Richard Hearon Puckett

December 21, 2020

Richard Hearon Puckett, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday afternoon, December 20, 2020, surrounded by his family after a three-year struggle with dementia. He was known to the home folks as Hearon and as Richard in his professional career.

Hearon was the prized and only child of Lou and Harrison Puckett. He was born at home on February 9, 1938, at the mouth of Eagle Creek and Long Branch, which is now at the bottom of Center Hill Lake. This charted his destiny for a 42-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He moved through the ranks beginning as a Ranger at Center Hill Lake in 1963, then to the Nashville District Office, then on to Resource Manager at Old Hickory, Cordell Hull and then finally back home to Center Hill in 1984. He retired in 2005 after 11 years of being Area Manager of the Mid-Cumberland Area, including Cordell Hull, Dale Hollow and Center Hill Lakes and Power Plants.

Hearon was also a longtime Licensed Land Surveyor, having trekked many hills and hollers all across DeKalb County and the surrounding area. Later in life, he became a Licensed Affiliate Real Estate Broker and Licensed General Contractor. He enjoyed many outdoor pursuits, including fishing, hunting and boating. He shared his love of the lake with his daughters and with his unending patience, taught them, along with countless of their friends, how to water ski.

Hearon loved fried okra, homegrown tomatoes, and moon pies. He also loved spending time with people, telling tales, having a good laugh, enjoying a cup of coffee almost any time of the day, and touring people around DeKalb County, either by boat or car.

Hearon was a member of Indian Creek Baptist Church, where he served as Youth Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Director, and Deacon. He was also active in the community by serving as a Gideon; on the DeKalb County Election Commission; as an officer in the Chamber of Commerce, various PTO’s, the DCHS basketball boosters; and as a Board Member of Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.

Hearon was a star basketball player for Walker’s Chapel School and Pure Fountain High School and played in the State Tournament in 1956 as a senior. He went on to play basketball at Tennessee Tech, where he held the record for most foul-outs in a season, a trait he passed along to his daughters.

Hearon is survived by his wife of 61 years, Martha Ann Nixon Puckett, of Dowelltown; daughters, Tecia Lou Puckett Pryor and Mary Ann Puckett of Smithville; sons-in-law, John Pryor and Bill Harpole; grandchildren, Harrison Puckett Pryor, Tess Annabel Barton, Ben Jackson Barton and Camille Kate Barton; former son-in-law, Jack Barton; a host of special cousins, and a loving team of in-home caregivers. He was predeceased by his parents, Richard Harrison Puckett and Lou Harrison Parsley Puckett, and infant daughter, Kecia Ann Puckett.

Donations in memory may be made to Indian Creek Baptist Church, Gideons International, or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation will be on Monday, December 21, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 22, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, Tennessee. We are not accepting food in the funeral home kitchen facilities. Masks are required while attending the service and visitation. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at 12 Noon at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

December 20, 2020

Marian Ann Read age 81 of Smithville, passed away Saturday morning, December 19, 2020 at Signature Health Care of Putnam County in Algood. She was born February 20, 1939 to her parents, the late John Marion and Vera Katherine Keen Dampier. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Burke Read; siblings, J.M. Dampier, Edith Myer and Dolly Dampier. Ms. Read was a homemaker and member of Whorton Springs Baptist Church. She was a former member of the Eastern Star in Florida. She is survived by 3 children, Rita Shows of Mississippi, Clifton Sasser of Cookeville and Andria Gooch of Smithville; 8 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Mary Bison of Waterport, NY and Kaye Stalnaker of Lake City, FL; 1 brother, Kalvin Dampier of Lake City, FL; aunt, Lois Dampier Carter of Louisiana. Graveside services and interment will be conducted 1 PM Monday, December 21, 2020 at DeKalb Cemetery with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. Visitation will be Monday 12 Noon until 12:45 PM at which time Ms. Read will be taken to the cemetery for the graveside service. 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. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

December 18, 2020

Jesse Earl Manning, age 85 of Smithville passed away on Thursday, Dec. 17th 2020 at St. Thomas River Park. Mr. Manning was retired from Carrier, attended Smithville Free Will Baptist Church, and was a veteran in the U.S. Navy.

Jesse was preceded in death by his parents Robert Lee, and Fannie Mae Billings Manning, 1 Son-Frankie Ray Manning, 1 Granddaughter-Lauren Shreiner, 6 Brothers-Oscar, Frank, John Cordell, Toy Ray, Alvin, and Charlie Ray Manning, and 1 Sister-Geneva Manning.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years JoAnn Lee Ward Manning of Smithville, 1 son- Johnny, and Carol Manning of FL, 1 Daughter-Kathy, and Doug Burch of McMinnville, 5 Grandchildren-Jesse, and Renee Manning of In. Michael, and Stephanie of In., James Deverter of Fl., Miranda, and Trevin Merriman of Smithville, Bethany Manning of Japan.

Funeral Service will be Sunday, Dec. 20th at 3pm with Bro. Bernard Houk officiating, and burial to follow at Peeled Chestnut Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday 11am till funeral service at 3pm.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

December 16, 2020

Ami Jo Tucker age 60 of Dowelltown, passed away Monday morning December 14, 2020 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital ER. She was born October 20, 1960 to her parents, the late Raymond and Dorothy Barnard Miller. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David Tucker. She attended the Dale Ridge Missionary Baptist and was a convenience store clerk. Ami is survived by her fiance, Ronnie Hoover of Dowelltown; siblings, Patricia Chott of Arnold, MO, Richard Miller of Crossville and Lori and her fiance Mike Dolinch of Crossville; 2 nephews, Jody and Michael Turner and great nieces and nephews, Grayson, Lillian, Lukas and Ridlee. The family has chosen a direct cremation and a service will be held at a later date. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

December 16, 2020

Pastor Amos “Jug” Jarman, age 88, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2020. Amos was born August 24, 1932 in Old Hickory, TN where he grew up with three sisters. He graduated from DuPont High School in 1950, where he excelled in academics and played several sports. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served in the Korean War. While in the military he met the love of his life, Jackie Fordham. They were married for 60 years until her passing in 2013. He was an air traffic controller for the FAA in Greenville, SC where they adopted their two children. After 10 years with the FAA he felt the call to preach and began a ministry that would take him and his family to three churches over the next 30 years. He was a former pastor at West Main Baptist Church in Alexandria, Tennessee. He retired from full time ministry at First Baptist Church Spring Hill in 2001. Preceded in death by wife of 60 years, Mary Jacqueline “Jackie” Jarman and parents, William Boyden and Velma Lorraine Gunn Jarman. Survived by children, Amy (Brent) Bain and Matt (Kim) Jarman; grandchildren, A. J. Jarman, Brandi Myers and Caleb Cannon; great grandchild, Addison Grace Roberts; and sisters, Elease Taylor, Betty Sue (Larry) Goodwin and Lillie Bell Bendeman. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00PM Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Spring Hill Memorial Funeral Home with Stan Russell officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be 10:00AM-2:00PM Saturday prior to the service. Due to the current health crisis, masks are required to attend. If you wish, memorials in Pastor Jarman’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice. SPRING HILL MEMORIAL PARK, FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES. 931 486-0059. www.springhill-memorial.com

December 15, 2020

Mr. Sonny Guy, Jr. age 71 of Smithville, TN passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at NHC of Sparta.

Sonny was born on August 3, 1949 in White County, TN to his parents, the late Willis, Sr. & Maudine Brock Guy. Also preceding him in death is his Wife, Helen Sue Guy & 3 Children, Janice Zoller, Pam Bell & Bobby Houk. He was formerly a Mechanic for Tenneco and was of the Baptist faith.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 1pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with burial to follow at Young Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 11am-8pm & Thursday from 9am until the service time at 1pm. Due to Covid-19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed. We are not accepting food in our kitchen facilities at this time.

Survivors include Daughters, Rita Gail Houk, Rhonda Lefasee & Pam Yates. Son, Richard Guy. Grandchildren, Nina Lawrence, Scarlett Lawrence, Ashley Highfield, Derrick Yates & Trayler Roberts. Great Grandchildren, Keley Reeder, Gracy & Emmy, Quinten Lawrence, Ricky Earl Ponder & Raven Cantrell. Brothers & Sister, Johnny Guy, Jimmy Guy, Donald Guy & Beverly Hatcher. Family Friend, Debra Jones of Chattanooga, TN.

In addition to flowers, donations can be given to the Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Sonny.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements