William Lee “Willie” Clayborn

August 10, 2021

54 year old William Lee “Willie” Clayborn of Alexandria died Monday at his residence. He was a forklift operator for WestRock and a member of the Helton Creek The Baptist Church. Clayborn graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1985. He was a great son, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved music, the Steelers, wrestling, and the Tennessee VOLS. Willie loved to aggravate and was the best at it. A graveside service will be Tuesday, August 10 at 5 p.m. at Hillview Cemetery. Johnathon Willoughby will officiate. There will be no visitation. Clayborn was preceded in death by his father Bobby Clayborn. He is survived by his mother, Mildred Clayborn of Alexandria. A sister, Charissee Allen of Alexandria. Brother, Bobby (Shelia) Clayborn of Alexandria. Nephews Josh Baker and Schuylar Allen, Nieces, Jessie Baker and Taylor Allen. Great nieces, Shelby Clayborn, Cheyenne Bradshaw, and Kendall Poss, and special friend Tyria Fathera. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations may be made to Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria to help with funeral expenses.

August 7, 2021

Martin Riley, Jr. “Buck” age 93 passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021 at his residence in Smithville of natural causes. He was born June 3, 1928 in Clinton County Indiana to the late Martin and Nora Hazel Woods Riley. in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Riley; 2 sons, Steve Riley and Fredrick Riley and a daughter, Cathy Riley; 9 siblings, Voyle, Cot, Burnard, Garnet, Fred, Jerry, Vada, Mary and Myrtle. He retired an engineer of General Motors in Indiana on August 1987 after 32 years of service constructing and installing some of the largest stamping presses in the US and Japan as well as receiving several awards for his outstanding innovative ideas and practices. Buck’s hobbies included woodworking, tinkering with anything in the garage and spending time with his family whom he loved very dearly. He is survived by his children of current marriage and caregiver; Tim Riley, Christina (Teddy) Snipes, Martin Riley, III, and Becky Atnip. Also survived by his children of first marriage include David (Cheryl) Riley, Mike (Tammy) Riley, Debra (Don) Beechum, Patricia Eckles, Cheryl Riley, Dan (Sharon) Gress and Connie Alley; 28 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from 4 PM until 7 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Following the visitation, the family is honoring Mr. Riley’s request to be cremated. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

August 3, 2021

Donnie Earl Goodman age 73, passed away Monday, August 2, 2021 at NHC of Columbia. He was born July 15, 1948 to his parents, mother, Clara Mae Young Goodman and the late W. R. Goodman. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by a sister, Jean Atnip. Mr. Goodman was a member of Keltonburg United Methodist Church and worked in auto body repair. He is survived by his daughter, Tonjia (Jerry) Potts of Santa Fe, TN; granddaughters, Kara Lane Potts and Molly Ann Potts; mother, Clara Mae Goodman of Smithville; brother, Lloyd (Pat) Goodman of Smithville; brother-in-law, Eugene Atnip of Smithville; several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to flowers, the family ask that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital in memory of Mr. Goodman. The family has honored Mr. Goodman’s request to be cremated and graveside memorial service will be held 2 PM Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the Keltonburg Cemetery. There will not be any visitation or services at the funeral home, family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the memorial service. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

August 3, 2021

Robert Todd Williams age 57 of Smithville, passed away Monday August 2, 2021 at his residence. He was born to his parents, the late Robert “Peanut” and Annette Smith Williams. Mr. Williams was a member of the Smithville Church of God and worked in Hotel Maintenance then worked for 15 years at Shiroki. He is survived by his wife, Sherry Williams of Smithville; daughter, Caitlyn Williams of Smithville; brother, Andrew Williams of Cookeville; aunt, Pam Redmon of Dowelltown; uncle, Richard (Suzanne) Williams of Dowelltown; sister-in-law, Melissa (Terry) Hicks of Dowelltown; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held 1:PM Wednesday August 4, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Chris Moore officiating and burial to follow in Salem Cemetery. The family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. 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 arrangements.

August 2, 2021

Dr. J.C. Wall age 66 of Smithville, passed away Saturday night July 31, 2021 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.

He was born June 13, 1955 to his parents, the late James Clinton and Maureen Redmon Wall, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John Robert and June Nixon.

Dr. Wall was a local physician for 40 years, DeKalb County Medical Examiner, and on the Medical Staff of St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. He was also a farmer, a director on DeKalb Farmer’s CO-OP board of directors, member of the Cattlemen’s Association and loved John Deere tractors.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 32 years, Sandra Wall of Smithville; sister-in-law, Gwen (Harrell) Tolbert of Smithville; niece, Tara (Steve) Crook of Liberty; great-nephew, Nixon James Crook of Liberty and several cousins.

Graveside Service and Entombment will be at 4 PM Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. There will not be any visitation or services at the funeral home. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the 4 PM Service. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

July 30, 2021

There was Crying in the Chapel on July 27, 2021 when Betty Daniels of Smithville passed away.

As a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and World’s Best Elvis Presley Fan, she was proud that God allowed her soul to be Returned to Sender… and happy that angels were All Shook Up when she arrived in Heaven. Betty was born at home in Point Pleasant, Missouri on August 11, 1944, the sixth of James and Bertie Young’s nine children. She quickly became the Good Luck Charm of family and friends and – with Amazing Grace – was raised by her Aunt Emma and Uncle Chet, and later by beloved uncle, Bob Bird.

Betty had a Burning Love for all things outdoors and enjoyed being Wild in the Country. Her modest childhood provided no Blue Suede Shoes or Hound Dog companion but she was grateful for not living In the Ghetto or being part of a Jailhouse Rock. She was a good academic student and graduated with high grades from New Madrid High School in Missouri. Believing it was Now or Never, Betty decided to Surrender her Mid-America roots and moved to the east coast in the 1970’s. There, she met and married her Big Hunk O’ Love, John. Although she was a Hard Headed Woman with a sharp business mind, Betty was also a family-oriented Teddy Bear. So, with A Little Less Conversation, she and John became proud parents of John, Jr. in 1974.

By then, they had moved to Tennessee and became an American Trilogy, enjoying life’s Party while doing things Their Way with no Suspicious Minds … and surviving every Mess of Blues. There was truly no Wooden Heart in the Love Me Tender, Stuck on You Daniels household. At their new home, Betty and John established Regal Wood Products of Smithville. It became a thriving kitchen cabinet and fireplace mantel business with a national clientele base. When time allowed, Betty and John enjoyed world travel, outdoor gatherings, and summer days Way Down at Center Hill Lake.

Betty is survived by John, John Jr., daughter-in-law, Brook, and granddaughters, Katlyn and Kyra. She will also be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, especially Billy and Jalonda Bird Harris of Matthews, Missouri. Betty will Always be on Their Mind and for her, they will never lose that Lovin’ Feelin’.

A Memorial Service for Mrs. Betty will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11am at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.