Memorial services for Wanda Juanita Briggs, age 91, of Baxter will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, at the Church of Christ in Baxter.
Mrs. Briggs peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at her home of many years surrounded by loving family and friends during those last days. Mrs. Briggs was born to Norman and Vora Smith on July 2, 1922 at Silver Point. She was preceded in death by her husband Norman N. Briggs, daughter Betty Ann Briggs-Jones, brothers Norman Smith and Warren G. Smith, and sisters Lois Smith Anderson and Lucille Smith Whittaker Clark.
Wanda leaves behind a son Larry Briggs and wife Pat of Smithville, Grand Daughters Sherri Briggs of Baxter, Gina Lewis and husband Jimmy and Amy Hayes of Smithville Grandsons Bob Briggs of Crossville, Ryan and Taylor Jones of Nashville, and Elliott Cook of Smithville.
Great Grand Children Bobby Briggs and wife Julie of Cookeville, Ciara Miller of Crossville, Kayse and husband Ryan of Cookeville, Amanda Baily and husband John of Shelbyville, Caitlin Anderson, Chelsea Lewis, Brittney Cantrell, Jayme Lynn Hayes and Christian Cantrell of Smithville, Amanda Hargis and husband Brandon of San Diego,CA.
Great-Great Grand Children Evan, Kayleigh, Bayli, Graci, Hunter, Lillie ,Emmy, Duncan and Gretah, and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Wanda had a long career with Fleetguard where she was one of their first employees in 1966 and retired with the company . She was very active as a volunteer at the Fleetguard Credit Union which later became the Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union
Mrs. Briggs had a wonderful volunteer spirit and worked to distribute and grade bible lesson from an International Bible study organization and regularly visited nursing homes and shut ins to sing and read the Bible. She was very active in the Church of Christ at Baxter since 1966.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
John Martin Malone
85 year old John Martin Malone of Alexandria died Friday at a Nashville hospital after a short illness. Born in DeKalb County, Malone was a lifetime farmer and a retired employee of Ross Gear where he worked for 30 years. He was a member and Chairman of Deacons at the Malone’s Chapel Baptist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Mike Gay and Lillard Stringer will officiate and burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery North. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Malone was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny D. Malone and Laura Wills Malone; a son, David Lee Malone; brothers, Charlie Gaston Malone, Marlin PA Malone; and sisters, Louise Driver and Janie Fuson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Fuson Malone of Alexandria. A daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Phil McCoy of Alexandria. Special niece, Denise and husband Scotty Barrett of Brush Creek. Special nephew, Sam and wife Nancy Malone of Brush Creek. A sister, Shirley and husband Robert Katzenmiller of Alexandria. Special great nieces and nephew, Kacie Malone, Abby Malone and Chris Barrett. Brother-in-law, Charles Fuson of McMinnville. Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements. The family has requested that donations be made to the New Hope Cemetery North Fund in lieu of flowers.
Wanda Juanita Briggs
Memorial services for Wanda Juanita Briggs, age 91, of Baxter will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, at the Church of Christ in Baxter.
Mrs. Briggs peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at her home of many years surrounded by loving family and friends during those last days. Mrs. Briggs was born to Norman and Vora Smith on July 2, 1922 at Silver Point. She was preceded in death by her husband Norman N. Briggs, daughter Betty Ann Briggs-Jones, brothers Norman Smith and Warren G. Smith, and sisters Lois Smith Anderson and Lucille Smith Whittaker Clark.
Wanda leaves behind a son Larry Briggs and wife Pat of Smithville, Grand Daughters Sherri Briggs of Baxter, Gina Lewis and husband Jimmy and Amy Hayes of Smithville Grandsons Bob Briggs of Crossville, Ryan and Taylor Jones of Nashville, and Elliott Cook of Smithville.
Great Grand Children Bobby Briggs and wife Julie of Cookeville, Ciara Miller of Crossville, Kayse and husband Ryan of Cookeville, Amanda Baily and husband John of Shelbyville, Caitlin Anderson, Chelsea Lewis, Brittney Cantrell, Jayme Lynn Hayes and Christian Cantrell of Smithville, Amanda Hargis and husband Brandon of San Diego,CA.
Great-Great Grand Children Evan, Kayleigh, Bayli, Graci, Hunter, Lillie ,Emmy, Duncan and Gretah, and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Wanda had a long career with Fleetguard where she was one of their first employees in 1966 and retired with the company . She was very active as a volunteer at the Fleetguard Credit Union which later became the Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union
Mrs. Briggs had a wonderful volunteer spirit and worked to distribute and grade bible lesson from an International Bible study organization and regularly visited nursing homes and shut ins to sing and read the Bible. She was very active in the Church of Christ at Baxter since 1966.
John Martin Malone
85 year old John Martin Malone of Alexandria died Friday at a Nashville hospital after a short illness. Born in DeKalb County, Malone was a lifetime farmer and a retired employee of Ross Gear where he worked for 30 years. He was a member and Chairman of Deacons at the Malone’s Chapel Baptist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Mike Gay and Lillard Stringer will officiate and burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery North. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Malone was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny D. Malone and Laura Wills Malone; a son, David Lee Malone; brothers, Charlie Gaston Malone, Marlin PA Malone; and sisters, Louise Driver and Janie Fuson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Fuson Malone of Alexandria. A daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Phil McCoy of Alexandria. Special niece, Denise and husband Scotty Barrett of Brush Creek. Special nephew, Sam and wife Nancy Malone of Brush Creek. A sister, Shirley and husband Robert Katzenmiller of Alexandria. Special great nieces and nephew, Kacie Malone, Abby Malone and Chris Barrett. Brother-in-law, Charles Fuson of McMinnville. Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements. The family has requested that donations be made to the New Hope Cemetery North Fund in lieu of flowers.
Ready for a Tennessee Road Trip?
A Tennessee Road Trip! Get away to it all. Get off the beaten path on the Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways driving trail. Sixteen driving trails all across the state feature Tennessee history, hospitality, flavor, and adventure. DeKalb County is part of the Promised Land trail – scenic routes through the gorgeous countryside, small towns, and amazing stories.
In the Promised Land self-guided driving tour brochure, DeKalb County Points of Interest can be found on pages 24 to 26 and include Center Hill Lake, Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival, City of Smithville, Webb’s Pharmacy & Gift, Historic Downtown Smithville, Appalachian Center for Craft, Griffin’s Fruit Market, The Town of Liberty, and Edgar Evins State Park. Watch for the brown signs along the Promised Land Trail Route.
Chamber Director Suzanne Williams submitted the information for DeKalb County. “The Smithville Jamboree picture made the front cover of the Promised Land brochure. We were so excited about that! There were several places I submitted that didn’t make the brochure, but hopefully we will get to add more at the next printing. We are so grateful to the Department of Tourist Development for the TN Trails and Byways Initiative. I believe the driving trails will encourage visitors and locals alike to explore more places around our beautiful State and this wonderful place we call home,” says Williams.
Promised Land brochures and maps can be found at the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce located in the DeKalb Courthouse, Room 201 and soon to be at numerous points across the county. You can also download a copy of any of the trails at TnTrailsAndByways.com. See you on the road!
Information provided by Discover Tennessee Trail & Byway Dept.
SES Students Sing for Veterans
A Veterans Appreciation assembly program was held Friday morning at Smithville Elementary School in recognition of Veteran’s Day.
Kelly Birmingham led students from pre-K to the second grade in singing “God Bless the USA” and other patriotic songs in honor of veterans who have served in each branch of the military.
Veterans attending the assembly program pictured above are:
Bottom Row (left to right): William Dyer of Crossville who served in the U.S. Marines as 1st Sergeant during the Vietnam War. He was founder of the National Vietnam Veterans Day; Garry Davis of Smithville who served as a Specialist 4 in the Army during the Vietnam War; Jimmy Sprague of Smithville who served in the Army as an E5 3rd & 75th Ranger in Operation Just Cause; and Dale Pedigo of Buffalo Valley who served in the National Guard as an E6 Staff Sergeant. He served 27 years in the military.
Middle Row: (left to right): J.R. Redmon of Smithville who served in the Navy and Air Force and was a 2nd Class Petty Officer; James Cantrell of Smithville who served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict as a 1st Lieutenant; Ricky Rafferty of Sebring, Florida who served as a Marine Corporal during the Vietnam War; Alan Stengel of Smithville who served in the Navy at the rank of A-5 during the Vietnam War; Joe Goodwin of Smithville who served in the U.S. Army as a Sergeant. He was a Prisoner of War in Germany during World War II; and Guy Mathis of Liberty who served in the Army as a PFC Machine Gunner during World War II. He received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, plus six other medals.
Top Row: Douglas Bonner of Smithville who served in the Army as a Specialist 3; George Steinbach of Smithville who served in the Army as an E-6 during the Vietnam War; Ray Vaughn of Smithville who served as an E-4 in the Army; Brent Arnold of Smithville who served in the Air Force as an Airman 1st Class; Chad Polk of Smithville who served in the Army as an E-6 Staff Sergeant in Afghanistan and Iraq; Jake Merriman of McMinnville who served in the Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal; Walter Johnson of Smithville who served in the Army as a Corporal during the Korean Conflict; James Dunn of Smithville who served in the Army as a Corporal during the Korean Conflict; Richard Widener who served in the Marine Corps as a Sergeant during the Vietnam War; John Hummer of Smithville who served in the Marine Corps as a Corporal during the Vietnam War; Ronnie Redmon of Dowelltown who served in the Air Force as an E-3 during the Vietnam War; and Paul Cantrell of Smithville who served in the Navy as a BM3 during the Korean Conflict.
Lewis George
87 year old Lewis George of Nashville died Friday at Alive Hospice at Skyline. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a Paratrooper. George was also a Mason and Shriner, a retired electrical engineer at Nashville Electric Company, and a member of the Inglewood Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mike Clayborn will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. A Masonic service will be Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m.. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Billie Sue McDowell George; his parents, Aubrey and Mattie Braswell George; and a grandson, Matthew George. Survivors include three sons, Garri and Lois George of Indiana, William and Janice George of Mt. Juliet and Phillip and Susan George of Smithville. Eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren survive. His ex-wife is Phyllis Goodman of Franklin. Several cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Claudette Frazier Lasser
39 year old Claudette Frazier Lasser of Smithville died Wednesday at her residence. She was a member of the First Methodist Church and a nurse at Saint Thomas Hospital and NHC. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mark Pafford will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim Roy Frazier and Audrey Vandergriff Frazier, Charles Fuson and Carrie Graham Fuson; and best friend, Kimberly Beach Ridinger. Lasser is survived by her husband of 20 years, Harry Lasser; three children, Elizabeth, Alex, and Nate Lasser all of Smithville. Parents, James Richard Frazier of Virginia and Cathy Fuson Frazier of Newport. Two brothers, James Frazier of Newport and Jeremy Frazier of Virginia. An aunt, Rita Fuson of Nashville. Special friend, Ella Rose of Smithville and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Lewis George
87 year old Lewis George of Nashville died Friday at Alive Hospice at Skyline. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a Paratrooper. George was also a Mason and Shriner, a retired electrical engineer at Nashville Electric Company, and a member of the Inglewood Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mike Clayborn will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. A Masonic service will be Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m.. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Billie Sue McDowell George; his parents, Aubrey and Mattie Braswell George; and a grandson, Matthew George. Survivors include three sons, Garri and Lois George of Indiana, William and Janice George of Mt. Juliet and Phillip and Susan George of Smithville. Eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren survive. His ex-wife is Phyllis Goodman of Franklin. Several cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Claudette Frazier Lasser
39 year old Claudette Frazier Lasser of Smithville died Wednesday at her residence. She was a member of the First Methodist Church and a nurse at Saint Thomas Hospital and NHC. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mark Pafford will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim Roy Frazier and Audrey Vandergriff Frazier, Charles Fuson and Carrie Graham Fuson; and best friend, Kimberly Beach Ridinger. Lasser is survived by her husband of 20 years, Harry Lasser; three children, Elizabeth, Alex, and Nate Lasser all of Smithville. Parents, James Richard Frazier of Virginia and Cathy Fuson Frazier of Newport. Two brothers, James Frazier of Newport and Jeremy Frazier of Virginia. An aunt, Rita Fuson of Nashville. Special friend, Ella Rose of Smithville and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.