Harlon Lee Bates, Jr.
by: Dwayne PageJun 18, 2025
Harlon Lee Bates, Jr., of Smithville, age 75 passed away Monday June 16, 2025, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. He was born August 12, 1949, to his parents the late Harlon Lee and Maudie Rene Bates, Sr., In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Bates; 2 children, Chris and Jason Bates, half-brothers, Allen Myrtle Bates and Homer Bates; half-sister, Thelma Jean Brazier. Mr. Bates was a member of Pomeroy Chapel Church and worked at Carrier Corporation for 37 years. Funeral services will be Friday June 20, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel at 12:Noon, with Bro. Donnie Kelly and Bro. Bryan Jones officiating with burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday June 19, 2025, 2 PM till 7 PM and on Friday June 20, 2025, 10:AM until the time of the service at 12:Noon. He is survived by children, Jeffery Lee Bates of Smithville, and Carol (Curt) Morse of Sparta and 3 stepchildren; grandchildren, Brian (Samantha) Bates, Kalene Farley, Megan and Curt Morse, Jr.; great-grandchild, Kayden Bates; numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive; sisters, Ann Pinegar, Cathy Edge, Lou (Eddie) Stanley. In lieu to flowers the family ask donations to be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Memory of Mr. Bates. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Bates Family.
Caleb Lee Minnear
by: Dwayne PageJun 18, 2025
Caleb Lee Minnear, age 34, of Arizona, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Born on May 16, 1991, in Smithville, TN, he was the beloved son of Eugene Minnear and Mary Street Minnear. Caleb was a lead mechanic at Pep Boys.
He is survived by his parents, Eugene and Mary Minnear (Donny); his son, Keegan Reese; his cherished Granny, Peggy Minnear; his uncle, Joey Minnear; his aunt, Tammy (Bill) Quistgaard and Tracy Street; uncle, Dan Street; brothers, Clinton Cope and Jonathon Conaster; and his special cousins, Rebecca Hodges, Kelly Little, and Aurora Jean. Caleb also leaves behind several other cousins and many friends who will miss him dearly.
Caleb was preceded in death by his sister, Felicia Ann; grandmother, W.T. Taylor; grandfather, Paw Donald Minnear; uncle, Woody Minnear; and his brother, Micheal Minnear.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at 2pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Minnear Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 10 until the time of service at 2.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Caleb.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Tommy Wayne Alexander
by: Dwayne PageJun 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.