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.