57 year old Delois Faith Ward Thurman of Dowelltown died Saturday, August 3 at her residence. She was a former waitress in the food industry. She was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Indian Creek Baptist Church. Mike Carpenter will officiate. Survivors include her parents, J.W. and Katherine Ward of Dowelltown. Two brothers, Jeff and wife Melissa Ward and Dewayne and wife Cindy Ward all of Smithville. One sister, Teresa and husband Ronnie Evans of Clear Water, Florida. One aunt, Erma Thomason of Smithville. Two nephews and one niece. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to the Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Delois.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Eddie Smith, Jr.
41 year old Eddie Smith, Jr. of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a welder for the Yorozu Corporation. A memorial service will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Dry Creek Baptist Church. Smith was preceded in death by his father, Orbra Smith, Sr. and grandmother, Deloris Miller. Survivors include two children, Emily and Eric Smith of Michigan; mother, Victoria Deplace of Knoxville. Girl friend, Tammy Brown of Smithville. One sister, Tammi and husband Gaylon Gora of Smithville. Four nieces and nephews, Sasha and Michael Cervenka both of Knoxville, Natasha Cervenka of Murfreesboro and Marissa and husband Adam Tramel of Dowelltown. One great niece and five great nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to the funeral home to help with expenses. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
A.Z. Ray
79 year old A.Z Ray died Thursday. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday and from 11 a.m. until the service on Monday. The Celebration of Life, conducted by Wendell Judkins, will be at 1 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hermitage Memorial Gardens .
Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Grace Wright Ray; children: Davia (Roy) Williams and Tameria (Jeff) Shaver; brother: James “J.T.” Thomas (Ollie) Ray; 3 granddaughters; 4 great-granddaughters; 7 step-grandchildren; and 16 step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by parents Sylva and Lena Bell Farley Ray, sister Hazel Garman, brother Walter Ray, and grandson Zachary Holt.
Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon is in charge of the arrangements. This information provided as a courtesy of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.
Dr. Don Ray Krohn
84 year old Dr. Don Ray Krohn of Eugene, Oregon and formerly of Smithville died Friday at his residence in Oregon. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Krohn worked for many years as a physician in the Detroit area before working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Tennessee (Erlanger Hospital). The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Larry Green will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the service time at 1:00 p.m. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty Jo Stevens of Smithville and four children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Delois Faith Ward Thurman
57 year old Delois Faith Ward Thurman of Dowelltown died Saturday, August 3 at her residence. She was a former waitress in the food industry. She was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Indian Creek Baptist Church. Mike Carpenter will officiate. Survivors include her parents, J.W. and Katherine Ward of Dowelltown. Two brothers, Jeff and wife Melissa Ward and Dewayne and wife Cindy Ward all of Smithville. One sister, Teresa and husband Ronnie Evans of Clear Water, Florida. One aunt, Erma Thomason of Smithville. Two nephews and one niece. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to the Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Delois.
Eddie Smith, Jr.
41 year old Eddie Smith, Jr. of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a welder for the Yorozu Corporation. A memorial service will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Dry Creek Baptist Church. Smith was preceded in death by his father, Orbra Smith, Sr. and grandmother, Deloris Miller. Survivors include two children, Emily and Eric Smith of Michigan; mother, Victoria Deplace of Knoxville. Girl friend, Tammy Brown of Smithville. One sister, Tammi and husband Gaylon Gora of Smithville. Four nieces and nephews, Sasha and Michael Cervenka both of Knoxville, Natasha Cervenka of Murfreesboro and Marissa and husband Adam Tramel of Dowelltown. One great niece and five great nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations please be made to the funeral home to help with expenses. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Twelve Indicted in Smithville Police Department Drug Investigation
Twelve people have been named in sealed indictments on drug charges following a year long undercover investigation by the Smithville Police Department.
Chief Randy Caplinger told WJLE Friday that Indictments have been served on seven of the defendants.
The investigation was conducted by Lieutenant Matt Holmes and Detective Brandon Donnell. K-9 Officer James Cornelius and Sergeant Brad Tatrow assisted in some of the cases. The actual drug buys were made by confidential sources.
Those arrested and their charges are:
Donald (D.J.) Perry, Jr., indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule VI controlled substance (Marijuana) in a drug free zone.
Vickie Cantrell, indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid).
40 year old Melisha (Buttons) Cantrell, indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid)
60 year old Danny Reeder, indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule IV (Lorazepam)
59 year old Althea Bailey, indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone) in a drug free zone.
52 year old Kenny Herman, indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Methadone) (2 counts).
28 year old William Cory Dickens, indicted for sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid)
Indictments (now unsealed in each case) state the following:
Donald (D.J.) Perry, Jr.: “On or about February 26th, 2013 Perry did sell and deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance (Marijuana) within 1,000 feet of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, secondary school, preschool, childcare agency, or public library, recreational center, or park.” Lieutenant Holmes said Perry sold marijuana to a confidential source from his home.
Vickie Cantrell: “On or about December 5th, 2012, Cantrell did sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid). Lieutenant Holmes said Cantrell sold two Dilaudid pills to a confidential source from the parking lot of a local business.
Melisha (Buttons) Cantrell: “On or about December 6th, 2012, Cantrell did sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid). Lieutenant Holmes said Cantrell sold two Dilaudid pills to a confidential source from a parking lot.
Danny Reeder: “On or about August 6th, 2012, Reeder did sell and deliver a Schedule IV controlled substance (Lorazepam).” Lieutenant Holmes said Reeder sold ten pills to a confidential source from the parking lot of a local business.
Althea Bailey: “On or about July 26th, 2012, Bailey did sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Oxycodone) within 1,000 feet of the real property that comprises a public or private elementary school, middle school, secondary school, preschool, childcare agency, or public library, recreational center, or park.” Lieutenant Holmes said Bailey sold four pills to a confidential source from the parking lot of a local business.”
Kenny Herman: “On or about August 6th & 7th, 2012 Herman did sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Methadone)”. Lieutenant Holmes said Herman sold from his home to a confidential source four methadone pills on August 6th and three pills on August 7th.
William Cory Dickens: “On or about December 13th, 2012 Dickens did sell and deliver a Schedule II controlled substance (Dilaudid)”. Lieutenant Holmes said Dickens sold two Dilaudid pills to a confidential source from the parking lot of a local business.
The names of the other five defendants will be released once they are served with the indictments.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Encourages Back to School Safety
Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott is reminding motorists to exercise an abundance of caution in neighborhoods and around school zones during the upcoming 2013-2014 school year. State Troopers will target speeders, distracted drivers and those who disregard stopped school buses that are loading and unloading children.
State Troopers issued 5,247 citations in school zones during the 2012-2013 school year. That’s up from 3,856 citations issued in 2011-12. Last year’s citations included 759 speeding violations and two citations for passing a stopped school bus.
“Our priority is to educate motorists on the importance of safe driving practices around school zones and buses and in high pedestrian traffic areas,” Colonel Trott said. “We are also urging motorists who are transporting children to and from school to ensure they are safely restrained in seat belts, booster seats and child restraint devices. This effort stretches far beyond school zones,” he added.
Between 2008 and 2012, there has been a 7.0 percent decrease in the number of crashes occurring in school zones between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and the hours of 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. There was also a 73.5 percent decline in the total number of school bus-related crashes between those same hours.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that 123 school-age pedestrians (younger than 19) have been killed in school-transportation-related crashes since 2001. Over two-thirds (69%) were struck by school buses and 26 percent by other vehicles involved in the crashes. There were 49 (40 %) school age pedestrians killed in school transportation-related crashes between the ages of five and seven, according to NHTSA.
“We have seen a 31.4 percent increase in the number of overall pedestrian fatalities across the state, compared to this same time period in 2012,” Trott said. “It’s imperative for drivers to share the road with pedestrians and bicyclists, and to comply with pedestrian yield laws. We all have a responsibility to make sure pedestrians are safe.”
In Tennessee, there have been 46 pedestrians killed on state roadways in 2013. That’s 11 more than at this time in 2012. Nationwide, there were a total of 4,432 pedestrian fatalities in 2011 (the latest figure available), the 14-and-younger age group accounted for 230 (5%) of those fatalities.
The Pupil Transportation section of the Tennessee Highway Patrol also oversees all school bus inspections in the state and determines whether public school bus systems are in compliance with the safety requirements by state law. During fiscal year 2012-13, 11,401 school buses were inspected with 1,367 being placed out of service.
Each day, 26 million children in the United States ride school buses, including 600,000 in Tennessee, according to NHTSA.
The speed limit in school zones is 15 miles per hour and the fine for speeding in a school zone is up to $500. It is also against the law to pass a school bus when it is stopped and loading or unloading passengers. The driver can be fined no less than $250 and up to $1,000.
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL FACT SHEET & SAFETY TIPS
THE FACTS:
• All school bus drivers in Tennessee must attend an annual training course in order to receive and maintain the school bus endorsement on their Driver Licenses.
• School buses are nearly nine times safer than passenger vehicles. But children must take care when boarding or leaving buses.
• Young children are most likely to be injured around school buses because they:
o Hurry to get on or off the bus
o Act before they think
o Have little experience with traffic
o Assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross
o Don’t always stay within the bus driver’s line of sight
o Drop something as they are getting off the bus and run into the path of the bus to pick it up.
SAFETY TIPS:
• FOR CHILDREN–GETTING ON AND OFF THE BUS SAFELY:
o Always remain in direct eyesight of the bus driver;
o Get to the bus stop in plenty of time;
o Take 10 giant steps back from the curb while waiting for the bus and 10 steps when exiting the bus;
o Never try to get anything left on the bus after exiting;
o Never reach underneath the bus;
o Always follow the driver’s directions for how to cross the street;
o Be alert to traffic and look both ways;
o Always cross in front of the bus, but only when the bus driver signals it is safe to do so.
o Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.
o Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.
o Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.
o When exiting, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus.
o Before crossing the street, take 10 “giant steps” out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
o Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.
o Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses. However, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!
• FOR PARENTS:
o Supervise children to make sure they get to the stop on time, wait far away from the road and avoid rough play.
o Teach your child to ask the driver for help if he/she drops something near the bus. If a child bends down to pick up something, the driver cannot see him/her and the child may be hit by the bus. Have your child use a backpack or book bag to keep loose items together.
o Make sure clothing and backpacks have no loose drawstrings or long straps that could get caught in the handrail or bus door.
o Encourage safe school bus loading and unloading.
o If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about changing the location.
• FOR DRIVERS:
o Yellow flashing lights on the bus indicate that it is preparing to stop and load or unload children. This means cars need to slow down and prepare to stop.
o It is illegal to pass a school bus with its red flashing lights and stop signal arm activated. Vehicles may not pass until the flashing red lights and signals are turned off or when the bus driver motions them through.
o Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are always required to stop.
o Vehicles moving in the opposite direction as the bus are also required to stop unless they are on a divided highway.
o Never pass on the right side of the bus where children are entering and exiting. This is illegal and can have tragic results!
• WHEN RIDING IN A CAR:
o You might have heard before that most traffic crashes occur close to home…they do.
o Safety belts are the best form of protection passengers have in the event of a crash. They can lower the risk of injury by 45%.
o You are four times more likely to be seriously injured or killed if ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
o Everyone needs to be buckled up properly. That means older kids in seat belts, younger kids in booster seats and little kids in child safety seats.
• WHEN RIDING A BIKE:
o Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard — never cross the street against a light, even if you don’t see any traffic coming.
o Walk your bike through intersections.
o Walk with a buddy.
o Wear reflective material…it makes you more visible to street traffic.
John A. Palmer, Jr
79 year old John A. Palmer, Jr. of Gainesville, Florida died Saturday, July 27 in Florida. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a retired pharmacist. A graveside service was held Friday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Royce Martin officiated. Palmer was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Fuson Palmer. Survivors include a son, John III and wife Elizabeth Palmer of Florida and their son, Henry. One daughter, Janna and husband Evan Reid of Florida and their children, Jack and Evan. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
John A. Palmer, Jr
79 year old John A. Palmer, Jr. of Gainesville, Florida died Saturday, July 27 in Florida. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a retired pharmacist. A graveside service was held Friday, August 2 at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Royce Martin officiated. Palmer was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Fuson Palmer. Survivors include a son, John III and wife Elizabeth Palmer of Florida and their son, Henry. One daughter, Janna and husband Evan Reid of Florida and their children, Jack and Evan. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.