Jerry Marshall Griffith

April 29, 2025

Jerry Marshall Griffith age 77 of Smithville passed away Monday night, April 28,2025, at Life Care Center of Sparta. He was born September 16,1947 to his parents the late John Marshall and Gladys Ivy Griffith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Elizabeth Griffith. Mr. Griffth retired from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas after 28 years service and was a Methodist. He is survived by wife, Penny Griffith of Smithville; stepdaughter, Jade (Phil) Lucas of California; 4 grandchildren, Summer Adcock, River Moser, Lake Moser, Victoria Lucas. Funeral service will be held 11:AM Friday, May 2, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, 3:PM until 7:PM and on Friday 10:AM until the time of the service at 11: AM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Griffith family.

April 26, 2025

Roberta Malone Robinson age 92 of Liberty died Thursday evening, April 24, 2025 at NHC Healthcare in Smithville. Born April 13, 1933 in Dowelltown, TN, she was the daughter of the late Eliga and Nonnie Moore Malone and was preceded in death by her sisters, Alma Dean Henley and Mainell Foutch, and brothers, Frank, Hubert, Jerry and Eddie Malone.

Roberta was a member of Salem Baptist Church and a graduate of Liberty High School. She and her husband, Robert operated Roberts Bi-Rite and Robinson Dairy for a number of years.

She is survived by her husband, Robert D. Robinson of Liberty; sons, Charles (Rita) Robinson of Liberty, Mitch (Jenny) Robinson of Clarksville and Brian (Jennifer) Robinson of Tullahoma; grandchildren, Stephen (Samantha Frazier) Robinson, Samantha Robinson and Sydney (Scott) Fetcho; step grandson, Jordan (Sabrina) Melton and their son, Jay Austin Melton. Roberta is also survived by a sister, Ann Campbell and brother, Tommy Malone; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2025 at Salem Baptist Church in Liberty with Bro. Don Mathis and Bro. Thurman Seber officiating. Visitation will be at Salem Baptist Church on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. and on Monday from 1 p.m. till service time. Pallbearers will be Charles Robinson, Mitch Robinson, Brian Robinson, Stephen Robinson, Jordan Melton, Scott Fetcho. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery. HUNTER FUNERAL HOME 615-237-9318

April 25, 2025

Betty Jean Knowles, born in June 1930, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, at the age of 94. She will be deeply missed as the beloved matriarch of a strong and loving family. Betty was born Betty Hardison and raised in McMinnville, Tennessee. Early in life, she married Chester Leo Knowles after he enlisted in the United States Air Force. The couple began their life together in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, before settling in Smithville, Tennessee, where they raised four children. Betty was a devoted mother to her children: Danny (deceased) of Geneva, Alabama, married to Meatrice, Brenda Whigham of Columbia, South Carolina, married to Royce, Joy Dysart of Denver, Colorado, married to Bill and Jeff of Columbia, South Carolina, married to Meredith. She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who live across Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and South Carolina. In addition to being a dedicated mother and grandmother, Betty was passionate about serving her community. She worked at the Justin Potter and volunteered for many years at Sacred Heart Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida. Her compassion and selflessness touched the lives of many. Betty was predeceased by her beloved husband, Chester Leo Knowles. She will be laid to rest beside him at DeKalb Memorial Gardens in Smithville, Tennessee, during Graveside Memorial Service at 3:30PM Friday, May 2, 2025. The family is deeply grateful for the love and support shown during this time and will always cherish her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation or the Justin Potter Library in Smithville, Tennessee. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Knowles family.

April 25, 2025

Jo Lenda Rigsby, age 75 of Smithville, was born November 15,1949 to her parents, the late TZ and Emma Adcock Turner and went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, April 24, 2025 at Centennial Medical Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Dennis “Denny” Rigsby. She was a member of the Mt. Hope The Baptist Church and retired from Kingston Timers. She leaves to cherish her memory, 2 children, Tommy Rigsby (Susanne) of Meadview, Arizona and Shannon (Dale) Garner of Morrison; 3 grandchildren, Piper (Greg) Eisenhauer, Steven (Shelby) Garner and Canaan Garner; 2 great-grandchildren, Kingston and Brixx Eisenhauer. Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. David Frazier officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday 12 Noon until 7 PM and Saturday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Rigsby family.

April 25, 2025

Judy Kathleen Cantrell age 81 of McMinnville, passed away Wednesday morning, April 23, 2025 at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital.  The daughter of the late Zollie Edgar and Mamie Viola Adcock Cantrell, Judy was the baby of 6 brothers and 3 sisters.  She would always make sure to let everyone know “she was the baby.”  Of course, her siblings spoiled her and treated her like a queen.  She fell in love with Ronnie Cantrell before graduating from DeKalb County High School.  She learned hairdressing from the “Hallie’s Alley Beauty School.”  She opened Judy’s Beauty Shop and Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio in the 1970’s in Smithville.  She and Ronnie opened Cantrell’s Marine Boat Shop in McMinnville.  Every boater would tell you that “Ms. Judy was the boss of Ronnie and Rob.”  She was able to pull/pick parts on any boat motor and usually could discover the problem from just a description or before the boys even looked at the problem.  Judy enjoyed all her family, and loved all the little ones.  She could draw anything, write poetry and make flower decorations and crafts.  She was a girl scout leader to Vivian and always believed she would be “36 years old” forever.  She joined the Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church on August 23, 1970 and enjoyed God’s word and those wonderful gospel songs.  Her church family was an important part of her life.  Judy suffered many medical issues including tuberculosis, double breast cancer, blood clots and lastly heart disease.  You would never know she was sick or troubled, as she was always “fine,” which she carried on her mother’s attitude and disposition.  In retirement, she enjoyed sitting in her swing on the porch taking in God’s beauty and nature.  She loved the accomplishments of her grandchildren, family and her many cats.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie Cantrell; brothers and sisters, Gentry Edward Cantrell, Virgil Seborn (Louise) Cantrell, Ernest Clifton (Lillian) Cantrell, John Thomas (Ruth) Cantrell, Jackie Virginia (Homer) Gay, Glynn Aaron (Ruthie) Cantrell, Barbara Lois (JE) Gay; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dean and Lee Cantrell; brother-in-law, Brownie Tittsworth; sisters-in-law, Jane Cantrell, Regina Summers and Darlene Davis.  Judy is survived by 2 sons, Robbie Lynn Cantrell and Jeffery Glen (Julie) Cantrell both of McMinnville; grandchildren, Payton Ryan Cantrell, Cynthia Kathleen Cantrell, Lillian Elaine Cantrell, Carter Lee Cantrell and Ella Cantrell; sister, Lillian Tittsworth of Smithville; brother, Zollie Dale Cantrell of Loudon; brothers-in-law, Jerry Lee Cantrell and Phillip (Marilyn) Cantrell both of Smithville; special niece, Vivian (Gary) Johnson; several nieces, nephews, friends, cousins and church family.  Funeral services will be 10:AM Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church with Eld. Ricky Arnold officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be Friday 12:Noon until 6 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Family and Friends will gather at Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church for the service at 10:AM Saturday.  In addition to flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church in memory of Mrs. Judy.  DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Cantrell family.

April 23, 2025

Sharon Marie VanDyne age 81, passed away Monday night, April 21, 2025 at her residence in Smithville.  She was born January 9, 1944, in Ithaca, New York to her parents the late William and Phyllis Dolkos.  She married her kindergarten sweetheart Jesse Kenneth VanDyne, SR., and they had 7 children.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse VanDyne, SR; daughter, Penny VanDyne; son, Jesse VanDyne, JR.; and a sister, Donna Bell.  Ms. VanDyne was a Baptist and was a homemaker.  Funeral service will be 2 PM Friday April 25, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Teresa Wright officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday 3 PM until 7 PM and Friday 11:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM.  She is survived by children, Christine (Frank) Elliott, Todd VanDyne, Danny (Susan) VanDyne all of Smithville and Tim VanDyne and Steven VanDyne both of Palm Beach, Fl.; grandchildren, Michael (Julie) VanDyne of Smithville, Jessica (Jimmy) Vaughn, Nicholas Guess, Stepheny Guess, Danny VanDyne, JR. Hannah, Jesse, and Lane of Smithville, Samantha (Adam) McCormick of McMinnville; great-grandchildren, Bryson (Madison) Farris, Heaven, Logan, and Makyra Farris, Lucas and McKenzie, Lillian and Andrew VanDyne, Karsyn and Mckenzie McCormick; great-great-grandchildren, Bentley, Emerson and Hector Farris; brother, Phillip (Cheryl) Gotro of Smithville; sister, LeAnn (Hunter) Walker of Pegram, Tn. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Gentiva Hospice (Bobbie Sue and Lindsey) also  to Christine’s Smithville NHC Family for all the thoughts, messages, phone calls and prayers during this difficult time.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to DeKalb Animal Shelter in memory of Ms. Sharon.  DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the VanDyne family.

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