84 year old Martha Loudean Preston of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a retired factory worker and a homemaker. She was also a member of the People’s Pentecostal Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Bill Shaw and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Preston was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Alfha Cripps Bain; a daughter, Pat Tisdale; brothers, Charles, Sammy, Creston, and Boyd Bain; and a sister, Louise Frazier. Survivors include her husband, Charles Preston of Smithville. A daughter, Cathy and husband Don Driver of Smithville. A son, Wayne Tisdale of Hickman. Grandchildren, Sandra Driver and Melanie Caplinger. Great grandchildren, Dakota Clark, Quinton Johnson, Landon Bowman, and Marley Jones. A great great grandchild, Lyren Clark. Step children, Charles A. Preston of Watertown, Nancy Wilson of South Carolina, Pamila Nunnley of Lebanon, Lonnie Preston of Watertown, and Sharon Jonell Dodd of Smithville. Two sisters, Elizabeth Braswell of Georgia and Billie Bates of Kentucky. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

83 year old Joycie Elizabeth Kirby of McMinnville died Wednesday at her residence. She was a homemaker and a member of the New Town The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday from noon until 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Kirby was preceded in death by her parents, Andy and Lilly Rigsby Roberts; her husband, Edward Kirby; and a brother, Kenneth Roberts. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Kirby of McMinnville. One son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Debbie Kirby of Ooltewah. Four grandchildren, Andrea Prince of Cleveland, Ava Kirby, Curt Templeton of Colorado, and Amanda Sheppard of McMinnville. Thirteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Two sisters, Evelyn Young Love of McMinnville and Martha Louise Webb of Jefferson. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

55 year old Tammy Cook Knowles of Smithville died Wednesday night at her residence. She was a retail manager and had worked for UCHRA. She was also a member of the Salem Baptist Church in Liberty and attended the Bright Hill Methodist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Dr. John Carpenter and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her father, Hoyt Cook. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Knowles of Smithville. A daughter, Hillary Knowles. Her mother, Billie Cook of Smithville. Special caregivers, Dean Johnson and Bridgett Sink. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Huntingdon’s Choroa Foundation and the Bright Hill Methodist Church in memory of Tammy.

83 year old Joycie Elizabeth Kirby of McMinnville died Wednesday at her residence. She was a homemaker and a member of the New Town The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday from noon until 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Kirby was preceded in death by her parents, Andy and Lilly Rigsby Roberts; her husband, Edward Kirby; and a brother, Kenneth Roberts. Survivors include a daughter, Donna Kirby of McMinnville. One son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Debbie Kirby of Ooltewah. Four grandchildren, Andrea Prince of Cleveland, Ava Kirby, Curt Templeton of Colorado, and Amanda Sheppard of McMinnville. Thirteen great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Two sisters, Evelyn Young Love of McMinnville and Martha Louise Webb of Jefferson. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

55 year old Tammy Cook Knowles of Smithville died Wednesday night at her residence. She was a retail manager and had worked for UCHRA. She was also a member of the Salem Baptist Church in Liberty and attended the Bright Hill Methodist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Dr. John Carpenter and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her father, Hoyt Cook. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Knowles of Smithville. A daughter, Hillary Knowles. Her mother, Billie Cook of Smithville. Special caregivers, Dean Johnson and Bridgett Sink. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Huntingdon’s Choroa Foundation and the Bright Hill Methodist Church in memory of Tammy.

95 year old John Edward Hale, Jr. of Liberty died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He served as Mayor of Liberty for 42 years. He was a board member with UCHRA and the Upper Cumberland Development District. Hale was also a Deacon at Salem Baptist Church. He was a retired Attendance Supervisor for the DeKalb County School System. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church. Dr. Bill Northcott will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church in Liberty. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward Hale and Sadie Hale and two brothers, Dr. Jerre Hale and James Hale. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gloria Hale of Liberty. Two sons, Tom Hale of Kentucky and Jamie and wife Carol Hale of Liberty. One daughter, Sally and husband Randy Baskin of Mount Juliet. Four grandchildren, Jacob Hale of Liberty, Leah Schitter of California, Anna Baskin of Mount Juliet, and Jonathan Baskin of Mount Juliet. Two great grandchildren, Lucas Hale and Livy Schitter. One sister, Betty and husband Harry Henderson of Martin, Tennessee. Five sisters-in-law, Betty Hale of Smithville, Mary Herbert of Nashville, Judy Sandlin of Alexandria, Jo Hobson and Barbara Hobson of Nashville. Several nieces and nephews survive along with a large loving church family. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In addition to flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Salem Baptist Church or Cemetery.

95 year old John Edward Hale, Jr. of Liberty died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He served as Mayor of Liberty for 42 years. He was a board member with UCHRA and the Upper Cumberland Development District. Hale was also a Deacon at Salem Baptist Church. He was a retired Attendance Supervisor for the DeKalb County School System. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church. Dr. Bill Northcott will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church in Liberty. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward Hale and Sadie Hale and two brothers, Dr. Jerre Hale and James Hale. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gloria Hale of Liberty. Two sons, Tom Hale of Kentucky and Jamie and wife Carol Hale of Liberty. One daughter, Sally and husband Randy Baskin of Mount Juliet. Four grandchildren, Jacob Hale of Liberty, Leah Schitter of California, Anna Baskin of Mount Juliet, and Jonathan Baskin of Mount Juliet. Two great grandchildren, Lucas Hale and Livy Schitter. One sister, Betty and husband Harry Henderson of Martin, Tennessee. Five sisters-in-law, Betty Hale of Smithville, Mary Herbert of Nashville, Judy Sandlin of Alexandria, Jo Hobson and Barbara Hobson of Nashville. Several nieces and nephews survive along with a large loving church family. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In addition to flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Salem Baptist Church or Cemetery.

90 year old Ophie Lee Hayes of Smithville died Monday night at NHC Healthcare Center of Smithville. She was a retired shirt factory worker and a member of the Covenant Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Bernard Houk and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral at 4:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Evie Walden Keith; her husband, Floyd Hayes; and two brothers, Donald Keith and T.D. Keith. Survivors include a daughter, Shirley and husband David Driver of Smithville. Two sons, Donald and wife Dimple Hayes of Watertown, Joe and wife Helen Hayes of California. Eight grandchildren, Sue Shelton, Bill Hayes, Jenny Nelson, Eugene Driver, Gail Hall, Randy Hayes, Jim Hayes, and John Hayes. Six great grandchildren. Six great great grandchildren. A brother, Houston Keith of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

90 year old Ophie Lee Hayes of Smithville died Monday night at NHC Healthcare Center of Smithville. She was a retired shirt factory worker and a member of the Covenant Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Bernard Houk and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral at 4:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Evie Walden Keith; her husband, Floyd Hayes; and two brothers, Donald Keith and T.D. Keith. Survivors include a daughter, Shirley and husband David Driver of Smithville. Two sons, Donald and wife Dimple Hayes of Watertown, Joe and wife Helen Hayes of California. Eight grandchildren, Sue Shelton, Bill Hayes, Jenny Nelson, Eugene Driver, Gail Hall, Randy Hayes, Jim Hayes, and John Hayes. Six great grandchildren. Six great great grandchildren. A brother, Houston Keith of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

14 year old Jacob Davis Billings of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital after being involved in a bicycle accident. He had just graduated from the eighth grade at DeKalb West School. He played football for the DeKalb Saints and had made the DCHS Tiger Football Team.
The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Wednesday from noon until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ammon Billings, Jr.
Survivors include his parents, Trey and Heather Billings of Smithville. Two sisters, Jessica and Tori Billings of Smithville. His maternal grandparents, Eugene and Linda Waggoner of Alexandria. His paternal grandmother, Teresa Billings of Smithville. His maternal great grandmother, Delores Murphy of Liberty. His paternal great grandmother, Willadine Guy of Sparta. Aunts and uncles, Tonya and Kevin Roberts of Alexandria, Scarlett Adcock of Murfreesboro, Tonya Evans of Smithville, Aleisha Fuson of Smithville. Cousins, Brandon, Megan, Zackary, Noah, Emily, Madison, Olivia, and Skylar.
The family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in lieu of flowers. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.