William David Graul

December 16, 2021

William David Graul age 73 of Smithville and a native of Alabama, passed away Tuesday December 14, 2021 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. He was born April 26, 1948 to his parents, the late William Franklin and Margaret Louise Roberts Graul. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Effie Mae Lawrence, Betty Louise Evans, and Ella Rae Birdwell; 1 brother, Robert Graul; and long-time companion, Doris Ann Riddle. David was a retired truck driver. He is survived by 3 children, Timothy David (Debra) Graul, Katrina Michelle (Caleb) Lewis and Jeffery Lynn Graul all of Alabama; 4 grandchildren, Jacob (Stephanie) Graul, Justen (Laci) Graul, Kami Graul and Dakota Stewart; 1 great-grandchild, Bennett Graul; nieces and nephews, Jaya (Jerry) Harwell, Jamie (Holly) Anderson, Shannon (Jessica) Anderson, Tosha (Tommy) Maynard; several great-nieces and nephews and other family and friends. Graveside services and interment will be 1 PM Friday, December 17, 2021 at Old Athens City Cemetery with Bro. Jerry Harwell, Sr. officiating. Visitation will be Thursday 4 PM until 7 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and no food or drinks are allowed in the funeral home. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

December 13, 2021

Donnie Ray Foutch, 75, of Old Hickory, TN, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2021 at Alive Hospice in Nashville, Tennessee, after a courageous battle with cancer that deemed him a fully disabled veteran of the Vietnam War.

Donnie was born on July 28, 1946 in Liberty, TN to Leon and Robbie Hayes Foutch. He grew up as the youngest sibling in a family of tenant farmers. Their house had no air conditioning or plumbing. Heat was provided by one coal fireplace in the family room, and Donnie’s glass of water would often freeze on his nightstand as he did homework under the covers. From an early age, Donnie was taught how to raise chickens, cows, pigs, sheep, and vegetables. His father and brother trained him to hunt, fish, trap, and survive. He was also in the last generation taught how to plow with a mule.

The family was not rich in money but was rich in so many other ways. Donnie went to church every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, crowded into a 1953 Chevy after a spit bath by his Mama. When he was 11 years old, he was called to faith in Jesus during a large revival meeting. He accepted Christ the next day in the middle of a tobacco patch and was subsequently baptized in the creek.

When Donnie was at Liberty High School, it merged with DeKalb County High School, and Donnie met some new friends who inspired him to apply to college. He also met Jeanne, who soon became his best friend and wife. As true soulmates, they did everything together, and, over the next 54 years of marriage, they were rarely seen apart from one another.

As Donnie and Jeanne were finishing their college education at Tennessee Technological University, Donnie joined the Army Reserved Officer Training Corps and proudly served his country in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star.

After the war, Donnie and Jeanne settled in Nashville. Donnie worked for a large CPA firm and Jeanne worked as an office manager. This arrangement continued until Robin was born, when Jeanne became a full time mother and supporter of Donnie in his career. He served as an accountant at a major CPA firm, chief financial officer of an international construction firm, and finally CFO for a publicly traded company.

Donnie enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, gardening, and, most recently, birding. He loved spending time with his family and making friends with just about everyone he met. He was an active member of Tulip Grove Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He and Jeanne were able to travel to over 40 countries including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey, Brazil, and 20 different islands. Some trips were for work, some for mission trips, and some just for adventure. He is thankful to God Who directed his steps along the way.

Donnie is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanne, his only child, Dr. Robin Mahlow (Dr. Jeremy Mahlow), his three grandchildren Eleanor (14), John (12), and Oliver (11), and his grand-dog Daisy Fluffy-Paws Mahlow. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Foutch (Mainell Malone Foutch, deceased), his sisters Jean Fite (Charles Fite, deceased), Judy Farler (Kenneth Farler), and Janet Flanagan (Russell Flanagan), ten nephews, one niece, and many more great nephews and nieces.

The family will receive visitors Friday, December 17th from 4-8 pm at Tulip Grove Baptist Church in Old Hickory, TN, and again Saturday, December 18th from 9-11am at Tulip Grove Baptist Church. A service will be held at 11 am December 18th at Tulip Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Gerald Bontrager officiating. Interment with military detail will follow at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Donnie Foutch may be made to the Paideia Academy of Knoxville, a classical Christ-centered school which Eleanor attends
(https://paideiaknoxville.org/support/), or to Tulip Grove Baptist Church of Old Hickory, TN.

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com.

Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet, 2229 N. Mt. Juliet Road, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122, 615-758-5459, obituary line 615-758-8818, www.sellarsfuneralservices.com.

December 13, 2021

Joyce Faye Murphy age 75, of Smithville passed away Sunday December 12, 2021 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital in Smithville. She was born December 3, 1946 to her parents, the late K. C. and Estelle Hale Murphy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Ray Donald Murphy and J. W. Murphy. Miss Faye was a member of the Apostolic Ark in Murfreesboro and retired from Texas Boot in Lebanon and also worked at the Webb House. She is survived by her sister, Edith Carr of Lebanon; brother, Royce Murphy of Statesville; nieces and nephews, Melissa Baker, Tammy Manning, Debbie Adcock, Vickie Knopp, Connie McKinney, Eric Carr, and Donna Carr; several great nieces and great nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be 2 PM Wednesday December 15, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating with burial to follow in Prosperity Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 2:00PM until 7:00PM and on Wednesday 10:00AM until the time of the service at 2:00PM. The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and no food or drinks are allowed in the building. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

December 13, 2021

Terry Wayne Graves age 45 of Alexandria, passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at his residence. He was born June 13, 1976 to his parents, Patricia O. Caldwell and the late Steve Oliver Graves. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lisa Gail Caldwell Witcher. He is survived by his mother, Patricia Graves of Alexandria and 2 nephews, Todd Reeder and Chris Reeder. Terry is being cremated and no services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

December 12, 2021

James Lester Hayes age 70 of Rock Island, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, December 9, 2021 at his residence. He was born August 7, 1951 to his parents, Lester and the late Cora Omega Robinson Hayes. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Hayes and sister, Mary Davis. James was a Respiratory Therapist and Registered Nurse. A Christian man that loved to talk about the Lord and served him faithfully, he was a member of the Upper Room in McMinnville. He leaves to cherish his memory, 3 children, Scott Alan (Amanda Sue) Hayes of Murfreesboro, Eric Richard Hayes of Murfreesboro and Jaime Michelle (Shayne) Whiteaker of McMinnville; 6 grandchildren, Alex Dalton (Kelsey) Hayes of Smithville, Alexis Lee Hayes of Murfreesboro, Allyson Paige (Lucas) Young of McMinnville, Austin Luke Hayes of Murfreesboro, Kensley Brooke Whiteaker of McMinnville and Alyssa Nicole Hayes of Murfreesboro; father, Lester Hayes of Sparta; aunt, Jo (Jess) Baker of Smithville and uncle, Brisco (Imogene) Robinson of Smithville and a host of cousins. The family is honoring James request to be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held 6:PM Sunday December 19, 2021 at the Smithville First Assembly of God with Bros. Donald Vinson and Ian Swisher officiating. The visitation and gathering will be from 5:30-6:PM at the church. In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Room Church, in memory of James. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

December 12, 2021

Phyllis Corrine Sandlin age 78 of Smithville passed away Friday night December 10, 2021 at her residence. She was born October 26, 1943 to her parents, the late Charles and Alma Keyt White. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Brown Sandlin; daughter, Donna Kay Sandlin; 2 sisters, Rebecca Bradley and Sue Bowker. Ms. Phyllis was a retired factory worker and a member of the Keltonburg Missionary Baptist Church. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Linda (William) “Billy” Zaderiko of Smithville; grandchildren, Zachary (Morgan) Odom, Devin (Destiny) Zaderiko, Joshua (Randee) Zaderiko; great-grandchildren, Martial Odom, Andrew Zaderiko, Aubrey Zaderiko and Alleah Zaderiko; 2 brothers, William White of Chicago and Jerry White of Smithville; 2 sisters, Sharon White of Smithville and Faye McCann of St.Louis, MO; special caregiver, Rebecca Waggoner. Graveside services and interment will be 1:00PM Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Whorton Springs Cemetery with Bro. Tom Hafstad officiating. There will not be any visitation or services at the funeral home, family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the graveside service at 1:00PM on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Keltonburg Missionary Baptist Church, in memory of Ms. Phyllis. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.