Dr. Gary LaNeal Nixon

April 9, 2025

Dr. Gary LaNeal Nixon, who was born to the late Toy and Clara Nixon on April 6, 1948 in Liberty, Tennessee and departed this life on his birthday this past Sunday April 6, 2025 in his Murfreesboro home.

He lived a life most only dream of because no project was too big; he handled it all. He dedicated his life for the children of Tennessee. Gary raised a wonderful family where all of his love was felt as he was the rock of the family. He was a member of the Temperance Hall Methodist Church and a Mason. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s at Tennessee Tech and his Doctorate from Vanderbilt. He had such an accomplished career in public education that left his mark and legacy on Tennessee education and those who had the privilege to work with him. He was first a Chemistry and Physics teacher at Cumberland County High School in Crossville, and then went on to serve as principal for over 25 years. Once he left CCHS to work for the State Board of Education, he continued from there to open Blackman High School in Murfreesboro. Later, he was hired as Director of the State Board of Education, from which he retired from in 2014. While serving as the Director of the State Board of Education, he was credited for the requirement of Algebra I, for all students in Tennessee. Gary represented Tennessee in a tour of the German education system through the High Schools That Work program. Gary served as a member of Tennessee state collaborative on reforming education steering committee to improve student achievement in Tennessee (SCORE). Gary was a visionary leader in Tennessee education and advocated for all children.

Gary loved family time and gardening. Gary was not a follower, but had a big following and left a wake of pure excellence. A saying he lived by, “small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys.” He loved Tennessee athletics and loved Arkansas anytime they weren’t playing Tennessee. He agreed that the best two words in football are “Touchdown Tennessee.” Crappie fishing was his absolute favorite activity.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 30 years, Kay Nixon; two sons, James (Crystal) Nixon and Jesse (Kelly) Nixon; three grandchildren, Michael Nixon and fiance Jordan; Emily Nixon and Curtis Nixon; and two cats that he loved just like the family, Tootie and Stanley.

Funeral services will be 12 Noon Friday, April 11, 2025 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Clark Herrell officiating and burial will follow in Baird Memorial Cemetery in Hickman. Visitation will be this Friday, 10:30AM until the time of the service at 12 Noon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in memory of Dr. Gary Nixon.

April 8, 2025

David Edward, (Dave) Darrah, 88, was born in Marietta, Ohio, on December 10, 1936, to
his parents, George William and Geneva Dye Darrah and died peacefully on April 1, 2025, at the Webb House in Smithville, Tennessee. He was a faithful member of the Smithville Church of Christ.

Dave graduated from Marietta High School in 1954, and in subsequent years attended
Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, and Ohio State University. After changing majors several times and still being indecisive about a career choice, he dropped out and went to work as a lineman for Bell Telephone while he waited to be called for the draft. It was his three years in the Army that Dave attributed as finally giving his life direction. As a non-combatant, he was assigned to the medical corps–and found his calling. He was stationed at a military hospital at
Canal Zone, Panama. There, one of his assignments was Vaccinating the indigenous Cuna Indians in the San Blas Islands. The two years in Panama and an additional year at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., fixed his determination to pursue a career as a medical missionary. Church had always played a large part in his life and this seemed like a perfect fit.

In 1969 Dave fulfilled one of his dreams and graduated from the University of Tennessee
Medical School in Memphis. Another dream was soon to be fulfilled. As a kid, Dave had always been fascinated by planes and flying. He spent hours building model planes and even trying to assemble motorized models. He longed to be able to fly a real plane. After completing his medical internship in Memphis, Dave worked briefly for Planned Parenthood and serendipitously met a classmate who was also a flight instructor. Thus, he learned to fly and got his private pilot’s license, a hobby he enjoyed for many years.

After completing his residency in family practice at the University of Tennessee in
Knoxville, he joined a medical group in Gallatin and worked there until he opened his own
medical office in Alexandria in 1977. There he practiced for the next 25 years. He was a typical country doctor, delivering babies and making house calls. It was during the years in Alexandria that another of his goals came to fruition–the goal of doing medical missions.
Prophetically, his first mission was to Panama where he had started out as an army medic so many years before.
He influenced the first Church of Christ medical mission to the San Blas Islands. Through the years, Dave was sometimes accompanied on his mission trips by his entire family, including his grandchildren. For the next forty years he made multiple mission trips to more than 25 countries.

Although he was a zealous worker wherever he served, Hope for Haiti’s Children was the mission closest to his heart.

Dave was interested in civic affairs and served on the Smithville Airport Board as well as the Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital board. He was a past President of the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians. He loved the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree, going to the lake, and took up scuba diving after he retired. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family and friends. He especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in events from the Pinewood Derby to rodeo to basketball to soccer to family scuba diving trips.

In addition to his parents Dave was predeceased by his brother, Joseph William Darrah
of Smithville. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marsha Young Darrah and his daughters, Jane (Rob) Ramsey and Kate (Billy) Miller and grandchildren Jake and Darrah Ramsey and Bill and Cameron Miller all of Smithville. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Carol Darrah of Cookeville and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family is grateful to Dr. Hugh Don Cripps and his staff and Lora Webb and staff of
the Webb House and the Gentiva Hospice staff for the wonderful care they gave Dave during his last year.

From the time he was a medical student, Dave determined that upon his death he wanted his body to be donated to the University of Tennessee Medical School for the use of
future medical students.
Interment in Smithville Town Cemetery will occur at a later date. A memorial service will take place at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home on Saturday, April 12th at 6pm.

The family will receive visitors from 4pm until the time of the service. Memorials may be made to Hope for Haiti’s Children, PO Box 62328 Cincinnati, OH 45262-0328 or the Smithville Town Cemetery Association, 300 East Main Street, Smithville TN 37166.

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

April 7, 2025

Glenda Ruth Turnbill, aged 80, of Smithville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at her daughter’s residence. Born on January 26, 1945, in Shamrock, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Ethel Cummings. Glenda was self-employed and a member of the Smithville Church of Christ.

She is survived by her children, Valorie Kadowaki of Murfreesboro and Melvin Turnbill of Dowelltown, and granddaughter, Keira Kadowaki of Murfreesboro. She also leaves behind her siblings, Don (Betty) Cummings of Texas, Linda Sue (Jeff) Shattuck of South Carolina, and Charles Self of New Mexico, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Glenda was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Turnbill, and her siblings, Edward Cummings, Delwanda Tate, Stanley Cummings, Dorothy Taylor, Virginia Irving, Imma Kuala, Gloria Bruce, Paul Gordon Cummings, and Joey Phibrick.

A memorial service to honor Glenda’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at 1pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, with Bro. Dan Gulley officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation from noon until the time of the service at 1.

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

April 4, 2025

Mary Lou Lawson age 93 of Smithville passed away at Standing Stone Care & Rehab Center in Monterey, on Thursday April 3, 2025. She was born November 18, 1931, to her parents the late Clarence Thedford and Edna Pauline Cook Phillips. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Lawrence P. Cantrell and Cordell Lawson; son, Lawrence T. Cantrell. Ms. Mary Lou was a member of Bethel Methodist Church and was a Factory Worker. Funeral services will be held Monday April 7, 2025, at 11:AM at Bethel Methodist Church with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday April 6, 2025, 1 PM till 5 PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel and on Monday April 7, 2025, at 10:AM till the time of the service at 11:AM at Bethel Methodist Church. She is survived by children, Deborah (Lee) Smith of Cookeville, Vicky (Donald) Langston of FL, Catherine McKeown of Smithville, Edward (Roberta) Cantrell of Harriman, Bill Lawson of Texas, Teresa (Paul) Jones of Texas; grandchildren, Daniel, Stephen, Jessica, Stephanie, Elijah; great-grandchildren, Hudson, Emery, Clara, Grant, Thalan, Junalee, Anna, Layken, Sophie, Onyx, and Percie; several nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Bethel Cemetery in memory of Ms. Lawson. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Lawson family.

April 4, 2025

Pam Bullard Pleasant age 70 of Rock Island, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, April 1, 2025 at Willow Branch Nursing Home in McMinnville. Pam was born August 18, 1954 to her parents, the late Leburn and Ira Phillips Bullard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Rigsby Cantrell;3 brothers, Riley Bullard, Tim Bullard and Dale Bullard and stepdaughter, Kelly Pleasant. She was a retired shirt factory worker and homemaker. Pam was a member of the Light of the World in Carthage. Pam is survived by her husband, William “Buster” Pleasant of Rock Island; 2 sons, Nathan (Holly) Hale of Alexandria and Bryan Hale of Rock Island; 5 step-children, Steve Pleasant, Michael (Alice) Pleasant, Randall Pleasant, Brandy Pinegar and Vanessa Pinegar; 2 grandchildren, Trevor Hale and Destiny Hale; several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Marie (James) Bain of Smithville; special niece, Kim Patterson of Smithville and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 PM Friday, April 4, 2025 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Billy Smith and Mike Christian officiating and burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 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, in memory of Pam. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Pleasant family.

March 30, 2025

Nola Mae Scott of Smithville passed away Friday, March 28, 2025, at Ascension St. Thomas DeKalb. She was born September 10, 1946, to parents Henry and Viola Martens in Melrose Park, Illinois. She was a member of Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church. She worked at DeKalb General Hospital for 26 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister,
Elizabeth Bruder and brother-in-law, Ralph Bruder.

Funeral services will be held 1PM Wednesday April 2, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Don Rigsby officiating and burial to follow in Mt. Holly Cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday 5PM until 7PM and Wednesday 11:AM until the time of the service at 1PM.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years John Scott, daughter Denise & son-in-law Thomas Reed, and son Eric and daughter-in-law Christy Brandt, Brenda Scott, Chuck Scott and John (Lisa) Scott.

Grandchildren Mason (Carlie) Brandt, Amanda (Drake) Vaughn, Daniel Brandt, Ashley (Matt) Shuttleworth,
Laura (Blake) Dickenson, Aaron Vinson, Leslie Vinson,
Zach Scott, TJ Scott, Kylie Scott, Winter (Eric) Thibeault, Mersed Zuniga and Mateo Zuniga.

Great grandchildren Amelia and Landon Vaughn, Daniel, Carson, & Loralei Brandt, Thomas Shuttleworth and Laileigh Scott.

Brother Henry “Bud” (Annette) Martens and sister Mary (General) Oaks. Several nieces and nephews.

Special friends Randy & Sue Litteral, Bob & Talley Green, Robbie & Marie Warren, Billie Ann & Gelber Trigueros, Pauline Green, Larry & Debra Hancock, and Gage & Taylor Brown; as well as her hospital co-workers.  DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Scott Family.

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