Than Cantrell

84 year old Than Cantrell of Smithville died Friday at River Park Hospital in McMinnville. He was a Baptist and a nurseryman. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Denton Martin and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Vistation will be Sunday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Cantrell was preceded in death by his parents, John Lee and Ona Young Cantrell; his wife, Leotra Pearl Cantrell; grandson, Travis Cantrell; brothers, Jay, Joe, Jewel, Prentice, and Morgan Cantrell; sisters, Nancy Humphrey, Carmine Poss, and Nell Fly. Survivors include sons, Kenneth Eugene and Donald Wayne Cantrell both of Smithville. Grandchildren, Ray Cantrell of McMinnville, Adrian Lilley of Mentor, Ohio and Joshua Cantrell of Smithville. Great grandchildren, Ethan Cantrell of Smithville, Madison, Isabella and Brett Cantrell all of McMinnville, Rajah Lilley of Mentor, Ohio. Brothers, Doyce Cantrell, Elmus and wife Gladys Cantrell all of Smithville, John and wife Nell Cantrell of McMinnville, Lewis and wife Wanda Cantrell and McClure and wife Pam Cantrell all of Smithville. Sisters, Joan Harrelson of Lebanon, Hilda and husband Floyd Corley of Tullahoma, and Janice and husband Johnny Martin of Smithville. Sisters-in-law, Frances Cantrell of Gallatin and Wilma Cantrell of Smithville. Brother-in-law, Joe Fly of Nashville. Nieces and nephews also survive. The family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in lieu of flowers.

Mary “Chilley” Davis Mooneyham

83 year old Mary “Chilley” Davis Mooneyham died Thursday at Stones River Hospital. A resident of Woodbury, she was a native of Cannon Co. A member of the Centerhill Baptist Church, she was a white oak basket maker and was a retired seamstress at Valdor. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Greg Mitchell will officiate and burial will be in Riverside Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Survivors include her children, Louise Mayo of Woodbury and Buck and wife Paulette Mooneyham of Smithville. Grandchildren: Kandy Fish, Tim and wife Melanie Mayo, Tina Young, Tonya and husband Tim Cantrell and Brad and wife Christy Prater. Great Grandchildren: Ryan and Matt Sullivan, Ashley Mooneyham, Johnathan Caldwell, Tiffany, Bridget and Andrew Hutchins, Zach and wife Monica Cantrell, Kelby and Eli Cantrell, Micah and Liv Prater. A Brother: Jake and wife Ruth Davis of Woodbury. Sisters-in-law, Mary and Lois Davis both of Woodbury.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George Washington Davis and Angie Manus Davis; her husband, Charles O. Mooneyham, Daughter & Son-in-law, Ida Mae & Gary Prater and 12 siblings. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Bud Hale

81 year old Bud Hale of Smithville died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a Baptist, and a retired mechanic with the DeKalb County School Bus Garage. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Leonard Herman and Virgil Hibdon, Jr. will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Hale was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mable Lawrence Hale; a brother, Jr. Hale; and a sister, Willa Dean Hale. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Oleda Hale; one daughter, Starr and her husband Larry “Horse” Ferrell all of Smithville. Two grandchildren, Jarrod Dodd of Smithville and Sherranna Dodd and husband Bobby Walker of Gallatin. Two great grandchildren, Hunter and Ava Walker of Gallatin. One sister, Dean and husband Nelson Young of Smithville. A host of nieces, nephews, and friends survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Matthew Malachi Lawson

28 year old Matthew Malachi Lawson of Smithville died Wednesday at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Born in Woodbury, he was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Lawson was also a logger. The funeral will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown. John Smartt will officiate and burial will be in the Jennings Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the service. He is survived by his parents, Charlie and Ruth Lawson of Smithville. Sisters, Diane and husband Shonnie Sanders of Woodbury, Amy Lawson of Liberty, and Virginia and husband Chad Carrier of Smithville. A brother, Mark Lawson of Smithville. Six nephews, four nieces, a special cousin, Shannon Herman, and aunts, uncles, and other cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Hobart and Betty Linnear and Lemmie and Ruby Lawson. Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown is in charge of the arrangements.

Former UCHRA Director Phyllis Bennett Dies

67 year old Phyllis Bennett, who ran the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency for over 30 years, died Saturday at Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
She had gone on medical leave from the UCHRA last spring, but remained with the agency as a consultant.
She had been undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Phyllis began her career in 1973 with the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency. In 1978, she was appointed Executive Director until 2011 when she was hired as a consultant to the agency. Phyllis served 4 years as President of the Tennessee Association of Human Resource Agencies as well as being selected Who’s Who in American Business Women .
During her 34-year tenure as Executive Director, she not only established but practiced the agency’s motto of “Delivering Hope” to the people of the area by providing access to services through each of the fourteen county offices she established. Her giving spirit showed daily when seeing or riding UCARTS or CATS (Cookeville’s first mass transit system) traveling our streets and highways or providing home delivered meals and electrical assistance to the most needy in the region. Phyllis’s accomplished goals show when visiting or seeing Tennessee Careers Centers or when visiting Lakeside Resort & Educational Complex which was to help displaced workers through educating for new careers or promoting existing ones in the hospitality industry. The needs of our young people were never far from her heart. The Upper Cumberland’s need to house and council young people are realized through the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s Residential centers; Chance, Indian Mound and Cumberland Mountain School
Her visions for delivering this hope were made reality by her leading role in the expansion of Cover Kids, which provides insurance for uninsured children in low income homes, the Imagination Library; the Highland Initiative with the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and N.C.D.S. Inc. and numerous other programs that assisted those in need. Although her passion was to provide for all in need, her heart was always for the people of the Upper Cumberland Region. She had an understanding of the needs for the rural area residents & fought to supply these needs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Clarence Redmon and Evelyn Redmon as well as her daughter, Tiffany Rodgers. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Weyman (Wayne) H. Bennett; a son, Milburn S. Rodgers III (Patty) of Cookeville; a sister, Faye Fuqua of Smithville; a brother, Terry Redmon (Phyllis) of Lebanon; two grandsons- Matthew Rodgers, Murfreesboro; Nickolas Rodgers (Bethany) and one great grandchild, Aaron S. Rodgers, Cookeville; Barbi Rodgers Malfi of South Carolina; three step children – Gary Bennett of Minneapolis, MN, Nancy Manning (Colin) Hendersonville; & Christian Bennett (Lisa)of Hixson; four step grandchildren Courtney , Madison, Christian, & Hailey Bennett all of Hixson.
Visitation will begin Tuesday, June 12 at the Washington Avenue Baptist Church from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Services will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens in Smithville. Donations to the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s Residential Programs or the American Cancer Society can be made in lieu of flowers. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home in Cookeville is in charge of arrangements.

James Melvin Cantrell

57 year old James Melvin Cantrell of Smithville died Monday at his residence. He was supervisor with Berry Farms Nursery and a Baptist. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Royce Moore will officiate with burial in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by a son, Shawn Melvin Cantrell; parents, James and Pauline Cantrell, and brother, Larry Wayne Cantrell. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Cantrell of Smithville; daughter, Angela and husband James Wade of Murfreesboro. Three grandchildren, Kayla Nicole, Sophie Elizabeth and James Roman Wade all of Murfreesboro. Two sisters, Faye Robinson of Nashville, and Judy and husband James Patton of Smithville. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Chapel in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Ann Brady

61 year old Mary Ann Brady of Lebanon died Sunday at her residence. She was employed with Texas Boot Company for 26 years and also worked for Goodwill Industries. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Partlow Funeral Chapel in Lebanon. Burial will be at Wilson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from noon until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Martin and Betty G. Eldridge. She is survived by a son, Tracey Scott Brady, and daughter Sherry Brady Strunk. Grandchildren, Patrick Strunk, Micah Brady and Mia Brady. Great grandchild, Landon Joseph Hannigan; brothers, Arlon and wife Sonja Eldridge, Ray and wife Elaine Eldridge, T.C. and wife Emma Eldridge, Earnst Eldridge, Billy Odell and wife Karen Eldridge, and J.R. and wife Jenny Eldridge. Sisters, Ruby Collins, Margaret Brady, and Christine Bain. Partlow Funeral Chapel in Lebanon is in charge of the arrangements. This information courtesy of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.

J.E. Garrett

84 year old J.E. Garrett of Liberty died Tuesday at NHC Healthcare. He was a farmer. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Virgil Hibdon, Jr. will officiate and burial will be in the Melton Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Garrett and his first wife, Exie Garrett. Four brothers, Virgil, Thomas, Odell, and Kenneth; and two sisters, Virdie Parrish and Clara Fulkerson. Survivors include his wife, Louise Murphy Garrett of Liberty. Four sons, John and wife Vicky Garrett, Russell and wife Judy Garrett, Danny and wife Diane Garrett, and Jamie and wife Linda Garrett all of Indiana. Four step-sons, Glen and wife Louise Ferrell and Doug and wife Dawn Ferrell all of Smithville, David Taylor of Liberty, and Bengie and wife Stacy Taylor of McMinnville. One step-daughter, Joyce and husband Tom Mosley of Spencer, Seven grandchildren, several great grandchildren, several step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please make donations to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home for burial expenses, in lieu of flowers.

Lois Ann Certain Puckett

76 year old Lois Ann Certain Puckett of Smithville died Monday at NHC Healthcare Center. She was retired from DeKalb County and a member of the Buckner’s Chapel United Methodist Church. A graveside service will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Puckett Cemetery. Phil Tollett will officiate. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at which time the family will depart for the cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Lucille Miller Certain; her husband, Wilburn Puckett; a daughter, Patricia Rowe; a son, Steve Puckett; and a brother, Lynn Certain. Survivors include two sons, Eddie and Tim Puckett both of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Debbie Ball, Dwain Rowe, Jake Puckett, and Dakota Nokes all of Smithville. Five great grandchildren, Lance and Lane Ball, Jessica Cook, Cassidy Cook, and Matt Rowe. Brothers, James and Danny Certain both of Smithville. Sisters, Nettie Lou Judkins, Marie Hill, and Charlene Poss all of Smithville. Donations may be made to help with funeral and medical expenses, in lieu of flowers, or to the American Cancer Society. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Elsie Hendrixson

100 year old Elsie Hendrixson died Sunday at NHC of Smithville. She was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church since 1923, a homemaker, and a factory worker. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Terry Fesler and Mike Carpenter will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shelton (Shag) Hendrixson; a son, three year old Kenneth Hendrixson, great grandson, Chris Webb, A sister, Freeda Estes, two sons-in-law, W.J. (Wise Owl) Hendrixson and H.D. (Tootsie) Cook, and a daughter-in-law, Ezzie Lee Hutching Hendrixson. Survivors include a son, T.J. Hendrixson; three daughters, Geraldine Cook, Clarene Hendrixson, and Yvonne and husband Douglas Bonner all of Smithville. Six grandchildren, Jackie and husband Larry Webb, Jimmy and wife Virgie Hendrixson, and Jane and husband Matthew Brown all of Smithville, Ann Hildreth of Warren County, Mike and wife Melody Hendrixson of Florida, and Cathy and husband Bob Culver of Michigan. Two step-grandchildren, Gloria and husband Steve Corbin of Lynchburg, Mike and wife Sandy Cook of Tullahoma. Sister-in-law, Jimmie Mullican of Smithville. Thirteen great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren, several nieces, and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.