Mr. Edward Francis Gass age 80 of Smithville, passed away Tuesday afternoon at DeKalb Community Hospital ER. He was born March 6, 1934 to his parents, the late John Joseph James and Lillian Frances Wilson Gass. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Candice Marie Knoll and Corey Knoll. He was a Catholic and retired from Raytheon were he worked in production control in the missal division. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Gass of Smithville; 1 daughter, Jean Gass Knoll of Dunnellon, FL; 1 son, William John Gass, Sr. of Nashua, New Hampshire; 3 grandchildren, William John Gass, Jr. and Benjamin Francis Gass both of Nashua, New Hampshire and Brittney Amber Knoll of Pembroke Pines, FL; 2 great-granddaughters, Ariella Candice Marie O’Brien and Isabella Candice Marie O’Brien. Funeral services will be conducted 11:AM Saturday, January 17, 2015 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Dwight Knowles officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be Saturday 10AM until the time of the service at 11AM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements

Funeral services for Helen Roberta Thomas, 82, of Smithville and formerly of Cookeville will be held Sunday, January 18 at 2 pm in the Chapel of Presley Funeral Home in Cookeville with Bro. Tim McHenry and Bro. Bernard Houk officiating. Interment will follow in Crest Lawn Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday 5pm to 8pm and Sunday 12 pm until service time.
Mrs. Thomas passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at DeKalb Community Hospital.
She was born March 1, 1932 in Putnam County, TN to the late Simon and Mary Louvina Randolph Herron.
Mrs. Thomas was a long time member of Holliday Church of Christ. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt and a babysitter to many.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Golden Herren and a sister, Ora Palmer.
Mrs. Thomas is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Dwight and Brenda Thomas, Joey and Jamie Thomas both of Cookeville; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jeanette and Carroll Irby of Smithville, Janice and Tommy Long of Baxter, Maxine Trapp of Smithville; seven grandchildren, Mark (Nancy) Pullum, Tina (Steven) Saunders both of Cookeville, Hayley (Jon) Culwell of Smithville, Brad (Heather) Thomas, Amy (Jamie) Ellis, Sarah (Tony) Williams, Chase Thomas all of Cookeville; 12 great grandchildren, Jessica, Shelby, Hannah, Emily, Noah, Maddi Grace, Makennah, Alivia, Allee, Briley, Maddie & Reuben.

Ardward Gray Redmon, age 88, of Doyle Community, died Tuesday at Cookeville Regional Hospital.
He was born in DeKalb County December 31, 1926. He was the son of John Monroe and Aubry Pearl Adamson Redmon.
He was a WWII Army Veteran and retired with the State of Tennessee Highway Department.
The funeral service will be at Thurman Funeral Home in Sparta on Friday at 2:00 P.M. Bro. Bill Lowery officiate. Burial will follow in the New Union cemetery in DeKalb County. Visitation will be at Thurman Funeral Home, Thursday, January 15 , 2015 at 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
He was preceded in death by his parents-John Monroe and Aubry Pearl Adamson Redmon. His late wife– Hilda Ruth Delong Redmon. Siblings-Annie Redmon and Johnny Redmon. Grandchild-Tony Lynn Mills.
Survivors include his wife Clata Shockley Redmon 7 children and their spouses: Sandra (Skip) Mills of Tyler TX, Lloyd (Marie) Redmon of Walling, TN, Debbie Redmon of Antioch, TN, David (Pat) Redmon of McMinnville, TN, Jeff (Maggie) Redmon of Kingsport, TN, Pam (Mason) Carter of Liberty, TN, and Jerry Redmon of Antioch, TN. 12 Grandchildren and 14 Great-Grandchildren Siblings:Vella Mae Poston and Willie Dean Ashley
Thurman Funeral Home in Sparta is in charge of the arrangements.

Martha Corley Bass Banks age 97 of Dowelltown, passed away Tuesday morning January 13, 2015 at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was born September 12, 1917 to her parents, the late Lannis Archie and Lillian Corley Bass. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Petway Banks; grandson, James Andrew Banks; 3 half-sisters, Bessie Lee Colvert, Clara Sanders, Sarah Avant;; half-brother, Thurman Bass; sister, Mildred Bass. Ms. Martha was a graduate of Baxter Seminary and attended Cumberland University. She was a dedicated wife and mother, an active member of the Dowelltown United Methodist Church and the U.M.W. and an employee of the Dowelltown Post Office for several years. She will be greatly missed by her family but she left them many wonderful memories. Survivors include 3 children, William David and wife, Nancy Banks of Knoxville, Edwin Roger and wife, Betty Banks of Madison, AL, Barbara and husband, Ben Shields of Nashville; grandchildren, Bill (Sharon) Banks of Knoxville, Debbie (Chip) Tatum of Oviedo, FL, Rebecca Banks (German) Pardo of Madison, AL, Rachel (Tommy) Huff of Antioch, TN, Amy (Richard) Kynard of Olathe, KS, Ashley Shields of London, England; great-grandchildren, Emily Banks, Hannah Tatum, Tommy Huff, Will Huff, William Pardo, Katie Pardo. Funeral services will be conducted 1:PM Thursday, January 15, 2015 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. David Lunsford and Lee Neal officiating. Burial to follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Wednesday 4:PM until 7:PM and Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1:PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dowelltown United Methodist Church Building Fund or the charity of your choice. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Nettie Jim Foster age 92 of Smithville, passed away Thursday afternoon at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was born October 6, 1922 to her parents, the late Roy Lee and Cora Tramel Cripps. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Foster; daughter, Doris Hayes; son, Roger Foster; son-in-law, Kenneth Hayes; 3 grandsons, Todd, Terry and Chad Foster; 2 brothers, R.L. and Hoyte Cripps; 3 sisters, Marirene Garvey, JoAnn Rhody and Judy Hale. Ms. Nettie was a faithful member of Whorton Springs Baptist Church and was a retired shirt factory worker. Survivors include daughter-in-law, Priscilla Foster of Smithville; 5 grandchildren, Timothy (Angela) Foutch, Jamie Woodside and Renee (Ricky) Hendrixson all of Smithville, Jeffrey D. (Betty) Foster of Lebanon, Dionndra Foster and Kyla of Dallas, Texas; 8 great-grandchildren, Heather (Timmy) Vaughn, Brooke Johnson, Kevin Woodside, Nathan Trapp, Natasha (Nathanyel) Pedigo, Wesley Walker, Alicia Foster, Matthew Foster; 9 great-great-grandchildren, Chase Dewayne Vaughn, Jaden Johnson, Kenadee Pedigo, Katie Pedigo, Kaden Trapp, Ethan Trapp, Avah Grace Henley, Jaylon Rodriquez; 2 brothers, Ray Doyle Cripps and Bobby Cripps both of Smithville; 3 sisters, Faye West and Wanda (Orvil) Hendrix both of Smithville, Dot (Jerry) Mansuetti of Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law, Sue Cripps Kelly of Smithville and Gladys Cripps of McMinnville. Funeral services will be conducted 2:PM Sunday at Whorton Springs Baptist Church with Bro. David Mahan officiating and burial to follow in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday 1:PM until 9:PM and Sunday 10:AM until 12:30 PM all at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Ms. Foster will lie in state at the church Sunday from 1:PM until the time of the service at 2:PM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Whorton Springs Baptist Church Building Fund. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

85 year old Hassie Mae Childress Boyd of Smithville died Wednesday at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was a member of the Smithville Assembly of God and attended the Smithville Church of God. Boyd was also a homemaker. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Donnie Kelly, Jeff Armstrong, and Davey Horton will officiate. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-9 p.m.; Friday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.; and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Boyd was preceded in death by her parents, Arnold and Beauna Ratliff Childress; her husband, Irson Boyd; two sisters, Gay and Martha; and a brother, Arnold Childress. She is survived by a daughter, Donna and husband J.D. Horton of Smithville. A son, Denver Boyd of Michigan. Eight grandchildren, Meredith and Steve Summers of Smithville, Katherine and Michael Caldwell of Smithville, Faith and Specialist Danny Neal, Jr. of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Hope and Brad Boyd of Knoxville, Charity Horton, and Davey Horton both of Smithville, Tina and Mike Makris of Texas, and Lisa and Curt Brown of Michigan. Fifteen great grandchildren, Destiny, Darrin, and Monte Caldwell, Jesse Summers, Ali and Meadow Williams, Parker Boyd, Zachary, Eli, Nate, and Gi Gi Neal, Hayden and Cynthia Makris, and Laila and Evan Brown. One great great grandchild, Alissa Caldwell. Eight brothers and sisters, Clarence and Doris Childress of Virginia, Josh and Cathy Savage of Virginia, Lonzo and Rachel Childress of California, Oscar and Virginia Childress of Virginia, Lawrence and Ida Childress of Virginia, Muriel and Harold Stiltner of North Carolina, Kathleen and Scott Walker of New York, and Donald and Kathy Childress of Virginia. Mother-in-law, Angie Boyd of Virginia. Two brothers-in-law, Marcus and Joyce Boyd of Smithville and James Boyd of Virginia. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

Mr. Daniel Paul Vaughn age 81 of the Pea Ridge Community in Liberty, passed away Monday evening at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was born January 26, 1934 to his parents Jack Riley and Myrtie Ledbetter Vaughn. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. He was a member of the People’s Pentecostal Church and a wrought iron worker. He is survived by his wife, Linda Sue Vaughn of Liberty; 9 children, Timmy (Heather) Vaughn of Smithville, Jimmy (Amanda) Vaughn of Smithville, Paula (Greg) White of Bowling Green, KY, Billie (Scotty) Butler of Gordonsville, Danny Vaughn of Bethpage, Marsha (Clint) Randolph of Lafayette, Randall (Tina) Vaughn of Mt. Juliet, Frankie (Rita) Vaughn of Lebanon, and Tammy (Mark) Quintal of Lebanon; 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; special family friends, Toy and Faye Lawson. Funeral services will be conducted 2:PM Thursday, January 8, 2014 at the People’s Pentecostal Church with Bros. Thomas Hewell and Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Hale Cemetery at Pea Ridge. Visitation will be Wednesday 1:PM until 8:PM and Thursday 10AM until the time the service at 2PM. All Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at the Church. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Sonya Clark age 48 of Smithville, passed away Monday evening at her residence. She was born September 4, 1966 to her parents, the late Forrest Conger and Nettie Alice Vanhoosier Young. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by grandparents, Doak and Mae Vanhoosier, Bragg and Ruby Conger Young; sisters, Teresa Ann Cowan and Mary Jane Bretz; sister-in-law, Regina Donnell. She was a homemaker and attended the Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband, Rodney Clark of Smithville; 2 daughters, Amanda Atnip and Fiancé, Johnathon Rice and Randi Atnip both of Smithville; 1 grandson, Braylyn Rice of Smithville; 2 brothers, James Forrest Young and Richard and his wife, Leisa Young both of Smithville; 3 sisters, Sammie Frazier and Elizabeth Smith both of Smithville and Brenda McBride of Indiana; very special friend, Tommy Hirzel of Smithville; mother-in-law, Linda and Bill Jewell of Watertown; father-in-law, Dallas Clark and girlfriend Loretta Brown of Crossville; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11:AM Thursday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jim Moore officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday 3:PM until 8:PM and Thursday 9:AM until the time of the service at 11AM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Hubbard Lee “Dick” Ray, Jr., born in Sparta on July 16, 1938, passed from this life on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at The Webb House in Smithville, Tennessee at the age of 76. Dick Ray was predeceased by his parents, Hubbard Lee Ray, Sr. and Mattie Lela Hudgens Ray, one sister Ruth Joyce Ray Ware (Sidney Jackson Ware, Sr.) of Sparta and brother-in-law Elmore Brock, Jr. of Sparta.
He is survived by his sister Martha Jean Ray Brock of Sparta; niece Martha Mary Jane Ware (Bruce T. Horn) of Fairfield Glade, Tennessee; three nephews: Sidney Jackson Ware, Jr. (Brenda) of Sparta, Stephen Ray Ware, Sr. (Sally) of Sparta and Richard Lynn Ware (Ronda) of Rome, Georgia; nine great nieces and nephews and fifteen great, great nieces and nephews.
Dick Ray lived the last 24 years of his life at The Webb House in Smithville, Tennessee under the loving care of Alan and Lori Webb. Dick Ray was family to Alan and Lori, their children, Jill Watson and many people at The Webb House who cared for him during his life there. The Webb House was home to Dick Ray where he affectionately was given the title of Mayor.
Honorary pall bearers are the staff and friends of The Webb House.
Visistation will be from 1:00 until 2:00pm on Thursday, January 8th at the Hunter Funeral Home. A memorial service for Dick Ray will follow at 2:00pm and burial will follow in the Highland Cemetery in Sparta.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Avalon Hospice % Hunter Funeral Home PO Box 90, Sparta, TN 38583

Ms. Ruth White age 88 of Dowelltown passed away Saturday morning January 3, 2015 at DeKalb Community Hospital. She was born January 13, 1926 to the late Robert and Flora Robinson Thompson. She was a member of the Dowelltown United Methodist Church, Smithville Order of the Eastern Star #374, D.A.R. Caney Fork Chapter, United States daughter of 1812 Upper Cumberland Chapter and U.D.C. Murfreesboro #91 she was a real granddaughter, served on DeKalb Co. Election Commission for many years and also past Director of DeKalb Co. Farm Bureau. In addition to her parents Ms. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband James H. White; Daughter: Patricia Ann White; Brother: Robert Michael Thompson. Funeral services will be held 1:PM Monday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. David Lunsford and Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in the Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held Sunday from 1:PM until 6:PM and Monday from 10:AM until time of the service at 1:PM. Survivors include 2 Sons: Robert J. “Bobby” (Sarah) White of Alexandria, Stephen A. (Vicky) White of Murfreesboro; Grandchildren: Elizabeth (Bryan) Kleparek of Murfreesboro, James H. White of Dowelltown, Stephanie (Aaron) Lawrence of Murfreesboro, John R. White of Dowelltown, Daniel B. White and Jessica Averette of Murfreesboro; Great Grandchildren: Kyra Kleparek, Logan Lawrence, Keva Kleparek, Taylor White, Carly Lawrence, Lucas & Kirsten Averette; Adoptive Family: Rob & Nora Harvey, Donnie Elledge; Special Friends: Matilda Earl & Caeleb Grey, Oliver Gallet; Sister-in-law: Lorraine (Richard) Engel of Oak Ridge, TN.; Several nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers family asked that donations be made to Dowelltown United Methodist Church building fund or charity of your choice. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.