Ina Paulette Hendrixson McDonald

March 7, 2023

Ina Paulette Hendrixson McDonald, a long-time resident of Cookeville, died Saturday March 4, in Cookeville after a brief illness. Mrs. McDonald, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend was 77. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleo McDonald in 2020.

Mrs. McDonald was raised in Smithville and attended Middle Tennessee State University. Soon after, she began her lifelong commitment to children and education.

Devoted to children with special needs, she spent her entire 38year career working as a Special Education para-professional in the DeKalb County School system. She loved her school children immensely and often said her position was “a blessing not a job”.

A long-time member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church, she later joined the Steven Street Baptist church after living in Cookeville several years. She loved caring for her fur-babies and wildlife on the mini-farm with her husband Cleo. She enjoyed gardening, attending TTU ballgames, keeping up with her grandchildren’s activities, and baking cakes for family birthdays.

Mrs. McDonald was predeceased by her parents, Paul & Ina Mae Tramel Hendrixson of Smithville. She is survived by her daughter, Paula Hendrixson of Atlanta, son Jason Parsley of Panama City Beach, FL: two grandchildren, Justin Yost and Rachel Yost of Atlanta: sister, Tricia (James) Wood of Madison, AL; nieces Stephanie (John) Cooper of Spring Hill, TN, and Sonja (Thomas) Franks of Rogersville, AL and several beloved cousins and across the U.S.

Visitation will be held at DeKalb Funeral Chapel on Saturday, March 11 from 11:00-1:00 followed by the service and burial at Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Lighthouse Christian Camp in her memory. Paulette spent several summers at the camp taking care of a special girl Ms. Heidi Webb.

March 7, 2023

Joyce Pritchett Williams Foutch, age 96, of Alexandria, Tennessee passed away River Park Hospital in McMinnville, Tennessee on March 6, 2023.

She was born on July 1, 1926 to her parents, the late Jordon and Nellie Pritchett. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Oakley Hudson Williams; second husband, J.M. Foutch, Jr.; sister Edna Bennett; great-granddaughter Morgan Mayo.

Survivors include sons Gerald (Sue) Williams and Mike (Vickie) Williams of Alexandria, TN, grandchildren, Chris (Shela) Williams, Russ (Kitty) Williams, Brian Williams and Kelly (Payton) Mayo; eight great grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

She grew up in Pigeon Roost of Smith County and attended Rural Academy and graduated from Gordonsville High School. She was a member of the Brush Creek Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 11 am at Avant Funeral Chapel in Alexandria, Tennessee with Bro. David Revelle officiating and interment to follow in the Brush Creek Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday from 4pm-8pm and on Wednesday from 10am until service time at 11am.

Avant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements

March 7, 2023

Stephen Robert Cassinera age 66, of Smithville passed away Sunday March 5, 2023 at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro. He was born March 31, 1956 to his parents the late Robert Cassinera and Rosemarie Vitolo. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Jennifer Head-Cassinera. Mr. Cassinera attended a Non-Denominational Church and was Disabled. He is survived by children, Bryan (Jessica) Cassinera of New Youk, Wendy Cassinera of GA., Alex Cassinera of AZ., Emily (Matt) Adcock of Smithville, David Cassinera of Smithville, Livia Cassinera of Smithville,; grandchildren, Bryan Cassinera,JR., Joshua Cassinera, Joseph Cassinera, Selena Cassinera and Quinn Cassinera. The family has honored Mr. Cassinera wishes to be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday March 9, 2023 at 2:00PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Pastor Arlin officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday 12:N00N until the time of the service at 2:00PM. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

March 6, 2023

Ms. Bobbye Jean Page Thomas, age 92, departed from this life on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Smithville NHC. She was born on September 2, 1930 to her parents, the late Charlie and Hattie Winnard Page. As a child, she was taught the Bible and scripture by Pomeroy Chapel Brethren in Christ. She then attended New West Point Free Will Baptist, and then became an active member of Smithville Church of Christ.

Ms. Bobbye started a card ministry in 1986, upon moving back to Tennessee. From that year until the present, 37 years and going strong, many people over the years have received a card and a stick of gum in the mail from Ms. Bobbye. She taught Sunday School wherever her family lived at the time. She was a member of the Girl Scouts as well as a troop leader from 1964-1974 for her daughter Jan, and a member of Friends of the Library in Cannon County as well in DeKalb County. She moved 20 times with her husband and daughter, Clyde and Jan, because his job took them many places across the United States. She was a graduate of DCHS Class of 1948 and salutatorian of her class. She graduated MTSU in 1961. She taught at Westbury Christian School in Houston, TX, Pea Ridge School (1948-1951), and College Street School (1952-1955).

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 9 @ 11am at the Smithville Church of Christ with interment to follow in Thyatira Cemetery in Readyville. Visitation with the Thomas family will be held on Wednesday from 2pm-8pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and on Thursday from 9am until the time of service at 11am at Smithville Church of Christ.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Thomas; 2 brothers, Roy Garland Page and Dennis Brown Page; and 2 sisters, Nellie Frances Page Hensley and Joyce Page Adams.
She leaves to cherish in her memory her daughter, Lola Jan Thomas of Smithville; 2 brothers, Glen (Mary Lynn) Page of Smithville and Bill Page, Sr. (Nancy) of Georgia; 2 sisters, Ruth Page Johns of Virginia and her husband Warren Johns of California, and Faye Page Sandosky of Smithville; brother-in-law, Dwain Adams of Winchester; and nieces and nephews, Brenda Page Rigney, Donald Wayne Page, Fran Page Herndon, LaNell Page Greene, Roy Gene Page, Carol Page Hendrixson, Frankie Hensley Foidl, Marilyn Page Amey, Judy Scott Kramer, Cheryl Adams Palmer, Jeffrey Dwain Adams, Pamela Page Anderson, Cynthia Page Vernon, Bill Page Jr., Brent Page, Dr. Michael Thomas, Gary Thomas, and Colette Thomas-Worm.

In lieu of flowers, her family has requested donations to be made to Justin Potter Library in Smithville or the Baja Mission Fund at Smithville Church of Christ in memory of Ms. Bobbye.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

March 2, 2023

Chad Everett Brant, age 45, of Clarksville, TN, went home to be with his Lord on Monday, October 24, 2022, at Summitt Medical Center. Chad also known as “Goofy” was born March 4, 1977 in Hayti, MO to Jimmy Brant and Martha Adkins Brant. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Scott and Jessie Brant and James “Bill” Adkins. Chad leaves behind a loving wife, Candace Brant; sons, Malachi and Rico; parents, Jimmy and Martha Adkins Brant; brother, Jimmy “JJ” (Grace) Brant; sister Laura Brant (Jason Burton); grandparents, Margie (Gary) Williams; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Chad was retired from the United States Army having served in Germany, South Korea and Afghanistan. He was a member of Community of Hope First Nazarene Church and was formerly active in Clarksville and Montgomery County Car Clubs. Chad loved his family and Country. Goofy was always telling jokes, being funny and happy having fun. As he said, “be happy, it drives people crazy.” The family chose a cremation with arrangements by Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home in Clarksville. A Memorial Service will be 3 PM March 4, 2023 at Tapp Methodist Church in New Boston, Texas. This information provided as a courtesy of DeKalb Funeral Chapel.

March 2, 2023

Deane Beckham Traughber Morgan age 92, passed away February 27, 2023 at N H C of Smithville. She was born October 13, 1930 to her parents the late Cleve and Bessie Beckham. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by 2 husbands, Jim Traughber and Richard Morgan; son James King Traughber III; 3 sisters, Nellie Jean Deason, Lucille McGee, and Wilma Lawson. Ms. Morgan was a member of The First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro. Deane enriched many lives in her family roles of daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. Her tapestried employment history spanned several careers and countries. After high school in Pulaski, Deane attended Tennessee Tech University for two years. With frequent moves for a military husband, she worked as secretary and office manager in Tennessee, Georgia, New Mexico, Germany and Kentucky. Returning to school, she completed a teaching degree at the University of Alabama. Her first teaching assignment was Big Tancook Island, Nova Scotia, Canada where she taught K-6 in a one room schoolhouse, then high school English in Chester, Nova Scotia. Returning to USA, Deane worked as a real estate agent while completing her MA in psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. She then worked as a therapist and a long-term care ombudsman for TN Commission on Aging, retiring in 1990. She is survived by daughter, Belinda Traughber of Smithville; granddaughter, Mariah Traughber Bragg of Smithville; grandson, Kai Traughber Bragg of Oregon; nieces and nephews also survive. The family has honored Ms. Morgan’s request to be cremated. A Private Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The family ask in lieu of flowers, donations be made to DeKalb Animal Coalition in memory of Ms. Morgan. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.