Obituaries
January 14, 2025
Jerry Arlen Cripps age 92 of Alexandria passed away at his residence Sunday night, January 12, 2025. He was born February 20, 1932, to his parents the late Benny and Gladys Jackson Cripps. Mr. Cripps was a member of the Snow Hill Baptist Church, retired from Gensco and was a Gideon. He is survived by his loving wife of 75 years, Annette Cripps of Alexandria; nieces, Martha (Pam) Bass of Alexandria, Jeanie (Jerry) Pack, of McMinnville, and Ramona Fuson of Dowelltown; nephew, Benjamin Cripps; numerous other nieces and nephews also survive; brother, Robert (Faye) Cripps of Mt. Juliet. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Friday January 17, 2025, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 11:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of Mr. Cripps. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care of the Cripps family.
Johnny “Boot” Buford Linder
January 13, 2025
Johnny “Boot” Buford Linder, age 81, of Smithville, passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro. Born on April 24, 1943 in Smithville, TN, he was the son of the late Classie and Flossie Bain Linder. Johnny was a farmer and a member of the Baptist faith.
He is survived by his six brothers, Bobby (Peggy) Linder of Smithville, TN, Norman (Jerry) Linder of Lafayette, TN, James Ray (Ruth) Linder of Anderson, Ind., Carl Linder of Alexandria, Ind., Larry Linder of Rock Island, TN, and Wayne Linder of Lafayette, TN. He also leaves behind his sister, Katie Holler of Portland, TN, along with several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his 3 brothers, JC Linder, Joe Linder, and Jackie Linder and 2 sisters, Ruby Gerald and Martha Caldwell.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 17 at 2pm in the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, with burial to follow in Adcock Cemetery. Randy Gregory will officiate and visitation with the family will be on Thursday from 2-8pm and on Friday from 10am until the time of service at 2pm.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Ruby Mai “Mimi” Gibbs
January 13, 2025
Ruby Mai “Mimi” Gibbs, age 91 of Alexandria, was born April 10, 1933 in Lancaster to her parents, the late Grady and Johnnie Lee Fletcher Moss, and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday afternoon, January 11, 2025 at the Webb House in Smithville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Freeland Gibbs; infant son, David Gibbs; son, Tommy Gibbs; grandson, Ethan Alvis; 4 sisters, Ruth Dunn, Rose Braswell, Betty McMillen and Martha Payne and 1 brother, Jim Moss. Ruby worked at the Alexandria Garment Company for many years, was a homemaker and the job she enjoyed the most was babysitting. She was a member of Upper Helton Baptist Church. Ruby loved working in her flowers and always had such beautiful hanging baskets on her porch, enjoyed gardening and playing rook. She leaves to cherish her memory, 3 daughters, Sandra Fowler, Anita (Robert) Higgins and Lisa (Clark) Oakley; daughter-in-law, Sherry Gibbs; 8 grandchildren, Tracy (Charlie) Lawrence, Monica (Hunter) Hendrixson, Stacy (Rusty) George, Megan (Josh) Lamberson, Braiden (Brandy) Alvis, Jordan (Amy) Alvis, Cason (Kylie) Oakley and Addison (Tanner) Hackett; 12 great-grandchildren, Caitlyn (Drew) Pedigo, Rebecca Lawrence, Olivia and Logan George, Ella and Max Hendrixson, Chase Lamberson, Jase, Jay, Damon and Emery Alvis and Easton Oakley; 1 sister, Margaret Jackson; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held 1 PM Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Chapel of Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in Hillview Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 2 PM until 8 PM and Thursday 10:AM until the time of the service at 1 PM all at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. In addition to flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to The Webb House, Gentiva Hospice and Trina Hedge for the love and care shown to their mother. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Gibbs family.
Carol Ann O’Clare
January 10, 2025
Carol Ann O’Clare age 78 passed away Sunday January 5, 2025, at Alive Hospice Center in Murfreesboro. She was born November 24, 1946, to her parents the late Garland and Margaret Clark Lester. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Butts. Ms. O’Clare was Baptist and attended the Smithville First Baptist Church and worked in Ministery at Lighthouse Christian Camp where she enjoyed living in the Widow’s home. She is survived by granddaughter, Rachel Jarvis; grandson, David Butts; 2 sisters, Cathy Sizemore, and Julia Anderson; brother, Michael Lester. The family has honored Ms. O’Clare’s wishes to be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the O’Clare family.
James Brian Storie
January 6, 2025
James Brian Storie, age 59 of Smithville, TN and formerly of Byrdstown, TN passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025 at his residence.
He was born January 27, 1965 in Hartford City, IN to James Winford ‘George’ Storie and Ina Lois (Cross) Storie. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a registered nurse and loved golfing.
James is survived by (1) daughter: Natasha Pryor and husband: Chris; (3) grandchildren: Brody Pryor, Nora Pryor and Camilla Pryor; father: George Storie and wife: Judy; mother: Ina Lois Hudson and husband: Jerry; (1) sister: Tamara Murphy; (3) brothers: Stephen Wayne Storie, Christopher Todd Storie and Troy Lee Storie. Also survived by other family members and friends.
Funeral services will be announced at a later date by Brown Funeral Chapel in Byrdstown.
James Donald Lattimore
January 3, 2025
James Donald Lattimore age 88 of Smithville passed away Friday afternoon January 3, 2025, at the Webb House in Smithville. He was born November 6, 1936, to his parents, the late Bobby E. & Mary Ferrell Lattimore. Mr. James worked for TRW for 40 years, was a farmer, and had also worked as a part-time deputy. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years Mae Elizabeth Lattimore; Son: James Bradley “Brad” Lattimore. Graveside service will be held 2 PM Sunday January 5, 2025, at DeKalb Cemetery with Bros. Bernard Houk and Michael Hale officiating. Visitation with the family will be Sunday 10:AM until 1:45PM at which time we will leave to go to DeKalb Cemetery for graveside service. Survivors include children: Barbara (Harold) Burton, David Lattimore, Kathy (Roger) Bailey, Rick Lattimore all of Smithville; Grandchildren: Steve Mabe, Chris Burton, Rachel Anderson, Ashley Satterfield, Glen Lattimore, Jody Lattimore; Great Grandchildren: Jeron Burton, Haden Burton, Heath Mabe, Lance Mabe, Haylee Mullican, Jordan Farley, Cloey Anderson, Jackson Lattimore, Kalynn Lattimore, Madelynn Lattimore, Blaine Lattimore, Cody Johnson, Tony Pack; 4 Great-Great Grandchildren: Colton, Karson, Karter and Brooklyn Mabe; Other extended family & friends also survive. In lieu of flowers family asked that donations be made to the Animal Shelter or Live & Let Live. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Lattimore family.