Helen Fay Lee

May 29, 2020

79 year old Helen Fay Lee of Smithville passed away Thursday night, May 28, 2020 at her residence.

Mrs. Helen was born on April 21, 1941 in Smithville to her parents, the late Woodrow Wilson & Lillie Mai Taylor Young. She was a member of the Mt View The Baptist Church of Christ. Mrs. Helen was also a retired teacher, long time guidance counselor and DCHS girls basketball coach.

Helen was a standout player for DeKalb County Women’s basketball (she played for the Smithville High School Tigers). She was known as “Fabulous Fay” with an unstoppable hook shot. In 1959 her team lost in the State Championship Game by 1 point. She was a four year player with many accolades, including All-District, All-State, and District MVP. She is also a member of the 1,000 point club. She also played AAU basketball while attending George Peabody College for Teachers.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Dennis Wood will officiate and burial will follow in the Young Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until the service time at 2:00 p.m. Due to Covid-19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Misty Ross and a brother, Eddie Wayne Young. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Rick Lee; two grandchildren, Ben and Maggie Felton; and a brother, James Young all of Smithville. Two sisters, Carolyn and John Whitley of Mt. Juliet and Judy Rodgers of Hendersonville. Six nieces and nephews also survive.

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

May 29, 2020

Thomas Monroe Hicks age 86 passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by his loving wife of 40 years, Jo Ann Hicks; his parents, Ada and Ewin Hicks; 3 sons, Randall Lee Hicks, Robert T. Hicks and David Bryan Thompson; 3 sisters, Ruby Johnson, Virginia Atnip and Jean Hicks. He is survived by 7 children, Betty Prater and husband, Danny of Liberty, Christy Tisdale and husband, Lynn of Gordonsville, Jimmy Thompson and wife, Jane of Louisville, KY, Joseph Hicks and wife, Misty of Lebanon, Brad Hicks and wife, Lisa of Portland, Dee Hicks of Watseka, Illinois, Amy Hicks of Watertown; sister, Dorris Hullett of Manchester; brother, Bill Hicks of Georgia and his caregiver of many years, Leann Hicks of Watertown; 29 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 23 great great grandchildren. Funeral services 2 p.m. Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Hunter Funeral Home with Bro. Charles McKnight and family friend, Larry Finley officiating. Visitation 5-8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. till service time on Saturday. Pallbearers, Brayden, Peyton and Tristin Hicks, Colton and Ryan Carr, Lee Copeland. Interment at Jones Hill Cemetery. A life long carpenter he shared his trade, he loved children and family and never met a stranger. HUNTER FUNERAL HOME (615)237-9318

May 28, 2020

MSG (Ret) James William Keyt, 86, of Phenix City, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Columbus Hospice House on Monday, May 25, 2020. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 beginning at 2:00 p.m. EST. at Lakeview Memory Gardens, with Pastor Rodney Mitchell officiating. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service, at Vance Brooks Funeral Home in Phenix City, Alabama.

James William Keyt was born January 16, 1934, in Smithville, TN, to the late Rev. Widney Garfield and Elizabeth Ladd Keyt. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Virginia Widgeon Keyt; two sisters, Louise Keyt Frazier (Woodrow) and Alma Keyt White (Charles); three brothers, Lloyd, Charles (Willow Dean), and W. C. Keyt.

James is survived by a son, Billy Keyt (Jerri Lynne) of Phenix City, Alabama and a daughter, Patricia Johnson (Larry) of Topeka, Kansas; five grandchildren, Garrett Keyt, Kyndal Keyt, Jim Toy (Jill), Stan King (Lori), and Deana Hutchinson (Jeff); five great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Antha Smith Keyt and Marion Keyt; many nieces and nephews.

James was an active member of Ladonia Baptist Church serving as a Sunday School teacher and playing on the church basketball team. He later moved his membership to Lakewood Baptist Church to attend church with his son and family.

James enlisted in the United States Army at sixteen years old. He honorably served his country in a medic unit in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1973 and moved his family to Phenix City, AL where he became a small business owner of the Sun and Shade Nursery as well as Keyt and Associates, a landscaping and sprinkler installation business. James was a devoted husband and when the love of his life became ill, he entered retirement again to take care of his wife at home until her passing.

James loved music, singing, writing poetry and songwriting. He won numerous awards for his poetry. He was the lead singer for The Carolina Ramblers and played venues along the east coast. One of James’ favorite memories of this time was when The Carolina Ramblers performed as the opening act for Ike and Tina Turner as well as Roy Clark. He wrote the song “Heart Will You Forgive” which was performed by the Carolina Ramblers and produced by his record label ELJAY Records.

James spent much of his time outdoors fishing, bird watching, and gardening. He loved westerns and sports, especially Alabama Crimson Tide football. He was a proud, loving granddaddy who rarely missed his youngest grandchildren’s activities. He always arrived early to watch Garrett play with the Central High School Red Devil Baseball team and for Kyndal’s dance recitals and Glenwood School Girls Soccer games.

The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to long time friend and physician, Dr. Jefferson Jones, Kindred Hospice, and Columbus Hospice House. Also, a very special thank you to Tiffany Yates, Valeria Brown, and staff at Lakewood Senior Living for the love and care you provided to Mr. James over the last two years.

May 27, 2020

Mr. Greg West, age 42 of Smithville passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at St. Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville.

Greg was born April 2, 1978 in Smithville to his parents, the late Gregory West & Anna Barnes Adams. Also preceding him in death is his sister, Natasha Helms & step father, Ricky Adams. He attended the Charles Creek The Baptist Church and was employed with Batesville Casket Company.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 1pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Nick Pelham will officiate and burial will follow at New Union Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday from 11am until the service time at 1pm. Due to Covid-19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed.

Survivors include his Wife, Dana Adcock West of Smithville. 2 Daughters, Sadie Rian West & Shelby Ann West both of Smithville. Sister, Alicia (Tyson) Muller of Nebraska. Uncle, Charlie Barnes of McMinnville & 3 Aunts, Berna Dean Barnes of McMinnville, Melody (Glen) Pedigo of Smithville, Patty (Logan) Hullett of Smithville. Mother-in-law, Denice (Dave) Kreiger of Murfreesboro. Father-in-law, Jerry (Teresa) Adcock of Smithville. Special Friend & Cousin, Timmy Barnes of Rock Island.

May 27, 2020

Samuel Don Greer, age 80, passed away on Sun., May 24, 2020 in Nashville. Don was born on Sept. 27, 1939 in Liberty to the late Jesse Edger and Beulah (Williams) Greer.

Don retired from the US Postal Service after forty-five years of service. He enjoyed refinishing furniture and shopping at the antique malls. The family remembers that there was nothing that he couldn’t do from cooking to woodworking. He cherished his family and the life that he was blessed with.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his wife Carroll Frances Greer, grandson, Michael Shane Greer, and sister, Sue (Greer) Ellis.

He is survived by sons, Donnie Greer and Ronnie Greer (Susan); daughter, Connie Greer; grandchildren, Ronnie, and Andy Greer; great-grandchildren, Kelsea, Michael, Bentley, and Nicholas Greer; sister, Becky Hobbs.

Visitation will be held on Thurs., May 28 from 4-8 pm at Spring Hill Funeral Home with an additional visitation on Fri. from 1-2 pm. A celebration of life service will be held on Fri. at 2 pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Historic Spring Hill Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ronnie Greer, Ronnie Greer, Jr., Andy Greer, Jim Beshearse, Scott Goodwin, and Barry Ward.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dorris Myers and Edward Fuqua.

Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216 has been entrusted with the final care of Mr. Greer. www.springhillfh.com.

May 27, 2020

Tony Lewis Higgins age 74 of Smithville, passed away Tuesday May 26, 2020 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. He was born March 30, 1946 to his parents, the late Hamen and Gladys Lester Higgins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Trudie Higgins; brothers, Robert (Janie) Higgins and Charles (Beth) Higgins and brother-in-law, Dale Rock. He was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church and a U.S. Marine Corp Veteran. Tony was the owner of DeKalb Cemetery and a grave digger. For many years Tony was a truck driver and a bus driver and mechanic with the DeKalb County School System. He is survived by his wife, Diann Rock Higgins of Smithville; 2 sons, Bobby Higgins and Fiancé Lisa Reed of Woodbury and Barry (Rhonda) Higgins of Lebanon; 4 grandchildren, Cody Higgins, Hunter Higgins, Tony Higgins and PVT Colton Higgins; 1 great-grandson, Parker Higgins; 4 step-children, Michelle Overstreet, Jamie Johnson, Jamie Vickers and Amie Knight; 8 step-grandchildren, Riley Overstreet, Lexie Overstreet, Jacob Johnson, Trent Vickers, Brent Vickers, Brandi O’Connor, Matthew Knight and Miranda Knight; 4 brothers, Jerry (Harriet) Higgins of Joelton, Carl (Diane) Higgins of Englewood, Donald and James Higgins both of Dickson; brother-in-law, John (Debbie) Rock of Hammond, IN; sisters-in-law, Elaine Rock of Smithville and Glenda (Dan) Foster of Birmingham, AL; several nieces and nephews also survive. Due the COVID-19, the Governor’s Guidelines and Social Distancing Guidelines, Funeral Services will be 3 PM Friday, May 29, 2020 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Friday 11:AM until the time of the service at 3 PM. Anyone attending is asked to please adhere to Social Distancing for the health and safety of everyone. The Funeral will be Livestreamed at DeKalb Funeral Chapel Facebook page. You may send condolences to the family on the funeral home website. Any expressions of sympathy or cards may be mailed to the funeral home, and will be given to the family. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.