Memorial services for Wanda Juanita Briggs, age 91, of Baxter will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 23, at the Church of Christ in Baxter.
Mrs. Briggs peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2013 at her home of many years surrounded by loving family and friends during those last days. Mrs. Briggs was born to Norman and Vora Smith on July 2, 1922 at Silver Point. She was preceded in death by her husband Norman N. Briggs, daughter Betty Ann Briggs-Jones, brothers Norman Smith and Warren G. Smith, and sisters Lois Smith Anderson and Lucille Smith Whittaker Clark.
Wanda leaves behind a son Larry Briggs and wife Pat of Smithville, Grand Daughters Sherri Briggs of Baxter, Gina Lewis and husband Jimmy and Amy Hayes of Smithville Grandsons Bob Briggs of Crossville, Ryan and Taylor Jones of Nashville, and Elliott Cook of Smithville.
Great Grand Children Bobby Briggs and wife Julie of Cookeville, Ciara Miller of Crossville, Kayse and husband Ryan of Cookeville, Amanda Baily and husband John of Shelbyville, Caitlin Anderson, Chelsea Lewis, Brittney Cantrell, Jayme Lynn Hayes and Christian Cantrell of Smithville, Amanda Hargis and husband Brandon of San Diego,CA.
Great-Great Grand Children Evan, Kayleigh, Bayli, Graci, Hunter, Lillie ,Emmy, Duncan and Gretah, and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.
Wanda had a long career with Fleetguard where she was one of their first employees in 1966 and retired with the company . She was very active as a volunteer at the Fleetguard Credit Union which later became the Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union
Mrs. Briggs had a wonderful volunteer spirit and worked to distribute and grade bible lesson from an International Bible study organization and regularly visited nursing homes and shut ins to sing and read the Bible. She was very active in the Church of Christ at Baxter since 1966.

85 year old John Martin Malone of Alexandria died Friday at a Nashville hospital after a short illness. Born in DeKalb County, Malone was a lifetime farmer and a retired employee of Ross Gear where he worked for 30 years. He was a member and Chairman of Deacons at the Malone’s Chapel Baptist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Mike Gay and Lillard Stringer will officiate and burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery North. Visitation will be Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service. Malone was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny D. Malone and Laura Wills Malone; a son, David Lee Malone; brothers, Charlie Gaston Malone, Marlin PA Malone; and sisters, Louise Driver and Janie Fuson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Fuson Malone of Alexandria. A daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Phil McCoy of Alexandria. Special niece, Denise and husband Scotty Barrett of Brush Creek. Special nephew, Sam and wife Nancy Malone of Brush Creek. A sister, Shirley and husband Robert Katzenmiller of Alexandria. Special great nieces and nephew, Kacie Malone, Abby Malone and Chris Barrett. Brother-in-law, Charles Fuson of McMinnville. Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements. The family has requested that donations be made to the New Hope Cemetery North Fund in lieu of flowers.

87 year old Lewis George of Nashville died Friday at Alive Hospice at Skyline. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and a Paratrooper. George was also a Mason and Shriner, a retired electrical engineer at Nashville Electric Company, and a member of the Inglewood Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mike Clayborn will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. A Masonic service will be Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will be Monday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m.. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Billie Sue McDowell George; his parents, Aubrey and Mattie Braswell George; and a grandson, Matthew George. Survivors include three sons, Garri and Lois George of Indiana, William and Janice George of Mt. Juliet and Phillip and Susan George of Smithville. Eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren survive. His ex-wife is Phyllis Goodman of Franklin. Several cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

39 year old Claudette Frazier Lasser of Smithville died Wednesday at her residence. She was a member of the First Methodist Church and a nurse at Saint Thomas Hospital and NHC. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Mark Pafford 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 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim Roy Frazier and Audrey Vandergriff Frazier, Charles Fuson and Carrie Graham Fuson; and best friend, Kimberly Beach Ridinger. Lasser is survived by her husband of 20 years, Harry Lasser; three children, Elizabeth, Alex, and Nate Lasser all of Smithville. Parents, James Richard Frazier of Virginia and Cathy Fuson Frazier of Newport. Two brothers, James Frazier of Newport and Jeremy Frazier of Virginia. An aunt, Rita Fuson of Nashville. Special friend, Ella Rose of Smithville and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

64 year old Jean Taylor of Smithville died Wednesday afternoon at her residence. She was the daughter of Loyd and Ruth Sutton Maxwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Deanna Taylor and Granddaughter, Olivia Grace Taylor. She was a member of the Smithville Church of Christ and a 911 Dispatcher. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Wayne Taylor of Smithville; Son and Daughter-in-law, Ken and Cindy Taylor of Smithville; 3 Granddaughters, Shauna, Abbi and Kenlee Taylor; 2 Brothers, Terry (Teresa) Maxwell of Smithville and Buzzy Maxwell of Florida; Brothers-in-law – Eddie (Cynthia) Taylor and Jeff (Brenda) Taylor all of SMithville; Several Nieces and Nephews. Funeral Services will be conducted 1:PM Friday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with interment to follow in Burton-Ponder Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 11:AM until 8:PM and Friday 9:AM until the time of the service at 1:PM.

56 year old Randall Gene Magness, a native of Smithville and a resident of San Leon, Texas died Tuesday night at his residence. He was the son of the late Gene and Wilma Oleda Judkins Magness. He was a Heavy Equipment Operator. Survivors include his wife, Joy Magness of Texas; 2 Sons, Daniel and Whitt Magness both of Smithville; 2 Step-Children, Sarah (Andrew) Shuff and Jacob (Kelli) Ward; 1 Step-Grandchild, Michael Shuff; Sister, Priscilla Foster of Smithville; Mother-in-law, Sara Stewart of San Leon, Texas; Sisters-in-law, Sherry (Rick) Daniels of San Leon, Texas and Sally (Tim) Pitts of Gallatin; Brother-in-law, Andy (Gloria) Stewart of Cookeville; Several Nieces and Nephews also survive. Aunt, June Carter of Smithville. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in West Cemetery in Cookeville. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m.

84 year old Virgil Lee Jones of Smithville died Tuesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. Jones was a self employed landscaper and a Methodist. The funeral will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. John Carpenter will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Jones was preceded in death by his mother, Pearl Staley Graham Jones; his father, Samuel Jones; six sisters, Martha Lee Graham Pack, Elma Graham Cantrell, Carrie Graham Fuson, Gladys Jones Carter, Pauline Jones, and Nell Jones; three brothers, Clarence Graham, Ed Graham, and Martin Graham; three nieces, Carolyn Graham, Dianna Fuson Carter, and Paulette Fuson Keith. One nephew, Wayne Graham. Survivors include nine nieces, Josephine Graham Hale, Virginia Rhea Cantrell, Rita Fuson, Cathy Fuson Frazier, Ann Graham Hawkins, Faye Graham McCormick, Linda Graham Cantrell, Regina Graham Aman, and Judy Pack Anderlla. Eight nephews, Mitchell, Kent, Rex, Gary, Carlton, and Billy Graham, Donald Pack, and Kenneth Cantrell. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

90 year old Verna Midgett of Smithville died Sunday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a homemaker and a member of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bill Robertson will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Edna Loftis Jones; her husband, Jess Midgett; three children, Jack Midgett, Peggy Farris, and Reed Midgett. Six brothers, Tom, Ben, Jessie “Casey”, Hooper, Cordell, and Bethel Jones. Two sisters, Jean Heady and Olerbell Bradshaw. She is survived by four grandchildren, Pam Farris of Cookeville, Allen and wife Robin Midgett of Smithville, Teresa and husband Bruce Dockery of Cookeville, and Casey and wife LeVaughnda Midgett of Smithville. Two brothers, Harvey and wife Margaret Jones of Alabama and Billy and wife Margaret Jones of Gallatin. One sister, Essie “Dee” and husband Wilburn Hensley of Cookeville. One sister-in-law, Claudine Jones of Lebanon. One son-in-law, Harvey Farris of Cookeville. Seven great grandchildren. Five great great grandchildren. Two special frinds, Debbie Sramcik and Mike Breeding. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

83 year old Christine Prichard of Smithville died Friday at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. She was former owner and operator of Prichard Florist and affiliated with the Smithville First United Methodist Church. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Kenneth Clayton and John Carpenter will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Prichard was preceded in death by her parents, E.K. and Bonnie Elizabeth Tittsworth Puckett; husband, Robert Prichard; a sister, Jo Bradford; and two brothers, Wilburn Puckett and Ernest Puckett. Survivors include three daughters, Sandra and husband Billy Gillespie of Nashville, Karen and husband Ernie Berglund of Eagleville, and Kristie and husband Alan Ryan of Brentwood. One son, Randy Prichard of Smithville. Four grandchildren, Emily and Gray Ramsey of Hixon, Kyle Berglund of Nashville, Will Ryan and Anna Gray Ryan both of Brentwood. Two great grandchildren, Grayson and Lydia Ramsey of Hixon. One sister, Alice Foster of Smithville. One brother-in-law, Ralph Bradford of Smithville. One sister-in-law, Margaret Cripps of Illinois. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

78 year old Ella Dean Vanatta of Smithville died Thursday at NHC Healthcare Center. She was a retired factory worker, a Baptist, and she attended the New West Point Freewill Baptist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in the Snow Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Vanatta was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny and O’Fallon Pinegar; her husband, Eugene Vanatta; a son, Larry Michael Vanatta; and a brother, J. Lloyd Young. Survivors include three children, Debbie McClain of Smithville, Kenneth Vanatta of Smithville, and David Vanatta of Murfreesboro. Two sisters, Louise Hendrixson and Gladys Young both of Smithville. Five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.