James Ed Rice

November 17, 2023

It is with profound sorrow that the Rice family announces the loss of its beloved patriarch, James Ed Rice, who passed away at home in Smithville, TN on November 17, 2023, at the age of 87.

James Ed was born on June 29, 1936 in Lebanon, Tennessee. He was the oldest of two children of Baxter and Wille Close Rice. He grew up and attended school in Smithville where he was an enthusiastic member of the DeKalb County Tigers football team. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. He is the father of five children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his adored wife of 59 years, Lillian Elizabeth Gothard Rice, he was predeceased by his parents and sister, Mary Jane Windham.

His memory will be cherished dearly by his surviving family members – son James Ed Rice, Jr. (Jim Ed) and wife Benni, son Joe Marshall Rice and wife Norma, daughters Trina Rice Graham, Tammy Rice Allen and husband Steve and Terre Rice Puckett and husband Jason; granddaughters Lee Elizabeth Rice Stonestreet (Andrew) and Andrea Austin Rice Davis (Bobby), grandsons James Ed (Jed) Rice III, William Gregory Graham (Katie), Paul James Allen and Daniel Jason Puckett, and great-grandsons Beckett and Ben Stonestreet.

Words cannot convey how deeply we will miss his counsel, encouragement, and support but we can cherish the fond memories of our time with him. The way he motivated and inspired us. The way he uplifted us and made us laugh. Mostly, we will remember how loved and secure he made us feel.

In his younger years he served as a page in Congress before enrolling in the Marion Military Academy in Alabama. He received an appointment to the West Point Military Academy that was cut short because of the potentially life-threatening illness of his mother. He had lost his father at the age of 17. Despite these adversities and a humble beginning, he went on to many accomplishments.

An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, James Ed had a knack for business and was successful at it. He had a gift for connecting with and motivating people. He had a natural magnetism that led people to believe they could achieve more than they ever expected. He was positive, optimistic, and very intelligent. He had a one-of-a-kind personality and people wanted to be around him. He started and ran numerous businesses employing thousands of people and enriching the lives of those with whom he worked. He was a very positive influence in the lives of numerous people.

Starting out with a $300 loan from his grandmother, James Ed began his career selling nursery stock door-to-door and landscaping houses to support himself while attending college at Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee State University. His drive and persistence served him well. He was a trail-blazer and a creative problem-solver who relished a challenge. He achieved success with his early endeavors and parlayed it into a janitorial contracting business that eventually encompassed several hundred thousand square feet of federal office buildings in Washington, DC. This business evolved into military logistics and food service contracting, servicing hundreds of contracts and the largest military food service operations in the US.

Along the way, he started and participated in numerous other ventures including a local bank, a chain of fast-food restaurants, real estate investments, and the local DeKalb County hospital among others. He seemed to have a sixth sense of how to make ventures work.

At an early age he was active in local politics on the DeKalb County Commission and was instrumental in its reapportionment and in securing the Model Cities Program designation for Smithville. He was a founding sponsor of a Little League team and remained as one of its longest-term supporters.

James Ed loved his work and his community but more than anything his wife and children were the light of his life. He was devoted to his wife, Lillian, who had been his high school sweetheart. He admired her goodness, hard work, and accomplishments in education and music. He had a zest for life and he enlivened and brightened every room he entered. He will be sorely missed by the many people who knew and loved him.

The family would like to thank our beloved physician, Dr. Hugh Don Cripps, the Family Medical team, and all of our dedicated caregivers, current and former, for the compassionate care and kind attention given to our father. Sincere thanks to current caregivers, Faye Neville, Tina Waggoner, Connie Linder, and Marylin Mashburn. We would also like to thank home health nurse, Brandi Cantrell, and the team at Adoration Home Health.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 19, from 1:00 to 4:00 at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and Monday, November 20, at the chapel of the First Baptist Church in Smithville from 1:00 until the time of service at 2:00. Dr. Chad Ramsey will officiate. Pallbearers will be James Ed (Jed) Rice III, William (Will) Gregory Graham, Paul James Allen, Daniel Jason Puckett, Robert (Bobby) Wilson Davis, and Randy Gothard.

Interment will follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, First Baptist Church, or God’s Pantry.

November 14, 2023

McMinnville resident and Dekalb County, TN native James Edward Certain, age 82, was born February 20, 1941 and died November 11, 2023 at his residence following an extended illness.

A retired employee with Young’s Auto Parts, he was the son of the late Charlie and Lucille Miller Certain. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five siblings, Lois Ann Puckett, Nettie Lou Judkins, Marie Wilson, Lynn Certain and Danny Certain.

Mr. Certain is survived by daughter, Freda Minge of McMinnville; grandchildren, Josh Morton and Amanda Holt, both of McMinnville; great-grandchildren, Autumn Holt, Katie Holt and Serenity Holt; sister, Charlene Poss of Smithville, TN; several nieces and nephews and many good friends.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Fuston Cemetery in Warren County with Rocky Sweeton officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

November 12, 2023

Vincent Lee Baker age 87 of Smithville, went home to be with the Lord Friday night, November 10, 2023 at the Webb House in Smithville. He was born August 18, 1936 to his parents, the late Vincent Young and Bessie Manley Baker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann Baker; and 3 brothers, Gene, Dan and Sammy Baker. Bro. V.L. was a member of the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he pastored for years throughout the conference. He was a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church and was a lineman with Smithville Electric and a self-employed electrician. V.L. is survived by 4 children; Donna Foster Swain of Moscow, TN, Angela (Jimmy) Florida of Smyrna, Jeffery Lee (Susan) Baker of Murfreesboro and Jason Young (Carolyn) Baker of Nashville; grandchildren, Hunter (Sylvia) Swain, Julien Baker, Abigail Baker, Lennon Vincent (Kayla) Baker, Curtis Baker and Mason Baker; great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Luca Swain, Londyn and Aria Baker; 3 brothers, Jerry (Diane) Baker, Johnny Ray Baker and Bob Baker; 1 sister, Joyce (Jimmy) Meredith; 2 sisters-in-law, Judy Johnson and Linda Trapp and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1 PM Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. David Hill officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Monday 3 PM until 7 PM and Tuesday 11:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

November 11, 2023

Orvil E. Hendrix, age 82 of Dowelltown, passed away at his residence on Saturday, November 11, 2023. He was an insurance agent and a member of Whorton Springs Baptist Church.

Mr. Hendrix was born on May 21, 1941 in Smithville, TN to his parents, the late Burley and Ruby Kilgore Hendrix. He was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, John Hendrix and Erie Hendrix.

The family will have a graveside service on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 2pm at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Bro. Larry Cripps will officiate.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Wanda Cripps Hendrix ; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip (Holly) Hendrix and Bradley (Lori) Hendrix; 6 grandchildren, Jailyn Bolding, Holden Hendrix, Grayson Hendrix, Jacob Hendrix, Jon Hendrix, and Emmaline Hendrix all of Dowelltown; 1 sister, Mildred Suffridge of Smithville; 4 brothers and sisters-in-law, Doyle (Faye) Hendrix of Alexandria, Tucker (Carol) Hendrix of Smithville, Ricky (Kathy) Hendrix of Dowelltown, and Farron (Gayla) Hendrix of Smithville; sister-in-law, Faye West; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Whorton Springs Baptist Church in memory of Mr. Orvil.

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

November 8, 2023

Funeral services for Billy “Bill” Everett Harris 91 of Clarksville will be Sunday, November 12 at 2 PM at the Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Smellage Memory Gardens in the Boma Community of Putnam County. The family will receive friends Sunday from 12 Noon until service time at the funeral home. Bro. Tim Sharp will officiate.

Mr. Harris died Tuesday Morning, November 7, 2023 at Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville, TN.

He was born December 16, 1931 in Virginia to the late Roy Lee and Alma Mae Ingle Harris.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lee Oma Carr Harris on September 25, 2022, a son Marlon “Marty” Harris.

Bill retired from General Motors in Livonia, Michigan with over 35 years of service. He and Lee Oma (a Silver Point Native) moved back to Smithville in 1988.

He enjoyed woodworking and carving and won many ribbons for his walking sticks. Bill and Lee Oma enjoyed the Smithville Jamboree each year and Smithville Sr. Citizens until their health declined. He enjoyed taking care of his farm animals and his dog, Scooter. He was an animal lover.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Jill and Jim Somerville, grandson Sean Somerville all of Clarksville, brother James (Gloria) Harris of Ringgold, GA, several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Tennessee Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 330989, Nashville, TN 37203 or Alzheimers Tennessee, INC. 390 South Lowe Avenue Suite 1 Cookeville TN 38501

Baxter Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements (931) 858-2134. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.

November 8, 2023

Tammy Denise West age 57 of McMinnville, formerly of Smithville, passed away November 4, 2023, at St. Thomas Hospital West in Nashville. A native of Cannon County, Tammy was born January 13, 1966, to her parents the late Edwina Ferrell and William Morris. She was also preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Jess and Lily Ferrell. Tammy was a member of Martin’s Chapel Fellowship and was a Homemaker. Tammy was a loving wife, beloved mother and devoted grandmother. She was a person who never met a stranger and would help anyone in need. Her smile and laughter will be missed by anyone who knew her. Her unexpected death has placed a huge hole in her family’s hearts. Tammy is survived by her husband, Charles West; children, Shannon Ray Herman, Shane Miller, Jessica Ray, Holly (Ryan) Whaley and Ashley (Jonathan) Morris; brother, Willian “Bud” Morris; sister Kathy McDaniel; daughter-in-law, Heidi Herman; grandchildren, Christian, Lydia, Madison, Bethany, Tabitha, Jeremiah, Kayleb, Taylor, Noah, Aadyn and Levi, Chloe, Colton, Sam, Owen, and Mason; her faithful fur babies, Littleman and Jack; lifelong friend, Linda Kennedy; special son, Cortney Bradshaw; and other extended family members and many friends. Her family has honored her wishes to be cremated with a brief Memorial Service to be announced at a later date, with Carol Ann Richardson officiating. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.