60 year old James Robert Barrett of Lebanon died Sunday in Franklin, Kentucky. He was born in Alexandria. Barrett was also a mechanic. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown. Danny Sellars will officiate and burial will be in the Brush Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Hatton Barrett and Laura Catherine Barrett and brothers, Don and Dewey Barrett. Survivors include his wife, Wanda Brewington Barrett of Lebanon. A son, Robert Dale Barrett of Hollywood, California. A daughter, Catina Marie Barrett of Watertown. Step-children, Thomas Zielenbach and Frank R. Schofield both of Franklin, Kentucky, and Lisa Lovett and Aaron Lovett both of Summertown. Grandchildren, Holly N. Beckman, Timothy Casey Wright, and Diana G. Wright all of Lebanon. Great grandchild, McKenzie M. Barrett. Sisters, Christine Hale of Murfreesboro and Marie Linnear of Lebanon. Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown is in charge of the arrangements.
Author Archive: Dwayne Page
Betty Ruth Davis
After 28 years, the remains of Betty Ruth Davis of the Prosperity community have been returned home for burial. The body will be buried near her father and mother at the Prosperity Cemetery. Members of the Prosperity Baptist Church and the community will gather at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday for a graveside service. Don Rigsby will officiate. She died in 1982. Her parents were the late Jefferson H. Davis and Hallie Robinson Davis. She was also a member of the Prosperity Baptist Church. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in returning the remains of Ms. Davis for burial. Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown is in charge of the arrangements.
Ruby May Lawson
87 year old Ruby May Lawson of Smithville died Sunday at NHC of Smithville. She was a homemaker and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. David Lawson will officiate and burial will be in the Coleman Cemetery in Rutherford County. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lemmie Lawson; parents, Robert and Hassie Anderson Estes; two children, James and Louise Lawson; a brother, Grover Estes; sisters, Lorine George and Louise Taylor; and grandchildren Danny Hobbs, Christopher Lawson, and Penny Lawson. Survivors include two daughters, Frances Shultz and Janie and Delmer Spurlock; eight sons, Robert and wife Betty Lawson, Jim and wife Betty Ruth Lawson, Jerry and wife Patricia Lawson, Charlie and wife Ruth Lawson all of Smithville; Billy Lawson of Woodbury, and Javin and wife Cindy Lawson; and Terry and wife Evelyn Lawson all of Watertown; and Daniel (Buck) and Kimberly Lawson of Liberty. Twenty six grandchildren, forty eight great grandchildren, six great great grandchildren. A brother, Freelin Estes of Smithville. Special friends, Virginia Hayslip and Linda Judkins and a special niece, Cindy Travis. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Golden Charged with Setting Fire to Woods Near Indian Creek Boat Ramp
A 29 year old Smithville man was arrested by the Sheriff’s Department last week after witnesses saw him setting fire to the woods near Indian Creek Boat Ramp and then trying to run from the law.
Jesse A. Golden of New Home Road, Smithville is charged with setting fire to personal property or land, reckless endangerment, felony evading arrest, and driving under the influence.
Sheriff Patrick Ray reports that on Friday, October 22nd at Indian Creek Boat Ramp and parking lot, witnesses saw Golden setting several fires in the woods. An officer got behind Golden’s automobile and turned on his emergency equipment signaling Golden to stop but he accelerated to speeds up to 90 miles per hour. The chase continued for about two miles. While running from the officer, Golden almost hit a county fire engine and another vehicle head-on before pulling over. The officer found an empty gas can and a package of matches in Golden’s vehicle. During questioning concerning the fire, the deputy noticed that Golden was unsteady on his feet. He admitted to drinking beer and performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood test. The total bond for Golden is $16,000 and he will be in court on October 28th.
In other crime news, 47 year old Ricky Lynn Cantrell of Liberty is charged with leaving the scene of an accident. On Friday, October 15th, a deputy responded to an accident where the driver left on foot. After speaking to several witnesses, the officer learned that Cantrell had run out of gas on Highway 70 west. He pushed the vehicle into the parking lot of Crook’s Used Cars, hitting another automobile. He then left on foot before an officer arrived on the scene. Witnesses said Cantrell appeared to be intoxicated. He was arrested on Saturday, October 16th. His bond is set at $1,500 and he will be in court on November 4th.
29 year old Christopher Shawn South of Woodbury is charged with driving on a suspended license. He was arrested on Monday, October 18th. His bond is set at $1,500 and he will be in court on Wednesday, October 27th. South was operating a motor vehicle at Sonic Drive-In on South Congress Boulevard that matched the description of the automobile of another person who was wanted for questioning. A computer check revealed that his license were suspended for failure to pay child support on October 10th, 2009.
23 year old Austin Corley Wood of Dale Ridge Road, is charged with a third offense of driving on a suspended license. He was arrested on Tuesday, October 19th. Bond for Wood is $3,000 and he will be in court on October 27th. Wood was operating a vehicle on Highway 56 and was stopped for a traffic offense. A computer check revealed that his license were suspended for driving on a suspended license on April 6th, 2009 and other offenses that day and on August 20th, 2007.
41 year old Sherry Lynn Chandler of Page Drive, Smithville is charged with driving on a suspended license. Her bond is $1,000 and she will be in court on November 3rd. Sheriff Ray says Chandler was operating a motor vehicle on Midway Road on Tuesday, October 19th and was stopped for a traffic offense. A computer check revealed that her license were suspended for failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility on September 10th, 2010 in DeKalb County.
25 year old Michael Andrew Snyders of West Main Street Smithville is charged in five warrants for violation of probation. He was arrested on Wednesday, October 20th. He is also named in a sealed indictment from April 12th, 2010 charging him with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance and two counts of violation of the drug free school zone. Snyders is under a $50,000 bond in the drug cases.
25 year old Scotty Randall Hendrixson of McMinnville Highway is charged with simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance. He was arrested on Thursday, October 21st. Hendrixson was a passenger of a vehicle on Cecil Hale Road, which was pulled over by an officer. A K-9 unit was requested to come to the scene. The dog indicated on the vehicle. A search was conducted and half of a dilaudid pill was found in the floor of the passenger side where Hendrixson was sitting. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on November 4th.
Meanwhile, 23 year old Gary Christopher Ponder of Old Mill Hill Road, Dowelltown is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Ponder was the driver of the vehicle in which Scotty Randall Hendrixson was a passenger. During the search, a loaded hypodermic needle was found under the drivers seat where Ponder was sitting. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on November 4th.
22 year old Priscilla Leann Roberts of Sparta Highway, Smithville is charged with introduction of drugs into a penal institution. Her bond is $5,000 and she will be in court on October 28th. On Friday, October 22nd, Roberts reported to the county jail to do 24 hours of drug court time. During a search prior to her being locked up, a correctional officer found two whole pills and sixteen half pills of xanax on her person.
22 year old Justin Andrew Cantrell of Adcock Cemetery Road, Smithville is charged with driving on a suspended license. He is under a $2,500 bond and he will be in court on November 18th. On Saturday, October 23rd, Cantrell was operating a motor vehicle on Adcock Cemetery Road and was stopped because the officer had prior knowledge of his license having been suspended. A computer check confirmed that Cantrell’s license were suspended for failing to provide evidence of financial responsibility on July 9th, 2010.
39 year old Shawn Edward Richardson of Salem Road, Lebanon is charged with driving on a revoked license. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on November 4th. On Saturday, October 23rd on Locust Street in Alexandria, Richardson was operating a motor vehicle and stopped for traveling the wrong direction on a one way street. A computer check revealed the his license were revoked for a DUI on August 24th, 2006 in Rutherford County.
50 year old Clifton Eugene Brown of Wesley Chapel Road, Sparta is charged with driving on a revoked license. On Sunday, October 24th, Brown was operating a motor vehicle on Highway 70 and stopped for failing to maintain his lane of travel. A computer check revealed that his license were revoked for a DUI on December 18th, 2009 in White County. His bond is $1,500 and he will be in court on November 4th.
33 year old Tara Leann Aughinbaugh is charged with simple possession of a schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $4,000 and she will be in court on November 4th. On Monday, October 25th. Aughinbaugh was operating a motor vehicle on Highway 70 and was stopped for erratic driving. She gave the officer consent to search and he found, in a change purse, a plastic bag containing methamphetamine and a hypodermic needle.
34 year old Steven Craig Banfield of College Street, Lebanon is charged with driving on a suspended license, simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. On Sunday, October 24th, Banfield was operating a motor vehicle and stopped for crossing the center line of the highway several times. A computer check revealed that his license were suspended for failure to provide evidence of financial responsibility. Banfield gave the officer consent to search and inside the back seat was a pill bottle containing marijuana and a pipe with marijuana residue. His bond totals $4,500 and he will be in court on November 4th.
27 year old Brandon Ross Bogle of Jefferson Road, Smithville is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on November 4th. On Monday, October 25th on Big Rock Road, the sheriff’s office received a call that someone was knocking on a door of a residence. An officer responded and found Bogle on the porch of the complainant. He had an odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet.
The DeKalb County Jail and Annex has again passed certification for minimum standards for local correctional facilities for 2010-2011. The certification remains valid until next year’s inspection.
Habitat Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale Friday!
Who makes the best chili in DeKalb County? Find out on Friday, October 29th when Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County hosts its 7th annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale.
Chili will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the 303 Building on the town square. You can purchase your bowl for $5.00, eat all the chili you want, and vote for your favorite chili and the best decorated booth. Handmade pottery bowls will be available for $10.00. Delicious baked goods prepared by members of local churches will also be for sale.
“We are looking forward to another great day of good food and fellowship at the chili cook-off,” said Tom Janney, president of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County. “We just completed our third Habitat home in DeKalb County and are making plans for our fourth house to be built in 2011,” said Janney. “The proceeds from the Chili Cook-off will be used towards building our next house, so we hope everyone will come out and eat lots of chili for a great cause!”
At press time, the teams competing in the Chili Cook-off are “Blessed and Highly Flavored” from Allen’s Chapel Methodist Church; “Cauldron of Fire” from the DeKalb County Board of Education; “Hot Checks Chili” from DeKalb Community Bank; “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials; “Edgar Evins Chili Peppers” from Edgar Evins State Park; “Hale’s Bowls of Fire” from James C. Hale for State Representative; “Hillbilly Chili – It’s a Natural Gas” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “The Bean Counters” from Tom Janney, CPA and Associates; “Red Hot Kilowatts” from Smithville Electric System; “Hollywood Corpse Review” from the Smithville Review, and The Inn at Evins Mill.
Last year, “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials won the “Best Chili” award, and “Monster Mash” from the DeKalb County Board of Education followed in second place. In the decorating contest, the “Red Hot Chili Papers” from the Smithville Review won first place honors. The 2009 event raised approximately $3,500.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged.
For more information on the Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, contact Tecia Pryor at 597-7370. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, call 215-8181.
Charles Rayburn Nokes
70 year old Charles Rayburn Nokes of Smithville died Saturday at NHC Healthcare Center of Smithville. He was a member of the Snow Hill United Methodist Church and he worked in retail sales. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Royce Martin and Doyle Slager will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. 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 11:00 a.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Shelia and Gertrude Derting Nokes. Survivors include a son, Charles and his wife Kristie Nokes of Smithville. A grandson, Justin Nokes. Step-granddaughters, Olivia and Lyndsey Miller. A brother, Clyde Nokes of Short Mountain. Sisters, Oleda Bullard and Dorothy Bell Bryant both of Murfreesboro. Companion, Jean Goodwin of Dowelltown. Nephews, Gerry Nokes, Nick Nokes, Bill Nokes, Jeff Nokes, and Derrick Bryant. Nieces, Linda Dockery and Lisa Bryant. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to the Snow Hill United Methodist Church in memory of Rayburn, in lieu of flowers.
Jackie Eugene Thomas
55 year old Jackie Eugene Thomas of Dowelltown died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a member of the Dowelltown Baptist Church and a nursery worker. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. David Frazier and Wayne Malone will officiate and burial will be in the Thomas Cemetery. 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 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Eugene and Jesse Vada Atnip Thomas; and a sister, Barbara Dean Hicks Thomas. Survived by companion Patsy Gibbs of Dowelltown. Two sisters, Mary Lou Hale of Smithville and Mary Elizabeth and husband Mark Hale of Dowelltown. A brother, Jessie and wife Becky Thomas of Dowelltown. Five children, Barbara Ann Thomas of Woodbury, Michael Thomas of Lebanon, Misty Thomas, Jackie Bernal Thomas, and Shannon Thomas all of South Carolina. Thirteen grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and one step-great grandchild. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Lenzy Ray Stanley
82 year old Lenzy Ray Stanley of Smithville died Saturday at Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin. He was a Baptist, a retired school bus driver, nurseryman, and a farmer. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Tommy Davis and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Nancy Thomas Stanley; four sons, Ray Morris, Jerry, Donnie, and Marshal Stanley; wives Ophalen Stanley and Shelby Stanley; great-grandson, Michael Murphy; step-daughter, Jeanette Chapman; brothers, Hobert and Claude Stanley; and a sister, Lucille Tidwell. Survivors include step-daughters, Tonya and husband Wade Youngblood of Dowelltown, Denise and husband Wayne Bogle of McMinnville, and Jennifer Kincaid of Cookeville. Grandchildren, Priscilla and husband Bobby Mingle and Chris and Dana Stanley all of Gassaway; Samantha and husband Tony Vanatta of Ringgold, Georgia, Jerry and wife Allisha Stanley of Cleveland, and Donna and husband Matthew England; Drenda Murphy and companion Basil Foutch; and Roger and wife Letta Chapman all of Smithville. Seventeen great-grandchildren, four great great grandchildren. Brothers, Robert Stanley of Smithville and Billy Stanley of Smyrna and sisters, Dean King of Smithville and Wilma Bilbrey of Nashville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
New Dowelltown Playground Now Open
A ribbon cutting was held Saturday morning to commemorate the completion of the new playground at Dowelltown.
City leaders, members of the DeKalb County Children’s Service Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and corporate donors were on hand for the occasion.
Dowelltown Mayor Gerald Bailiff said the $30,000 project has been in the making for several years and was completed about three weeks ago. “We had a playground here that was actually from the old Dowelltown school but the state came in and looked at it and condemned it because it was so old. The school has been gone for several years. So they (state) came in and said it had to go so we had to have it removed. That’s when we got started on this (project).”
“We’ve been trying to get all this together for going on five to six years now. We have six sets of swings, monkey bars, slides, and all kinds of climbing things here where the kids can play on.’
“We had fundraisers like sock hops, car shows, and bake sales. Of course, the Children’s Service Council, DTC Communications, Liberty State Bank, and everybody donated to it to get it all going for us. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it.”
Clata Redman said the DeKalb County Children’s Service Council was instrumental in helping raise funds for the project. “We were looking for some children projects to do here in the county and found that they needed some playground equipment in Dowelltown. The children were playing on the streets and needed a place so we decided we would help them.’
‘We did have to do fundraisers at different times. One of our largest contributors was Wal-mart. They were a very good supporter. We’ve also had people to give personal grants.’
“Our organization is a volunteer group. No one gets paid. We could use more physical hands to help us do more projects in the community. So we would like to ask anyone who has extra time on their hands to help us get projects for our children in the county.”
Students and Teachers Return to School Monday
Students and teachers will be back in the classroom Monday after taking two weeks off for fall break.
The next break for students will be Tuesday, November 2nd but for teachers that will be a Professional Development/Instructional Day from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The Thanksgiving holiday will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 24th, 25th, & 26th and schools will be closed for the winter break December 20th through December 31st. Friday, December 17th will be the last day students attend before winter break and that will be an abbreviated school day. Students will return after the holidays on Tuesday, January 4th to begin the third nine week session.
Schools will be closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 17th and for President’s Day, Monday, February 21st.
Schools will be closed for spring break March 21st-25th and for Good Friday, April 22nd.
Students will not attend on Wednesday, May 25th. That will be an administrative day and all teachers must attend. The last day of school will be Thursday, May 26. That will be an abbreviated school day and report cards will be sent home.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Tuesday, March 15th at DeKalb County High School from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will also be held from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 17th at DeKalb Middle School, Northside Elementary, Smithville Elementary, and DeKalb West School.
Report cards will be sent home on Thursday, January 6th and Monday, March 14th.
AYP-EOC/Gateway Testing at DCHS will be Tuesday through Thursday, December 7th-9th and May 3rd-5th at DCHS and a make-up AYP-EOC/Gateway Test will be Friday, December 10th and May 6th.
ACT Test for the 11th grade will be Tuesday, March 8th
Writing Assessment for the 5th, 8th, and 11th grades will be February 1st. Writing Assessment make-up will be February 2nd..
TCAP testing of elementary students will be April 13th-20th
(Stockpile Days) Professional Development/Instructional Days will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2nd, Monday, January 3rd, and Friday, March 18th. Students will not attend on those days.