Cindy Lou Meeks

March 3, 2021

Cindy Lou Meeks, age 64 of Smithville, passed away on February 28, 2021 at Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

She was born on July 13, 1956 in Leesburg, Virginia to her parents, the late Charles Edward and Arvilla Virginia Carter Drummond. Cindy worked at Bobby Ray Elementary School for many years.

Mrs. Meeks is survived by her husband, Howell Meeks of Smithville; 2 sons, Randy Meeks of Smithville, and Ricky Meeks (Marlena) of Smithville; 6 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 4 sisters, Carolyn (Gary) Frye of West Virginia, Sharon (Bob) Whitehead of West Virginia, Vickie Drummond of West Virginia, and Loma Drummond Jenkins (Randy Smith) of West Virginia; 3 brothers, Charles (Ronda) Drummond, John Wayne Drummond, and Rex Allen (Charity) Drummond of West Virginia; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family has chosen direct cremation. No visitation or service will be held.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

March 3, 2021

Judith Kay James passed away peacefully on February 26th at her home with her family at her side.

Born December 12, 1950 in St Louis, Missouri to the late Robert and Geraldine Jostrand, Judy is survived by her daughter, Shawnda James Caulfield, her son-in-law, Daniel Caulfield Jr, and her beloved granddaughter, Ava Caulfield. Ms. Judy, as she was known by most, was the owner/operator of James Dance Center in Central Florida for 35 years. After embarking on a successful performing career of her own, it was when she opened her studio that she was able to combine her two great loves; dance and working with children. She guided numerous generations of children through their youth by providing them with a safe place to grow both artistically and emotionally in a nurturing environment that became like a second home to the dancers. Many of her students went on to successful performing careers with major dance companies, touring shows, and overseas companies, and just as many others thrive in fields as diverse as the medical, publishing and teaching worlds to name just a few.

Ms. Judy was beyond proud of all of her students and kept in touch with many of them even after retiring and moving to middle Tennessee 10 years ago. Upon her move to Smithville, Judy immediately became involved in her local community and volunteered her time for numerous causes close to her heart. She was passionate about her teaching for Community Bible Study in Cookeville and for the homeless outreach and food pantry her church, Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian, organized. In addition to all of this, Judy was always unfailingly available to her family, often picking up and flying wherever her daughter was working to watch her granddaughter with whom she developed an incredible bond. Judy was the embodiment of selflessness and compassion and lived her life supporting and loving her family, her dancers, her friends, and anyone who needed it to the absolute utmost of her ability. Her legacy will live on through those family and friends and all those whose lives she impacted in so many ways.

A service celebrating her life will be held March 21, 2021 at 2pm at Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 201 S. College St. Smithville, TN 37166. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Compassion International, two charities whose mission of helping children in need she wholeheartedly supported.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

March 3, 2021

Sharon Louanna Boyd age 59 went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday March 2, 2021. Sharon was born to her parents, the late Louis Carter and Marie Ellis on October 6, 1961. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Walter Ellis; maternal grandparents, Paul and Clara Malone; paternal grandparents, Shealie and Dovie Carter. She worked in childcare as a babysitter and was a member of Christpoint Chruch. Sharon grew up with family and friends having 1 sister and 1 brother. To soon meet the love of her life Anthony Jean Boyd at the age of 18 to keep a life long marriage of 40 years. Never to part or stray, keeping their marriage in the sight of the Lord. She adored her husband, her keeper. Anthony cared for her being her nurse, provider and most of all the husband he promised to be. They went on to have 2 children, Anthony Boyd and Dovie Westmoreland, then to have 5 grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Tony Boyd of Smithville; children, Anthony (Tonya) Boyd of Smithville, and Dovie (Johnnie) Westmoreland of Spencer; grandchildren, Elijah Boyd, Becca Riddle, Johnathon Westmoreland, Victoria Westmoreland, Mikel Westmoreland; sister, Gayle Carter of Watertown; brother, Michael Ellis of Smithville; special nephews, Austin Ellis, Christian Ellis and Cameron Page. A host of nephews, nieces, and cousins also survive. There will be a Celebration of Life held 11:AM Saturday March 6, 2021 at Christpoint Church with Pastor Sam Scavo and Pastor Steve Qualls officiating. Visitation with the family will be Saturday 10:00 AM until time of service at 11:00 AM. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines, we ask for the health and safety of everyone that you please exercise social distancing. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

March 1, 2021

Harold “Groundhog” Hale age 80 of Smithville, passed away Sunday afternoon February 28, 2021 at NHC Healthcare of McMinnville. He was born November 21, 1940 to his parents the late Howard and Samantha Jones Hale. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Hale; brother-in-law, Joe I. Taylor. Mr. Hale was a member of First Communion Church in Sparta and worked at Federal Mogul and at the DeKalb County Convenience Site on McMinnville Hwy. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hale of Smithville; children, Craig (Patricia) Hale of Smithville, Crystal Hale of Smithville, Tammy (Max) Slatton of McMinnville, Teddy (Brenda) Roberts of Crossville; grandchildren, Christen (Charles) Cox, Nicholas Hale, Elizabeth Chalfant, Tera (Scott) Elkins, Ty Slatton, Tasha Roberts, Jason Roberts, Dustin Roberts, and Dakota Eaton.; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Taylor (Jim) Cook of Smithville; brother, Jimmy (Jacque) Hale of Smithville; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Funeral services will be 1 PM Wednesday March 3, 2021 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 4 PM until 7 PM and on Wednesday 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 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. In addition to flowers the family asked donations may be made to Whorton Springs Cemetery Fund. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

February 27, 2021

Kenneth “Todd” Dodson, age 52, passed away early Thursday morning, February 25, 2021 at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. He was born on June 12, 1968 in Kokomo, Indiana to his parents, the late Kenneth Edward Essco and Iva Irene Dodson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Terri Dodson.

Mr. Dodson is survived by his wife Katherine “Kathy” Dodson; 2 sons, Kenneth “Kenny” Dodson and fiance Shelby, and Justin Dodson all of Smithville; 1 brother, Michael (Kristie) Dodson; 1 sister, Hollie (Zollie) Davis; 1 aunt, Edith Dodson; mother-in-law, Dixie Lou Crook; brother-in-law, Ernie Crook; cousins, Mike, Doug, William “Buddy”; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Todd worked at Federal Mogul for over 18 years. He was a proud father, amazingly loving husband, devoted friend, and a Christian who loved and respected the Lord. He was a Tennessee Lifetime Sportsman of TWRA who loved to hunt and trap. Todd was a friend to all he met and would lend a hand whenever he could. He loved his family and always showed it. He will be missed more than he would ever imagined.

Funeral services for Mr. Dodson will be on Wednesday, March 3 at 1pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Green officiating, and interment will follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, March 2 from 4-8pm and on Wednesday, March 3 from 9am until the time of service at 1pm.

The family has asked that in addition to flowers that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

February 23, 2021

Roy Douglas Ray age 72 of the Belk Community of DeKalb County, passed away Monday afternoon, February 22, 2021 at St. Thomas West Hospital in Nashville. He was born October 28, 1948 to his parents, the late George and Gladys Ray. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by infant twin grandchildren, Zachary and Shelby Ray. Roy was a life time farmer of the Belk Community. He was a member of New Union The Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patsy Ray of Smithville; 2 sons, Patrick (Dessa ) Ray and Tracy (Jen) Ray of Smithville; grandchildren, P.J. Ray and Destiny Strickland; 1 brother, Ernest (Elene) Ray of Clarksville; 1 sister, Linda Cook of Alexandria; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be Thursday February 25, 2021 at 1 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro, Darrell Cantrell and Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow at New Union Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 12:OO noon until 7 PM and Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, 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 to 125 people for the service. The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and NO food or drinks are allowed in the funeral home. The family ask in addition to flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.