Lynda Luna

January 10, 2022

Mrs. Lynda Luna age 76 of Smithville, TN passed away Friday night, January 7, 2022 at Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville, TN.

Mrs. Lynda was born on April 11, 1945 to her parents, the late Leonard & Margaret Mills Freeman. Also preceding her in death are 2 siblings, Buddy Freeman & Emily Durham. Mrs. Lynda was a Kindergarten Teacher with Smithville Elementary School for over 30 years and held many advanced degrees. She had recently worked at Wilson Bank & Trust in Smithville. She volunteered with the Relay for Life, supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation, was a proud animal advocate and she loved traveling with her good friends. Mrs. Lynda was a member of the New Union The Baptist Church where she had been the church piano player since 1964.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 2pm at New Union The Baptist Church. Burial will follow at New Union Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, from 10am – 8pm & Thursday, from 9am until 1pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home at which time the body will be taken to the church for the 2pm funeral service.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Harold Luna of Smithville, TN. 2 Sons, Rocky (Julie) Luna of Omaha, NE & Buck Luna of Smithville, TN. Grandchildren, Courtney (Chris) Blanchard of Manchester, TN, Alexis Krehbiel, Lindsay Krehbiel, Luke Luna, Abby Krehbiel, Dylan Luna, Natalie Krehbiel & Ainsley Krehbiel all of Omaha, NE. Great Grandchildren, Delaney Blanchard, Lorelai Blanchard & Rheagan Blanchard all of Manchester, TN.

In addition to flowers, donations can be made to the DeKalb County Animal Coalition in memory of Mrs. Lynda.

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

January 10, 2022

Sammie Ruth Caplinger age 93 of Smithville, passed away Sunday afternoon January 9, 2022 at NHC Healthcare in Smithville. She was born November 2, 1928 to her parents, the late Sam and Della Colvert McGuire. She was retired from the City of Smithville and a member of Dale Ridge Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by Husband: Doston Caplinger; Infant son: James Reed Caplinger; Brothers: Dan McGuire, Jack McGuire. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Wednesday January 12, 2022 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Gary Caplinger officiating and burial to follow in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. Survivors include children: Randy (Karen) Caplinger, Darlene Caplinger, Tony Caplinger all of Smithville; Grandchildren: Shawn Caplinger, Cory Caplinger, Nicole (CT) Tong; Great-grandchildren: Pearce Tong, Paxton “Pax” Tong; Several nieces and nephews also survive. A special Thank You to the nurses and staff at NHC, Avalon Hospice and nurse Tina Walker for the care they provided to Ms. Ruth. THE LOUNGE IS CLOSED AND NO FOOD OR DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN THE FUNERAL HOME. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

January 4, 2022

Gayle and Phillip Thomas

Audrey Gayle Thomas age 40 of Smithville passed away Thursday afternoon December 30, 2021 at TriStar Summit Hospital in Hermitage from complications of Covid. She was born May 30, 1981 in Smithville. She was preceded in death by her mother, Wanda Vanatta Rigsby; maternal grandparents, W.A. and Frances Vanatta; paternal grandparents, Jewel Brown “Red” and Elizabeth Pascal Rigsby; nephew, Jeffery Rigsby and niece, Erica Marie Bullard. Gayle was a member of the Keltonburg United Methodist Church and worked at Omega Apparel. She was survived by her husband, Phillip Thomas of Smithville; 2 children, Phillip “Little Man” Thomas (Kaitlyn Fish) of Smithville and Helen (James) Winchel of McMinnville; father, Lloyd Rigsby of Smithville; sisters, Trina Hernandez of Nashville and Destiny Wisemore of McMinnville; brothers, Christopher Rigsby and Aubrey Rigsby both of Smithville; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Brenda and Ricky Caldwell; special nephew, Michael Bullard; special great niece, Peyton Bandy; special mother, Eva Kelly (Jeff) Trannel ; special friend that was more like a sister, Heather Wilson several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins and a host of other family and friends.

Phillip Royce Thomas age 41 of Smithville passed away Friday morning, December 31, 2021 at TriSatr Summit Hospital in Hermitage from complications of Covid. He was born December 15, 1980 in Smithville. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Thomas; maternal grandparents, Abe and Pearl Colwell, Herman and Clara Caldwell; paternal grandparents, Willie Eugene “Sheep” and Vada Atnip Thomas; 2 aunts, Barbara Hicks and Mary Hale; 3 uncles, Jackie Thomas, Eddie Lattimore and Paul Caldwell. He is survived by 2 children, Phillip “Little Man” Thomas (Kaitlyn Fish) of Smithville and Helen (James) Winchel of McMinnville; mother and loving father, Brenda and Ricky Caldwell of Smithville; dad, Jessie Thomas of Alexandria; brother, Jessie Eugene “Brother” Thomas of McMinnville; sisters, Peggy Bandy of Liberty, Rose Montgomery of Smithville, Anne Davis of Nashville and Hope Thomas of Smithville; special father-in-law, Lloyd Rigsby; sisters-in-law, Trina Hernandez and Destiny Wisemore; brothers-in-law, Christopher and Aubrey Rigsby; special nephew, Michael Bullard and special great-niece, Peyton Bandy; special cousins, Sarah Thomas, Jessica Hale and Sabrina Melton; special friend, Alan Taylor and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family has chose a direct cremation for Gayle and Phillip and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice, in memory of Gayle and Phillip.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

January 3, 2022

Ms. Bessie Nell Hendrix, age 80, of Smithville, TN passed away Sunday morning, January 2, 2022, at her daughter’s residence.

Ms. Hendrix was born on November 10, 1941 in Dibrell to her parents, the late Dibrell and Lula Curtis Young. Also preceding her in death was her sister, Dorothy Hale and 2 brothers; Morris Young and John Young. She had been a LPN and was of the Baptist faith.

Funeral services for Ms. Hendrix will be on Wednesday, January 5 at 2pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with visitation from 11am until the time of service at 2.

Survivors include 2 children: Tyroma (David) Rigsby of Lebanon, and Michael Hendrix of Smithville; Grandchildren: Hayden, Bella, Eden, Karsen, and Farrah Rigsby, and Piper Mabe Hendrix; numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins; former husband, Doyle (Faye) Hendrix of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

January 3, 2022

Mr. Orville Howell Meeks age 73 of Smithville, TN passed away Friday, December 31, 2021 at the Emergency Room of St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

Mr. Meeks was born on March 22, 1948 in Grundy County, TN to his parents, that late Orville Howell Meeks Sr. & Geneva Layman Conry. Also preceding him in death is his wife, Cindy Meeks, grandson, Maverick Meeks & siblings, Bobby Meeks, Janice Meeks & Chris Stiman. He was self employed.

Survivors include 3 Children, Diane Laclair of Dover, FL, Ricky (Marlena Todd) Meeks & Randy Meeks all of Smithville, TN. 7 Grandchildren, Anita Martin, Kelly Meeks, JC Lible, Jana Lible, Ricky Meeks, Greg Laclair & Skylar Laclair. 12 Great Grandchildren, Piper Meeks, Presleigh Meeks, Waymon Walker, Wyatt Meeks, Lena Martin, Servy Martin, Steven Martin, Greg Laclair, Gianna Laclair, Genessa Laclair, Giabella Goodwine & Axel Goodwine. Brothers & Sisters, Bruce Meeks of Beechgrove, TN, Chuck Conry of McMinnville, TN, Lisa Casady of Manchester, TN & Kay Anderson of Altamont, TN.

Complete arrangements will be announced later by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home

January 2, 2022

82-year-old Benny (Ben) Walker Close of Dowelltown, co-owner of Close and Paschal Auction and Realty passed away Saturday at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. He was a US Air Force veteran. The funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Burial will be in Hillview Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 12 noon until 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alton B. Close and Lilly Grace Fitts and a grandson, Zachary Close. He is survived by his children, Dwayne Close of Smithville, Daryl Close of Dowelltown, David and Renee Close of Watertown and Mary Grace and Howard Bennett of Hermitage. Step-children, Jennifer, Janna, and John Eaton. Nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. A sister, Judy Close. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children Hospital. Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.