JoAnn Johnson

April 30, 2024

JoAnn Johnson age 58, passed away Sunday, April 28 at St. Thomas Stones River Hosptial ER. She was born September 10, 1965 to her parents the late Ray Donald Murphy and Cleta Jo Horn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Teddy Johnson and brother David Turner. Ms. Johnson was a member of Kingdom of Jesus Pentecostal Church, and a homemaker. She is survived 4 children, Jessica (Joey) Coe, Jeffery (Ashley) Johnson, Thomas George, and Joshua Johnson all of Liberty; grandchildren, Zoey, Nicholas, and Dominic Coe, Madison Johnson, Landon and Haven Johnson, David, Kaylee and Hannah George; sisters, Darlene Jackson of Smithville and Diane (Richard) Ervin of Smithville; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Thursday May 2, 2024 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Glen Chapman officiating and burial to follow in Johnson Family Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM till 8 PM and Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Johnson family.

April 30, 2024

Mrs. Maxine Maloy Thomas Trapp, age 69 of Smithville, passed away on Monday at her residence. She was a retired Lab and X-Ray technician and a member of the Smithville First Free Will Baptist Church. She was a member of the F.I.S.H. Facebook group which she enjoyed being a daily part of.

She was born on October 3, 1954 in Cookeville, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents; CJ and Helen Roberta Herron Thomas.

Visitation with the Trapp family will be on Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and on Thursday 10:00 am until the service at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Andy Patterson will officiate and burial will follow in Judd Cemetery in Baxter.

Survivors include 1 daughter; Hayley Trapp, 2 grandchildren; Hannah and Noah Culwell, 2 sisters; Jeanette (Caroll) Irby all of Smithville, Jan (Tommy) Long of Baxter, and 2 brothers; Dwight (Brenda) Thomas of Cookeville and Joey (Jamie) Thomas of Mt. Juliet.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations please be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home to help with burial expenses.

April 27, 2024

Mr. Michael “Big Mike” Gardner, age 71 of Dowelltown, passed away Wednesday at his residence. He was an Army veteran and served during the Panama Conflict from 1969 to 1976. He was a retired supervisor with the Environmental Management Service, and was an employee and trainer at Gym Bob’s Fitness Center. He was of the Church Of Christ faith.

Most everyone knew him as “Big Mike” in his community. He was loved by everyone and surrounded with numerous close friends. He never met a stranger. He had a heart of gold and was truly a gentle giant. He obtained his nickname from his love of working out and his dedication in the gym. He was a former powerlifter and an expert in his field. He was tough, kind, honest and wanted to leave everyone better than he found them. The world definitely needs more “Big Mikes”.

He was born on December 26, 1952 in Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Sarah Bell Gardner.

Mr. Gardner’s wishes were to be cremated. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, April 30 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 6:00 pm.

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

April 25, 2024

Mrs. Peggy Jane Beckwith Huffstetler, age 86 of Smithville, passed away early Monday morning at Webb House Retirement Home. She used to attend Gladeville United Methodist Church and was a retired department store retail buyer. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and Daughters of the American Revolution.

She was born on April 20, 1938 in Smithville, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents; Ted Beckwith Sr. and Maxine Beckwith, and husband; Ronald Huffstetler.

Visitation with the Huffstetler family will be on Friday from 12:00 until the service at 1:00 in the chapel of Love-Cantrell. Pastor Eddie Poole will officiate and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include 2 sons; Marlon (Ginger) Huffstetler of Smithville and Ricky Huffstetler of Ohio, 4 grandchildren; Mitchell, Grayson, Cole and Morgan Huffstetler, 1 brother; Ted (Beverly) Beckwith of FL, 2 brothers-in-law; Harris (Kay) Huffstetler of Maryville and Jack (Lori) Huffstetler of OR.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

April 24, 2024

Bobby Layne Hale age 63 of Liberty, passed away Tuesday April 23, 2024, at his residence. He was born June 25, 1960, to his parents, Frances Willette Hale and the late Robert T. Hale. He was a business owner, electrician, bus driver, previous owner of Son Rise Diner and a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his Father: Robert T. Hale. Funeral services will be held 3 PM Thursday April 25, 2024, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Herb Leftwich and Jeff Oliver officiating and burial to follow in the Hillview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday 1 PM until 8 PM and Thursday 11:AM until the time of service at 3 PM. Survivors include his wife: Renee Hale of Liberty; Children: Bobby Lee (Ciara) Hale of Alexandria, Thomas (Keshia) Hale of Allons; Grandchildren: Layne, Leighton, Landry, Harper and Keaton; Mother: Frances Willette Hale of Liberty; Sister: Deborah (David) Cripps of Alexandria; Special caretaker: Lindsy Winfree. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Hale family.

April 22, 2024

Charlotte Ann McCormick age 77 of Smithville, passed away Friday night April 19, 2024 at St. Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville. She was born December 26, 1946 to her parents, the late Sam and Argie Worley Palmer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J C McCormick; daughter, Lori Kilgore; brothers, Frank, David and Buford Palmer. Charlotte was a Baptist and a real estate broker. She leaves to cherish her memory, 3 children, Jamie (Christy) McCormick of Smithville, Carla Young of Smithville and Denice (Dave) Kreiger of Murfreesboro; 5 grandchildren, Clay (Mariah) Kilgore, Ryan Adcock, Dana West, Preston Northcutt (Miranda) and Jaden Northcutt; 5 great-grandchildren, Briar Rose Kilgore, Marshal Hace Kilgore, Sadie West, Shelby West and Chloe Adcock; 1 brother, Gary Palmer of Sweetwater. Funeral Services will be 1 PM Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Bobby Thomason officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday 3 PM until 7 PM and Tuesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the McCormick