Betty Jean Knowles

April 25, 2025

Betty Jean Knowles, born in June 1930, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, at the age of 94. She will be deeply missed as the beloved matriarch of a strong and loving family. Betty was born Betty Hardison and raised in McMinnville, Tennessee. Early in life, she married Chester Leo Knowles after he enlisted in the United States Air Force. The couple began their life together in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, before settling in Smithville, Tennessee, where they raised four children. Betty was a devoted mother to her children: Danny (deceased) of Geneva, Alabama, married to Meatrice, Brenda Whigham of Columbia, South Carolina, married to Royce, Joy Dysart of Denver, Colorado, married to Bill, Jeff of Columbia, South Carolina, married to Meredith. She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who live across Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and South Carolina. In addition to being a dedicated mother and grandmother, Betty was passionate about serving her community. She worked at the Justin Potter and volunteered for many years at Sacred Heart Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida. Her compassion and selflessness touched the lives of many. Betty was predeceased by her beloved husband, Chester Leo Knowles. She will be laid to rest beside him at DeKalb Memorial Gardens in Smithville, Tennessee, during a ceremony in early May. The family is deeply grateful for the love and support shown during this time and will always cherish her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher House Foundation or the Justin Potter Library in Smithville, Tennessee. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Knowles family.

April 25, 2025

Jo Lenda Rigsby, age 75 of Smithville, was born November 15,1949 to her parents, the late TZ and Emma Adcock Turner and went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, April 24, 2025 at Centennial Medical Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Dennis “Denny” Rigsby. She was a member of the Mt. Hope The Baptist Church and retired from Kingston Timers. She leaves to cherish her memory, 2 children, Tommy Rigsby (Susanne) of Meadview, Arizona and Shannon (Dale) Garner of Morrison; 3 grandchildren, Piper (Greg) Eisenhauer, Steven (Shelby) Garner and Canaan Garner; 2 great-grandchildren, Kingston and Brixx Eisenhauer. Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. David Frazier officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday 12 Noon until 7 PM and Saturday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Rigsby family.

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.

April 23, 2025

Sharon Marie VanDyne age 81, passed away Monday night, April 21, 2025 at her residence in Smithville.  She was born January 9, 1944, in Ithaca, New York to her parents the late William and Phyllis Dolkos.  She married her kindergarten sweetheart Jesse Kenneth VanDyne, SR., and they had 7 children.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse VanDyne, SR; daughter, Penny VanDyne; son, Jesse VanDyne, JR.; and a sister, Donna Bell.  Ms. VanDyne was a Baptist and was a homemaker.  Funeral service will be 2 PM Friday April 25, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Teresa Wright officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday 3 PM until 7 PM and Friday 11:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM.  She is survived by children, Christine (Frank) Elliott, Todd VanDyne, Danny (Susan) VanDyne all of Smithville and Tim VanDyne and Steven VanDyne both of Palm Beach, Fl.; grandchildren, Michael (Julie) VanDyne of Smithville, Jessica (Jimmy) Vaughn, Nicholas Guess, Stepheny Guess, Danny VanDyne, JR. Hannah, Jesse, and Lane of Smithville, Samantha (Adam) McCormick of McMinnville; great-grandchildren, Bryson (Madison) Farris, Heaven, Logan, and Makyra Farris, Lucas and McKenzie, Lillian and Andrew VanDyne, Karsyn and Mckenzie McCormick; great-great-grandchildren, Bentley, Emerson and Hector Farris; brother, Phillip (Cheryl) Gotro of Smithville; sister, LeAnn (Hunter) Walker of Pegram, Tn. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to Gentiva Hospice (Bobbie Sue and Lindsey) also  to Christine’s Smithville NHC Family for all the thoughts, messages, phone calls and prayers during this difficult time.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to DeKalb Animal Shelter in memory of Ms. Sharon.  DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the VanDyne family.

April 22, 2025

Kathy Sue Deffendoll, age 62, of Alexandria, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at her residence. Born in Shelbyville, KY, on October 10, 1962, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth McKinney and Ruth McKinney of Taylorsville, KY.

She is survived by her loving husband, Steven Wayne Deffendoll of Alexandria, and her three children: Kristina (Chris) McMillen of Smithville, Brandon Deffendoll of Alexandria, and Kimberly (Cody) Atnip of Liberty. Kathy was a proud grandmother to Lacey McMillen, Cole McMillen of Smithville, Katy Bowen, Kendyl Atnip, Wesley Bowen of Liberty, and Dalton and Addie Evans of Smithville, whom she loved like grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Martine McKinney of Taylorsville, KY, and her siblings: Brian McKinney of Louisville, KY, Paul (Jennifer) McKinney, Clint McKinney, and Allison (Matt) Finch, all of Taylorsville, KY. Her nephews, Dalton Hardin and Jackson Finch of Taylorsville, KY, along with a host of special aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, also mourn her passing.

Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth McKinney, and her son-in-law, Joseph Bowen.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, with visitation from noon until the time of service. Bro. Chris McMillen will officiate the service.

The family extends a special thank you to Gentiva Hospice caregivers Rachel, Bobbie Sue, Leila, Cora, Lindsy and Shelly for their love and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to DeKalb Animal Shelter in Kathy’s memory.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

April 22, 2025

Michael Landon Prater age 63 of the Short Mountain Community passed away Friday, April 18, 2025, at Ascension St. Thomas Stones River Hospital ER. He was born August 4, 1961, to his parents the late Robert W. and Cora Lee Underwood Prater. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, James David Prater; sisters, Carolyn Faye Brown, Novella Hodges, Wilma Jo Sanders and Ida Cheryl McGowan. Mr. Prater was a member of Church of Jesus Christ and worked as a mechanic and nurseryman. He loved working on cars, fishing, and storytelling to the grand and great-grandkids. Funeral services will be 1 PM Wednesday April 23, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. David Murphy officiating with burial to follow in Blues Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 12:Noon until 8 PM and Wednesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Donna Jo Wilson Prater; 4 daughters, Carolyn Faye (Brian) Adams, Amy Lynn (Stevie) Walker, Kimberly Dawn (Randy) Carrier and Ellen Lee (Michael) Brinkley; 14 grandkids, Austin (Shawna) Lawson, Carrie (Derek) Pigg, Naomi (Matthew) Davis, Jacob Adams, Caleb (Rachel) Adams, Hannah Carrier, Rebekah Adams, Abigail Carrier, Traven Lawson, Elexis Brinkley, Emily Brinkley, Dakota Brinkley, Erika Brinkley, and Dalton Brinkley; 13 great-grandkids; sisters, Litta A Murphy and E. Dorene Murphy; brother, Danny G. Prater. The family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses in memory of Mr. Prater. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Prater family.

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