Thomas Eugene “Tommy” Napier

June 24, 2019

Thomas Eugene “Tommy” Napier age 55 of Smithville, passed away Saturday evening, June 22, 2019 at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital. He was born November 27, 1963 to his parents, Donna Blades Napier and the late Thurman A. Napier. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by 2 nieces, Stacey Powell and Amy Napier Miller. Tommy was a Baptist, U.S. Army Veteran and a factory worker. He is survived by 1 son, Mathew (Christy) Napier of Cookeville; mother, Donna Napier of Smithville; 3 sisters, Carol (A.J.) Bain of Smithville, Jane (Rickey) Mathis of Liberty, Nancy (Demitirus) Vafeas of Sarasota, FL; 1 brother, Gregory Alan Napier of Smithville; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 2 PM Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday 3 PM until 8 PM and Wednesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. 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.

June 21, 2019

June 20, 2019

78 year old Judy Love Merriman passed away on Tuesday night, June 18, 2019 at her home in Smithville. She was a Baptist, Beautician and was married to the former sports editor of the Smithville Review, Mitchell Stone (Stony) Merriman. Born on April 27, 1941 to her parents, the late Charlie Love and Louvella Prater. She is survived by a son, Don Merriman of Smithville and 2 brothers, Carl Love of Michigan and Charles Love of Smithville. Funeral services will be conducted 3 PM Saturday, June 22, 2019 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Shannon Cantrell officiating and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday 12 Noon until the time of the service at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in memory of Ms. Judy. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

June 16, 2019

Frances L. Zaker, age 87, of Murfreesboro, TN, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 13, 2019. A native of Smithville, TN, she was preceded in death by her parents, Arden and Ola DeLillian Dirting Arnold; husband, Harold Edward Zaker; and daughter, Sherry Denise Zaker.

Funeral Services will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Home. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane Zaker Johnson of Murfreesboro and Deborah Zaker Carnago and her husband Steven of Clinton Township, MI; step-son, Thomas Zaker of Trenton, MI; and grandchildren, Noah Edward Zaker Johnson and Victor Eugene Carnago.

Mrs. Zaker was a retired Dietitian with DeKalb County Hospital. She enjoyed watching Family Feud and loved gardening and sewing.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials in memory of Mrs. Zaker can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel and Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Home in Smithville, TN.

June 14, 2019

Connie Gale Dodd, age 57, of Woodbury passed away Thursday, June 13, 2019 at St. Thomas West Hospital.  She was a native of Dekalb Co.

Survivors include her son, Cory Allen Chapman of Woodbury; Granddaughters, Morgan Hale & Kayleigh Chapman; Sisters, Rosa Nokes of Liberty, Paulette (Steven) Osment of Woodbury, & Kendall (Mark) Duggin of Auburntown; Nieces & Nephews, Ricky Nokes, Tracy (Terry) Hill, Brent, Brian, & Katelyn Duggin, Kenny (Jazmin) Fults, Chloe Hill, Keauna Nokes, & Lucas Byford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth & Loretta Morris Dodd; Daughter, Candace Dodd; and Grandsons, Klayton Chapman & Kolton Chapman.

Connie was a member of the Gassaway Church of Christ and enjoyed spending her time with her grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be 2 PM Sunday, June 16, 2019 in the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home with Bro. Gary Hancock officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Aarat Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be from 3 to 8 PM Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Steven Osment, Mark Duggin, Ricky Nokes, Brent Duggin, Brian Duggin, Kenny Fults, & Terry Hill

June 13, 2019

95 year old Mary Ruth Groom of Liberty passed away Thursday at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. She was a devout member of Salem Baptist Church where she had served as a Sunday School teacher. She was also a homemaker. The funeral will be Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Don Mathis and Thurman Seber will officiate and burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11:30 a.m. She was preceded in death by her husband Truitt Groom; parents, Bryant and Vesta Armstrong; and sisters, Beulah Johnson and Juanita Owen. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Jane Groom of Smithville; granddaughters, Amanda and David Johnson of Lascassas and Emily and Kurt Watson of Murfreesboro; great grandchildren, Thomas Michael Johnson and Shelby Jane Johnson of Lascassas and Lillian Watson and Everett Watson of Murfreesboro; brother, Del and Jean Armstrong of Murfreesboro; sister, Velma and Joe Turner of Auburntown. Many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In addition to flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mrs. Groom to the Salem Baptist Church or to a charity of your choice.