45 year old Clayton Eugene (Clay) Edwards of Liberty died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was born in Orlando, Florida. Edwards was a sales representative and a member of Salem Baptist Church. Edwards was also President of the DeKalb County High School Football Quarterback Club; President of DeKalb West School Junior Pro Basketball; and member of the DeKalb County Fair Board. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church. Mike Carpenter, Mark Wade, and Phillip Dougan will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from noon until the service time. Visitation both days will be at Salem Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Tena Edwards of Liberty. Children, Abram Edwards and Sara Edwards both of Liberty. His mother, Peggy Edwards of Liberty. His father and step-mother, Charles Donald, Sr. and Glenda Edwards of Kenansville, Florida. A brother, Charles “Chuck” Donald and his wife Priscilla Edwards of Kissimmee, Florida. A sister, Tina Edwards of Kissimmee, Florida. A half sister, Monica and her husband Nick Emmons of Kenansville, Florida. Step sisters, Trisha and her husband Jamie Baker of Williston, Florida, Janice Thomas of Florida, and Barbara and her husband Scott Burnap of Ohio. Step brothers, Rick and his wife Dodie Thomas of Florida, and Jay Thomas of Florida. Sisters-in-law, Pat and her husband Joe Fletcher of Murfreesboro and Penny and her husband Pat McCann of Sulphur, Louisiana. A brother-in-law, David Coye of Sulpher, Louisiana. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The DeKalb County High School Football Team will serve as honorary pallbearers. Contributions for the family may be made, in lieu of flowers, at DeKalb Community Bank or at dekalbcountyfootball.com.

80 year old Donna Marie DeShano of Smithville died Sunday at her residence. She was a nurse. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, where she was a member as well as a member of the Ladies Guild. Father David Cooney will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The service will be Wednesday at the church at 10:30 a.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Claudine Lane. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth DeShano of Smithville. A son, Paul and his wife Betty DeShano of Michigan. Three daughters, Claudia and her husband Tom Hafstad of Smithville, Martha and her husband Lou Bediente of Michigan, and Laura DeShano of Michigan. Nine grandchildren, Stacy Hafstad Robinson, Dawn and her husband Adam Lawson, and Kelly Hafstad all of Smithville. Adam DeShano, and Amy DeShano both of Michigan, Lisa DeShano of Ohio, Ken and his wife Devon Bediente of Oklahoma, Michelle and Mark Frizzell of Michigan, and Kyle Lewandowski of Michigan. Six great grandchildren, Anna Lawson and Alli Lawson both of Smithville, Jake Bediente and Lilly Bediente of Oklahoma, and Gina Frizzell, and Mark Frizzell of Michigan. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please make all donations in memory of Mrs. Donna to Alive Hospice, in lieu of flowers.

74 year old Ruetta Close of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a homemaker and a member of the Mount Herman Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Dave Carden, Jonathan Willoughby, and Mike Gay will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Savage and Nancy Luna Kirby and a brother, Clyde Kirby. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul Close of Smithville. Two sons, Phillip and his wife Sue Close of Smithville and Richard and his wife Gina Close of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Shane and her husband Kevin Pitts of South Carolina, Chris and his wife Kelly Close of Murfreesboro, Caden Close and Conner Close both of Smithville. Two brothers, Edward and his wife Joyce Kirby of McMinnville and Virgil and his wife Martelia Kirby of Smithville. Two sisters, Dale Reynolds of Hermitage and Joe Puckett of Smithville. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please make all donations in memory of Mrs. Ruetta to the Mount Herman Baptist Church Building Fund, in lieu of flowers.

75 year old Faye Helms of Smithville died Saturday at NHC Healthcare of Smithville. She was a member of the Buckner’s Chapel United Methodist Church and a homemaker. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Phil Tollett will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Kenneth Helms; two sons, Kenneth Neal Helms and William Barrett; and her parents, Fredrick and Bertie Yealock Pike. Survivors include four daughters, Vivian Yoskovich of Smithville; Valerie Rodriguez of South Carolina; Marlene Helms of Southgate, Michigan; and Darlene Stillings of Seattle, Washington. One sister, Sarah Pletz of San Antonio, Texas, Fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Buckner’s Chapel United Methodist Church, in lieu of flowers.

90 year old Dorothy Anna Kayl of Michigan died Saturday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville. She was a member of the First Methodist Church at Saint Clair, Shores. She was preceded in death by her husband, John F. Kayl, Jr.; her parents, Albert and Stella Wilson Webb; and a sister, Ruth Gudenau. Survivors include children, Bevery Kayl and her husband Joe Portin of Smithville, Dawn and her husband Robert Morris of Colorado, and Fritz and his wife Sue Kayl of Michigan. Five grandchildren, Debbie, Carol, Richard, Amy, and Sally. Ten great grandchildren also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family has chosen direct cremation.

80 year old Clifton White Melton of Liberty died Wednesday at Stones River Hospital of an extended illness. He was born in Cannon County, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Mount Moriah Baptist Church and a retired employee of the Colonial Corporation and a farmer. The funeral will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Junior Hibdon, Tim Pack and Tim Pelham will officiate and burial will be in the Gunter-Grizzle Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. Melton and Ora Lee Hale Melton Anderson and his brother, Charles Anderson; and his step-father, Edgar Lee Anderson. He is survived by his wife, Corrine Jones Melton of Gassaway. A son, Stanton and his wife Mary Elizabeth Melton of Rockford, Illinois. Three grandchildren, Teneia Melton Capes and her husband Rodney of Chicago, Jordan E. Melton and his mother Rita Robinson of Liberty, and Jonathan Delta Melton of Rockford, Ilinois. One great grandchild, Natalie N. Capes of Chicago. Three sisters, Irene Roberts of Donelson, Billie Simpson of Smithville, and Fay Armstrong of Woodbury. One brother, E.L., Jr. and his wife Brenda Anderson of Liberty. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

77 year old Morten Lawhorn of Smithville died Monday at his residence. He was a Baptist and a Machinist for the CMP Corporation. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead, Kentucky. Don Rvers and Mitch Roe will officiate and burial will be in the Oakley and Fultz Cemetery in Morehead, Kentucky. Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. Thursday at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carlos Vinson and Virginia Smith Lawhorn; a brother, Gilbert Lawhorn; a sister, Fern Lawhorn; and a granddaughter, Barbara Rice. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Audress Lawhorn of Smithville. Four children, Herbert and his wife Brenda Wilson, Sharon and her husband Kenneth Cline, Kevin and his wife Diane Lawhorn, and Elise Flannery all of Smithville. Two brothers, Kenneth Lawhorn and Binson Lawhorn both of Mansfield, Ohio. Three sisters, Alberta Winters of Colorado, Madge George and Shirley Williams both of Smithville. Eleven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

92 year old Myrtle Vanatta of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Dry Creek Baptist Church and a retired factory worker. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shelia Vanatta; her parents, Henry and Novella Braswell Stanley; and a brother, L.D. Stanley. Survivors include a daughter, Pamaline Vanatta of Smithville. A sister, Ella Cripps of Dowelltown. A sister-in-law, Helen Stanley of Dowelltown and several nieces and nephews. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

71 year old Ralph A. Moss of Lebanon died Friday at University Medical Center in Lebanon. He was a Lithographer. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Mark Bass will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon until the service at 2:00 p.m.. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Edward and Sarah Dean Griffith Moss. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Betty Moss of Lebanon; a daughter, Marsha and her husband Bob Hyypio of St. Petersburg, Florida; and a sister, Judy Adcock of Livingston. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

73 year old Mrs. Bobbie Hale of Liberty died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Cave Springs Missionary Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Timothy Pelham will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fonzo and Mae Vaugh Stacy; a brother, Jack Stacy; and a sister, Ethelene Close. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Billy Hale of Liberty. Children, Kathy and her husband Bill Nokes of Pea Ridge and Deborah and her husband Elvis Pedigo of Dowelltown. Grandchildren, Wesley Nokes, Natasha Nokes, and Corey Pedigo. Sisters, Jean Newbell of Lebanon and Dean Turner of Michigan. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.