Obituaries
June 14, 2025
Tommy Wayne Alexander, age 73, of Smithville, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, at NHC in Smithville. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Tommy was a retired schoolteacher, football coach, and TWRA officer. He was also a member of the Smithville Church of Christ, an avid University of Tennessee fan, and a passionate golfer.
Born on October 20, 1951, in Woodbury, Tennessee, Tommy was the son of the late Robert Edward and Jean Northcutt Alexander. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved son, David Wayne Alexander; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Jacqueline Robinson; and his brother-in-law, Wayne Robinson.
Tommy’s legacy lives on through his loving wife of 48 years, Joyce Robinson Alexander, and their son, Rob Alexander, both of Smithville. He was a proud grandfather to Brandtley and Camden Alexander of Sparta. He is also survived by his brother, Jimmy Alexander of Smithville; sisters-in-law Wanda Russell, Debra Robinson, Jackie Stockling, and Gloria Robinson; brothers-in-law Terry (Sara) Robinson and David (Linda) Robinson, all of Smithville; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and cherished friends.
Visitation with the family will be held on Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, with Bro. Larry Green officiating. Burial will follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Lighthouse Christian Camp.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Linda Kay Bailiff
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.