Rachel Lucille Sprague

August 18, 2023

Rachel Lucille Sprague passed away at her home in Smithville. She was born May 16, 1976, to her parents Lila Garrell and the late, Norman Sprague. She was a Homemaker. Ms. Sprague is survived by 4 children: Bailee (Enrique)Villegas of McMinnville, Elliot Davis of Smithville, Cheyene Ferrell of Smithville, and Ally Tarpley of Smithville; grandchildren: Emma and Sylvie Villegas, Journiee and Everlee Davenport; mother: Lila Garrell of Smithville; sisters: Amanda Sprague Baugh of Nashville, Nena Bell Beckman of Smithville, Yvonne Woodard of Smithville; brothers: Buddy Sprague of Woodbury, Jimmy Sprague of Murfreesboro, and Joe Giles of Smithville; several nieces and nephews; special friend: Dennis Blackford of Smithville. Funeral service will be held 4 PM Monday August 21, 2023, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Phillip Bandy officiating and burial to follow in Jefferson Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Monday August 21, 2023, 11:AM until the time of the service at 4 PM. The family ask donations to be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

August 18, 2023

Wilma “Jean” Johnson, age 91 of Sparta, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Bailey Manor in Cookeville, Tennessee.

She was born April 26, 1932 in Dekalb County, Tennessee, and she was the daughter of the late Beecher and Willie Mae Turner Edmonds. Wilma loved to sew. She retired from Fisher Body in Detroit where she was an interior seamstress. Jean also worked at the Sparta Shirt Factory prior to moving to Michigan for work, as many others did during those years. After retirement, Jean and Huston returned to the Falling Water community in Sparta, where they enjoyed their lives together.

Oaklawn Funeral Home in Sparta is in charge of the arrangements

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Huston Johnson and brother, Estes Edmonds.

Survivors include:

Sons- Roger Johnson (Kathy) of Sparta, TN and Gary Johnson (Karen) of Sterling Heights, MI

Grandson- Eric Johnson (Koni)

Granddaughters- Melissa Thompkins (Brent), Jessica Fox (Jason), Devin Ptaszynski (Joe), Jennifer Hall (Joe), and Robyn Higgs

11 Great-Grandchildren

Sister- Sheila Patterson (Troy) of Calhoun, GA

Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 21, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Jackie Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Johnsons Chapel Cemetery. The family will welcome friends on Sunday, August 20, 2023, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM and again on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Johnsons Chapel Cemetery Care Fund at the funeral home.

August 14, 2023

Lera Petty Tisdale, age 83, of Smithville, passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at her residence. She was a member of Pomeroy Baptist Church and retired from Kingston Timers.

She was born May 24,1940 to her parents, the late Homer and Zellma Petty.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Tisdale, and one son, Steve Tisdale.

Ms. Lera is survived by 4 children, Billy Wayne (Angela) Tisdale of Smithville, Michael (Sandra) Tisdale of Smithville, Debra (Brent) Bynum of Cookeville, and Bobby Tisdale of Smithville; 7 grandchildren, Amy (Chad) Hill of Murfreesboro, Joey (Angelina) Tisdale of GA, Codey Tisdale of Knoxville, Brandie (Nick) Patterson of Smithville, Riley (Kayla) Bullard of Smithville, Zachary Tisdale of Smithville, and Brandon (Lisa) Colwell of Smithville; 14 great grandchildren; special cousins, Ruthie Thomason and Rebecca Petty both of Smithville.

The funeral service will be at 1pm on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home with burial to follow in Petty Cemetery. Bro. Clayton Lee and Bro. Bryan Jones will officiate. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9am until the time of the funeral service at 1pm.

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

August 12, 2023

Randall Edward Blaylock, age 56 of McMinnville, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023 at his residence with his family by his side. He was of the Baptist faith and a truck driver. He had driven 17 years and the last 6 was with Batesville Casket Company. He enjoyed fishing, collecting antiques, playing with his grandchildren and fur babies.

Mr. Blaylock was born on April 27, 1967 in Tullahoma, TN to his parents, Raymond Edward & Vera Nell Posey Blaylock who preceded him in death.

Visitation with the Blaylock family will be on Monday from 1:00 to 8:00 and on Tuesday from 11:00 to service time at 3:00. Tim Blakney will officiate with burial to follow in Whorton Springs Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife of 11 years, Charlotte Agee Blaylock of McMinnville, 1 son, Justin (Brittney) Blaylock of Bradyville, 3 grandchildren, Sutton, Tucker and Harper Blaylock. 1 brother- Johnny Blaylock of Hillsboro, 1 sister, Cindy Blaylock-Butler of NC, 1 sister-in-law, Fay Agee of Smithville, 2 brothers-in-law, Roy Agee, and Kevin (Jennifer) Agee both of Smithville, several nieces and nephews, and his 7 fur children, Maggie, Molly, Smokey, Mr. Bandit, Tyler, Jake & Emma.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

August 8, 2023

James Harold Davis age 78 of Liberty, passed away on Monday morning, August 7, 2023 at NHC HealthCare in Smithville. He was born March 3, 1945 to his parents, the late Harold Sampson and Earlene Watkins Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shelby Davis and step-daughter, Betty Harris. He was a Christian. Mr. James worked 4 years hauling hay, Ross Gear 18 years, and Lebanon City Public Works about 13 years. He is survived by 3 children, Richard Allen Davis, Susan Davis and William Harold “Bill” Davis; sister, Gloris Woodall Bailey; brother, Robbie Woodall; special friends, Wilson and Lois Willaims, NHC Staff and Gentevia Hospice Staff. Graveside services and interment will be 2 PM Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at DeKalb Cemetery with Bro. Wilson Williams officiating. There will be no services at the funeral home, family and friends will meet at DeKalb Cemetery for the graveside service at 2 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

August 7, 2023

Mr. Jeffery Hardin, age 69, passed away at his residence on August 5, 2023. He was a retired factory worker, and a cosmetologist and barber. He was also a handyman who loved working with wood (making something out of any old wood that he could find), loved farming, and he didn’t like to ask for help from anyone but freely gave it to anyone who needed it.

He was born on December 5, 1953 in Lumberton, NC to his parents, the late Ford and Ruth Ivey Hardin.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, August, 8, 2023 at 2pm with Bro. Jonathan Willoughby officiating. Visitation with the Hardin family will be on Monday from 4-8pm and on Tuesday from 10am until the time of service at 2pm with burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin sister, Carolyn Hartz; sisters-in-law, Pat Fults and Cecilia Hardin; brother, Johnny Hardin; and brother-in-law, Jim Sykes.

Mr. Hardin is survived by his wife of 39 years, Diane Hardin of Liberty; 1 brother, Tony Hardin of NC; 1 sister, Nancy Sykes of NC; 2 sons, Jeff (Toni) Hardin, and Danny Hardin all of NC; 2 grandsons, Gavin Hardin and Keefe Hardin both of NC; goddaughter, Maddi Lack; several nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Russell (Helen) Fults of Auburntown, Ricky (Janie) Fults of Liberty, Wesley “Bull” Fults of Woodbury, Jacky Fults of Smithville, and Jeff (Melody) Fults of Shelbyville.

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