77 year old Charles Brigham Ayers of Dowelltown died Thursday night at his residence. He was a Baptist and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was also retired from the DeKalb County School System. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Kenneth Clayton will officiate and burial will be in the Snow Hill Methodist Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Ayers was preceded in death by his parents, John and Callie Moore Ayers; a daughter, Cathy Darlene Ayers; a brother, Edward Ayers; and a nephew, Gary Wayne Cripps. Survivors include two daughters, Tammy and husband Carl Tyler of Smithville and Tina and husband David Pedigo of Dowelltown. Three grandchildren, Dustin Pedigo of Dowelltown, Amber and husband Tony Prater and Jacob Tyler both of Smithville. Special great granddaughter, Cali Rose Prater of Smithville. A sister and brother, Ms. Willie Jim Cripps and Joe Ayers both of Dowelltown. Two nephews, Dwight Cripps of Dowelltown and Jerald and wife Lisa Cripps of Liberty. Long time special friends, whom he considered part of his family, Joann Pitman, Angie Meadows, Brandon Rackley, and Stephanie Rackley. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

56 year old Sandra “Sami” Kay Sturges of Murfreesboro died Thursday at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro. She was a Christian and a former certified Peer Specialist in the Mental Health Field. The funeral will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Wendell Jones will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:30 p.m. She was preceded in death by two husbands, David Sturges and Patrick Batts; parents, Russell and Cleda Thatcher; and a brother and sister, Stacy and Shelley Thatcher. Survivors include two children, Joey and wife Shiquila Sturges and Elizabeth Sturges and Scott Murray all of Murfreesboro. Four grandchildren, Zamara and Allenah Sturges and Kaylee and Lillian Murray all of Murfreesboro. Two sisters, Sharon and husband Danny Brewer of Woodbury and Sonya Jones of Murfreesboro. One brother, Stewart Thatcher of Smithville. Five nieces and one nephew. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

90 year old Elizabeth Turney of Alexandria died Thursday at the DeKalb Community Hospital.
Mrs. Turney was born July 20, 1923 in DeKalb County, TN, to the late Marshall Francis Turney and Mattie Grizzle Turney. She was also preceded by Sister and Brother-in-Law; Gertrude (John) Owens, Double First-Cousin; Corinne Hayes, and Nephew Turney Owens. Mrs. Turney was a member of the Alexandria Eastern Star.
Mrs. Turney is survived by her Seven Cousins; James (Judy) Hayes, Margaret (Clyde) Poston, Caroline Beatle, Mary Forest, Dwight Hancock, Ann Sloan, and Joyce (Jerry) Lane
Funeral Services for Mrs. Turney are scheduled to be conducted on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 1PM at Avant Funeral Home with Dr. John Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow in the Sycamore Cemetery.
Visitation with the Turney family will be held on Friday from 2PM until 8PM and again on Saturday after 10AM until the service time at 1PM.
Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.

87 year old James Carlon “J.C.” Hill of Smithville died Thursday morning at NHC HealthCare Center in Smithville. He was the son of the late William Floyd “Willie” and Mary Alice Cantrell Hill. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Daughter, Darice Elaine Cantrell; Brother, Lonnie Bethel Hill; Sister, Marine Hill Keith. He was a retired Landscaper and attended the Assembly of God and was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran. Survivors include 3 Grandsons, Steven Cantrell of Knoxville, J.W. Cantrell of Shreveport, LA, and Josh Isaac Melton of Smithville; 3 Sisters, Aleen Hill Mashburn of Cookeville, Joan Hill Thomas of Nashville, and Martha Hill of Smithville; Brother-in-law, Corbin Keith of Smithville; Several Nieces and Nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 2:PM Saturday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Donnie Kelly officiating and interment to follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday 4:PM until 8:PM and Saturday 11:AM until the time of the service at 2:PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

74 year old David Randolph of Smithville died Tuesday afternoon at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was the son of the late Clyde Lee and Mary Alice Randolph. He was retired and a member of Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by Granddaughter: Amy Miller; Brother: Jimmy Ray Randolph; Sister: Ruth Ann Elder; Great-Grandson: Jordan Steinbach. Funeral Services will be 2:PM Friday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bill Robertson officiating and burial in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday 5:PM until 8:PM, Thursday 10:AM until 8:PM and Friday 10:AM until time of the service at 2:PM. Survivors include his wife of 53 years Ivadell Randolph of Smithville; 4 children: Belinda Lack, Renea (Jeff) Cantrell, Marla Turner and Keith (Amy Claire) Randolph all of Smithville. Grandchildren: Wendy Steinbach, Stephanie (Jason) Brown, Natalie Steinbach, Danielle Lack, Alan Lack, Tyler Cantrell and Fiance Caroline Carter, Taylor (Dylan) Freeney, David Turner, Lee Randolph, Gracie & Garrison Randolph, Nick Linder, Josh Miller; Great Grandchildren: Jacob Moore, Erica Brown, Levi Walker, Addison Miller, Lillie Miller, Makayla Turner, Sydney Turner; 2 Brothers: Harold (Glenda) Randolph, Marion Randolph both of Cookeville; Several Nieces and Nephews also survive. In addition to flowers donations can be made to Lighthouse Christian Camp, Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church or Whorton Springs Cemetery. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

21 month old Rayleigh Violet Scruggs of Smithville died Monday at home. The funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. The child was preceded in death by great grandparents, Ray and Violet Cantrell, Betty Hudson, and G.L. and Betty Harrison. Survivors include parents, Chris and Jessica Scruggs; two brothers, Landon Kade and Leland Brice Scruggs. Grandparents, Scott and Anita Adams and Ricky and Debbie Scruggs all of Smithville. Great grandmother, Mary Young of Smithville. Great grandfather, Getties Hudson of South Carolina. One aunt, Michelle and husband Don Greer of Smithville. Four uncles, Jordan and wife Kayla Adams, Zachary Adams, and Jeremy and Andy Scruggs. A great aunt, Becky Cantrell. Two great uncles. William and wife Sonya Cantrell and Andy Cantrell. Several cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. The family has asked that all donations please be made to the funeral home in lieu of flowers.

90 year old Ona Adine Pitts Prater died Sunday at Woodbury Health Care Center. She was born in Cannon County, a member of the Church of Christ, a housewife, and she was retired from the Colonial Corporation. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Jerry Gilley will officiate and burial will be in the Leoni Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Shelah and Justice Elkins Pitts; her husband, Joe L. Prater; her children, Lavada Duggin, Kathy Crouch, and Lannie Prater; sisters, Eva Reed and Donzie Greer; and brothers, David Pitts and Paul Pitts. She is survived by three sons, Dwaine and wife Reba Prater of Woodbury, Jerry and wife Joyce Prater of Beech Grove, and Dale and wife Alice Prater of Woodbury. Two brothers, Sterling Pitts of Woodbury and Flavil Pitts of McMinnville. One sister, Una Ray of Tullahoma. Seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild survive. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Lee Grandstaff, age 79 of Alexandria, TN, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2013 at the NHC Healthcare in Smithville, TN.
Mrs. Grandstaff was born February 15, 1934 in Smith County, TN, to the late Buelah Pitman Midgett and Grady Midgett. She married Carl Nathaniel “Nat” Grandstaff and he preceded her in death on March 27, 1984. She was also preceded by Daughter; Joyce Grandstaff Bailiff. Mrs. Grandstaff was a member of the Malone’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She worked for the Work Wear Garment Factory for over 40 years.
Mrs. Grandstaff is survived by her Daughter; Barbara (Dwayne) Cantrell of Alexandria, TN. Two Grandchildren; Nancy (Sammy) Malone and Susan Cantrell Coats. Four Great-Grandchildren; Justin Coats, Phillip Coats, Kacie Malone, and Abby Malone. One Sister; Louise Oakley of Lebanon, TN, Step-Brother; Alex (Roselle) Driver of Chestnut Mound, TN, and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Grandstaff are scheduled to be conducted on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 1PM at Avant Funeral Home with Bro. Thurman Seber and Bro. Bill Shaw officiating. Interment will follow in the New Hope Cemetery.
Visitation with the Grandstaff family will be held on Monday from 10AM until 8PM and again on Tuesday after 10AM until the service time at 1PM.

84 year old Doris Voss Lannom of Bellevue died Saturday of a prolonged illness.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, William Douglas Lannom; daughter, Donna (Dennis) Stanley of Smithville, three grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.
A graduate of Bellevue High School 1947, she was a talented artist and lover of animals.
Special appreciation to Teresa McFarlin for being a good friend and tremendous help.
Special thanks to Gentiva Hospice caregivers for six months of intensive in-home care.
Visitation will be today, Monday the 16th of December 2013 from four o’clock until seven o’clock this evening at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home in Nashville.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday the 17th of December 2013 at one o’clock in the afternoon at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Interment will be adjacent to her parents and grandparents in Terrace Garden on the south side of Thompson Lane.
Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

62 year old Wilma Jean McElroy of Smithville died Friday night at her residence. She was the daughter of the late John Robert Ford and Stella Marie Ford Wireman. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by 3 Sisters, Wand Sue Cole, Margie Marie Williams and Helen Lauren Perkins. Mrs. Wilma was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, Thomas A. McElroy of Smithville; 2 daughters, Melissa (Steve) Rohrer of Columbia City, Indiana and Lisa (Lonnie) Albright of Kendalville, Indiana; 1 son, Kevin (Sherry) McElroy of Columbia City, Indiana; 8 grandchildren, Derek Rohrer, Brittany Rohrer, Miranda Rohrer, Cassandra McElroy, Kevin West, Emily Albright, Kayla Albright and Payton McElroy; 1 great-granddaughter, Skyelynn Bodkin; 1 great-grandson, Ryker West; 1 brother, Robert Ford of Lima, Ohio; 1 sister, Judy Campbell of Lima, Ohio. Funeral services will be conducted 11:AM Monday at Dekalb Funeral Chapel with Michael Hale officiating and interment to follow in Dekalb Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday 1:PM until 5:PM and Monday 10:AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made the American Cancer Society in memory of Mrs. Wilma. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements