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.

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.

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.

July 24, 2022

Austin Billings passed away on July 24. 2022 at the age of 91, at his home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was surrounded by his wife and family. He was born on October 16, 1930, in Sparta, Tennessee. His parents were Peter and Hallie Billings, he was the youngest of 5 children. Austin was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years Barbara Jean Hale Billings and his oldest son James Billings; 3 Brothers Orvin, Artis, and Verble Billings and one Sister Mary Lou Billings. Austin is survived by 5 generations of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren, of which he was grateful and proud. Barbara and Austin lived most of their lives in Nashville with their 4 children James, Larry, Denise, and Angie.

Austin bravely served our country during the Korean War in 1951 and 1952. He drove a bus for Trailways Bus Company almost 40 years and won many awards for safe driving. He was an avid sports fan and favored University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.

In 2004 he married Regina Lynn Sally which added new family members and enriched all our lives. Austin and Regina traveled extensively for many years and had countless great adventures.

Austin is survived by his spouse, Regina Billings; three children, a son Larry (Elaine P) Billings, two daughters Denise (Ashley) Reed, and Angie (Randy) Cook all of Murfreesboro; one step son James (Macy) Sally of College Grove; one step daughter, Julia Sally of Franklin; 7 Grandchildren Jamie Billings, Lindsey James, Shea Williams, Brice Williams, Austin Reed, Katelyn Cook and Cody Cook. Thirteen great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and multiple nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Austin will be best remembered for his generosity, kindness, strength of character, and sense of humor.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @ 1pm with interment to follow at Whorton Springs Cemetery with Bro. Jimmy Fox officiating. Visitation with the family will be on Monday July 25, 2022 from 11:30am until 8pm, and on Tuesday from 11am until the service time at 1pm all at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.

July 23, 2022

Daris (Mim) Jennings Mullinax

God sent her first to her parents, as a cute little angel, on March 14, 1940 and he beckon her home on July 22, 2022.

For 82 years she smiled, hugged, fed and loved us. The lessons she taught us were far different than those we learned from Jim.

Ria, “You’re to blunt! Don’t tell people they have bad breath. It hurts their feeling. Ask if they want a mint.”

Beki, “Life ain’t fair, if someone told you that, they lied to you.”

Stacey, “If you do something make yourself irreplaceable, but always know you can be replaced.”

Tori, “The important things in life, aren’t things.”

Derrick, “You have to love like Jesus loves you.”

Ethan, “You can accomplish a lot of things breaking green beans but honey, take the strings off first”

Zach, “Grandkids can’t be spoiled”

“She taught us to not judge people, that a smile makes a difference, and God sees, hears and cares about everybody. Sometimes people just need you to listen, they are family and we love them no matter what, and know your Bible it has all the answers.”

She taught us to love unconditionally and that everyone is different. That a bit of sugar makes every recipe taste better.

If ever there was a person who TRULY loved you without boundaries it was Mim.

She is proceeded in death by father Charles (Chop) Jennings,mother Beulah (Shorty) Mayfield Jennings, husband of 62 years Jimmy Mullinax and infant daughter Suzane.

She leaves a smiling but sad family. Children Ria (husband Ricky) Baker, Beki (husband John Scott) Morgan, Stacey (husband DeWayne) Martin.

Grandchildren are Tori Baker, Derrick (wife Stacey) Baker, Zach (fiancé Chandler McElhaney) Martin and Ethan Martin

Great-Grandchildren Jonathan and Sadie Baker

Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation is Saturday 4-8 and Sunday 12 till the service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home in the chapel.

July 21, 2022

Gary E. Cantrell age 61 of Petit, Texas, formerly of Smithville, TN passed away in Texas on Monday, July 18, 2022. He was born May 25, 1961 to his parents the late Billy Close and Mary Ann Porter Cantrell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brother, Randy Cantrell. Mr. Cantrell attended First Baptist Church of Petit, Texas and was a Carpenter. Mr. Cantrell is survived by brother, Mike Cantrell of Smithville; sister, Penny Samson of Nashville; several nieces and nephews; his Family and Friends in Texas, Michael and Jackie Campbell and Family. The family has honored Mr. Cantrell’s request to be cremated and a Private Service will be held at a later date. The family would like to express a special Thank You to Michael and Jackie Campbell for all the love and care shown to Gary. This information is in courtesy of DeKalb Funeral Chapel.