Obituaries
June 11, 2025
Linda Kay Bailiff, aged 79, of Dowelltown, passed away on Monday, June 9, 2025. Born on November 1, 1945, in Smithville, TN, she was the beloved daughter of the late John Lee and Vera Pedigo Summers. She was a talented seamstress, a profession she cherished both as a career and a hobby and a member of the Dowelltown Baptist Church.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter-in-law Gail Bailiff, and her brothers Gordon Summers, Roger Summers, Albert Lee Summers, and Aaron Pedigo.
She is survived by her four loving children: June (Robert) Keith of Smithville, Gerald Bailiff of Smithville, Ricky (Christina) Bailiff of Liberty, and Tiwanda (Wesley) Hall of Watertown. Her legacy continues through her nine grandchildren: Bryan (Brandi) Keith, Britni (Will) Judkins, Kalah (Brandon) Donnell, John Bailiff (Emily Hendrixson), Myranda (Trinity) Gibson, Austin (Tiffany) Willmore, Jordan Bailiff, Carl (Cara) George, and Olivia Hall, as well as three grandchildren-by-heart: Tyler Hicks, Allison Keith, and Sandra Vasquez. She was also blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren, her siblings: Bobby Summers, Jeanette Farris, and Doug (Cathy) Summers, along with special neighbors, nieces, nephews, and cousins who will all miss her dearly.
Funeral services will be on Friday, June 13 at 1pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Summers-Pedigo Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 5-8, Thursday from 10-8, and on Friday from 10 until the time of service at 1pm.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Jackie Ralph Rigsby
June 10, 2025
Jackie Ralph Rigsby age 90, of Smithville passed away at his residence Monday night June 9, 2025. He was born July 12, 1934, to his parents the late Martin Luther and Sallie Ann Pack Rigsby. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Rigsby; daughter, Lori Ann Nokes; sister, Ruby Cook; 4 brothers, Elijah Rigsby, Willie Rigsby, Grady Rigsby, and Elzie Rigsby. Mr. Rigsby was a faithful member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church and retired from AVCO. Funeral services will be 4 PM Thursday June 12, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Rick Lee officiating and burial to follow in Jefferson Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 2 PM till 7 PM and on Thursday 11:AM until the time of the service at 4: PM. He is survived by son, Jackie Darrell Rigsby of Smithville; 3 grandchildren, Joe (Brandy) Rigsby of Lebanon, Calab Rigsby of Clarksville and Emma (Brad) Alverson of Smithville; great-grandchildren, Alice Alverson, Alexis Barnes, Ethan Barnes, Bodhi Rigsby, Easton Rigsby, Towa Rigsby, Rukia Rigsby, and Sora Rigsby. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation or Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Mr. Jackie. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Rigsby family.
Toby Cantrell
June 10, 2025
Toby Cantrell age 76 of Smithville, passed away at his residence on Monday night June 9, 2025. He was born March 17, 1949, to his parents the late John Curtis and Elma Louise Womack Cantrell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nina Moore. Mr. Cantrell was a member of the New Bildad Primitive Baptist Church and worked as a Run Test Tech for more than 30 years at Carrier Air Conditioning. Funeral services will be 1 PM Thursday June 12, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Elder Joseph Arnold and Elder Jeff Winfree officiating and burial in New Bildad Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 1 PM till 7 PM and Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. He is survived by wife, Carolyn Cantrell of Smithville; children, Jamie (Andrew) Cantrell, Lisa (Dustin) Prater, and Teresa Cantrell Atnip all of Smithville; grandchildren, Sarah (Ricardo) Torres, Hannah (Nathan) Moore, Isaac Cantrell, Lauren (Kyle) Thompson, Maddie Prater, Zachary Atnip, Peyton Atnip. great-grandchildren, R. J. Torres, Javi Torres, Toby Moore, Henry Moore, Tobin Thompson; brother, Stanley (Sharon) Cantrell; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends also survive. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Cantrell family.
Danny Martin Parker
June 8, 2025
Martha Lucinda Bowman
June 6, 2025
Martha Lucinda Bowman age 62 was born in Carthage, TN on November 9, 1962, to her parents the late Nathan Earl Sr. and Mary Christine Bowman. She passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones. She is survived by her daughters, Chassity (Jeremy) Koffas of Cookeville and Mindy (Michael) Magourik of Winchester; Grandchildren, Isaac Jones, Eli (Izzy) Koffas, Mary Katherine Koffas, Hadlee Amyiah, Kennison and Ka’Mari Taylor; Brother, Michael Wayne (Lisa) Bowman. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. The family has honored Martha’s request to be cremated, and no services are planned at this time. Martha’s family would love to express a special Thank You to Gentiva hospice and special caregiver Tammy. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Bowman family.
Teresa Gail Bailiff
June 6, 2025
Teresa Gail Bailiff age 63, of Smithville passed away Thursday June 5, 2025, at Tri-Star Summit Medical Center in Hermitage. She was born October 27, 1961, to her parents the late, Willian Carl and Joyce Owen Martin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Nancy Townsend, Jim Martin, Owen Martin, and Barbara Strong. Mrs. Bailiff was a member of Dowelltown Baptist Church and worked at Mid-Cumberland and Liberty State Bank. She is survived by husband, Gerald Bailiff of Smithville; children, Kalah (Brandon) Donnell of Smithville, John Bailiff (Emily Hendrixson) of Smithville, and Myranda (Trinity) Gibson of Gallatin; grandchildren, Carson and Collin Donnell; sister, Ann (Johnny) Goodall of Lebanon; brothers, Edward Martin of Watertown and Carl Wayne (Christina) Martin of Carthage; Aunts, Brenda Skeen of Lebanon and Louise Shehane; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Kay Bailiff of Dowelltown; father-in-law, Robert Bailiff of Alexandria; sisters-in-law, June (Robert) Kieth of Dowelltown, Tiwanda (Wesley) Hall of Watertown, Debbie Martin of Lebanon; brother-in-law, Ricky (Chrissy) Bailiff of Liberty. Visitation will be Saturday June 7, 2025, at 12: Noon till 5: PM. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Bailiff family.