Tina Fisher Young

Ms. Tina Fisher Young, age 52, of Sparta, TN, passed away Sunday, January 29, 2017 at her home.
Ms. Tina was born in Smithville, TN on September 5, 1964 to Linda Ann Fisher and Robert Hunt.
Survivors include mother, Linda Ann Fisher ( Michael) Ramsey; 2 sons, William Corey Young and Trevor Kane Young; 1 step son, Justin Young; 1 sister, Chelsea Ramsey; 3 brothers, William J. Harris, Charlie J. Harris and Michael D. Ramsey; special grand parents, the late Robert and Robbie Fisher and Walter Phillips and the late Louise Phillips; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also a special friend, Mimi Young.
ARRANGEMENTS:
Funeral services will be held at Thurman Funeral Home, Saturday, February 4 , 2017 at 2:00 p.m., officiating will be Bro. Lucius Wallace. Interment will be in the Plum Creek Cemetery.
Family will receive friends at Thurman Funeral Home, Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 12 p.m. till time of service at 2:00 p.m.
Pallbearers, Brett Young, Cameron Young, Jordan Armstrong, Joseph Crouch, Lynn Brewington, and Chris Brewington; Honorary Pallbearers, Jacob Groce.
Please sign the guestbook at www.thurmanfuneral.com Thurman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Dale Bain

53 year old Robert Dale Bain of Smithville died Wednesday at St. Thomas River Park Hospital. He was self employed and a member of the House of Prayer in Rickman. The funeral will be Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Hale Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Buddy, Jr. and Willie Irene Johnson Bain; grandmothers, Dollie Turner; brother, Christopher Bain; and father and mother-in-law, L.C. and Pat Murphy. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lisa Murphy Bain; a son, Josh Bain; step-mother, Mary Edna Bain; and sisters, Jo Ann & Aubrey Meece, all of Smithville, Peggy Dyer and Linda Steinmark both of Sparta, Margaret and Michael Flanagan of Mississippi, Mildred Bain, and Misty and John Haugh all of Woodbury. Uncle Randall and aunt Donna Massa of Smyrna. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

DeKalb West School Honors February Students of the Month

Some of the best at DeKalb West were recognized Thursday morning (Feb. 2) for their outstanding character, academics, and other traits that make them an excellent student. Selected as Students of the Month for February are Kaden Mullinax, Kindergarten; Averly Moss, 1st Grade; Izzy Prichard, 2nd Grade; Izzy Hendrixson, 3rd Grade; Grant Buterbaugh, 4th Grade, Jackson Vantrease, 5th Grade, Emma Martin, 6th Grade, Jathan Willoughby, 7th Grade, and Jaden Johnson, 8th Grade.

Director of Schools Announces Teachers of the Year

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has announced the 2017 “Teachers of the Year” at the building level of the five schools in the county.
This year’s honoree are Whitney Brelje at Smithville Elementary School; Jessica Hale at Northside Elementary School; Jeanna Caplinger at DeKalb West School; Jenny Elrod at DeKalb Middle School; and Todd Cantrell at DeKalb County High School.
“The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors outstanding teachers in Tennessee. We applaud teachers who devote their professional lives to enriching the lives of Tennessee children and who demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement, while encourage a sense of professionalism and connection with their fellow teachers and community,’ said Director Cripps.
Brelje is a first grade teacher and is in her 4th year as a teacher.
Hale teaches second grade. She is in her 10th year.
Caplinger is in her 23rd year. She teaches Math and Science for the 5th grade.
Elrod is in her 10th year of teaching Reading/Language Arts
Cantrell teaches Career Technical Principals of Machining I and II and Manufacturing. This is his 8th year in the classroom.
Lisa Cripps, Supervisor of Instruction for 7th through 12th grades said “Again this year, we’re going to participate in the Teacher of the Year program, which begins on the school level, moves to the system level, the regional level, and finally to the state level,” she said.
Competition for system-wide Teacher of the Year continues through February, and will be announced at the Teacher of the Year Banquet in the spring. There will be three teachers chosen by a committee to compete at the regional level in March, and if selected they will represent DeKalb County at the state level competition.
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year Program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers; to stimulate interest in teaching as a career; and to encourage public involvement in education.
The Tennessee Teacher of the Year represents Tennessee at the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Teachers of the Year are selected competitively through five cycles: Building, System, Field Service Core Center Region, Grand Division and State; and from three categories (levels of teaching); Grades Pre K-4, 5-8, 9-12.
Teachers selected at each cycle receive local recognition and awards underwritten by local sources. State recognition/awards include a banquet honoring the nine State Teacher of the Year finalists and certificates of appreciation from the Governor. In addition, the State Finalists and the State Teacher of the Year receive cash awards.

Two DCHS Football Standouts Sign to Play at Lindsey Wilson College

Two football standouts at DCHS have signed to play college football.
Seniors Eli Cross and Tayvian Nokes put pen to paper Wednesday at noon making a commitment to Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. The home of the Blue Raiders. DCHS football coach Steve Trapp, fellow teammates, and members of their families joined them for the signing.
LWC is a private four-year college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school currently offers associate degrees in 10 areas of study, bachelor’s degrees in 26 areas of study with Minors in 20 areas, and master’s degrees in counseling and human development, Education, and interactive design. Lindsey Wilson is a member of the Mid-South Conference of the NAIA.
“It’s national signing day for college football players and we’re fortunate to have a couple of guys, Eli Cross and Tayvian Nokes, who have done well in high school both in the classroom and on the field to have the opportunity to continue to play football. They have both signed with Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky and we’re proud of those guys,” said Coach Trapp.
For DCHS, Nokes played on the offensive and defensive line at right guard and defensive tackle. At Lindsey Wilson, he is expected to be a defensive lineman. “For us he was a two way player on the line but he really excelled in the middle of our defense, especially this past year. He is being looked at more as a defensive lineman with Lindsey,” added Coach Trapp.
“Lindsey Wilson is a great school academically and their football program is usually top ten in their conference and division every year. I am really excited to be playing college football and especially to be playing for their team. They had me listed at first as offered for both offensive and defensive lineman but they officially have me on the roster as a defensive lineman now. I would like to thank my mom and dad. My father coached me all the way until high school basically. I was a quarterback in junior pro and defensive lineman. At the high school, Coach Trapp, Coach (Michael) Shaw, and Coach Clarence (Trapp) pushed me to be a better player and to get better every single day. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. Last but not least is God. I definitely couldn’t be here without Him and the gifts He has given me,” said Nokes.
Cross played for the Tigers at left tackle and defensive end. He is expected to play on the offensive line at Lindsey. “Eli is going to be looked at more on the offensive side of the ball and maybe inside as a guard or maybe as a tackle,” said Coach Trapp.
“From the time I visited them I really thought I would be a good fit there. The major that I am going to major in is a really good business program. They are on the rise right now. They have only had a (football) program for like seven years but they went 11-1 last year. I love the coaching staff and I am really impressed with what they have been able to accomplish so far. I think we have a shot at winning a national championship with them. I would like to thank my entire family. They have been a blessing my whole life. They have pushed me to be the greatest I can be. I definitely want to thank Coach Trapp. Honestly you can’t ask for a better coach than him. Coach Shaw is a great defensive coordinator. Coach Clarence has been my line coach ever since I’ve been in high school. He has been a great influence on me. But without God I couldn’t have done anything,” said Cross.
At the annual awards banquet last month, Nokes was named Best Defensive Lineman and Cross received the Best Offensive Lineman Award. Nokes was also named Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman in Region 4 3A while Cross was selected to the 1st Team All Region. They were further selected to the All Herald Citizen Team from the Upper Cumberland. Nokes was named to the 2nd team as Defensive Lineman and Cross received Honorable Mention.
“Although they will be representing a new color and logo at Lindsey Wilson College they will always still represent DCHS black and gold and Tiger Pride wherever they go,” added Coach Trapp.

Ethel Lee Tittle Cassitty

Ethel Lee Tittle Cassitty age 88 of Alexandria, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 31, 2017 at Tennova Health Care in Lebanon, She was born Apr. 4, 1928, daughter of the late John Adam Tittle and Lizzie Jennings Tittle and was preceded in death by a grandson, Tracey Cassitty; brothers, Jack, Henry, Mack and John Tittle, Jr. and sisters, Betty Linear and Rosie Murphy. Ethel is survived by her sons, Larry Ricky Cassitty and Bobby Cassitty both of Alexandria; grandson, Jonathon Rockford Cassitty; great grandchildren, Christopher and Kristen Cassitty; a great great granddaughter; sisters, Ada Ruth Tittle of Portland and Charlene Rogers of Lebanon; nieces and nephews. Funeral services 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 at Hunter Funeral Home in Watertown with Bro. Charlie Lawson officiating. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. till service time on Thursday. Interment at Hillview Cemetery in Alexandria.

DCHS Tigerette Boosters Appreciate Community Support for Dodgeball Challenge

The DCHS Tigerette Booster Club would like to thank the community for coming together and making the Tigerette “Last One Standing” dodgeball challenge a great success.
Women’s Division Winners:
First Place: Average Joe’s
Lexi Bates, Hannah Panter, Maddi Dickens, Myranda Bailiff, Maddison Parsley, Kayley Caplinger
Second Place and Best Dressed Team: All Dodge No Balls
Annieka Norton, Lindsey Taylor, Brandi Norton, Mindy Versluis, Katie Hall, Crystal Vickers, Chelsey Brannon
Third Place:
Teach Me How to Dodgey
Chelsye Madden, Kristina Stephens, Kristian Nelson, Dondra Marcum, Victoria Bennett, Cynthia Woodard, Morgan Atnip
Men’s Division:
First Place: The Mighty Duckers
John Barber, Sebastian Phillips, Lucas Phillips, Tyler Kent, Tyler Caldwell, Zack Rowland
Second Place: The Benchwarmers
Tad Webb, Ethan Roller, Relley Yott, Waylon West, Kalab Ferrell, Joey Agee
Third Place: Sniper Gang
Hunter Parkhurst, Gage Duggin, Brady Bates, Alex Hall, John Roller, Ian Johnson
High School Division:
First Place: Snoop Dodgers
Paxton Butler, Christian Pruitt, John Maynard, Lee Randolph, Jacob Self, Hunter Jennings
Second Place: The Dirty Dodgers
Riley Sexton, Jessie Smith, Omar Aldino, Colton Seifert, Braxton Linder, Ethan Martin
Third Place: Ball of Duty
Bill Miller, Daniel Puckett, Alan Munoz, Jake Ramsey, Dallas Cook, Justin Washer

DCHS Class of 2017 Seeks Donations for Project Graduation

Members of the DCHS Class of 2017 are asking for your support of Project Graduation.
Steven Jennings, a DCHS Senior, urges you to stop by any DeKalb County branch office of Liberty State Bank to make a donation.
“I am a captain on the baseball team, a captain on the football team, a member of the Literature Club, Science Club, FBLA, FCA, and the National BETA Club at DCHS. More importantly, I am a member of the 2017 graduating class. We are raising funds for our Project Graduation event that will take place the night of graduation in May. We will have food and fun activities. It is designed to keep us safe from the devastating effects of drugs and alcohol. In order to hold this event, we must raise funds and request the community’s help. Please stop by your local branch of Liberty State Bank in Alexandria, Liberty, or Smithville and make a donation to our account. All help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support,” said Jennings.
Meanwhile a raffle for a 50 inch flat screen TV will be held Monday night, February 6 during the DCHS basketball games against Smith County at home. Tickets are 2 for $15 or $8.00 each. Proceeds will benefit DCHS Project Graduation.
A Corn Hole tournament is also set for February 25.

Hoyte J. Hooper

Hoyte J. Hooper age 78 of Smithville passed away Tuesday morning January 31, 2017 at NHC Healthcare in Smithville. He was born August 6, 1938 to his parents, the late Albert Lee and Flora Ruth Trusty Hooper. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Faye Hooper; sisters: Maureen Florida, Doris Cripps, Faye Trotter Rawls; Infant brother: Eugene Hooper. Hoyte was a member of the Smithville Church of God and a retired heavy equipment operator with Carrier. Survivors include daughter: Lisa (Ronnie) Garrison of Smithville; Grandchildren: Rachel Garrison of Smithville, Jessica Garrison (Ethan) Hale of Alexandria; Great-Grandson: River Garrison of Smithville; wife: Edna Locke Hooper of Smithville; Step-son: Darrell (Tina) Locke of Green Hill, Mark (Mitzi) Locke of McMinnville; Step-Grandchildren: Brandon Locke of Green Hill, Bradley (Caitlin) Locke of Sparta, Hillary Locke of Cookeville, Eli Locke of Christinia; Sisters: Milas Hibdon of McMinnville, Peggy (Clayton) Parsley of Smithville, Bill (W.J.) Poss of Smithville, Dean Johnson of Smithville, Sue Banker of Sparta. Funeral Service will be held 1PM Thursday February 2, 2017 at the Smithville Church of God with Bro. Chris Moore officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday 11 AM until 8 PM and Thursday 9 AM until time of the service at 1PM all visitation will be held at Smithville Church of God. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Smithville Church of God.

After 136 Years, F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy Relocating from Public Square

The end of an era.
After almost 136 years Smithville’s oldest business, F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy, will soon be leaving the public square and moving to the former location of the Family Dollar and more recently the Big Bounce on South Congress Boulevard.
“We’re not going out of business. We’re moving and expanding,” Alan Webb told WJLE Tuesday.
Webb, owner of the pharmacy, said that his son-in-law Justin Hooper, who is also a pharmacist, will be joining him in the business.
“My new son-in-law, Justin Hooper is buying into the store and we will be partners. The pharmacy will be owned by me and my wife Lora along with Justin and his wife and our daughter Martha. That will bring along a fifth generation of ownership to Webb’s Drug Store,” said Alan.
While he hates to leave downtown, Webb said having the pharmacy on South Congress Boulevard will make it more visible and hopefully draw more business. “ We decided to move out on the highway where there is more traffic. Since the courthouse moved so many of their offices to the county complex there has not been as much activity downtown in recent years,” he said.
The new pharmacy is expected to offer more services and conveniences including a soda fountain, something F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy was once known for at the present location until it was discontinued several years ago. “We’re going to be remodeling the building and we’re planning to put the old soda fountain back in. We’ll have a drive-through window and consultation rooms and there will be plenty of parking. We don’t yet know what all we are going to offer but it will be good for DeKalb County and the surrounding areas. We expect business to grow there because there will be more space for growth,”said Webb.
Although a target date has not yet been set for the move, Webb said it will be sometime within the next few months. “I don’t know when or how long it will take to get the building remodeled but we plan to move sometime this year,” he said.
F.Z. Webb & Sons Pharmacy was founded in 1881 and now has locations in Alexandria and McMinnville in addition to Smithville. “We appreciate all our loyal customers and the families we have served for generations and hope you will continue to patronize us. We also hope to make new friends and customers. As in the past we will continue to operate as a locally owned independent pharmacy,” added Webb.
F.Z. Webb & Sons Gifts, operated by Webb’s sister Annette Greek, will remain in operation downtown on the public square.