Obituaries

Effie L. “Susie” Vandergriff

January 26, 2021

Effie L. “Susie” Vandergriff age 81 of Smithville passed away Monday January 25, 2021 at her residence. She was born December 9, 1939 to her parents, the late Julius and Vennie M. Coldwell Reeder. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey “Buddy” Bogle, daughter, Kathy Sue Thomas and 13 Brothers and Sisters. She was a farmer and a Baptist. Ms. Susie is survived by 1 daughter, Treva Hartman of Smithville; 2 grandchildren, Willie Murphy and Crystal McCorkel; 6 great-grandchildren, Christopher Johnson, Wyatt Young, Ayla Donatto, Katelyn Nokes, Christopher Rue and Timothy Rue; 1 sister, Sally Tims of Cookeville; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be 1PM Thursday, January 28, 2020 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in Hale Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 4PM until 7PM and Thursday 10AM until the time of the service at 1PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.




Patricia Love Spence

January 26, 2021

Mrs. Patricia Love Spence, age 76, DeKalb County native and Cookeville resident, died Saturday evening, January 23, 2021, at her home. She was born September 21, 1944, to the late Robert Taylor and Dorothy Foutch Love in DeKalb County. No services are planned.

Pat was a paralegal who worked for many years in the office of Cookeville office of Attorney David Day and other law offices of Putnam Country. She enjoyed traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountains, to Gulf Shores and to many casinos with her late husband, James “Buddy” Spence. They also shared a passion for the Tennessee Vols. She was an excellent cook and avid baker. She enjoyed watching daily episodes of “Price Is Right”. She was devoted to her family and loved doting on her grandchildren.

She is survived by daughters Kim Ashburn of Smithville, Rhonda Spence Curley of Dover, DE, Sara (Joe) Williams of Charlotte, NC, and son Dr. Tim Ashburn of Chickamauga, GA, grandchildren Hope Ashburn “Commander Taylor Hesse”, Paige Ashburn “Ben Garrett”, Jeremy “Trista” Ashburn, Taylor “Jessica” Ashburn, Anna Grace Ashburn, Justin Curley, Corey Curley and Kristin (Brian) Collison, Amber (Jeremiah) Keisling, Elizabeth Spence, Jaime Spence, Emily Spence, Spencer Williams, Chloe Williams, 17 great grandchildren, brother Wayne “Ann” Love of Murfreesboro and sister Janie Love of Putnam County. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, James “Buddy” Spence.

Memorial donations may be made to Putnam Co. Animal Shelter, 2650 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501.

Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.




Clarance “Joe” Webb

January 25, 2021

95 year old Clarance “Joe” Webb of the Jefferson Community of DeKalb County passed away on Monday, January 25, 2021 at his residence.

Mr. Webb was born January 30, 1925 in Smithville, TN. He was an army veteran in WWII who served in both France and Germany, a farmer, a retired road grader for DeKalb County, and a member of Jefferson Community Church.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be at Jefferson Cemetery with military honors provided by the Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-8pm and on Thursday from 10am until the time of service at 1pm. Due to Covid 19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed, and the family has requested that mask be worn. We are also not accepting food in the kitchen at this time.

He was preceded in death by his parents-Charlie and Martha Ann Jones Webb; wife: Martha Louise Webb; sisters-Lillie “Jack” Thweatt and Josie Pack; Brother: Aaron Webb; and grandchildren: Gabriel Craig, Denny Mark, Nicky & James Turner

Survivors include 3 Daughters, Bobby Scott of McMinnville, Robbie and husband Albert Lynn of Viola, and Janice Strange of Smithville. 1 Son, Kelvin & wife Teresa Turner of Kansas. 4 Grandchildren, Bobby and Lou Shawna Scott of McMinnville, Daniel and Lisa Hallon of Viola, Larkin Turner of Kansas, and Joshua Craig of Smithville; Several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

In addition to flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Charity in memory of Mr. Webb.

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




Lawrence Earl Ralph

January 24, 2021

75 year old Lawrence Earl Ralph of McMinnville died Friday at his residence. He was a nurseryman and a member of the Sink Creek Baptist Church. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Ryan Koegler will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Raymond Ferrell and father, Bill Ralph. He is survived by three sons, Lawrence David Ralph, Randy Dewayne Ralph, Chad and Melissa Ferrell; a step-son, Joey and Brenda Brannam; and a daughter, Helen and Greg Cathey all of McMinnville. Mother, Goldie Ferrell of Spencer. Ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Six brothers, David, James and Susan, Tyrus Jr., Richard and Connie, Gary and Renee Ferrell all of McMinnville, and Virgil and Alvina Ferrell of Manchester. Three sisters, Sue and Ron Dollberry and Melissa Keys of McMinnville and Gladys and Robert Johnson of Franklin. Several nieces, nephews and cousins survive. A special thanks to Avalon Hospice for the care provided to Mr. Ralph. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.




Lynn Eric Bontrager

January 24, 2021

Lynn Eric Bontrager age 68 of Smithville and a native of New York, passed away Thursday January 20, 2021 at his residence. He was born July 17, 1952 in Batavia, New York to his parents, the late Amos and Eleanor Smart Bontrager. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a stillborn brother, Michael Charles Bontrager. He was a U.S. Army veteran, member of the American Legion Post 57 in Smith County and the Legion Riders, which he help start, and he was a Methodist. Lynn worked as a welder. He is survived by 7 children: Kage Hoshoft of Alexander, NY, Amy Bontrager of Batavia, NY, Merea Bontrager of Brockport, NY, Derick Bontrager of Batavia, NY, Beth (Justin) Lucas of Boise, ID, Sarah (Edgar) Cheney of Salt Lake City, UT, Wade (Tori Erb) Bontrager of Elma, NY; grandchildren: Tyler Hatt, Jade Hinrich, Eric Kleckler, David Kleckler, Brandon Krinkie, Alexis Krinkie, Cameron Bontrager, Paige, Lance, Samantha, Faith Lucas, Hannah, Julia, Benjamin, Peter, and Paul Cheney; sister, Carolyn (Frank) Mazurik of Statesville, TN; brother, Gene (Margaret) Bontrager of Smithville. Graveside services will be 1PM Friday, January 29, 2021 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens, Military Honors will be conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard and Mr. Bontrager will be escorted to the cemetery by the Legion Riders. There will not be any visitation or services at the funeral home, family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the graveside service. Due to Covid-19 and social distancing guidelines, the family ask that you please exercise social distancing for the health and safety of everyone. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.




Connie Phillip Billings

January 22, 2021

A Graveside service for Connie Phillip Billings, age 75 of Clarksville, will be Friday, January 22, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Sango Cemetery. Bro. Chris Camp will officiate. Connie passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021. He was born on December 7, 1945 in Sparta, TN to Virble and Velma Billings. He retired from Rogers Group after 30 years and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Connie was laid back, content, and calm. He loved his home and was a great cook. Most days he could be found spending time with his family or watching old western movies in his favorite chair with his cats: Skeeter, Chester, and Rowdy. Connie was an avid gun and knife collector and could build and fix most anything.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, Pete & Hallie Billings and James “Jim” & Callie Looney; brothers, Garrie Pete Billings and Varion Turney Billings; and infant child, Garrie Phillip Billings. He is survived by his beloved wife, Billie Austin Billings; children: Rickey (Jane) Mathis, Vickie (Paul) Cothern, and Connie Katina (Samuel) Sliger; brother, Jerry (Sandra) Billings; sister, Marsha (Donald) Martin; grandchildren: Layne (Kayla) Mathis, Samantha (Brandon) Moran, and Rachel Cothern and her fiancé Justin; uncle, Austin (Regina) Billings; and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Paul Cothern, Samuel Sliger, Darrell Peeler, Dale Looney, Mike Redmon, and Barry Martin.

Please visit Connie’s guestbook at www.sykesfuneralhome.com and share a memory with the family.




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