Billy Brown Gibbs

February 22, 2021

Billy Brown Gibbs age 76 of Dowelltown, passed away Saturday afternoon at his daughter’s residence in Smithville. He was born October 4, 1944 to his parents, the late William carl and Geneva Walden Gibbs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Gibbs; 2 brothers, Danny Gibbs and William Carl Gibbs, Jr.; 3 sisters, Margie Reynolds, Ruby Reynolds and Irene Jennings. Billy was a member of Dowelltown Baptist Church and a construction worker. He is survived by 4 children, Tammy Evans (Michael Wallace) of Smithville, Roxann (Mark) Hunt of Smithville, Peggy Gibbs of Alabama and Michael Gibbs (Tina Crenshaw) of Liberty; 7 grandchildren, Ashley Buchanan (Jimmy Morgan), David Evans, Amanda Sanders, Kayla Sanders, Vanessa Freeman, Natasha Cook and Brandon Gingerich; 12 great-grandchildren, Hunter and Ayden Buchanan, J.J. Morgan, Paisley Jernigan, Weston and Millee Griffin, Kimberly, Michael and Chase Freeman, Kennedy Thaxton, Karlee Knapp, Kayden Gingerich; 3 sisters, DeEtte Shelton, Alma (Jerry) Montgomery both of Dowelltown and Jewel (Bobby) Ponder of Smithville and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1 PM Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Wilson Williams and Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. Due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines, we ask for the health and safety of everyone that you please exercise social distancing. The pews in the chapel are marked off to respect these guidelines and allow 100-125 for the service. 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.

February 22, 2021

Frances Shehane Bates age 75 of Smithville went home to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon, February 21, 2021 at Centennial Medical Center. She was born March 13, 1945 to her parents, the late Shelia Robert and Julie Mai Williams Shehane. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen Joy Spencer; 6 brothers, Robert, Hoyte, Toy B., Ben, Maxi, and Frank Shehane; 6 sisters, Olena Shehane, Willene Saylors, Lura Jean Reeder, Mae Lattimore, Mary Lattimore and Alma Swafford. Mrs. Frances had worked at Texas Boot, Hardee’s and the nursing home. She was a member of the Smithville First Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Harlon Bates of Smithville; 2 daughters, Sharon Malone of Smithville and Misty (Carl) Warden of Cookeville; step-children, Jeff and Chris Bates of Cookeville, Carol Sue Morris of Sparta; son-in-law, Steve Spencer of Smithville; grandchildren, Hope, Kayla, Brandon, Chase, Chelsie, Keely, Tarren and Layra; step-grandchildren, Robert and David Spencer; great-grandchildren, Azzy, Zack, Azlaya, Everly, Endley, Jaylenn, Kymbrence, Myla, Laykin, Laycee, Logan, Josiah, Tanner and Levi; 1 sister, Jessie Bell Johnson of Smithville. Funeral services will be 4:30 PM Wednesday February 24, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Bernard Houk and Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday 4 PM until 7 PM and on Wednesday 11:AM until the time of the service at 4:30 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Due to COVID -19 and social distancing guidelines, we ask for the health and safety of everyone that you please exercise social distancing. The funeral home chapel is marked off to respect these guidelines and allow 100-125 for the service. 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.

February 19, 2021

Mr. Donald Jackson, age 66 of Elmwood, TN, and a longtime resident of Smithville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Mr. Jackson was born April 8, 1954 in Buffalo Valley, TN, a son of the late Haywood Jackson and Mattie Hancock Jackson. He was also preceded in death by Wife; Melissa Jackson and Siblings; Horace Jackson, Jim Jackson, James Jackson, Will Allen Jackson, Calvin Jackson, Woodrow Jackson, Marshall Jackson, Ginger Jackson, Edna Smith, Annie Duke, and Vallie Williams. Donald worked at the Smithville Sav-a-Lot for many years. He is survived by Siblings; William (Brenda) Jackson of Kentucky, David (Maggie) Hancock of Buffalo Valley, TN, Thurman (Linda) Jackson of Elmwood, TN, Alvie Hancock of Cookeville, TN, Willene Jackson of Indiana, and Veller Dyer of Pleasant Shade, TN. Several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Graveside services and interment for Mr. Jackson are scheduled to be conducted on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 1PM at the Smellage Memory Gardens in the Boma Community of Putnam County, TN. Bro. Dewey Dyer will officiate. The family will gather just prior to the graveside services. Bass Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

February 15, 2021

Bridgett Marie King Bates age 29 of Smithville, passed away Sunday evening February 14, 2021 at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville. Bridgett was born January 6, 1992 in McMinnville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by one of her babies, Bentley Ryder Bates. She was a homemaker and mother to her loving kids. Survivors include mother, Christie Willoughby; father, Donald Eddie Taylor; children, Averie and Addison Bates; sister, Taylor King; brother, Eddie Smith; grandparents, Johnny and Janet King; uncle, Josh (Teresa) King; nieces, Tinley Kilby and Everleigh Gonzalez; nephew, Jaylen Lee Smith; close cousins Jailyn King and Payton Cantrell. The family has honored Bridgett’s request to be cremated. A Memorial Visitation for family and friends will be held Wednesday February 17, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel from 11:AM until 3 PM. There will not be any funeral or memorial services following the visitation. Due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines we ask for the health and safety of everyone that you please exercise social distancing. The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and no food or drinks are allowed in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in memory of Bridgett. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

February 12, 2021

Charles “Charlie” Nowicki, Jr age 57 of Smithville, passed away Monday February 8, 2021 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. He was born March 27, 1963 to his parents, the late Charles and Mary O’Connell Nowicki, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Nowicki and granddaughter, Serenity Grace Nowicki. He was a truck driver and a U.S. Army Veteran. Survivors include daughter, Corrine (Jesse) Tollett; son, Anthony (Tabitha) Nowicki; son, Dylan Nowicki; daughter, Brenda Reeder (Zach Thaxton); Riki Reeder (Jarah Glenn); son, Brandon Usselman and son, Travis Usselman, 12 grandchildren, brother, John R. Nowicki and sister, Susan Nowicki. The family has chosen a direct cremation and a Celebration of Life will be held 11:AM Friday, February 26, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Military Honors to follow by the Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be 10:AM until the time of the service at 11:AM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

February 11, 2021

Edgar Gene Payton age 75 of Old Hickory died Sunday morning, Feb. 7, 2021 at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage. Born Nov. 8, 1945, he was the son of the late Edward Payton and Ola Gertrude Templeton Payton. Gene was a member of the Alexandria United Methodist Church where he was active in the food pantry. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Odom Payton; children, John Payton and Gena Payton (Phillip Parker); grandchildren, Phillip Parker, Jr, Edgar Payton, Jr, Pablo Rosales, Rigoberto Diaz, Jr, Angelica Payton, Aerianna Payton, Paza Diaz, Lauren Diaz, Lauren Diaz, Victoria Parker, P.J. Payton; great granddaughter, Isabella Rosales; brother-in-law, Billy Odom. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 at Hunter Funeral Home with Sister Lucinda Sharp officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. till service time on Friday. Interment at Salem Cemetery. Pallbearers, John Payton, J.P. Payton, Bill Handy, Wesley Garrison, Charles Anderson. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to assistant the family. HUNTER FUNERAL HOME (615)237-9318