Another great crowd turned out on Friday to enjoy chili and delicious baked goods at Habitat for Humanity’s Eighth Annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, which was held at the 303 Building on the square. The DeKalb County Board of Education won the “Best Chili” award, and “Blessed and Highly Flavored” from Allen’s Chapel and Buckner’s Chapel Methodist Churches followed in second place. “Wild West Gang” from the DeKalb County Board of Education also won first place honors in the decorating contest.
According to Sharon Evans and the Habitat Chili Cook-off Committee, the event raised $3,000.00, which will be used toward the building of the fourth Habitat house in DeKalb County next year. “Hot chili on such a cold day – what could be better?” said Evans. “It has turned into a great community event that people look forward to. We appreciate all the chili teams for their hard work and dedication to this event and to everyone who brought the delicious baked goods and beautiful plants.” Evans added.
Ten teams participated in the event, including “Blessed and Highly Flavored” from Allen’s Chapel and Buckner’s Chapel Methodist Churches; “Wild West Gang” from the DeKalb County Board of Education; “Hot Checks Chili” from DeKalb Community Bank; “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials; “Unconditional Chili” from Harbinger Media Partners; “Hale’s Bowls of Fire” from James C. Hale; “Comfort Builders” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “Avant-garde Chili” from Art Revolution; “Bumpers Web-Slingers” from Bumpers Drive In; “Building Chili – One Bean at a Time” from Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181.
Tag Archives: 2011
John Allen Judkins, Sr
75 year old John Allen Judkins, Sr. of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a member of the Keltonburg United Methodist Church and a tree trimmer. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday from noon until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Evie Luna Judkins; his wife, Violet Judkins; and brothers and sisters, Norvel Judkins, William Harrison Judkins, Earlene Jefferies, and Elsie Adcock. Survivors include four children, Edward Judkins, John Judkins, Jr., and Elsie Judkins all of Smithville, and Tracy of Indiana. Grandchildren, Ed Jr., Lydia, Amanda, Brandy, and Shelly. Brothers, Frank Judkins, Lewis Judkins and Hobert Judkins all of Smithvillle. Sisters, Mary Adcock of Smithville, Jessie Mai Fleming of Pennsylvania, and Gloria Jean Martin of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to the Trust Fund for John’s granddaughters, in lieu of flowers.
Lori Ann Eley
42 year old Lori Ann Eley of Smithville died Thursday. She was a member of the Catholic Church and a homemaker. The funeral will be Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at the chapel of High Funeral Home in McMinnville. Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until the service. She was preceded in death by a step daughter, Heather Eley and father-in-law, Don Eley. Survivors include her husband, Bruce Eley of Smithville. A son, Tyler James Seymour of the British Columbia. A step-son, Nathan Eley of Fort Worth, Texas. Two grandchildren, Kaidynce Faith Gray and Aidyn Michael Eley both of Smithville. Mother, Agnes Thomlison of British Columbia. Father, Lorn Thomlison of British Columbia. Brother, Craig Seymour of Canada. Mother-in-law, Vivian Eley of Woodbury. Sister-in-law, Donna Gwenn Eley Bush of Woodbury. High Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.
Heather Nichole Eley
21 year old Heather Nichole Eley of Smithville died Thursday. She was a member of the Church of Christ, a student and homemaker. The funeral will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of High Funeral Home in McMinnville. Norman Pelham will officiate and burial will be in the Blue Wing Cemetery in Cannon County. Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until the service. She was preceded in death by her step-mother, Lori Eley; maternal grandmother, Suzanne Taylor; and paternal grandfather, Don Eley. Survivors include two children, Kaidynce Faith Gray and Aidyn Michael Eley. Her mother, Chrissy Eley of Fort Worth Texas. Her father, Bruce Eley of Smithville. A brother, Nathan Eley of Fort Worth Texas. Step brothers, Korben Deley of Fort Worth, Texas and Tyler Seymour of Canada. Step sisters, Hanna Denney, Kylee Deley, and Katey Deley all of Fort Worth, Texas. Step-mother, Hope Deley of Fort Worth, Texas. Paternal grandmother, Vivian Eley of Woodbury. Maternal grandfather, Randy Taylor of McMinnville. Maternal grandfather, John Ashley of McMinnville. High Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to the family, in memory of Heather Nichole Eley at High Funeral Home.
Reed Allen Redmon
78 year old Reed Allen Redmon of Smithville died Saturday at Centennial Medical Center. He was a Baptist and a member of the Carrier Steel Workers Union. He worked 29 years at Carrier. The funeral will be Monday at 3:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in the Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 3:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Amie Barks Redmon; his wife, Frances Joyce Hawkins Redmon; three children, Marlene, James, and Glen Redmon; sisters, Beulah Caldwell, Mary Walker, Mamie Driver, Sadie Sandlin, Ravenell Milburn, and Ella Mai Jones; and brothers, Rex, Ralph, and Louis Redmon. Survivors include two children, Peggy and husband Timmie Adcock of Smithville and David and wife Maria Redmon of Michigan. Grandchildren, David, Jr. and wife Heather Redmon, Matthew Redmon, Tina and husband Mhill Marku, Simon and wife Traci Camaj, and Rob and wife Scarlett Camaj. A brother, Ernest and wife Linda Redmon of McMinnville. Special nieces, Donna and husband Jeremy Green, Christie Cawthorn, and Carolyn Caldwell. The family asks that donations be made to the DeKalb County Relay for Life in lieu of flowers. The family requests no food.
Mandy Grace McConnaughey
Mandy Grace McConnaughey, the five week old daughter of Don and Carrie McConnaughey of Smithville, died Friday at her residence. The family attends the Smithville First Baptist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mark Bass will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. The child was preceded in death by her grandmother, Rebecca McConnaughey. In addition to her parents, the child is survived by a brother and sisters, Moses, Melody, and Gabby McConnaughey all of Smithville. Grandparents, Bob and Trudy Petty, Don “Skip” McConnaughey, and Glenda Petty and Mike Pridemore. An aunt, Heather Petty and cousin Haylee. An uncle, Chuck and wife Leesa McConnaughey and cousin, Killian. Great grandmother, Nana McConnaughey. Great aunt, Kitty and husband Steve Deakins. Uncle and aunt, Josh and Rana Pridemore and cousin Andrew. Uncle and aunt, Jerry and Nicole Pridemore and cousin Natalee. Great aunts and uncles, Pat and Shorty Petty and Betty and Robert Fox. Several other cousins survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Henry David (H.D.) Driver
86 year old Henry David (H.D.) Driver of Madison, Tennessee died Thursday after an extended illness. H.D. was born in Smithville, TN on November 25, 1924 to Henry P. and Effie Love Driver. He graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1942. He joined the Navy and served in the Pacific operations until the end of the war. Upon returning from the war, he moved to Detroit, Michigan and worked for the Chrysler Corporation for 32 years while operating a television repair service. Upon retirement, he moved to Nashville. H.D. was preceded in death by four brothers, Houston, Garlin, Roy, and Winston. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dell Cantrell Driver; a sister, Sylvia Brigman of Atlanta and a brother Morris Driver of McMinnville. He is also survived by children, Patricia Driver of Detroit, David Driver of McMinnville, and Diane Driver of Nashville. Along with numerous nieces and nephews, he is also survived by three step daughters, Nancy (Ken) Bearden of Murfreesboro, Beth Mason of Winchester, and Cathy Smith of Tullahoma. H.D. was a lifelong member of the Baptist Denomination and was previously active at Lockeland Baptist, Nashville and was currently an active member of the Parkway Baptist Church, 505 Cunniff Parkway. Goodlettsville; where visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.on Monday with the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Ken Castleberry will officiate. Burial will be held at Whorton Springs Cemetery Monday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of H.D. Driver. Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Goodlettsville is in charge of the arrangements.
Artists Studio Tour this weekend
It is time again for the annual Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour in which more than 25 artists in 11 different locations open their workshops and invite the public to see what they make. From 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 28- 30, the roads will be full of curious visitors who make their way from studio to studio, talking with the artists and seeing what they make, how they do it, and what inspires them. Many of them will buy or commission work directly from the person who makes their livelihood with their hands.
Many tour goers have received a brochure in the mail. The brochure includes a map to the studios and descriptions of what they will find at each destination. A good place to start the tour and get a brochure is at the Stella Luna Art Gallery at 412 S. Mountain Street in Smithville. A downloadable brochure is also available at the studio tour’s website: www.offthebeatenpathtour.com.
The annual tour is free and open to the public. Everyone who comes on the tour is eligible to enter a drawing for a beautiful ceramic platter donated by Smithville potter, Susan DeMay. The drawing will be held on WJLE’s Chamber Chats radio program on Wednesday, November second.
The fall colors will be at their peak, so this weekend is a beautiful time to travel the back roads and see what this area has to offer. Follow the yellow Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour signs and you are assured to be delighted with what you find.
Double Homicide, Suicide Under Investigation
The bodies of a woman and her step mother were found at their residence on Allen’s Chapel Road Thursday afternoon, the victims of an apparent shooting and stabbing while the man believed responsible for their deaths died Friday evening at Vanderbilt Hospital of a self inflicted gunshot wound.
Dead are 21 year old Heather Nichole Eley and her step mother 42 year old Lori Ann Eley.
The suspect, 22 year old Brandon Michael Gray of Foster Road Smithville, died Friday evening at Vanderbilt Hospital. He was the ex-boyfriend of Heather Eley.
Sheriff Patrick Ray told WJLE that Gray called 911 from his cell phone at 3:45 p.m. asking that someone be sent to the residence on Allen’s Chapel Road to check on his children. Gray said that he thought something was wrong there.
Since the residence is located near the city limits line, both a Smithville Police Officer and a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Deputy were dispatched to the home. Officers arrived and found the front door locked but they were able to enter through a back door. A boy and girl, both under the age of three, were found in the home. They were unharmed. The bodies of the two women were discovered in the living room and kitchen area. Sheriff Ray said that it appeared that the women had been shot and stabbed.
The officers removed the children from the residence and summoned other law enforcement officers and detectives to the scene. The children, who belong to Gray and Heather Eley, are now in the care of the Department of Children Services.
Sheriff Ray said that after Gray was identified as a person of interest, officers began looking for him. A deputy later spotted who he thought was Gray in a green Mazda pulling out of the parking lot of the Mapco Express convenience market at the corner of East Broad Street and North Congress Boulevard in Smithville. The officer got behind the car on Highway 56 north and radioed central dispatch to run the tag number. It revealed that the car was registered to one of the victims. The deputy tried to pull over the car but it failed to stop. The officer and a sheriff’s department detective then initiated a pursuit from near the city limits to the intersection of Rolling Acres Road in the county. As the car pulled over and came to a stop, the officers heard a gunshot. They rushed to the vehicle and found that the driver, Gray, had shot himself in the head. The officers called for an ambulance and Gray was taken to DeKalb Community Hospital. Because of the weather, Gray could not be airlifted so he was transported by ground ambulance from the local hospital to Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville.
Sheriff Ray said that authorities have the pistol that Gray used to shoot himself. They have also recovered from the Eley home, kitchen knives which may have been used in the stabbing of the two women. The bodies have been sent to Nashville for an autopsy.
Authorities will not yet comment on a possible motive for the murders.
The case remains under investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and TBI Special Agent Billy Miller. Members of the Smithville Police Department, District Attorney General’s Office, and Tennessee Highway Patrol all assisted at the scene.
Body of Putnam County Fisherman Recovered from Center Hill Lake at Cookeville Boat Dock
The body of a 70 year old Putnam County man was recovered from Center Hill Lake at Cookeville Boat Dock in DeKalb County Wednesday night.
Dead is Mineth (Doc) Burchett of Cookeville.
The TWRA told WJLE that Burchett, according to family members, left home Wednesday morning to go fishing.
At around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, a marina operator spotted a bass boat on the water just a few feet from the boat dock. No one was aboard the boat but the engine was running (idling).
911 was notified and members of the TWRA arrived on the scene along with the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, DeKalb EMS, and officers of the Sheriff’s Department.
Burchett’s body was found in about eight feet of water near the boat dock, only a few feet from his boat.
TWRA officials said they are not certain whether Burchett drowned, had some sort of accident, or suffered a medical incident causing his death. Authorities do not suspect foul play.