Faye West James

February 4, 2020

76 year old Faye West James of Smithville passed away Monday at her daughter’s residence. She was a homemaker, member of the First United Methodist Church of Smithville and a member of the Women’s Bible Study at the First Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Terry Little will officiate and burial will be in Mt. Holly Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. until the service at 2 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband Donny James; parents, Harrison “Spur” and Omega West; and two brothers, Ronnie West and Eddie West. Survivors include four children, Jeff James of Smithville, Kevin and wife Robin James of Cookeville, Westley and wife Carole James of Mt. Juliet, and Amy and husband Kevin Rhody of Smithville. Six grandchildren, Kristen and husband Joseph Reeves of Cookeville, Grant and wife Taylor James of Cookeville, Adam James of Mt. Juliet, Hannah James of Mt. Juliet, Alex Rhody of Smithville, and Rachel Rhody of Smithville. Two great grandchildren, Lucy Reeves and Harrison James of Cookeville. Sister, Jennifer West of Smithville. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

February 4, 2020

J.C. Byford age 75 of Dowelltown, was born March 26, 1944 and departed this life, Monday afternoon, February 3, 2020 at Quality Care Health Center in Lebanon. He was the son of the late Charlene and Glen Coffee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 1 sister, Betty Sue Davis; son, Randy Watts; 2 grandchildren, Christina Byford and Michael Bell; 1 great-grandson, Little John Byford. He was a member of the Alexandria Church of God and a retired employee of the City of Dowelltown. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Christine Byford of Dowelltown; sons, Danny (Jennifer) Watts of Liberty, Donnie (Jennifer) Watts of Manchester and Jeff Byford of Hartsville; 2 daughters, Frances (Ray) Bell of Nashville and Doris Byford of Smithville; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Paul (Linda) Byford of Smithville; 3 sisters, Linda Huffman of Cookeville, Eva Sevier of Dowelltown and Elaine Temple of Sparta. Funeral services will be 2 P.M. Thursday, February 6, 2020 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Clifford Spence and Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 12 Noon until 8 P.M. Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

February 2, 2020

Mr. Samuel Dewayne Wright, age 20 of Smithville passed away on Saturday night, February 1, 2020 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

Samuel was born October 19, 1999 in Lebanon to his parents, John & Teresa Waggoner Wright. Samuel was employed with Donelson Air and he attended the Refuge Church in Smithville. He was the President of the Unique Obsessions Car Club of Smithville, an organization he was proud to be a part of.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 2pm from the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Graden Kirksey & Bro. Donnie Kelly will officiate with burial to follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday from 11am-9pm and Wednesday from 10am until service time at 2pm.

He was preceded in death by his Maternal Grand Father, Grady Samuel Waggoner & Paternal Grand Parents, Archie & Thelma Wright. Maternal Aunt & Uncles, Sharrion & Mike Rhoten & Joe White. Paternal Aunt, June Blaylock. Survivors include his Parents, John & Teresa Wright of Smithville. Sister, Olivia & Ivan Beale & a soon to be niece or nephew of Smithville. Maternal Grandmother, Oneda Montgomery Waggoner of Smithville. Uncles & Aunt, Jerome Waggoner of Smithville, Roy & Wilma Rockwell of Livingston, Andrew & Lynne Wright of Celina, Kim & Joe Endsley of Knoxville. Several cousins, friends and family also survive.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Refuge Church building fund in memory of Samuel.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

January 31, 2020

76 year old Dorothy Jean Page of Alexandria passed away Thursday at her residence. She was a homemaker and a Baptist. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Ronnie Smith will officiate and burial will be in Hillview Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 9 a.m. until the service. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hirem Fred Scott and Sylvia Rogers Scott; her husband, Hubert; and brothers, James Wiley, Billy, Roy, and Vernon Scott. Survivors include her daughter, Brenda Lynn White of New Mexico. Grandchildren, Justin and Jennifer White, Lisa White, Jacob and Lydia White, and Jace White. Great grandchildren, Ellie White, Silas White, Luca White, Khloe Sherrod, and Olivia Sherrod. Step-children, Fay and Jimmy Baker of Smithville,  Donna Martin of Smithville, Paul and Melinda Page of Shelbyville, and Michael and Tina Page of Alexandria. Several nieces and nephews survive. Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

January 28, 2020

79 year old Jr. Fuson of Smithville passed away Monday night, January 27th at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

Jr. Fuson was born on August 25, 1940 to his parents, the late Roy & Allie Taylor Fuson and was also preceded in death by his brother, Willie Lee Fuson. Mr. Fuson was retired from TRW in Lebanon and enjoyed farming. He was a member of the Outreach Baptist Church.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 2pm from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Nathan Thomason & Bro. B.J. Thomason will officiate with burial to follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday from 12-8pm and on Thursday from 10am until service time at 2pm.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Geraldean Poss Fuson of Smithville. 2 Children, Tammy & Scott Turner of Smithville and Scottie & Lori Fuson of Smithville. 7 Grandchildren, Jared & Paige Fuson of East TN, Caleb Fuson of Cookeville, Colton & Leah Rhody of Smithville, Caitlin & Christian Turner both of Smithville, Olivia & Skyler Fuson both of Smithville. 2 Step-Grand Children, Steven & Brandon Haas both of Smithville. 1 Great Grand Child, Harper Rhody. 6 siblings, Barbara Malone, Bobbie & Robert Page, Gladys & Elmus Cantrell, Athelene Page, Violet Starnes, Eddie & Judy Fuson. Sister-in-law, Doris Fuson.

In addition to flowers donations can be given for the Outreach Baptist Church Building Fund in memory of Jr. Fuson.

January 27, 2020

Michael “Odel” Evans passed from this life on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at NHC in Smithville. He was born on March 2, 1955 in McMinnville, Tennessee to the late James Floyd and Edith Eleanor Young Evans. Both his parents preceded him in death as did his younger brother, Jerry Dewayne Evans. He is survived by his son, Jason and wife, Sharon Evans of Smithville; grandchildren, Sylvia Mae and Wade Webster Evans; brother, Phillip and wife, Linda Evans of Smithville; nephew, Timothy Dewayne and wife, Charlotte Evans of Rock Island; and many caring lifelong friends and extended family. He was a Christian, a lifetime nursery worker, loyal friend, devoted son, argumentative brother, loving father and adoring grandfather. Michael “Odel” Evans was dry-witted, patient, and possessed a kind and gentle spirit. He loved feeding his birds, tending to his peach trees, cooking out and shooting basketball. He will be missed.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 29, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. and again on Thursday, January 30, from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Elder Ricky Arnold will officiate, and burial will follow at New Bildad Cemetery. Michael’s family wishes to extend a special “thank you” to the caring, professional staff from Suncrest Home Health, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, NHC and Caris Healthcare. Donations in memory of Michael may be made to New Bildad Cemetery Fund, Haven of Hope of DeKalb County or DeKalb Funeral Chapel to assist in funeral arrangements. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.