady Watson, 3 sisters Ruth Watson Wilson, Jewell Watson Price and Carleen Watson Helm.
Lois loved to work outside and care for her yard and flowers, but she found purpose in caring for the ill. She loved her children and grandchildren and was at her best while caring for others, especially her son, Randy. She tirelessly sacrificed and saw to his daily needs for several years before he passed at the age of 13.
She enjoyed owning and operating the Corner Grocery in Silver Point for over 30 years. She formed many friendships with customers and employees. Employees became family, especially Jon Stafford, whom she loved like a son and became her caregiver during the worst part of her illness. Jon was a tremendous comfort to her during the last few months. Jon provided encouragement, conversation and care with great patience and genuine respect. His dependability was a blessing to the whole family.
Lois was also blessed to be cared for by Kay Jones and Tina Brown. Our family is very fortunate to have had their love, support and prayers during this time. None of them can ever be repaid for all they have done. Galatians 6:2-Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Survivors include husband of 57 years Clyde “GOAD” Clemons (Married September 21, 1957 in Ringgold, GA.) , daughter Judy Riggsbee, son David Clemons all of Silver Point, 5 grandchildren: Tylr and Mason Clemons of Cookeville, Daniel and Nathan Riggsbee both of Cookeville, Julie Riggsbee of Silver Point, 2 brothers and a sister-in-law Carlon and Dot Watson , Jim Watson all of Baxter.
Active Pallbearers will be her 4 grandsons along with Jon Stafford and Danny Riggsbee.
Bro. Tony Crow will officiate.
Family will receive friends Friday from 5 to 8 P.M and Saturday after 9 A.M. at the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Lois’ name where accounts have been set up to: Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Gift Processing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727 or by phone 615-322-2979 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Tribute Program P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or by phone 1-800-822-6344
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Teresa Hale Waggoner
56 year old Teresa Hale Waggoner of Smithville died Thursday at Centennial Medical Center. She worked on the Federal Mogul Assembly and attended the Snow Hill Methodist Church. The funeral will be Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Kenneth Clayton will officiate and burial will be in the National Veterans Cemetery in Nashville. Visitation will be Friday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 4:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Lorene Johnson Hale and two brothers, Jewell Hale and Charles Paul Hale. She is survived by her husband, Doug Waggoner of Smithville. Two step sons, Kris Waggoner of Sparta, Tim and Angie Foutch of Smithville. Two step daughters, Renee Hendrixson and Jamie Woodside both of Smithville. One brother, Danny and Pam Hale of Smithville. Two sisters Deborah and David Coffee of Dowelltown and Lisa Caldwell of Liberty. Five step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren along with several nieces and nephews. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Reba Lois Watson Clemons
Funeral Services for Reba Lois Watson Clemons, 77 of Silver Point will be Saturday, February 14 at 11 A.M. from the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home with interment in Crest Lawn Cemetery.
Mrs. Clemons died Thursday Morning, February 12, 2015 at her home due to complications from dementia.
She was born July 28, 1937 in the Wolf Creek Community of DeKalb County (in what is now Edgar Evins State Park) to the late Leslie Grady and Mary Sallie Nixon Watson. Her family was later relocated due to the construction of the Center Hill Dam.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by son Randal “RANDY” Clemons, brother Jim Grady Watson, 3 sisters Ruth Watson Wilson, Jewell Watson Price and Carleen Watson Helm.
Lois loved to work outside and care for her yard and flowers, but she found purpose in caring for the ill. She loved her children and grandchildren and was at her best while caring for others, especially her son, Randy. She tirelessly sacrificed and saw to his daily needs for several years before he passed at the age of 13.
She enjoyed owning and operating the Corner Grocery in Silver Point for over 30 years. She formed many friendships with customers and employees. Employees became family, especially Jon Stafford, whom she loved like a son and became her caregiver during the worst part of her illness. Jon was a tremendous comfort to her during the last few months. Jon provided encouragement, conversation and care with great patience and genuine respect. His dependability was a blessing to the whole family.
Lois was also blessed to be cared for by Kay Jones and Tina Brown. Our family is very fortunate to have had their love, support and prayers during this time. None of them can ever be repaid for all they have done. Galatians 6:2-Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Survivors include husband of 57 years Clyde “GOAD” Clemons (Married September 21, 1957 in Ringgold, GA.) , daughter Judy Riggsbee, son David Clemons all of Silver Point, 5 grandchildren: Tylr and Mason Clemons of Cookeville, Daniel and Nathan Riggsbee both of Cookeville, Julie Riggsbee of Silver Point, 2 brothers and a sister-in-law Carlon and Dot Watson , Jim Watson all of Baxter.
Active Pallbearers will be her 4 grandsons along with Jon Stafford and Danny Riggsbee.
Bro. Tony Crow will officiate.
Family will receive friends Friday from 5 to 8 P.M and Saturday after 9 A.M. at the funeral home.
Memorial Contributions may be made in Lois’ name where accounts have been set up to: Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Gift Processing, PMB 407727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7727 or by phone 615-322-2979 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Tribute Program P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148 or by phone 1-800-822-6344
Judge Ups Bond for Murder Defendent to One Million Dollars
One week after being charged with second degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, 42 year old Anthony (Tony) Tyrone Crews made his first court appearance this morning (Thursday) under tight security at the DeKalb County Courthouse.
Crews stands accused of killing 28 year old Ashley Bain, whose body was found lying on the floor of a bedroom at the home she and Crews shared at 3870 Cookeville Highway, Smithville last Thursday afternoon, February 5.
During the brief hearing in General Sessions Court today, Judge Bratten Cook, II increased Crews’ bond from $250,000 to one million dollars and set his next court date for March 5th. Judge Cook also appointed the District Public Defender’s Office to represent Crews. WJLE was the only media in the courtroom covering the hearing.
Before increasing the bond amount, Judge Cook questioned Crews about his background. Crews said he was from New York and had relocated to McMinnville three years ago. He is married and had once served in the military. At the time of his arrest last Thursday, Crews was enrolled as a student at MTSU and had worked at Shiroki in Smithville. He admitted to having a misdemeanor criminal past for simple assault in New York but claimed the charges against him there were dismissed. Crews said he is not currently on parole or probation for any other offense.
After being appointed to represent Crews, Assistant District Public Defender Allison Rasbury West asked that his bond be kept at $250,000 saying that amount was sufficient. However Judge Cook raised it to one million dollars. Upon hearing the judge’s decision, Bain’s father, who was in the courtroom along with other family members, called out “Thank you Judge”.
Crews was then escorted out of the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies and transported back to a facility in another county.
Members of the family and all others in the courtroom were asked to remain seated until Crews had departed the building.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told WJLE last Thursday that Bain had been stabbed numerous times about the upper body. It’s not known exactly how long Bain had been dead by the time authorities were notified but Sheriff Ray said she had been seen alive earlier in the day on Thursday. A knife, believed to have been the murder weapon, was found in the home.
According to Sheriff Ray, Crews called 911 at 2:33 p.m. to report that he had discovered Bain’s body when he entered the residence. Sheriff Ray and members of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department were alerted and quickly arrived on the scene. The TBI and District Attorney General’s Office also joined the investigation. Sheriff Ray said authorities determined that Crews had committed the crime and made up the story about finding the body. Although officials believe they know the motive for the stabbing, Sheriff Ray said they are not releasing it at this time.
The warrant against Crews alleges that “on February 5th, 2015, at 3870 Cookeville Highway, Anthony Tyrone Crews did intentionally and knowingly kill Ashley Bain by stabbing her numerous times about the upper body”.
Freddy Brown Taylor
73 year old Freddy Brown Taylor of McMinnville and a DeKalb County native died February 10, 2015 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN following a sudden illness.
A nursery worker and a member of Dayspring Community Church, he was the son of the late Robert and Myra Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Jerry Lee Taylor; step-sons, Bruce Glenn and Greg Glenn; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Taylor; sisters, Oma Tramel and Darlene Crimmes.
He was married to Melba Jean Hall Taylor of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Gladys Frances Marr and husband Jimmie of Smithville, TN and Eddie Leroy Taylor of Smithville, TN; two step-children and spouses, Rhonda and Darrell Hillis of McMinnville and Denise and Tim Newby of McMinnville; twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; four brothers, Grady Taylor, Joe Lane Taylor and James Robert Taylor all of Smithville, TN, and Louie Taylor of Texas; special niece, Louise Ferrell and husband Glenn of Smithville, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015 in High’s Chapel with Rex Boles officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. View Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m Friday and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at High’s.
Elizabeth Sandlin Blew
98 year old Elizabeth Sandlin Blew of Alexandria died Wednesday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville. She was a homemaker and a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Burial will be in Hillview Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Repe Sandlin and Pearl Sandlin; her husband Charlie Blew; a daughter, Charlene Blew; and a sister, Grady Bell Harris. She is survived by nephews, Bill and wife Jodi Harris of Florida and Jack and wife Nancy Harris of Lynchburg. A niece, Louise and husband Clifford Trimble of Florida. Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.
Freddy Brown Taylor
73 year old Freddy Brown Taylor of McMinnville and a DeKalb County native died February 10, 2015 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN following a sudden illness.
A nursery worker and a member of Dayspring Community Church, he was the son of the late Robert and Myra Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Jerry Lee Taylor; step-sons, Bruce Glenn and Greg Glenn; granddaughter, Kaitlyn Taylor; sisters, Oma Tramel and Darlene Crimmes.
He was married to Melba Jean Hall Taylor of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Gladys Frances Marr and husband Jimmie of Smithville, TN and Eddie Leroy Taylor of Smithville, TN; two step-children and spouses, Rhonda and Darrell Hillis of McMinnville and Denise and Tim Newby of McMinnville; twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; four brothers, Grady Taylor, Joe Lane Taylor and James Robert Taylor all of Smithville, TN, and Louie Taylor of Texas; special niece, Louise Ferrell and husband Glenn of Smithville, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015 in High’s Chapel with Rex Boles officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. View Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m Friday and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at High’s.
Elizabeth Sandlin Blew
98 year old Elizabeth Sandlin Blew of Alexandria died Wednesday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville. She was a homemaker and a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Burial will be in Hillview Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Repe Sandlin and Pearl Sandlin; her husband Charlie Blew; a daughter, Charlene Blew; and a sister, Grady Bell Harris. She is survived by nephews, Bill and wife Jodi Harris of Florida and Jack and wife Nancy Harris of Lynchburg. A niece, Louise and husband Clifford Trimble of Florida. Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.
Neighorhood Watch Group Partners with Sheriff’s Department
A neighborhood watch group is partnering with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department to combat crime in the Seven Springs Community.
The group has been reporting suspicious activity in the area including at the bridge on New Bildad Road, where drug paraphernalia has been found, apparently left behind by trespassers who have been using that location to engage in drug activity.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said arrests have already been made in that area and boulders have been placed there to keep others out. “This is at the bridge on New Bildad Road. We’ve been having a lot of people come and park under the bridge. This past year, we joined forces with the neighborhood watch program at Seven Springs and contacted Road Supervisor Butch Agee who brought a couple loads of big rocks down there and put them in the drive that leads under the bridge to stop people from coming down there. In the past we have found people there with meth labs and drugs. We’ve also found drug paraphernalia laying on the ground there and old meth labs laid out in the weeds so we joined in a partnership with them. The landowners have posted that property down there where nobody has permission to be down there unless they ask the landowners first and no one is to be there after dark. Anybody we catch down there, we’ll cite them for criminal trespassing,” said Sheriff Ray.
Cookeville Boat Dock Owes County Almost $200,000 in Back Taxes and Penalties
The owners of Cookeville Boat Dock haven’t paid all their property taxes to DeKalb County for more than a decade and a Judge assigned to hear the case in Chancery Court still has not ruled on it, though a decision could come soon. The total tax bill owed comes to almost $200,000 including interest and penalties.
From 1998 through the 2012 tax year, owners of Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort, Inc. have been named as defendants in DeKalb County Chancery Court lawsuits filed against delinquent taxpayers. The amount Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort, Inc. owes through 2012 in delinquent taxes comes to $183,289.94 (taxes on personal property and leased property including the base tax plus interest and penalty, attorneys fees, and court costs). Further penalties are assessed each month. Additionally for the 2013 tax year, the Trustee’s Office reports that Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort Inc. owes a total of $9,307 in delinquent taxes including interest and penalty to date. The marina also owes $8,213 for the 2014 tax year, which comes due February 28, 2015.
In a Chancery Court delinquent tax lawsuit, the marina owners claim that they can’t be forced to pay ad valorem (property) taxes on constitutional grounds. But in 2013, Tennessee Attorney General Robert E. (Bob) Cooper, Jr. gave an opinion that the marina’s claim is without merit and should be dismissed by the court.
The attorney for Cookeville Boat Dock, Jon E. Jones of Cookeville contends the owners of the marina are being discriminated against in that the county is trying to force them to pay ad valorem taxes on the boat dock facility which is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (federal government property) while other properties in Tennessee leased from the state or local government entities (under Article II, Section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution) are exempt from payment of ad valorem taxes. This, he claims is a violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution making the tax assessment against Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort, Inc. invalid. In 2013 Jones filed an amended answer to the county’s Chancery Court lawsuits against delinquent taxpayers including Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort along with a counter complaint seeking a declaratory judgment for his clients.
Attorney General Cooper, who was made a party to the case to defend the constitutionality of Article II, section 28 of the Tennessee Constitution, asserts in his answer to the marina’s counter complaint that the state constitution does not grant a property tax exemption to commercial taxpayers that operate a business on land owned by the state or local government. Cooper further asserts that Cookeville Boat Dock’s constitutional challenge is not properly before the court because the marina owners failed to first pursue other statutory remedies available to them.
Cookeville Boat Dock owns and operates a commercial boat dock and concession on land in DeKalb County that is leased from the federal government. The marina has been assessed ad valorem taxes on the boat dock property since 1998; however, it apparently has not paid these taxes and, thus, the boat dock property has been included in the delinquent tax proceedings of DeKalb County covering the tax years from 1998 through 2012. “It is the Attorney General’s understanding that Cookeville Boat Dock has not been assessed for the underlying real estate that is owned by the federal government or for any leasehold interest in the real estate. Rather, Cookeville Boat Dock has been assessed only for the buildings and other structures that make up the boat dock property,” wrote Attorney General Cooper in his answer.
In their Trial Brief, “Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort, Inc. is asking the Court to declare that DeKalb County’s assessment of ad valorem taxes against boat dock facilities leased by Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort, Inc from the United States is a violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution because Tennessee exempts boat dock facilities from taxation when the lessor is an agency of the state.”
In his answer, attorney general Cooper wrote that ” the Federal Supremacy Clause does not prevent DeKalb County from assessing the property of a taxpayer that operates a commercial boat dock on land leased from the federal government”.
Former Chancellor Vernon Neal recused himself from hearing the delinquent tax case against Cookeville Boat Dock & Resort, Inc. in 2002 citing a personal conflict. Former Circuit Court Judge John Turnbull was designated and appointed to hear the case to its conclusion. After Turnbull retired from the bench, the case was passed on to Judge Amy Hollars but it still has not been settled in court. The case is reportedly under review by Judge Hollars and a decision is expected soon.