Donald Jackson

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

February 9, 2021

Edith Judkins age 71 of Smithville passed away Monday night February 8, 2021 at St. Thomas Hospital in Smithville. She was born March 31, 1949 to her parents, the late Frank and Mary Rowland Fults. She was a nursery worker and a member Keltonburg United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a daughter: Angela Michelle Judkins; Sisters: Elizabeth Duggin, Mary Bullard; Brothers: Roy and Jimmy Fults. Funeral Service will be held 1 PM Thursday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. Visitation with the family will be Thursday 11:AM until 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 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. There will be a private burial held. Survivors include her husband Eddie Roy Judkins of Smithville; 3 Daughters: Denise (Ronald) Merriman of Smithville, Mary (Kirk) Winter of Gordonsville, Sherry (Donnie) Stanley of Smithville; 3 Grandchildren: Kelly (Ryan) Huling, Lorrie (Justin) Avera, Cooper Eugene Stanley; 2 Great-Grandchildren: Maddie & Zachary Huling. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

February 8, 2021

Mrs. Mary Wilson Miller Burkett was born June 1, 1921 in Nashville, Tennessee, to George Grover Wilson and Martha Turner Wilson. She passed away at the age of 99 on February 6, 2021, surrounded by her children at her daughter’s home in Lookout Mountain, GA.

After spending her youth on her family farm in McMinnville, TN, Mrs. Miller-Burkett ultimately settled in Pascagoula, MS where she lived for over 60 years. She leaves gifts of a tremendous legacy and many fond memories which will forever be cherished. She was a homemaker throughout her life, as her family and faith were always her highest priorities. Family and friends, alike, describe her as strong, loving, uncomplaining, and an inspiration to everyone who knew her. She enjoyed quilting, baking her famous pies, and attending events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While she never learned to drive, she was always ready to travel anywhere at a moment’s notice. She was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church in Pascagoula, which later became Arlington Baptist Church and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Preceding her in death was her beloved husband of 60 years, Maurice William Miller of Ooltewah, TN; J.D. Burkett, a lifelong friend whom she married in her later years; brothers, John and Minos Wilson; sisters Evelyn Hamblen and Peggy Love; and daughter-in-law Betty Miller.

Left to cherish her memory are her two children, Lyndia (Richard) Crotteau of Lookout Mountain, GA, and Billy Miller of Pascagoula, MS; step-children, Diane Johnson of Vienna, VA and Ronnie Burkett of Charleston, SC; grandchildren, Richard Crotteau, Jr., Mary Lyn Huffman (Mark), Michael Miller (Lori), Michelle Miller Smith (Dan), Melissa Miller Pennington (Todd); great-grandchildren, Eliza, Gracie, and Miller Huffman; Mary Michael Miller, Sadie and Sophie Smith; and Thomas and Miller Pennington. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.

Mary Miller Burkett left quite the impression on all who knew her. She lived a full life, of nearly100 years, and will be dearly missed.

Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, starting at 10:00am at Love Cantrell Funeral Home in Smithville, TN. Funeral services will follow at 11:00am in the Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Chapel with Richard Crotteau, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Arlington Baptist Church in memory of Mrs. Mary Miller Burkett. The church address is 2101 Market St., Pascagoula, MS 39567; (228) 769-2789.