DeKalb County Loses Another Brave World War II Veteran

February 14, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County has lost another of its brave World War II veterans.

95 year old Joe Goodwin of Smithville passed away Tuesday at NHC Smithville. Mr. Goodwin was a Sergeant in the United States Army and served in World War II and was a Prisoner of War.

A native of White County, Joe had been a resident of Smithville since 1958. Joe loved sports and was himself a high school athlete.

Joe enlisted in the Army on March 11, 1943 and was honorably discharged on December 30, 1945. He was captured in Germany on December 16, 1944 and liberated by allied forces on April 30, 1945.

In this video documentary below, produced by Lori and Ashli Chew, Joe recounted his years of military service including the months he endured as a POW.

For his service to the country, Joe earned many accolades, medals, and ribbons including, among others, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, an Eamet Campaign Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, the Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart, the Victory Medal, and a Prisoner of War Medal. Years later, Mr. Goodwin was awarded an honorary degree from Cumberland University, and also was awarded an appreciation letter from the American Legion for his bravery in the face of battle.

Over the years Joe attended many veterans and memorial day observances and, when asked to speak, would often give an emotional account of his horrifying experiences as a Prisoner of War.

Joe was a member of the American Ex Prisoners of War, American Legion, VFW, and a University of Tennessee VFL (Vol for Life). He was also a retired car salesman with Stribling Chevrolet.

Joe was a dear friend to WJLE and for many years was a regular on the Fearless Forecasters College Football Talk Show where he would often share memories of Tennessee football games from decades past.

The awards WJLE presents every year to the top Fearless Forecasters are now named in honor of Joe.

The funeral will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Morgan Wallace will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 12 noon until 3 p.m. and then the family will take a two hour rest period during which time they will not be present but visitors are still welcome. The family will return from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Daisy Goodwin and two sisters, Mildred Brent and Marie Hester. Survivors include his wife of 67 years Ann Simms Goodwin. Six children, Ronnie and Deborah Goodwin, Elizabeth and Tom Newkirk, Bill Goodwin, Joey and Kathy Goodwin, Pam and Gary Green, and Jill and Doug Omer. Nine grandchildren, Scott and Amanda Goodwin, Matt Goodwin, Grant and Taylor Goodwin, Katelyn Goodwin, Wesley and Melissa Young, Tom and Dena Newkirk, Michael Newkirk, Olivia Sloane Omer and Hope Omer. Seven great grandchildren, Cooper and Kiptyn Goodwin, Wyatt and Lanie Young, Jordan, Kaitlin, and Wyatt Newkirk.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lighthouse Christian Camp or to the Ex-Prisoners of War.

February 14, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers battled the Upperman Bees in a close game Wednesday night but lost 62 to 58 in the District 8AA basketball tournament bringing an end to their season.

The Tigers led 10 to 8 after the 1^st period and 27 to 26 at halftime but fell behind 41 to 40 at the end of the 3^rd period and lost 62 to 58.

Tanner Poss scored 19, Hayden Thomas 15, Colter Norris 11, Dallas Cook 9, and Nathan Atkins with 4.

DeKalb County finishes the 2018-19 season with an overall record of 6-23

Upperman, the 3rd seed, will face York Institute, seeded 2nd,  in the semi-finals on Friday, February 15 at 5:30 p.m. while Watertown, seeded 4th, will meet Livingston Academy, the top seed in the tournament in the other semi-finals game Friday, February 15 at 8:30 p.m. at Tennessee Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center.

February 13, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Lady Tigers have advanced to the semi-finals of the District 8AA basketball tournament after defeating Smith County 52 to 26 Wednesday night in Cookeville.

The Lady Tigers, seeded 3^rd in the tournament, will face Upperman, seeded 2^nd on Friday, February 15 at 4 p.m. at Tennessee Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.  Win or lose, the Lady Tigers are guaranteed a berth in the Region Tournament next week.

In the game Wednesday night, the Lady Tigers led 11 to 7 after the 1^st period, 18 to 13 at halftime, and 34 to 21 after the 3^rd period before going on to win 52 to 26.

Kadee Ferrell scored 17, Emme Colwell 11, Mya Ruch 10, Maddison Parsley and Mallori Hart each with 5 and Lydia Brown with 4.

The Lady Tigers have lost to Upperman twice this season. In the first meeting, DC was beaten 46 to 29 on January 8 in Smithville and 62 to 40 on February 1 at Baxter.

In the other semi-final game Friday, February 15 at 7 p.m. York Institute, seeded 4^th, will meet Macon County, the top seed in the tournament at Tennessee Tech.

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