Obituaries

Brenda Kay Smith Hooper

August 3, 2022

Brenda Kay Smith Hooper, age 64, passed away surrounded by family in Nashville on August 2, 2022. Brenda was born on October 26, 1957, to the late Willie Doyle and Nina Melford Stone Smith of Smithville, Tennessee.

Brenda, a Smithville native, was a 1975 graduate of DeKalb County High School and a 1979 graduate of Tennessee Technological University. In July of 1979, she married her high school sweetheart Doug Hooper. They moved to Memphis where she began her career as a Certified Public Accountant, working for the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Upon Doug’s completion of medical school, they relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where she worked for McGriff, Dowdy & Associates, P.A. Moving back to Smithville in 1986, she continued her career as a CPA for a short time before taking a break to raise her sons. She returned to her profession in 2005, working for Janney and Associates before retiring in 2017.

Brenda’s faith, family, and friends were of utmost importance to her. More than anything, Brenda loved spending quality time with her family, especially her four precious grandsons. Brenda loved the outdoors, gardening, reading, and baking, always having a delectable sweet to offer family or friends. A seasoned traveler, she and Doug, usually with friends or family in tow, were always on the go.

A member of First Baptist Church, Brenda was active in the Church Choir and Baby Boomers’ Sunday School class. She also served on the Justin Potter Library Board for 18 years and the Regional Library Board for 9 years as well as volunteered with Haven of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, the DeKalb County Election Commission, and the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, who will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 43 years, Dr. Doug G Hooper of Smithville; sons, Dr. Daniel Douglas Hooper (Bryant Ransom) and Dr. Justin Davis Hooper (Martha) of Smithville; 4 beloved grandchildren: Aiden Rhett, Emmett Turner, Owen Thomas and Landon Reed; sister, Barbara Wall (Jim) of Smithville, and brother, Al Smith (Toni) of Huntsville, Alabama; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 12nn to 8pm at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 12nn to 2pm at First Baptist Church. Brenda’s Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2pm with burial at DeKalb Memorial Gardens, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mrs. Brenda Hooper to Lighthouse Christian Camp, First Baptist Church Youth Fund, or the American Cancer Society.




Edward “Teddy” Johnson

August 3, 2022

Edward “Teddy” Johnson age 69, of Liberty passed away Tuesday August 2, 2022 at his residence. He was born May 4, 1953 to his parents the late, Paul Virgil and Pauline George Johnson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by step-son, Leonard Johnson; brothers, Bill Johnson and Virgil Johnson; sisters, Elizabeth Bennett and Fay Gorman. Teddy was Pentecostal and was affiliated with the Kingdom of Jesus Church and self-employed land and tree clearing. He is survived by his wife, Joann Johnson of Liberty; children, Jessica Coe of Liberty, Thomas (Sandy) George of Liberty, Jeffery (Ashley) Johnson of Woodbury, Joshua Johnson and fiancé Whitney Murphy of Liberty; grandchildren, Zoey Coe, David George and Madison Johnson, Nicholas Coe, Kaylee George, Dominic Coe, Hannah George, Landon Johnson, Haven Murphy; sisters, Sue Vaughn of Liberty, Paulette Crawford of Carthage; brothers, Lester Johnson of Portland, Michael Johnson of Brush Creek, Jerry Johnson of Brush Creek. Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday August 6, 2022 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Glen Chapman officiating and burial to follow at Mt. Ararat Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 12:00 Noon till 8:00PM and on Saturday 10:00AM until the time of the service at 2:00PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.




Mrs. Mary Catherine Morgan

July 29, 2022

Mrs. Mary Catherine Morgan, age 87 of Ohio and formerly of Smithville, TN, passed away on July 26, 2022 in Ohio.

Mrs. Morgan was born on July 16, 1935 in Smithville, TN to her parents, the late Robert Lee & Virgie Mangum Snow. Also preceding her in death is her beloved Husband, Gene Allen Morgan, 4 Brothers, Howard, Robert, Wiley & Edgar Snow. 4 Sisters, Frances Poss, Joanna Moore, Elizabeth Edwards & Eleanor Burns. She was of the Methodist Faith & a Homemaker.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 12:00 Noon from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will follow at DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 11am until the time of services at 12:00 Noon.

Survivors include a Daughter, Monica Elam of Ohio & a Son, Jeffery Morgan of Florida. Grandchildren, Jennifer (Douglas) Bonhaus, Joshua (Ysabel) Elam, Meghan Mundy, Kristen Morgan, Hannah Morgan, Noah Morgan, Jonah Morgan & Benjamin Morgan. 7 Great Grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Jacobs Pillar Cemetery Fund in memory of Mrs. Morgan. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.




John T. (Tom) Newkirk, Sr.

July 27, 2022

John T. (Tom) Newkirk, Sr. passed away peacefully on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Bailey Manor Assisted Living in Cookeville, Tennessee following an extended illness. Tom was born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 27, 1937. He graduated from Saint Xavier High School and the University of Louisville. Following graduation, he was a teacher, FBI Agent, realtor, Manager of the Nashville Office of BRI International, and worked as an investigator in corporate security for various companies.

Tom was preceeded in death by his parents, Walter Cleveland Newkirk, Sr. and Lucille Burke Newkirk; and his brother, Bill Newkirk. Survivors include Beth Newkirk of Nashville, his wife of 47 years; two sons: Tom, Jr. (Dena) Harrisburg, VA and Mike (Donna) Fort Myers, FL; six grandchildren: Jordan, Kaitlin, Wyatt, Chris, Michael and Alex; one great grandchild: Isla Claire, four nephews, several great nieces and nephews as well as extended family.

Tom never met a stranger. He will always be remembered for his kindness, generosity and last, but certainly not least, his incredible sense of humor.

The family would like to thank all personnel at Bailey Manor Assisted Living and the Upper Cumberland Hospice for the amazing care they provided to Tom during his stay.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the chapel at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in Smithville, Tennessee on Sunday, August 14, 2022. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm followed by the service at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hospice of Tennessee, 155 E Spring St, Suite A, Cookeville, TN 38501 or Alzheimer’s Tennessee Cumberlands Office, 390 S Lowe Ave, Cookeville, TN 38501

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




Dorothy Lee Colwell White

July 25, 2022

Dorothy Lee Colwell White age 89 of Smithville, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday evening, July 23, 2022. She was born April 9, 1933 to her parents, the late Ray and Della Redmon Colwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Bobbie Jean Colwell and Violet Cripps and a brother, Billy Colwell. She worked at Alexandria Garment Company for 36 years and attended the Smithville First Assembly of God. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 54 years, Billy White of Smithville; children, Ron “Wormy” Parker of Dowelltown, Donna Hendrix of Smithville and Roger White and Family; grandchildren, Brittany (Jason) Moseley of Smithville and Caleb (Christy) Hendrix of Dowelltown; great-grandchildren, Hailey, Alyssa, Kaylee, Bucksley, Blakelynn and Kylen; sister-in-law, Nancy Colwell of McMinnville; 2 nieces, 1 nephew and several cousins. Funeral services will be 12 Noon Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Donnie Kelly officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens with Bro. Ian Swisher officiating. Visitation will be Monday 4 PM until 8 PM and Tuesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 12 Noon. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.




Durward “Bucky” Southard

July 25, 2022

Durward “Bucky” Southard age 64 of Smithville, passed away Saturday morning July 23, 2022, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro. He was born December 4, 1957, to his parents, the late Bobby Gary and Gloria Annette Johnson Southard, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Ailene Southard; 2 sisters, Cheryl Freeman and Angie Fults. Bucky had worked at Delta Express/Mapco for almost 40 years, where he served as the store manager, and he was a Baptist. He was a member of the NWTF, former member of the Jaycees and helped with many children and youth events and organizations through the years and he loved fishing. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Ellen Moore Southard of Smithville; son, Brian Southard and Angel Hearn of Smithville; grandchildren, Ryan Patrick Lincoln, William Skyler Southard and Christopher Corbin Southard; special family, Michelle Southard; brother, Bobby Gary (Sylvia) Southard, Jr. of McMinnville; sisters-in-law, Wanda (Buddy) Wiggs of Christiana, TN, Brenda Taylor and Mike Kingsbury of Smithville and Tammy (Mike) Owens of Smithville; several nieces and nephews; special Mapco Family, Allison Ferguson, Sharon Lombardi, Dylan Wagner, Gabie Johnson and Karen Stone. Funeral services will be 2 PM Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. Visitation with the family will be Monday 2 PM until 8 PM and Tuesday 10:AM until the time of the service at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Lighthouse Christian Camp, in memory of Bucky. The family would like to extend a special “Thank You” to the EMT’s at DeKalb Ambulance Service and the staff of St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital for the love and care shown to Bucky. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.




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