Tiffany Marie Rayl

July 13, 2023

Tiffany Marie Rayl age 38, passed away in Jackson County, on Monday, July 10, 2023. She was born January 23, 1985 to her parents, her late father, James Rayl, and her mother, Michelle Scarlett Smith. She was Painter. She is survived by husband, Ryan Torres of Smithville; children, Lexi Rayl, Gabriel Torres, Catalina Torres, Cody Torres, Jasmine Lyles, and Julie Lyles; mother, Michelle Smith of Baxter; 2 sisters, Nichole Maley of Ohio, and Nikki Fuchs of Baxter; 1 brother, Paul Fuchs of Cookeville. Graveside Services and Interment will be held 1:PM Thursday, July 13, 2023 at DeKalb Cemetery with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. There will be no visitation or services held at the funeral home, Family and Friends will meet at DeKalb Cemetery for the graveside service. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

July 11, 2023

McMinnville, TN resident and Dekalb County, TN native Zanda Ray Lawson, age 75, was born August 21, 1947 and died July 10, 2023 at NHC Healthcare of McMinnville following an extended illness.

She was the daughter of the late Grady Jewell and Nettie Mae Ferrell Hawkins. She was married to Donnie C. Lawson, Sr. and Joe Elkins, both who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by son, Daniel Lawson.

Mrs. Lawson is survived by son, Donnie C. (Marva) Lawson, Jr. of Pikeville, TN; daughters, Teresa Ann Lawson of McMinnville, TN and Trina Kay (Wayne) Young of Rock Island, TN; nine grandchildren, Joy Kay Young, Grace Itira Young, Joshua Wayne Young, Elijah Love Young, Isaac Jacob Young, Laura (Richard) Keedy, Jessica (Eric) Angel, Mindy (Dereck) Stone and Sabrina (Rich) Pekarz; twelve, great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; daughter-in-law, Becky Lynn Lawson of McMinnville, TN; two brothers, Ricky (Debra) Hawkins of Tracy City, TN and Randy Hawkins of Smithville, TN; sister, Linda Cumby of Cookeville, TN and many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Zanda was well-loved and highly honored by her children, grandchildren, and family. She was a member of Anointed Unity Church and the elder elect lady. She was inspired by God to write Sermons in Songs, which she did wonderfully. She loved God with all her heart and showed that in her lifestyle. She was a gospel-only guitarist, pianist, psalmist, artist, songwriter, encourager, singer, Sunday school teacher, and worshiper of God. She enjoyed gardening and growing flowers and loved spending time with family and friends.

Throughout her life, she worked as a seamstress, shoemaker and caretaker. She was a nursery worker for her late son, Daniel Lawson and a courier for her daughter-in-law Becky’s business delivering to Warren and surrounding counties.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2023 in High’s Chapel with Donnie Lawson officiating. Burial will follow at Banks Cemetery in Dekalb County, TN. Visitation will be Friday 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until time of service at High Funeral Home.

A special thanks to Joy, Grace, Joshua, Elijah, Isaac, Wayne, Trina, Teresa and Donnie who loved and cared for her throughout her time of illness. She will be missed by all who loved her and no one could ever take her place. In her own words, “I’ll see you in a little while.”

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

July 7, 2023

Linda Carol West age 61, passed away, July 4, 2023, at her residence. She was born May 15, 1962, to her parents the late Harold and Joyce Rouse Ellis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother: Jim Creech. Ms. West was of the Non-Denominational Faith and worked as a Caregiver. She is survived by 2 children: Nikki Patton-Smith of Gordonsville and Tori Tate of Liberty; grandchildren: Misty (Daniel) Wilson, Gregory Patton, Riley Anderson and Nevaeh Anderson; great-grandchildren: Ezekiel Wilson, Ivy Wilson, Velcie Wilson; sisters: Pat (Kenneth) Tripp of Liberty, Deneen (Buddy) Tyler of Murfreesboro. The family has honored Ms. West request to be cremated. A Memorial service will be held 1 PM Monday July 10, 2023, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. Visitation with the family will be Monday July 10, 2023, 12 NOON until the time of service at 1:00 PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

July 6, 2023

Betty Jo Pankey of Smithville, and formerly of Murfreesboro, passed away Tuesday July 4, 2023 at the age 86, at Woodbury Health and Rehab. She was born September 26, 1936 to her parents, the late Thomas Jefferson and Lou Alice Neil Faulkner. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by husband, Jason Pankey, Jr.; sisters, Dorothy Tucker, Loraine Snell, Nell Smotherman; brother, James Faulkner. Ms. Pankey was a member of Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, worked as Secretary and Management at Samsonite for over 30 years, worked at Justin Potter Library, a member of Senior Citizens, Loved Bowling and took Art Classes. She is survived by son, Jason (Mary) Pankey III, of Murfreesboro; grandsons, Jason Isaac Pankey, and Ryan Nathaniel Pankey; a host of Nieces and Nephews,, and great Nieces and Nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday July 7, 2023 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel at 1:00PM with Bro. Isaac Gray officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday July 6, at 3:00PM till 7:00PM and on Friday, July 7, 2023 11:00AM until the time of the service at 1:00PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. In addition to flowers donations may be made to Justin Potter Library in memory of Ms. Pankey. A special “Thank You” to her church family, friends, and Bro. Isaac Gray for the help, care and love shown to her during her last years. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

July 1, 2023

Mr. Jimmy Ray Turner, age 89, of Alexandria, TN passed away on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, TN.

Mr. Turner was born August 5, 1933, in Woodbury, TN, a son of the late Howard Brown Turner and Pearl Ford Turner. He graduated Liberty High School in 1954 and married Margaret Lynn Foutch on December 9, 1955, and she preceded him in death on June 26, 2023 after 68 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by two brothers: Nolan Turner and Bratton Turner and his wife Annie. Mr. Turner worked for Avco for 30 plus years and after retirement worked for Travel Centers of America. He was a member of Alexandria First Baptist Church where he served as church secretary.

Mr. Turner is survived by siblings Willie Turner of Alexandria, TN, Joe (Velma) Turner of Auburntown, TN, Faye Evans of Georgia, Jean Hope of Murfreesboro, TN, and Don (Gail) Turner of Smithville, TN; sister-in-law Polly Turner of Smithville, TN; family members who cared for him; His Girls: Emily (Andy) Turbeville and their children, Kyleigh (Caleb) Stanley and their son Bayler, Jordyn Turbeville, Carson Turbeville and Amelia Grace Turbeville; Jessica (Matt) Stanley and their children, Turner Stanley and Tillie Kate Stanley; Tammy (Tony) Baird, Tina (Ronnie) Ford, Cathy (Gary) Tyree, Darlene (Larry) Marlin, David (Roenia) Turner, and numerous other family members.

Mr. Turner is at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria, TN. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday July 7, 2023 at 4PM at the First Baptist Church, Alexandria, TN with Bro. Billy Friel and Bro. Gary Rickman officiating. Interment will be in Hillview Memorial Cemetery.

The Turner family will receive friends on Thursday July 6, 2023 from 4 PM until 8 PM and on Friday July 7, 2023 from 12 Noon until service time at 4 PM at the Alexandria First Baptist Church.

Memorial donations in Mr. Turner’s memory may be made to the Alexandria First Baptist Church Youth Music Fund.

June 29, 2023

Ethan Raine Cantrell
Age 23, of Smithville and Belk community passed away Sunday evening, June 11th, 2023. He was born on July 21, 1999 to parents Rachel Cantrell and Travis Cantrell.

He was preceded in death by his father Travis Cantrell, great grandfather Than “Ta Ta” Cantrell, grandfather Kenneth “Papa” Cantrell, bonus grandfather Billy “Pa” Cantrell, and uncle Bobby Cantrell.

Survivors include mother Rachel Cantrell, step father Daryl Cantrell, sisters Mariea, Hannah, Hope, and Hailey Cantrell, grandparents Teresa and Harvey Cantrell, Kathy Cantrell, step grandmother Linda Cantrell, uncle Charles (Amber) Cantrell, and aunt Alexandria (Matthew) Carpenter,

Ethan was as lover of all people and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Memorial and celebration of life will be held this Saturday July, 1 2023 at 1 pm at Snow Hill Baptist Church in Dowelltown. All who knew and loved Ethan are welcome!