Richard Jennings
by: Dwayne PageMar 02, 2025
Richard Jennings, age 85 passed away peacefully Friday, February 28, 2025, at his home. He served 37 years in law enforcement beginning with the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Dept and ending his career with the Smithville Police Dept where he served as an investigator, training officer, asst chief and ultimately chief for 16 years. During his tenure as a police officer he was awarded several commendations which included officer of the year in the 13th judicial district. He solved several local murder cases, child abuse cases, many drug cases among other serious crimes during his years of dedicated police work for his community. After his law enforcement service ended, he served as a warrant commissioner. He loved his career serving his community. He graduated from Castle Heights Military School in Lebanon. He attended TTU and MTSU. He was a veteran who served in the Army National Guard as a military policeman. He also owned several small businesses in his lifetime from a gas station to a market to Smithville Marina which he built in the 1960s. He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather Nina and Sam Jennings and father, Alfred Elsie. He is survived by his wife June Jennings of Smithville; his daughter, Kaitlin Jennings (David Guy) of Sparta; daughter Jennifer (Jeremy) Womack of McMinnville; daughter Becky (Clint) Staggs of Sparta; five grandchildren Shayla, Ryder, Ethan, Addy, and Bane; sister Jan (Guy) Martin from Valdosta, Ga.; nephews Brad & Tyler Martin of Ga. Funeral Service will be held 4 PM Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Dekalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Donnie Kelly officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday 11AM until the time of the service at 4 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Jennings family.
Lawrence Daniel Poole
by: Dwayne PageMar 02, 2025
Lawrence Daniel Poole, age 68 of Smithville, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Ascension St. Thomas in Rutherford county. He was medically retired from the U.S. Navy and had his bachelor of science degree in computers. He enjoyed playing video games and working with computers.
He was born on October 11, 1956 in Miami, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; Patrick and Marian Frost Poole.
The family has honored Mr. Poole’s wishes to be cremated. No visitation or service will be held.
He is survived by his daughter; Sara (Ben) Fultz of Smithville, 3 grandchildren; Nick Fultz and Alyson Fultz both of Smithville and Jared Fultz of North Carolina, 2 brothers; David (Nelda) Poole of Louisiana and Doug Poole of Florida, 2 sisters; Georgia (Brad) Maas of Florida and Elizabeth Alves of Louisiana.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Reta Jewell Caldwell
by: Dwayne PageMar 02, 2025
Reta Jewell Caldwell of Smithville age 70, passed away Thursday February 27, 2025, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. She was born June 17, 1954, to her parents the late J. E. and Violet Jo Webb Evans. Reta was a member of Pomeroy Chapel Church and worked in the E. R. Registration at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. She also worked with her parents at Town & Country Video. She loved her kids, grandkids and spending time with them. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Frankie Caldwell of Smithville; children, Frankie Wayne (Mary Ann) Caldwell of Smithville and Shannon (Johnny) Vaughn of Mississippi; grandchildren, Courtney (Cody) Betsworth of Smithville, Alexis (Brayde) Baker of Smithville, Justin Stanick, Jordan Stanick and Jayden Stanick all of MIssissippi; great-grandchildren, Ember Betsworth, Colt Betsworth, Cora Jo Betsworth, and Jaxon Baker; sister, Shelia (David) Schoenmann of Smithville. nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends also survive. Funeral services will be held Sunday March 2, 2025, at 2:00PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale and Bro. Nathan Thomason officiating with interment to follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Saturday March 1, 2025, at 4:00PM till 7:00PM and on Sunday March 2, 2025, 10:00AM until the time of the service at 2:00PM. The family would like to say “Thank You” to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital and St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital for all the care and kindness shown Reta during her sickness. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Caldwell family.