News
(UPDATED) Crash Scene Victims Identified
July 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Two people lost their lives from a pickup truck crash on the Old Mill Hill Road Monday morning.
Dead is 56 year old Michael A. Murphy and 50 year old Angelia Sue Burke of Liberty. She is formerly of Crossville.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Murphy was driving a 1995 Dodge Dakota eastbound when he went off the right side of the road and over an embankment striking a tree. Burke, the passenger, was ejected out of the passenger window and died at the scene. Her body was found pinned between the passenger door and a tree. After the crash, Murphy apparently tried to go for help but collapsed in the road a tenth of a mile from the scene. Although an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, a preliminary report suggests that Murphy may have died from health conditions not related to the crash.
According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, a motorcycle rider came upon Murphy’s body lying in the road and alerted 911.
Sheriff Patrick Ray responded along with other officers and detectives of the Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb EMS, the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Murphy was unresponsive at the scene and after efforts by EMS to resuscitate him failed, he was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
As Sheriff Ray and detectives conducted a search of the area, they found the wrecked Dodge Dakota and Burke’s body.
The crash was investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the THP Critical Incident Response Team
Bicycle Rider Injured in Accident with Car
July 16, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
A man was injured after his bike was hit by a motorist this morning (Monday) on Highway 70 at the foot of Snow Hill.
30 year old Matthew Geekie of Smithville was taken by DeKalb EMS to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. The accident occurred around 4:30 a.m.
According to Trooper Bob Melching of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Geekie was on his bicycle as 39 year old Amon Billings, III of Smithville was in a Nissan Versa. Both were traveling west near the white line of the highway. Trooper Melching said the passenger side mirror of Billings’ car struck the handlebar of the bicycle which caused Geekie to be thrown from the bike. Billings was not injured.
A Sheriff’s Department Deputy was also on the scene to assist.
James Cantrell Celebrates 90th Birthday with Family and Friends (VIEW VIDEO HERE)
July 15, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Family and friends of James Cantrell joined the celebration of his 90th birthday Saturday afternoon at the Whorton Springs Baptist Church Family Life Center.
“This is great. I am thankful for the turnout from the church community and the community as a whole,” said Cantrell.
A DeKalb County native, veteran, educator, nurseryman, and former school board member, Cantrell was born on July 8, 1928 to the late Nonnie and Lonnie Cantrell. James was the first of four children. He has a sister who survives but his two brothers are now deceased.
James and his wife Geraldean, who reside on South College Street in Smithville, have been married for 63 years. They have two sons and daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and one great grandchild
As a child, Cantrell attended elementary school at Oak Grove for eight years and then went to DeKalb County High School. After graduation Cantrell did his college studies at Middle Tennessee State, George Peabody, and Tennessee Tech earning a Masters Degree.
In the fall of 1950 after graduating from college that summer, Cantrell became principal of a two teacher school at Mahaffey Hill before Uncle Sam came calling.
“During that fall session, they put me on the draft list. I went to Nashville the day after I was put on that list and volunteered after which I immediately went into the U.S. Air Force. I served in the Air Force 38-39 months until the end of the Korean War. For six months I was in officer candidate school. Over time I went from the rank of Private to First Lieutenant,” said Cantrell.
“While in the Air Force I helped run Chemical warfare tests mostly at Army Chemical bases all over the United States. Most of the work was done at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. Some of the lab tests were done at the Army Chemicals Center in Maryland. Before I came out of the Air Force they finally assigned me to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio for the last three months I was in service. That was about the only time I spent in an Air Force Base. Before that I spent all my time in Army bases helping run those chemical warfare tests,” said Cantrell.
After returning home, Cantrell again landed a job with the school system and started a teaching career at DeKalb County High School which spanned 31 years until his retirement. During that time, Cantrell taught General Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
In addition to his passion for teaching, Cantrell became a successful businessman in the wholesale nursery industry.
“I grew up in nursery work. My father grew peach trees on the wholesale level. Each year I was in college I used to come home and bud trees. After I got out of college I started selling trees with my grandfather. I then worked for other companies for three or four years until I started my own nursery company. I grew and sold nursery stock all over North Carolina for many years. Since my retirement from the business I have peddled a few trees from the back of my pickup truck but that is just to occupy my time,” said Cantrell.
After his teaching career ended, Cantrell joined the Board of Education and served two terms from the seventh district. “The county court (commission) appointed me to replace Clarence Phillips, Jr. on the school board. He had died unexpectedly. I filled out his term and ran for the position for two terms. I enjoyed those years and am very thankful that I had the opportunity to work with the county court and the school board,” Cantrell continued.
Since his childhood, Cantrell has called Whorton Springs Baptist his church home. “I have gone to church here since I was six years old. I joined the church about the time I went into College around 1946. Over the years I have served the church in various ways from janitor to Sunday School teacher and even Sunday School Superintendent. I am thankful that I have had that opportunity to serve my church,” Cantrell said.
While he remains active on the family farm, Cantrell said he leaves most of the heavy lifting these days to his son Jeff.
“He is really the farmer. I still have a few cows that I maintain on my farm but he (Jeff) does all the difficult work. I help him rake hay but that is about the maximum task that I do on the farm anymore,” he said.
Cantrell said he was touched to see so many of his friends and former students come out to wish him a happy birthday Saturday but the biggest reward is knowing that maybe he has touched their lives.
“I have taught a lot of children in the county and hopefully touched a lot of lives directly or indirectly. I believe you make your mark with students by simply being fair and treating them all alike,” said Cantrell.
As for advice on living a long happy life, Cantrell said “Keep busy. Give God the thanks and stay humble”.
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