Obituaries
February 3, 2025
James A “Jim” Wood was born in McDonald PA. the son of the late Thomas James Wood and Dorothy Radcliffe Wood Smiley Knight Skinner.
Jim grew up in central Indiana where he graduated from high school. After serving in the 1st Armored Division of the U.S. Army, he began a study of psychology at Ball State University in Muncie. In the evenings, he patrolled the campus as a university police officer. On weekends, he gave home firearms classes at the local gun range, ending each class with a “trick” shooting demonstration, firing a .38 revolver in each hand. After a few years, he and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to Arlington, Texas and he continued his study of psychology at the University of Texas while working as a deputy for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Dept. After taking numerous specialized training courses, he was promoted to serve in the Criminal Investigation Division working with the investigators and Texas Rangers who assisted with major cases. After completing twenty years he was awarded a Master Peace Officer certification and became a guest instructor at Dallas Baptist University in the Criminal Justice Department, teaching police firearms.
When he retired, he and his wife moved to Smithville, Tennessee and Jim soon became the Administrative Assistant to the DeKalb County Sheriff and writer for the Middle Tennessee Times. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce and was voted Mr. DeKalb County.
A dozen of his short stories have been published in various national magazines as well as seven e-books using the Texas Rangers he worked with as inspiration. He jokingly says that he had ridden with them although the riding was done in cars to go to lunch and not on horseback.
Jim often mentioned fond memories of the church families and connections with Whorton Springs Baptist Church, Blues Hill Cumberland Presbyterian, and Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Churches.
In May 2024, Jim and Elizabeth moved to Clayton, GA to be closer to Elizabeth’s daughter.
Preceded in death by his father, Thomas James Wood; mother, Dorothy Radcliffe Wood Smiley Knight Skinner; half-Sister, Darla Smiley Hickman.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Coleman Wood; daughter, Angela Kae Wood Cortner Williams of Muncie IN; two sons, Bradley James Wood, Muncie IN, Christopher Lynn Wood, Atlanta, GA; stepdaughter, Shirley Maxwell-Wood, Clayton GA and a numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive.
The family would like to express special thanks to Christine Manders who has been like a daughter throughout several years. Also, special thanks to the Pruitt Hospice team for extraordinary care and attention during Jim’s short illness.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is honored to serve the family of Jim A. Wood. Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
Glenda Sue Barnes
February 1, 2025
Glenda Sue Barnes age 63 of Smithville passed away at her residence Thursday, January 30, 2025. She was born May 8, 1961, parents, Margaret Adcock Johnson and the late Chris Judkins. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Herman and Cleo Judkins and John and Vera Adcock; brother, Eddie Royce Judkins. Ms. Barnes was Nondenominational and worked at Federal Mogul. She is survived by children, Tiffany (Rodney) Conatser of Walling, and Trent Barnes of Smithville; grandchildren, Cameron, Chloie, Caleb, Charley, Collin, Carlee West, Paityn Barnes, and Addison Barnes; brother, Doug Judkins of Smithville, step-sister, Iris Bauerschmidt of Ohio; mother, Margaret (Johnny Ray) Johnson of Smithville; special nieces and nephews, Mercedes, Chevelle, Bentley and Jackie Ray; aunt, Marie Storie; cousin Cheryl (Brent) Williams. Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday February 3, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Jim Bo Eddins officiating and burial to follow in Burton-Ponder Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday 11:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Barnes family.
Robert Soares
February 1, 2025
Robert Soares age 89 of Smithville, passed away at his residence Friday morning January 31, 2025. He was born July 9, 1935, to his parents the late Manuel and Annie Coito Soares. He was of the Protestant Faith, served in the United States Army, and worked as a Computer Tech at the National Weather Center. He is survived by his life partner; Nancy Kresge of Smithville; children, Sharon Ann Raglan, Robert Lawrence Soares, and David Keith Soares; step-children, John Kresge, Marsha Collins, and Wyatt Collins; brother, Harry Soares. Mr. Soares family has honored his request to be cremated, and no services are planned at this time. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Soares family.
Sandy Rhoady
January 28, 2025
Sandy Rhoady, daughter of the late Cordell Caldwell & Doris Caldwell, passed peacefully from this life on Monday January 27, 2025, at the age of 62, at the home of her lifelong friend Renna Webb Garrett and her husband Dewayne. Born in Davidson County February 20, 1962, she was a pet lover and loved her church. She was a member of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church, where she served as secretary, treasurer and member of the Board of Directors. Thanks to Caris Hospice, who provided care for her for the past number of weeks, as did her friend Renna Garrett. Special thanks to Jennifer Summers and Jaylen Hanner for helping with her care as well.
Sandy graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1980, then earned her R.N. degree from Belmont University in Nashville. She spent over 37 years in the nursing field as Director, Administrator, and Supervisor with Mid Cumberland Home Health, Care All, Suncrest Home Health and VIP Home Health. She also made home health visits when employed with these agencies.
Sandy was preceded in death by her father, Cordell Caldwell, her first husband Donnie Taylor, their daughter Tabitha Young and her husband James Young. She was also preceded in death by her late husband Larry Rhoady. She is survived by her mother Doris Caldwell of Algood, her brother Eddie Caldwell of Smithville. She is also survived by all the members of the Garrett family, whom she considered to be her family as well, and Pastor & special friend Bro. Larry Steffee of Smithville.
Funeral services for Ms. Rhoady will be held 2 PM Thursday January 30, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Larry Steffee officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Thursday 11:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Rhoady family.
Debra Darlene Tisdale Bynum
January 26, 2025
Debra Darlene Tisdale Bynum, age 62, of Cookeville, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Born on September 8, 1962, she was the beloved daughter of the late Billy and Lera Petty Tisdale.
Debra is survived by her loving husband, Brent Bynum of Cookeville; her son, Michael Brandon Colwell (Lisa Lambert) of Smithville; her daughter, Brandi and her husband Nick Patterson of Smithville; and her cherished grandchildren, Trenton Ashburn, Tryniti Harden, Michael Aiden Colwell, Jaxon Kennan, Brooklyn Lera Mason, Quinnton Patterson, Haven Patterson, and Ellie Dae Patterson. She is also survived by her brothers, Michael and his wife Sandra Tisdale, Billy Wayne and his wife Angela Tisdale, and Bobby Tisdale, all of Smithville, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents, Debra was preceded in death by her brother, Steve Tisdale.
The family has honored her wishes to be cremated, and a visitation with the family will be held on Friday, January 31 from 2-5pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements
JoAnn Adcock Wall
January 26, 2025
JoAnn Adcock Wall age 88 of the Keltonburg Community, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, January 25, 205 at the Webb House in Smithville. She was born May 18, 1936 to her parents, the late Toy Ordon and Mary Lula Cope Adcock. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Green Wall; step-children, Thwaitt Wall, Jack Wall and Bobbie Harrison. JoAnn was a retired Shirt Factory worker, homemaker and a faithful member of the Keltonburg Church of Christ. She leaves to cherish her memory, a son Danny (Stephanie) Ford of Sumter, SC; 2 granddaughters, Hailey Ford and Natalie Ford; brother, Billy Adcock of Smithville; step-daughters, Lynn (Douglas) Cantrell, Ann (Carl Lee) Webb and Melba (Roy Lee) Pedigo all of Smithville. Funeral services will 2 PM Friday, January 31, 2025 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel and burial will follow in the Keltonburg Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 12 Noon until the time of the service at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Keltonburg Church of Christ, in memory of JoAnn. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Wall family.