Former Smithville Mayor and alderman Cecil Ray Burger passed away Wednesday night at NHC Healthcare Center. He was 89 years old.
Mr. Burger served the City of Smithville for more than forty five years, including sixteen years as mayor and six years as alderman
In twenty two years, Mr. Burger never lost an election, having first been elected mayor in 1990. He served eight terms, sixteen years in that office until 2006 when he chose instead to run for alderman. He ended his long career with the city on June 30 last year when his third term as alderman came to an end. Because of his health, Mr. Burger had chosen not to seek re-election to a fourth term.
Mr. Burger began his career with the city in 1966 as secretary-treasurer, which also meant overseeing the city’s public works operation and city employees. He served as city judge for the first couple of years as well. Burger retired from the secretary-treasurer position in 1989 but came out of retirement fifteen months later after being elected mayor in 1990.
During his time with the city as an employee and alderman Burger served under or with ten mayors starting with Othel Smith, John Bill Evins, Charles Gentry, Edward Frazier, Gary (Gus) Johnson, Hilton Conger, Waniford Cantrell, Dewey Love, Bruce Medley, and Taft Hendrixson.
The fifty two aldermen he served under or with as a city employee, mayor, and alderman from 1966 through 2012 include Jim O. Amonett, W.H. Smith, Sr., Eugene Webb, Freddy Colvert, Hobert Hendrixson, John Bill Evins, Bass Estes, Floyd Brown, Sr., Edward Frazier, Robert Alexander, Carter Braswell, Paschal Cantrell, Donnie Lewis, Alfred Parker, T.C. Atnip, Ray Johnson, Bob Smithson, Gary (Gus) Johnson, Tom Keith, Hilton Conger, Dr. Kenneth Twilla, Bill Maffett, Marsha Darah, Cordell Walker, Charles Trapp, Paul Hendrixson, Dr. Melvin Blevins, Elmus Johnson, David Redmon, Jim Eddins, Dewey Love, Bruce Medley, Elzie McBride, Charles Burchfield, Larry Wright, Jack Cantrell, Jerry Taylor, W.J. (Dub) White, Charles Olson, Bert Driver, Steve White, Paul Young, Brad Mullinax, Mark Loring, Jackie Rigsby, Aaron Meeks, Willie Thomas, Tonya Sullivan, Jerry Hutchins, Sr., Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, and Gayla Hendrix.
In an interview with WJLE last year, Mr. Burger said he appreciated all the support he had received during his career with the city. “The people have been good to me and I appreciate it very much. They supported me well,” said Burger.
“We (city) grew a right smart while I was mayor and we tried to serve the whole city. I don’t know of anything special (we did) only trying to do our work with everybody. I had a lot of good help. I appreciate my friends who have helped me out all these years. They helped me when I was mayor. I have plenty of friends. I’ve tried to treat them like I wanted to be treated,” said Burger.
Mr. Burger was a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church and a construction worker.
The funeral will be Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Dr. John Carpenter will officiate. Entombment will be at DeKalb Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Visitation will be Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 3:00 p.m.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Willie Sowells Burger and his wife, Wilma Jo Burger.
Survivors include four children, David and wife Kyoko Burger of Japan, Gereda Burger of Massachusetts, Pamela and husband Danny Poss of Smithville, and Anthony and wife Tammie Burger of Smithville.
Five grandchildren, Nancy Burger, Simon and wife, Emi Burger, Erica Burger, Nicole Burger, and Zach Poss. A great grandson, Braxton. A sister, Sudie Vickers of Liberty. A sister-in-law, Mildred and husband Howard Harrell of Murfreesboro.
DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to the Smithville First United Methodist Church, in lieu of flowers.

79 year old Ms. Jimmie G. Mullican of Smithville died Saturday at NHC of Smithville. She was a Christian and was retired from Toshiba. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mike Clayborn 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 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband Jackie Austin Mullican; parents, Franklin and Connie Pack Hendrix; a son, Philllip Lyle Mullican; a brother, George Hendrix; and a sister, Frankie Hendrix Taylor. Survivors include two sons, Jackie Mullican of Smithville and Darrell Mullican of Nashville. One daughter, Jayrah Hire of Alexandria. Three grandchildren, Brad and Kim Trapp of Smithville, Josh Hire of Hartsville, Tabitha and Bobby Joe Anderson of Smithville. Five great grandchildren, Nikolas Anderson, Macy Anderson, Liz Qualls, Cailin Trapp, and Briz Trapp all of Smithville. Special friend, Rebecca Petty of Smithville. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Buford and Hazel Mullican, Gloston and Florene Mullican all of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

79 year old Ms. Jimmie G. Mullican of Smithville died Saturday at NHC of Smithville. She was a Christian and was retired from Toshiba. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mike Clayborn 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 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband Jackie Austin Mullican; parents, Franklin and Connie Pack Hendrix; a son, Philllip Lyle Mullican; a brother, George Hendrix; and a sister, Frankie Hendrix Taylor. Survivors include two sons, Jackie Mullican of Smithville and Darrell Mullican of Nashville. One daughter, Jayrah Hire of Alexandria. Three grandchildren, Brad and Kim Trapp of Smithville, Josh Hire of Hartsville, Tabitha and Bobby Joe Anderson of Smithville. Five great grandchildren, Nikolas Anderson, Macy Anderson, Liz Qualls, Cailin Trapp, and Briz Trapp all of Smithville. Special friend, Rebecca Petty of Smithville. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Buford and Hazel Mullican, Gloston and Florene Mullican all of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

87 year old Maurice Edwin Braswell of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a retail store owner and manager, and a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Randall Ganeus, Terry Little, and Freddy Curtis will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Braswell was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Allen and Minnie LeFevre Braswell; his wife, Elsie Braswell; a sister, Lillie Mai Braswell; brothers, Jewel “Mouse”, Gerald, Wilburn, Clarence, M.A., Vallas, Lloyd and Johnny Vestal Braswell. Survivors include children, Teresa and husband Mike King of Murfreesboro and Eddie and wife Coral Braswell of Smithville. Two grandchildren, Chloe and Claire Robinson and several nieces and nephews. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

87 year old Maurice Edwin Braswell of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a retail store owner and manager, and a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Randall Ganeus, Terry Little, and Freddy Curtis will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Braswell was preceded in death by his parents, Matthew Allen and Minnie LeFevre Braswell; his wife, Elsie Braswell; a sister, Lillie Mai Braswell; brothers, Jewel “Mouse”, Gerald, Wilburn, Clarence, M.A., Vallas, Lloyd and Johnny Vestal Braswell. Survivors include children, Teresa and husband Mike King of Murfreesboro and Eddie and wife Coral Braswell of Smithville. Two grandchildren, Chloe and Claire Robinson and several nieces and nephews. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

74 year old Louise Goodwin of Liberty died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Faith Congregational Methodist Church and a retired cook at DeKalb West School. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Freddy Savage, Chris Long, and Chris McMillen will officiate and burial will be in the Dismal Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Landon Goodwin; parents, Delmer and Athalene Driver; one son, Steve Landon Goodwin; and a granddaughter, Candace Dodd. Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Ellis of Liberty. Two granddaughters, Natosha Reinhart and fiance David Miller of Liberty and Rachel and husband Brandon Haggard of Smithville. One great granddaughter, Autumn Reinhart of Liberty. Four sisters, Reba and husband Louis Fuson of Liberty, Telia Miller of Liberty, Marie and husband Joe Johnson, and Barbara and husband Roger Davis all of Smithville. Two brothers, Alfred Driver of Kentucky and Joe and wife Kathy Driver of Dowelltown. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made, in lieu of flowers to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in memory of Ms. Louise.

87 year old Maureen McGuire Sellars of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Smithville Church of Christ and a retired Nurse Aide with the State Health Department. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Tim Woodward and Dan Gulley will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by parents, W.B. and Suzie Rankhorn Green; husbands, Oscar McGuire and Frank Sellars; a son, Jerry McGuire; two brothers, J.D. and James Green; and a sister, Velma Walker. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara J. Underwood of McMinnville. A daughter-in-law, Patsy McGuire of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Angela Neal, Michelle Jones, Steve Martin, and Sherry McGlothen. Five great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Jones, Trey Jones, Seth Jones, Haley Jones, and Cameron Neal. One great great grandson, Brently Youngblood. Sisters, Josie Boyd and Janis Dunn Haley both of McMinnville and Dorothy Adcock of Smithville. Special caregivers Elaine Cowart and Linda Cloyd both of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

74 year old Louise Goodwin of Liberty died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Faith Congregational Methodist Church and a retired cook at DeKalb West School. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Freddy Savage, Chris Long, and Chris McMillen will officiate and burial will be in the Dismal Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Landon Goodwin; parents, Delmer and Athalene Driver; one son, Steve Landon Goodwin; and a granddaughter, Candace Dodd. Survivors include a daughter, Kathy Ellis of Liberty. Two granddaughters, Natosha Reinhart and fiance David Miller of Liberty and Rachel and husband Brandon Haggard of Smithville. One great granddaughter, Autumn Reinhart of Liberty. Four sisters, Reba and husband Louis Fuson of Liberty, Telia Miller of Liberty, Marie and husband Joe Johnson, and Barbara and husband Roger Davis all of Smithville. Two brothers, Alfred Driver of Kentucky and Joe and wife Kathy Driver of Dowelltown. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made, in lieu of flowers to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in memory of Ms. Louise.

87 year old Maureen McGuire Sellars of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Smithville Church of Christ and a retired Nurse Aide with the State Health Department. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Tim Woodward and Dan Gulley will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by parents, W.B. and Suzie Rankhorn Green; husbands, Oscar McGuire and Frank Sellars; a son, Jerry McGuire; two brothers, J.D. and James Green; and a sister, Velma Walker. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara J. Underwood of McMinnville. A daughter-in-law, Patsy McGuire of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Angela Neal, Michelle Jones, Steve Martin, and Sherry McGlothen. Five great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Jones, Trey Jones, Seth Jones, Haley Jones, and Cameron Neal. One great great grandson, Brently Youngblood. Sisters, Josie Boyd and Janis Dunn Haley both of McMinnville and Dorothy Adcock of Smithville. Special caregivers Elaine Cowart and Linda Cloyd both of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

79 year old Glynn Aron Cantrell of Smithville died Wednesday at his residence. He was a Baptist, a U.S. Army Veteran, and a self-employed brick mason. The funeral will be Friday at 11:00 a.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in the Young Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. Cantrell was preceded in death by his parents, Zollie and Viola Adcock Cantrell; his wife, Ruth Ann Cantrell; brothers, Gentry Edward, John Thomas, Ernest Clifton, and Virgle Seborn Cantrell; and a sister, Jackie Gay. Survivors include two daughters, Beth and husband Valter Vandergriff and Glenda and husband Kerry Davis all of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Justin and Daniel Vandergriff and Lance and Leah Davis. Three sisters, Lillian and husband Brownie Tittsworth of Smithville, and Lois and husband J.E. Gay and Judy and husband Ronnie Cantrell all of McMinnville. A brother, Dale Cantrell of Knoxville. A sister-in-law, Mary Clark of East Lake, Ohio. Twenty five nieces and nephews survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to either the Shriners Hospital or to the charity of your choice in memory of Mr. Glynn.