Obituaries
April 15, 2025
David Harold Lattimore, age 65 of Smithville, passed away Monday afternoon, April 14, 2025, at his residence. He had worked in housekeeping at NHC for 19 years. He was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed visiting Gatlinburg.
He was born on December 18, 1959 in Smithville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents; James Donald Lattimore and Mae Elizabeth Shehane Lattimore, brother; James Bradley Lattimore, great grandparents who raised him; Columbus & Jamie Mae Lattimore and his partner in life; Carson Lee Herren.
Visitation with the Lattimore family will be on Wednesday from 11:00 to 8:00 and Thursday from 10:00 until the service time at 2:00 in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Billy Anderson will officiate and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery.
Survivors include 2 daughters; Rachel (Billy) Anderson of Sparta, Ashley (Jason) Satterfield of Murfreesboro. 6 grandchildren; Haylee (Jason Joyce) Mullican, Cloey Anderson, Jordan Farley, Cody Johnson, Tony Pack and Anslinn Johnson, 2 sisters; Kathy (Roger) Bailey and Barbara (Harold) Burton, 1 brother; Rick Lattimore, special cousin and friend; Bug Reeder all of Smithville, 2 nephews; Glenn (Ashley) Lattimore an Jody (Emily) Lattimore, several nieces and nephews also survive. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
James Donald Hale
April 15, 2025
James Donald Hale age 63 of the Big Hill Community in Liberty passed away at his residence Sunday night April 13, 2025. He was born July 15, 1961, to his parents the late Ray Donald Hale and Janie Lois Winchester Hale Thomason. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister, Barbara Easterwood; brother, Bobby Pruitt; grandparents, Louise Winchester, and Alvie and Ruby Hale. Mr. Hale worked installing vinyl siding and was a nurseryman. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Thursday April 17, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Glenn Chapman and Derek Johnson officiating and interment to follow in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. He is survived by wife, Glenda Hale of Liberty; children, Jessica Hale of Lebanon, Michael Roller of Woodbury, and Amanda (Frank) Roberts of Sparta; several Grandchildren; siblings, Billy Pruitt of Smithville, Jimmy Hale, Debbie Taylor Luna of McMinnville, Gary Hale of Ky. Kim Evans of Murfreesboro, Brent Estes of Murfreesboro; several aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and extended family also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Hale family.
Vallie May Pack
April 15, 2025
Vallie May Pack, age 97, of McMinnville, TN, passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at her residence. Born in Smithville, TN, on February 25, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Amanda Bain Goodman. Vallie was a member of the Nazarene Church and dedicated her life to being a homemaker and farmer.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jennings Pack, her great-grandchild, Brandon Doup, and nine siblings.
Vallie is survived by her son, Henery (Peggy) Pack of Kentucky, and her two daughters, Cathy Ross of McMinnville and Violet (Dennis) Johnson of Soddy Daisy. She leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Ray Martin, Timmy Martin, Colleen Martin, Michael Pack, Dwayne Ross, Suzann Cramer, Timpia Fletcher, Alida Leto, and Bill Marion. Her great-grandchildren include Domitille Martin, Sara-Beth Davis, Michael Williams, Garrett Byrd, Reagan Pack, Melissa Anders, Amber Adams, Michael Ross, Chelsea Fugate, Misty Childers, Donavan Pack, Dayton Pack, Anna Perez, Nathan Marion, Crystal Blackmon, Johnathan Appalsammy, Kayla Mines, David Leto, Isabella Leto, and Josephina Leto. Vallie was also blessed with 15 great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 16, at 2pm at Bonham Cemetery, where family and friends will gather to celebrate her life and legacy.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Betty Jean Pack
April 12, 2025
Abbie Shawn Barnes
April 9, 2025
Abbie Shawn Barnes, age 57 of Smithville, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025 at St. Thomas Midtown. She was a housewife and a secretary for OPossum Hollow Livestock. Abbie graduated from White County High School and attended Tennessee Tech University. She was also a member of New Union Baptist Church while also attending Old Bethel Baptist Church.
She was born on August 16, 1967 in White county to her parents, the late Albert & Donna Dunlap McBride. She was aslo preceded in death by her niece, Layla Carson, an aunt, Judy Smartt, an uncle, Miles Dunlap and a brother-in-law, Joey Barnes.
Visitation with the Barnes family will be on Saturday from noon until 6:00 pm and on Sunday from noon until time of the service at 3:00 pm. Bro. Jeff Randolph will officiate and burial will follow in Webb Cemetery.
Survivors include her devoted husband of 37 years, Johnny Wayne Barnes of Smithville and loving sister, Dana (Matt) Carson of Sparta. She is also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Terrie (David) Kilgore of Smithville and Shanta Jones of Carthage, a brother-in-law; Johnny D. (Shelley) Barnes Jr. of Smithville, and a special friend, Pat Cravens of Sparta as well as several nieces and nephews also surviving.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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.