80 year old Harrison Donel “Toostie” Cook of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a member of the Salem Baptist Church, the U.S. Air Force, and the Boilermakers Union #454. He was also a retired construction worker. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Mike Carpenter and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vester and Minnie Hall Cook; and brothers, Flossie B. Cook and Hoyte Cook. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Geraldine Hendrixson Cook of Smithville. Children, Gloria and her husband Steve Corbin of Lynchburg and Don M. and his wife Sandy Cook of Tullahoma. Step-son, Mike and his wife Melody Hendrixson of Florida. Grandchildren, Kelly Langdford, Jenny Breal, Jon Hendrixson, Sean Borne, and Lee Cook. Great grandchildren, Daisy Bondurant and Lilah Keaton Breal and mother-in-law, Elsie Hendrixson of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that donations be made to either the American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.
Tag Archives: 2009
Smithville Police Make Arrests For Drug and Alcohol Related Offenses
The Smithville Police Department has made a few arrests in recent days on drug and alcohol related charges.
Smithville Police Chief Richard Jennings says 21 year old Joshua Lynne Batey is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a schedule VI controlled substance for sale and delivery.
His bond totals $30,000 and he will be in court on January 8th.
Investigator Jerry Hutchins, Jr. reports that on December 30th, Batey called the Smithville Police Department to 228 Green Acre Drive. Upon entering the residence, a plastic bag of marijuana could be seen in plain view on a table. After obtaining consent to search, police also found a box of sandwich bags and a marijuana grinder in the house.
Meanwhile, 37 year old Richard B. Turner is charged with public intoxication and simple possession. His bond totals $5,000 and he will be in court on the charges January 8th.
Officer Matt Farmer reports that on December 30th on Crestlawn Avenue, the Smithville Police Department was in the area on a dispute call. Turner was walking across the street. He was unsteady on his feet and had an odor of alcohol on his person. Turner is under a restraining order and not supposed to be at the housing authority. Upon incident to arrest, Officer Farmer found six seroquel pills, a legend drug, loose in his front pocket.
In another case, 47 year old Roy Douglas Atnip is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court January 8th. Officer Nathan Estes reports that on December 30th at 634 Crestlawn Avenue, the Smithville Police Department received two calls on Atnip. He was seen in the front yard very unsteady on his feet. He also had an odor of alcohol on his person.
Another vandalism was reported on Tuesday. Lieutenant Steven Leffew reports that on December 30th at 5:16 p.m., he responded to Sundance Restaurant downtown where someone had busted out the front glass. A large rock was found near the front of the building.
Tracy Foutch also reported to police on December 30th that someone trespassed on his property at 720 Robinson Road and cut six trees valued at $2,000.
Chief Jennings asks that if you have seen or see anyone cutting trees in that area to contact police.
Billy Joe Cowan
61 year old Billy Joe Cowan of McMinnville died Friday at his residence of an extended illness. He was a factory worker and a member of the Methodist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville. Greg Hibdon will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver B. and Erma C. Courtney Cowan. Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Bianne and John Pennington of McMinnville. Two nieces and their husbands, Katrina Pennington and Rusty Thompson and Regenia Pennington and John Rovsek all of Atlanta, Georgia. Two great nieces, Abigail Thompson and Hannah Grace Rovsek. One uncle and two aunts also survive. Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.
James Edward LaFever
The funeral for 93 year old James Edward LaFever (better known as Ed LaFever) will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Baxter Funeral Home. Burial will be in the LaFever Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Monday from 7:00 a.m. until the time of the service. He is survived by his son, Richard LaFever. Four daughters, Joyce Ford, Penny Craighead, Barbara Cassilly, and Lisa Mackie. A sister, Willie Jo Thomas. The Baxter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert Eudele Ramsey
The funeral for 69 year old Robert Eudele Ramsey will be Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Baxter Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Rock Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 7:00 a.m. until the time of the service. He is survived by his wife, Susie James Ramsey. Two sons, John C. Ramsey and Justin W. Ramsey and a brother, Doug Ramsey. The Baxter Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Joe Homer Brown
93 year old Joe Homer Brown of Rock Island died Friday at the Rain Tree Manor of Warren County. He was a farmer and a member of the New Bybee’s Chapel United Methodist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Tim Lewis will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Vell LeFever Brown and wife Sally Hendrixson Brown. Survivors include a son, Bill Brown of Georgia; a daughter, Patty Jean Brown of McMinnville; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Alice Marie Colvert
83 year old Alice Marie Colvert of Smithville died Thursday at NHC Healthcare Center. She was an ASCS office secretary and a member of the First United Methodist Church. She also played piano for the Community Chorus. The funeral will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Town Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Harrison and Mabel Eller Colvert. She is survived by several cousins. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
DeKalb County Fire Department Receives $190K Federal Grant
When there is an emergency, fire stations should have the necessary staff and personnel to properly respond. Today, Congressman Bart Gordon announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded $190,000 to the DeKalb County Fire Department for recruitment of volunteer firefighters.
“Countless lives are saved every day by the courageous efforts of first responders – our nation’s firefighters, EMTs, and police officers,” said Congressman Gordon who is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “This DHS grant will allow the DeKalb County Fire Department to staff up and do an even better job than they are already doing.”
The grant was awarded through the DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The program was developed to help firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment to improve their ability to protect the public and emergency personnel from fires and related hazards.
The DeKalb County Fire Department will receive the $190,000 grant incrementally over the next 4 years and use the funds to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters and personnel.
“We’re excited about this. We’ve been struggling with recruitment and retention of volunteers,” Chief Donny Green said.
The DeKalb County Fire Department plans to use billboards and media advertisements to expand the 72 all-volunteer countywide department. The department currently serves 11 stations in DeKalb County. “That’s a little less than seven firefighters per station, and with volunteers, half are at work or out of town,” explained Chief Green. “We really need 40-50 more volunteers.”
Retention incentives include fuel reimbursement of $10 per call and payment of $200 at the end of the year to each firefighter who attends 75 percent of monthly training drills or $400 for 100 percent of all training.