Smithville Town Cemetery Benefit Fundraiser Thursday Night, March 20 at the Harvester

March 19, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

A kick-off fundraiser for the restoration and beautification of the Smithville Town Cemetery will be Thursday night, March 20 at the Harvester Event Center downtown.

The event is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the campaign to revitalize the cemetery. The fundraiser will include an auction, food and LIVE entertainment. You can make donations now to benefit the cemetery. For more information and to donate visit www.fb.com/SmithvilleTCA or call 615-597-2000.

Founded in 1838, this historic cemetery, located directly east of the public square, has primarily undergone only basic maintenance in recent years. The late Tommy Webb, county historian, had overseen the cemetery. Before his death in October 2019, Mr. Webb asked Bethel Thomas, Jr. to lead a campaign to restore some of the original beauty to the cemetery. Initial funds raised allowed for the beginning of the restoration of the iron fence. Then came Covid.

Thomas, in a recent interview with WJLE, said a renewed effort has now begun with a larger group of community volunteers taking an interest in the historic cemetery.

“Tommy Webb had overseen the cemetery for several years, but the cemetery association itself had been inactive for some time. I went to Tommy and said I wanted to do something to honor my parents and other people who are buried there. He asked me to lead a campaign to help restore the cemetery and I agreed but then Covid came along but now there is a group of people that are getting together and are really engaged,” said Thomas.

Trees donated by Bert Driver Nursery (Yoshino Cherry) and Pine Creek Nursery (Sweet Bay Magnolias) were planted last month lining the cemetery along North Congress Boulevard. The effort was supported by the city and the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Thomas gave his vision of what the historic cemetery needs most.

“The thing Tommy was most concerned about was the condition of the original wrought iron fence around the cemetery. We were able to get a welder to gradually restore some of the original fence on the Congress Boulevard side. Most of the fence on that side can be restored but we will probably have to get new wrought iron fence to put across the north end. The fence on the back side may have to be taken down because it has deteriorated so badly. If so, we have thought about putting up a stone fence to replace it on the Bright Hill Road side,” said Thomas.

“Another concern is the driveway through the cemetery. We want to make a beautiful entrance and instead of having an asphalt drive use brick and or gravel. Then the retaining wall at the corner of the cemetery near the highway 56 & 70 intersection is cracked and broken. It basically needs a new retaining wall which may be the most expensive item but that has to be redone. This project is much bigger than I first imagined with the fencing, drive through, fixing that retaining wall, and then adding some park benches, and maybe a walkway through the cemetery. Thanks to the Diver family with the support of the city and TDOT we have been able to line the cemetery on Congress Boulevard with some trees and we hope to eventually convince people who own property on the other side to allow us to put some trees there also. But its going to be beautiful,” said Thomas.

Anyone who has family or friends buried in the cemetery, as well as any civic-minded person interested is invited to join the Smithville Town Cemetery Association.

March 19, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary would like to recognize our “Dream Team” for the third nine weeks of school. These faculty and staff members were selected for recognition by the administration for their dedication and commitment to Smithville Elementary’s success. Those recognized are:

Pre-K Teacher: Brian Smith
Kindergarten Teacher: Misty Agee
1st Grade Teacher: Priscilla Campbell
2nd Grade Teacher: Chloe Mooneyham
P.E. Teacher: Janie Roberts
SRO Officer: Roger Whitehead
Behavior Teacher: Brad Trapp
Paraprofessional: Tanya Howard
Paraprofessional: Brenda Rigney
Cafeteria Staff: Margie Hale

March 18, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

The first ever graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy has been recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly.

A resolution honoring Addison McBroom, introduced by State Representative Michael Hale, has been adopted by both the state House and Senate and signed by the Governor.

The resolution follows:

“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Addison McBroom is one such exceptional student, who has become the first graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy in Smithville; and

WHEREAS, Ms. McBroom made the transition to DeKalb Christian Academy in the seventh grade and quickly became a leader among the student body, offering her time to tutor and assist fellow students; and

WHEREAS, she has a heart for music, children, and helping others; she plays piano almost weekly at her church and is involved in the children’s ministry, where she serves faithfully each week; and

WHEREAS, with a clear vision for her future, Addison aspires to become an optometrist. In her junior year of high school, she enrolled in the Middle College program at Motlow State Community College, diligently pursuing an associate degree while balancing her high school coursework as well as a part-time job at Webb’s Pharmacy; and

WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Ms. McBroom has achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and

WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, Ms. McBroom has excelled in her studies and will graduate with high honors. She has been accepted for enrollment at Tennessee Technological University, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree before entering optometry school; and

WHEREAS, Ms. McBroom’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her family, her school, and her community; and

WHEREAS, Ms. McBroom’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this General Assembly; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we hereby commend and honor Addison McBroom on her impressive academic achievement as the first graduate of DeKalb Christian Academy and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future.

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