Obituaries
January 24, 2025
Edward “Ed” Braseel age 61 of McMinnville, passed away Tuesday January 21, 2025, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. He was born June 7, 1963, to his parents the late Tom and Selma King Braseel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 grandsons, Bryson Braseel and Beau Cripps. Mr. Braseel was a member of the Church of God and retired as Press Operator at Star Manufacturing. He is survived by his wife Lynn Braseel of McMinnville; 2 children: Seth (Ashleigh) Braseel and Shelly Braseel both of Smithville; 3 step-children: Nathan (Lisa) Simmons of Algood, Ashli (Michael) Russell of McMinnville, and Shawna (Andy) Cripps of McMinnville; 2 sisters: Teresa Norris of McMinnville, Regina (Tom) Johnson of Oak Ridge; brother: Terry Braseel of McMinnville; 15 grandchildren; 3 great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:AM Saturday January 25, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Pastor Sommer Worley officiating. Visitation with family will be held Friday January 24, 2025, 3 PM til 7 PM and on Saturday 9:AM until the time of the service at 11:AM. In lieu of flowers family asked that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Braseel family.
Grady Nixon Ellis
January 24, 2025
Mr. Grady Nixon Ellis, age 85, of Temperance Hall, TN, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Mr. Ellis was born December 27, 1939 in Temperance Hall, TN, a son of the late Thomas Grady Ellis and Henry Margarette Nixon Ellis. He was also preceded in death by Son; Randy Dewayne Ellis on January 11, 2023. Grady married Edna Ruth Wright on May 19, 1962 in Lebanon, TN. Grady worked as a machinist for TRW for 30 years and 5 months until his retirement in 1995. He was a lifelong farmer.
Mr. Ellis is survived by his Wife of 62 years; Edna Ruth Ellis of Temperance Hall, TN. Children; Donnie (Tonya) Ellis of Alexandria, TN, Kenneth Ellis of Alexandria, TN, Juanita (Michael) Howell of Brush Creek, TN, and Felecia (Bob) Vantrease of Temperance Hall, TN. Grandchildren; Miranda Grant, Kayla Ellis, Killian Ellis, Andrew (Jamie) Ellis, Emily Howell, Kelsey (Brandon) Doss, Taylor Ellis, Paige (Ian) Grigg, Colin (Trinity) Howell, Lynsey Ellis, and John Ellis. Ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Mr. Ellis are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 2PM with Bro. Jerry Osmond and Bro. Bill Fowler officiating. Interment will follow in the New Hope Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Saturday from 2PM until 8PM and on Sunday after 11AM until the service time at 2PM.
Johnathan Rockford Cassity “Rocky”
January 23, 2025
Johnathan Rockford Cassity “Rocky”, a loving son, brother, and friend, passed away on
January 20, 2025, at the age of 48 at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro. Born on August 22, 1976, in Smithville, Tennessee, Rocky lived a life filled with love and laughter.
As a skilled mechanic, Rocky took pride in his work and was always willing to lend a helping hand. However, his true passion was spending time with his family, who were the center of his universe. He had a heart of gold and extended to everyone he knew.
Rocky is survived by his father, Bobby Cassity; brother, Josh Cassity; aunts, Theresa (Ronnie) Turner, Connie ( Daniel) Cripps, Glenda Hutchinson, Donna (Jay) Nichols, Uncles, Ricky Cassity and Robert (Tammy) Smith. Niece Kristin (Reed) Farley and nephew Christopher (Jen) Snyder. Special cousins, Tia (Jessie) Adcock, Caven Ponder, Caitlyn Adcock, Greg (Trudie) Matthews, Matthew Hale, and Michael Saylors along with a host of others, and many friends. Also survived by step grandmother Faye Smith.
He was preceded in death by his mother Kathy Lavone Smith Foster and brother Tracy D Cassity. Grandfathers, Tom Cassity and H C Duke and Glen D Smith. Grandmothers, Ethel Cassity and Doris Lynn Duke.
Rocky’s passing leaves a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved him. His infectious smile, kind heart, and generous spirit will be deeply missed. As we say goodbye to this beloved man, we take comfort in the memories we shared with him and the love that will continue to bind us together.
Rocky chose direct cremation, with a private graveside service with family and close friends at Hillview Cemetery in Alexandria on Saturday, January 25th at 10am, officiated by Bro. Isaac Gray. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Anderson Funeral Home. A private celebration of Rocky’s life will be held at a later date. Rest in peace, dear Rocky. Your love and life will never be forgotten. You are and were loved. Anderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Brittany Ann Miller
January 21, 2025
On Saturday, January 14, 2025, it was discovered that Brittany Ann Brock Miller of 860 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee, was no longer with us.
Brittany was born on October 15, 1990, in DeKalb County to her parents Bridget Annette Green Brock and Rodna Wayne Brock, Sr. Her father predeceased her.
Most importantly, Brittany was a Christian and a faithful member of the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church. She was always willing to help with things that needed to be done. She was a very kind-hearted person. Brittany was a wonderful mother, who went to great lengths to see that the girls were cared for. She loved to play with them, go swimming, go to the park, do crafts, work in the garden, flowers and yard. They were the love of her life.
She cared for her household by helping tend a garden and then harvesting it and preserving the fruits of her labor. She loved to share with others. There was not a lazy bone in her body. She would don work clothes and go mow yards. She worked at various jobs to bring money into the household.
She was last employed part time with Walmart. Brittany was very close to her mother and talked to her or visited every day. Since she was oldest child, her brothers loved her very much and looked up to her.
With a hole in their hearts, she leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Samantha Willow Miller and Chloe Mae Miller; her mother, Bridget Ann Green Brock; brothers, Rodna Wayne (Susan) Brock, Jr., and Tyler DeWayne Brock, all of Smithville, Tennessee; aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.
Brittany claimed these comforting words from Job when he had lost everything: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Job 19:25-26
A Memorial service celebrating Brittany’s life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church, 967 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee. Visitation with the family will begin at 12:30 p.m. and extend until time for the service at 2:00 p.m.
The family thanks Love-Cantrell Funeral Home for their loving and gracious assistance.
Carlton “Skip” Haugh
January 21, 2025
Carlton “Skip” Haugh, age 81 of Alexandria, TN passed Sunday January 19, 2025 at St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital of a brief illness. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and spent his working life in the medical field and serving his community in California as a fireman. In his younger years, he enjoyed camping, golfing and snow skiing.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Carlton Sr and Helen Haugh and his beloved wife of 32 years Dena Pace Haugh.
Visitation with the family will be Friday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at 5:00 pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell. Brother Charles Stanton will be officiating.
He is survived by two sons, Mike Haugh of Oregon and John (Misty) Haugh of Rock Island TN.
Two daughters, Kimberly Nelson and Stephanie (Brian) Barbre of California. He also leaves behind 9 granddaughters; Melissa, Samantha, Michaela, MacKenzie, Kaleigh, Alexis, Kaelyn anol Cossette; 3 grandsons, Asher, Josiah and special grandson and caregiver Kody Rippee; 3 great granddaughters, Ella, Annabelle and Alayiah and 1 great-grandson, Jack.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Love-Cantrell to help with funeral expenses.
Leslie Michelle Wessel
January 21, 2025
Leslie Michelle Wessel, 50, of Smithville, passed away peacefully at her home on January 19, 2025. Born on May 14, 1974, in Murray, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Van Atta Sleadd Waugh, Jr., and Linda June Outland Walker. Her grandparents were the late Robert and Kathryn Outland and Edgar and Louise Waugh.
Leslie dedicated her life to serving others. She served as the Executive Director at the Hope Center in Mayfield, Kentucky, and held positions at Lighthouse Christian Camp, the United Way of Wilson County and the Upper Cumberland. A proud alumna of Murray State University, she was a cherished sister of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Leslie was a member of Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Josh Wessel, and their children, Sarah Kathryn Wessel and Nathaniel David Wessel, all of Smithville. Her brother, Bret Waugh of Encino, California, also mourns her loss.
A celebration of Leslie’s life will be held on Thursday, January 23, at Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a service at 6:00 p.m. with Bro. Issac Gray officiating.
She will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony on Saturday, January 25, in Murray City Cemetery, Murray, Kentucky. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, January 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home in Murray.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Hope Center in Mayfield, Kentucky, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and the American Cancer Society.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the local arrangements.