65 year old Ponzella Judkins Redmon of Smithville passed away Wednesday at her residence. She was a member of the Spring Street The Baptist Church. She was also a former employee of Westinghouse and she worked as a licensed practical nurse for 15 years. The funeral will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. until the service at 2 p.m. She was preceded in death by her father, Cecil H. Judkins; mother, Margaret Judkins Bain; and brothers, Cecil Edward Judkins and Troy Edward Bain. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Dwayne S. Redmon of Smithville. Son, Walter Ray Redmon of Smithville. Grandsons, Robert Redmon and Jeffery Redmon of Lebanon. Granddaughter, Chelsea Young of Lebanon. Special sister-in-law, Patricia Redmon. Numerous nieces and nephews survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Donations may be made to the DeKalb Animal Coalition or the Relay for Life.

Betty Ann Harris age 50 of Smithville passed away Monday afternoon, October 2, 2017 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital following a short illness. She was born April 29, 1967 to her parents, Shelby Hallback Griffith Davis and the late Robert Lee Griffith. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wardell Harris and 1 brother, Forrest York Griffith. Everyone that knew Betty loved her and she lived life to the fullest. Betty loved singing and the Lord. She attended the Liberty United Methodist Church and was a house cleaner. She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Marie Tittle of Lebanon; 3 grandsons, Austin, Ethan, and Anthony Tittle; mother, Shelby Davis of Liberty; sister, Emma Jean Abney of Martinez, GA; sister-in-law, Vera Bair of Ridge Spring, SC; special friends, Teresa and Larry Caldwell; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive. Funeral services will be 2 PM Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Wilson Williams and Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday 11AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. A complete list of survivors will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Norma Jean Sullivan age 53 of Mesa, Arizona passed away Friday night, September 29, 2017 at her residence in Mesa, Arizona. She was born June 21, 1964 to her parents, the late Dallas Burns and Lois Jean Page Hamilton. Norma owned and operated her own business, 4 Arizona Air Control in Mesa, AZ. She is survived by her husband, Michael Sullivan of Mesa, AZ; 3 sons, Joshua (Emily) Linder of Norfolk, VA, Roman (Ashley) Linder of Mesa, AZ and Roger “R.J.” (Rosa) Linder of Fallon, IL; 3 grandchildren, Katie Linder, Riley and Colton Linder; 1 brother, Victor (Lavonna) Hamilton of Smithville; 1 half-sister, Angela Hamilton of Randolph, NY; close family friend, Mark Stevens of Mesa, AZ. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Thursday, October 12, 2017 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Steve Page officiating and burial will follow in Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 AM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Hilda Ashburn Adkins passed away from this life on October 1, 2017 at her mother’s residence surrounded by her family. She was born August 22, 1963 to Delorice Billings Ashburn and the late Helious Ashburn. Hilda always had a smile on her face, and she touched everyone that she met. She enjoyed gardening, particularly her flowers, horseback riding, and spending time with her friends, family, and especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Allens Chapel Methodist Church. Hilda was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Mrs. Adkins’ funeral service will be on Wednesday, October 4 at 1 p.m. at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Peeled Chestnut Cemetery. Her visitation will be on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. She was preceded in death by her father, Helious Ashburn; grandparents, Isaac and Dora Billings, and Allie and Virda Ashburn. Survivors include her husband, Darrell Adkins of Sparta. A daughter, Shaundra and Kenny Cantrell of Smithville. A son, Tyrel Helton of Crossville. Two step-sons, Steve Adkins of Indiana and Eugene and wife Emma Adkins of Smithville. Grandchildren, Alexis, Eli, and Boston Cantrell of Smithville, Ava Helton of Murfreesboro, Henry Campus of Murfreesboro, Eli and Ethan Adkins of Indiana, and Ellie Adkins of Smithville. Mother, Delorice Ashburn of Sparta. Sister, Helen and David Barnes of Sparta, Donna and Greg Hutson of Sparta, and Kristy Beshearse of Sparta. Special niece, Allie Beshearse of Sparta. Special caregiver, Carolyn Powers of Smithville. Special friends, April, Cassie, and Ma Farless. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Naomi Sue Cripps-Kelly, 89, of Smithville, TN passed away on September 30, 2017 in Hendersonville, TN.
Visitation will be Monday from 4-8 pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Smithville, TN.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm Tuesday October 3rd at Smithville First Assembly of God with Bro. Donnie Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery.
Naomi Sue was born in Smithville, TN to Houston and Olivia Underwood on July 12, 1928. She married Freddie Hoyte Cripps on November 10, 1943 in Ringgold, GA. Hoyte having passed away in November 1989, Sue later married Mr. Albert Kelly, the late father of Reverend and Mrs. Donnie Kelly, Senior Pastor at First Assembly of God of Smithville, TN. By way of vocation, Sue was a Master Seamstress having owned and operated for many years Sewing by Sue, an alterations and gift shop located near the town square in Smithville. Throughout her entire life, she was involved in numerous church and community activities, with a particular focus on youth and Christian music productions. Sue was a life-time, charter member of the Smithville Church of God, but in recent years she attended the First Assembly of God located on Cookeville Highway in Smithville.
Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Houston Underwood, her mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Roy L. Cripps, her husband, Freddie Hoyte Cripps and husband Albert Kelly, her brothers Billy Andrew and Austin Eugene Underwood, and a sister, Mrs. Odell Waggner.
Sue is survived by two sons, Fred W. Cripps and his wife Barbara, Larry D. Cripps and his wife Charlene, two brothers, James and Roger Underwood, one sister, Doris Hare, seven grandchildren, Patrick Jason Cripps, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin T. Cripps, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Jacob Cripps, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Caleb Cripps, Mr. and Mrs. Jason Galaz, Mr. and Mrs. Caleb Gash, and Mr. and Mrs. Alex Webb Cripps. She is also survived and exceedingly blessed with nine great grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Jason, Kevin, Jacob, Matthew Caleb Cripps, Jason Galaz, Alex Webb Cripps and Caleb Gash.
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made as a memorial to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online or by calling 1-800-805-5856.
On behalf of our entire family, my brother Fred and I, as well as Barbara and Charlene, would like to thank the doctors and staffs of Main Street Senior Living and Avalon Hospice Care in Hendersonville, TN for providing amazing care, prayers, and loving support to our dear mother. The staff in both instances clearly went above and beyond what was expected to ensure and enhance our mother’s quality of life up and until the very end.

Nickey Reese, Jr. age 32 of Graysville, TN and a former resident of Smithville, passed away Monday, September 25, 2017 at Tristar Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville. He was born March 18, 1985 to his parents, Nickey Reese, Sr. and Remega Combs Nelson. He was preceded in death by 2 children, Adara and Kaiden Reese; 2 sisters, Leighanne Cripps and Michelle Beasley. He was a Baptist and a carpenter worker. Nickey is survived by 2 children, Kaylor and Meigabella Reese of Graysville, TN; mother and step-father, Remega and Kelly Nelson of Graysville, TN; father, Nickey Cantrell and companion, Melinda Stembridge of McMinnville; maternal grandmother, Mary Halferty of Dayton, Ohio; 1 brother, Brandon Reese of Splendora, Texas; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 2 PM Thursday, September 28, 2017 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday 10 AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Jimmie Edgar Merriman age 69 of Buffalo Valley, passed away Saturday night at Cookeville Regional Medical Center ER. He was born December 5, 1947 to his parents, the late Jack and Nettie Miller Merriman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 half-brothers, Edsel and Kenneth Kilgore. Jimmie was a member of Faith Chapel Church and a farmer. He is survived by his wife, Bertha Merriman of Buffalo Valley; 2 daughters, Pauline Ervin and Norma Ervin both of Smithville; 1 sister, Ruby Young of Smithville; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 1 PM Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Banks Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday 10 AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

87 year old James Hoyte Odom of Smithville passed away Sunday at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. He was a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church and he was retired from the Doctor’s Building. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Dr. John Carpenter will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the service at 2 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pascal and Maude Gilreath Odom; a son, James Edward Odom; and two sisters, Gladys Knowles and Elene Hayes. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joann Pack Odom of Smithville. A son, Richard and Jann Odom of Alabama. Two daughters, Regina Odom of Smithville and Renee Odom of Georgia. Three grandchildren, Chad and Julie Hendrixson of Smithville, Ashley and James Sward of Hendersonville, and Olivia Odom of Alabama. Two great grandchildren, Maggie Hendrixson of Smithville and Leena Pifer of Georgia. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangement. Donations may be made to the Smithville First United Methodist Church.

77 year old Gladys Marie Fitts of Brush Creek passed away Friday at the Quality Care Health Center in Lebanon. She was a member of the West Main Baptist Church in Alexandria and was a retired machine operator at Work Wear Factory. The funeral will be Monday at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery in Alexandria. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m. Fitts was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Willie Biggs Stafford; husband, James Fitts; daughter, Melissa Jackson; granddaughter, Brittany Fitts; brother, Richard Stafford; and sisters, Dora Stafford and Margaret Cline. Survivors include a daughter, Melinda and Tim Robertson of Brush Creek; sons, Michael and Porta Fitts of Maryland, Mickey and Lori Fitts of Illinois; grandchildren, James Fitts and Aaron Fitts of Maryland, Meghan Fitts and Briley Fitts of Illinois, Chad Robertson of Brush Creek, and Derek Robertson of Smyrna. Four great grandchildren. Brothers, Elbert Stafford of New Middleton and Willie Stafford of Westmoreland. Sisters, Cora Dillard of Portland, Mabel Mooneyham of Kentucky, and Kathy Clark of Hartsville. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

80 year old Phylis Knox Thompson of Dowelltown passed away Thursday at St. Thomas West in Nashville. She was a homemaker. The family has chosen direct cremation. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. She was preceded in death by her husband James Knox; her parents, Frank and Eula Rasncick Adair; brother, Frank Adair, Jr.; and brother-in-law, Nate Ward and nephew Charles Wingo. Survivors include three children, James Knox, Sherri and Scott Carroll and Robert Knox; siblings, Nancy Adair Wingo, Wilma Adair Ward, W.K. and Deloris Adair and Robert and Sandy Adair; grandchildren, Jessica and Rino Hernandez, Joe Knox, Scott Carroll, Jr., Erin and Josh Turner, Joseph and Megan Carroll, and Robert Knox, II; Great grandchildren, Grace Naron, Aidan and Liam Turner, Ethan and Grayson Hernandez and Alexis Carroll. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Donations may be made to the Phyllis Knox Thompson Memorial Fund at Regions Bank in Smithville.