Delores DeLong
by: Dwayne PageJun 18, 2025
Delores DeLong age 99 of McMinnville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at Willow Branch on Tuesday morning, June 17, 2025. Born in West Virginia on August 22, 1925, she lived a long and joyful life marked by deep family ties and a lively spirit.
Delores was preceded in death by her beloved husband of many years, Lloyd DeLong; her parents, Samuel Boyd and Katie Mae Meddings Rhodes; 2 brothers, Marvin and Melvin Rhodes; 2 sisters, Tressie Jepaway and Thelma Paxton.
She is survived by her special niece, Linda (Delmas) Moore; great-niece and nephew, Melissa Moore and Douglas Moore, whom she considered her grandchildren; and great-great-nieces and nephew, Erin Perry, Jaksyn Moore and Matthew Perry, whom she cherished as her great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind sisters-in-law, Freda (David) Frazier and Evelyn (Norval) Young, along with many other nieces and nephews.
Known for her love of Christmas and all things festive, Delores brought warmth and laughter to every room she entered. Her passion for crafting was only matched by the size of her personality – big, bold and full of heart.
Funeral services will be 1 PM Thursday, June 19, 2025 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Garry McBride officiating and burial will follow in Jefferson Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 11:AM util the time of the service at 1 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the DeLong family.
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.