89 year old Reba Irene Delong Melton of Dowelltown died Sunday at NHC Healthcare Center. She was a Baptist and a factory worker. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Wallace Caldwell and Darin Grantham will officiate and burial will be 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 11:30 a.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Otis Melton; parents, Arthur Freeman and Effie Delong Delong; grandchild, Randy Watts; four brothers, Jack, Clyde, Bill, and Brown Delong; and a son-in-law, Ray Hale. Survivors include three daughters, Imogene and husband Mitchell Adcock of Smithville, Margaret Hale of Liberty, and Christie and husband J.C. Byford of Dowelltown. A son, Clarence and wife Faye Melton of Lawrenceburg. Nine grandchildren, Charles Adcock, Loretta Adcock, Hoyte Hale, and Rosea Young all of Smithville, Frances Bell of Nashville, Danny and Donnie Watts of Liberty and Manchester, Tammye Grantham of Murfreesboro, and Blake Melton of Mississippi. Sixteen great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Sellars of Ohio. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Tag Archives: 2011
Bessie Bell Spencer
94 year old Bessie Bell Spencer of Liberty died Monday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville. She was a Methodist and retired from the shirt factory. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Javin Lawson, Junior Hibdon, and Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in the Dismal Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Versie Scott Driver; her husband, Halton Spencer; a son, Robert Spencer; a great grandson, Bryan Keith Spencer; a great great grandbaby, Kaitlyn Bennett; sisters, Lena May Driver, Exum Chapman, and Beulah Malone; and brothers, Dawson Driver and Odell Driver. Survivors include a daughter, Lois Self of Liberty. Eight grandchildren, Terry Hicks, Mark Hicks, Bessie Collins, Linda Kennedy, Barbara Hicks, Stevie Spencer, Debbie Bartley, and Joann Bradford. Twenty six great grandchildren and twenty one great great grandchildren. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Anthony Dwane “Bubba” Trapp
39 year old Anthony Duane “Bubba” Trapp of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a shift manager of Smithville Pizza Hut and a member of the Tabernacle The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Garry McBride and Darrell Cantrell will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. 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 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by a nephew, Daymon Trapp. Survivors include his wife, Audrey Trapp; parents, Boyd and Linda Chapman Trapp; and a brother, Darrel and wife Janet Trapp all of Smithville. Two step children, Edward and wife Anna Dillard of Florida and Jolene and husband Jesse Pimental of Lebanon. One step grandson, Elliott Dillard of Florida. Niece and nephew, Jayrah and Jamison Trapp of Smithville. Parents-in-law, Richard and Betty Angaran of Rock Island. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Crash Victim Receives GHSO “Saved by the Belt” Award
A seatbelt may have saved the life of a 30 year old Smithville man or at least prevented him from suffering serious injuries after being involved in a three car crash on Highway 70 near Alexandria in January.
For choosing to buckle up, Brandyn Wright has received the “Saved by the Belt” Award from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
THP Sergeant Mark Dial and Trooper Dewaine Jennings presented the award to Wright on Saturday morning.
The award states “The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office commends Brandyn Wright for your lifesaving choice and for the strong example you provide to others on the importance of wearing safety belts. You are living proof that safety belts save lives.”
On January 6th, Wright was traveling east on Highway 70 toward Smithville in a 2000 Ford Focus when another vehicle traveling west tried to pass a car on a double yellow line. The vehicle that pulled out to pass struck Wright’s car nearly head-on and then hit the car it was trying to pass. Wright’s car spun around and came to rest facing north on the shoulder of the roadway. The car trying to pass broke into two pieces from the crash and the two occupants were ejected because they were not wearing their seatbelts.
THP officials say Wright’s decision to wear his seatbelt not only saved his life but also kept him from sustaining more serious injuries in what proved to be a very serious accident.
Walk Across Tennessee Kickoff for DeKalb County Set for April 4
Being physically active is one of the best things you can do to improve and maintain your health, yet nearly two-thirds of Americans aren’t getting the activity they need. Consider taking up walking with friends or your family by participating in Walk across Tennessee, which is an eight-week program that will spark some friendly competitions in DeKalb County. Beginning Monday, April 4 teams of eight will compete to see who can log the most miles walking, jogging, biking, and other forms of exercise in their community. Biking or jogging teams can have a team of four. The miles walked are not literally across the state, but reported on a map posted at the UT Extension Office and Greenbrook Park.
Since everyone participates in a variety of sports, the Walk across Tennessee program also has an exercise conversion chart so that participants can count aerobics, swimming, weight lifting, etc. For example, 16 minutes of high intensity aerobics would equal one mile.
The Walk across Tennessee kickoff for DeKalb County is set for Monday, April 4 at Greenbrook Park at 5:30 P.M. “Teams will keep track of their miles and weekly results and team standings at the park, on the Walk Across TN website, facebook, and other places around the community. Teams can be composed of coworkers, teachers, students, neighbors, etc. While it would be great for teams to exercise together, this is not a requirement. This is an excellent team competition for the workplace and schools” said April Martin, DeKalb County Extension Agent
Many people are unaware of the positive benefits of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 problem in the United States. The risk of heart disease could be significantly reduced by regular exercise. According to the Center for Disease Control, the positive effects of physical activity are not limited to lowering the risk of heart disease. Not only does regular exercise help relieve stress and anxiety,” physically active people outlive inactive people. Participating in Walk across Tennessee DeKalb County is not only a great way to get involved with our community, it’s a healthy habit,” Martin stated.
To participate in Walk across Tennessee, first get a team of eight together. Biking and jogging teams are limited to four people. Choose a team captain and name your team. Team captains need to download up a captain’s packet, available at http://eteamz.active.com/WalkAcrossTennesseeDeKalbCounty/ in the handout section or at the DeKalb County Extension Office, 115 West Market St. Smithville, located right near the courthouse in Smithville. Each team member will need to complete a registration form which is included in the team captain’s packet or at the Walk across Tennessee website. “Competition kicks off on Monday, April 4, 5:30 P.M. at Greenbrook Park under pavilion one,” Martin said. “Come out and plan to have lots of fun.” For more information, call the Extension office at 597-4945 or visit the website.
All of the programs of the University of Tennessee are open to all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or disability.. .
Nadean Cantrell Taylor
71 year old Nadean Cantrell Taylor of Dowelltown died Friday at her residence. She was a longtime devoted member of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church; a factory worker and in retail sales. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Bill Robertson will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Lachian and Vallie Rebekah Martin Cantrell; a twin sister, Nadell Grissom; a niece, Rhonda Newby; and a nephew, Terry Watts. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Jimmy Taylor of Dowelltown. Daughter, Jan Taylor of Dowelltown. Sister, Melba Jean and husband Arnold Watts of McMinnville. Brother-in-law, Paul K. and wife Stella Grissom of McMinnville. Sister-in-law, June Rhody of Smithville. Niece, Gayle and husband Stacy Caldwell. Nephews, Myron and wife Cindy Rhody; Kenny and wife Beth Rhody; and Tim and wife Regina Watts. Several great nieces and nephews. Devoted family, Tammy and husband Scott Turner, and Caitlin and Christian. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that donations be made to the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church Building Fund or the Lighthouse Christian Camp or to the charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.
Velma Green Walker
81 year old Velma Green Walker of Smithville, died Friday night at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. She was clerical at Cripps-France Pharmacy and Family Medical Center Pharmacy and was a member of the Keltonburg Church of Christ and attended the Smithville Church of Christ. The funeral will be Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Phillip Adcock and Dan Gulley will officiate and burial will be in the New Union Cemetery. Walker was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Susie Rankhorn Green; Husband, Kelly Waker; Two Brothers, James and JD Green. She is survived by one daughter, Diane Scott of Murfreesboro; one son, Jason Walker of Smithville; one granddaughter, Angela Duke-Tucker of Antioch; four sisters, Josie Boyd and Janice Haley both of McMinnville and Dorothy Adcock and Maureen Sellars both of Smithville. Visitation with the Walker Family will be Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 4:00 p.m. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Dorothy Walker Turner Gillette
78 year old Dorothy Walker Turner Gillette of McMinnville died Thursday at NHC Healthcare. Born in DeKalb County, she was a retired store owner of Gillette’s Service Center, retired from a career from Findley Industries, and was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Mrs. Gillette was preceded in death by parents Robert L. and Debbie France Walker; brothers Cecil Walker, Cebern Walker, and Clata Walker; daughter-in-law Linda Lee Turner; and granddaughter Amber Tilton. Survivors include son Steve Turner of Rock Island; daughter and son-in-law Gena and Steve Tilton of McMinnville; sister Clessie Mae Hillis of Oak Ridge; grandchildren Mindy Turner Black and husband Bob, Matthew Turner and wife Autumn, Kaleb Tilton, and Nick Tilton; and great grandchild Tony Curtis. Many other family members and friends also survive. The funeral service is 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Mark Carrigan will officiate and burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery. The Gillette Family will receive friends Saturday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Sunday from 12 p.m. until the time of service at McMinnville Funeral Home.
Gregory Allen Myers
45 year old Gregory Allen Myers of Liberty, formerly of McMinnville, died Thursday at DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville. Born in Elkhart, Indiana, Myers was a Maintenance Technician with Steve & Sons Door in Lebanon; a member of Northside Baptist Church; and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Mr. Myers was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Robie Boren, and paternal grandparents, Bill and Loriene Myers. Survivors include his wife Wendy Myers; children, Christopher and Gage Myers of Murfreesboro; parents, Euvonda and Bill Myers of Mt. Juliet; brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Kirsten Myers of Brentwood; sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie and Jason Parson of Mt. Juliet; grandmother, Ila Vae Boren of McMinnville; nephew, Eston Parson and nieces, Emma Parson and McKenna Myers. The funeral service is 2:00 p.m. Sunday at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Tommy Lusk will officiate. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory. The Myers family will receive friends Saturday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at McMinnville Funeral Home.
2010 Census Shows DeKalb Population Up 7.5%- Hispanic Count Almost Doubles
DeKalb County grew 7.5% to a population of 18,723 according to 2010 census results released by the government on Wednesday. That’s an increase of 1,300 people from the 17,423 count in the 2000 census for DeKalb County.
The DeKalb County Hispanic population almost doubled going from 633 to 1,239
The cities of Smithville, Alexandria, and Dowelltown experienced some growth over the last ten years but Liberty’s population decreased.
2010 census figures show Smithville’s population at 4,530, an increase of 13.4%. That’s 536 more people than the 3,994 counted in the 2000 census.
Alexandria’s population is at 966, an 18.7% increase or 152 more people than the 2000 census count of 814
Dowelltown’s population count grew by 53 people from 302 to 355, an increase of 17.5%
Liberty’s population dropped from 367 to 310, a decrease of 57 people or 15.5%
The DeKalb County 2010 population breakdown by race is as follows compared to 2000:
White:
17,352 (2010)
16,653 (2000)
Black:
250 (2010)
250 (2000)
American Indian, Alaskan:
35 (2010)
48 (2000)
Asian:
49 (2010)
24 (2000)
Hawaiian, Pacific Islander
2 (2010)
3 (2000)
Other:
797 (2010)
282 (2000)
Multi-Racial:
238 (2010)
163 (2000)
Hispanic Origin:
1,239 (2010)
633 (2000)
The numbers for the 14-county Upper Cumberland region were tabulated by Upper Cumberland Development District analyst Henry Bowman, showing an overall growth in the area of 10.9 percent or 338,158 total residents.
Cumberland County saw a 19.8-percent jump in population, from 46,802 to 56,053.
Putnam County, with the largest population of any county in the Upper Cumberland at 72,321, grew by 16.1% from the 2000 census.
Numbers for other counties in the Upper Cumberland include: Cannon County, which saw a 7.6-percent increase to 13,801. Clay County saw a 1.4-percent decrease in population, falling to 7,861. DeKalb County grew 7.5 percent to a population of 18,723. Fentress County also saw an 8-percent increase and now stands at a population of 17,959.
Jackson County saw a 6-percent population increase and now stands at 11,638 residents. Macon County saw a 9.1-percent increase to 22,248. Overton County now has 22,083 residents, a 9.8-percent increase. Pickett saw a 2.7-percent increase to 5,077. Smith County saw a 8.2-percent increase and has a population of 19,166.
Van Buren County, meanwhile, saw a slight 0.7-percent increase to 5,548. Warren County saw a 4.1-percent increase to 39,839; and White County saw a 11.9 percent increase to 25,841.
The Tennessee population grew by 11.5% to 6,346,105 and the United States count increased by 9.7% to 308,745,538.