Obituaries

Billy Ray Turner

February 21, 2023

Mr. Billy Ray Turner, age 81, passed away early Sunday morning, February 19 at Smithville NHC. Mr. Turner was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde & Audrey Taylor Turner and brother, Danny Turner.

A graveside service will be on Wednesday, February 22 at 3:30pm at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. There will be no visitation held at the funeral home prior to the graveside.

Survivors include several cousins and special caregivers throughout his lifetime.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.




J.W. Ward

February 20, 2023

Mr. J.W. Ward, age 91, of Dowelltown, passed away Saturday, February 18 at Willowbranch in McMinnville. He was a member of Indian Creek Baptist Church and was a carpenter.

The family has honored Mr. Ward’s decision in cremation.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathern Ward and daughter, Delois Ward.

Survivors include 3 children, Dewayne (Cindy) Ward of Smithville, Jeff (Melissa) Ward of Smithville, and Teresa (Ronnie) Evans of McMinnville; 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren also survive.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements




Ada LaVelle Davis Smith

February 17, 2023

Ada LaVelle Davis Smith departed this life on February 17, 2023 at the age of 104. Born to Bruno and Orbie Davis of Doweltown, TN, Snow Hill Community. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Will Herman Smith II; son, Will Herman Smith III; brothers, TB Davis, Don Davis, Charles Davis, and sister, Elizabeth Driver. Survived by her daughter, Mary Rosalyn Mills (Tom); brother, Roger Davis; daughter-in-law, Ann Parrot Smith; grandchildren: Lisa Kelton, Lynn Eaton (Tony), Scott Smith, Lane Edgar (Jake), Andrea Miller (Eric), Anthony Mills (Holly), Bryan Mills (Jamie), and John Mills (Dana); great-grandchildren: Ava, Jillian and Scarlett Kelton; TJ Eaton (Mallory), Taylor Eaton (Trevor), Alison Smith, Ada Miller, Sophia Mills, Nicholas Mills, Tanner Mills, and Mason Mills; great-grandchild, Myles Eaton. LaVelle was a member of First Baptist Church Smithville since her marriage in 1939. She grew up in the Snow Hill Community of DeKalb County. She graduated from Blue Fountain High School Class of 1937 and Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1939, with degree in Education. LaVelle taught grades 1 thru 8 at Cades Spring School on Indian Creek. Later she became the School Lunch Supervisor for three counties. As life continued, she was a Sunday School teacher, GA leader, Bible School Director, PTA president locally and state, president of Federated Women’s Club, Girl Scout Leader, UT Extension Club, Middle Tennessee Gem and Mineral Club, Fiddlers Jamboree Craft Director for 21 years. LaVelle enjoyed working as an area manager for Field Enterprises Educational Corporation for seven years. She was able to work part-time and also help Will Herman at Smith Electric Shop. In 1967, the family business was suddenly dropped in her lap, after Will Herman’s sudden death. She continued the electrical appliance business until 1969, when she adventured into a fabric business. A few years later, she added antiques and collectibles. Finally at the age of 85 years, LaVelle closed the doors to her business and sold the building in 1996. LaVelle hobbies of gardening, digging for gemstones and arrowheads took up her time after retiring. She had an eye for beautiful wood, stones and antiques. LaVelle enjoyed Gem and Mineral Shows with her son, Smitty, for many years. Family was the highlight of LaVelle’s life. She was always at Smitty’s and Ann’s table for Sunday lunch with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would tell them her adventures on Center Hill Lake looking for driftwood, and trips in her motor home to Canada and Arizona. Road trips were necessary to visit Mary in North Carolina, South Carolina, and East Tennessee. The past two years at Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Lenoir City, TN has been an uplifting chapter in LaVelle’s life. She made new friends which energized her mind, along with enjoyment of crafts and music. She always said MP was the perfect place to live at her age. The family greatly appreciates the director, staff, and residents at Morning Pointe for their graciousness and quality care of LaVelle. Family and friends will gather for graveside services at 1 p.m. c.s.t. on Saturday, February 25th at the Smithville Town Cemetery in Smithville, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in LaVelle’s memory to the Donelson Lapidary Arts at Senior Citizens Center in Donelson, TN. Click Funeral Home, 109 Walnut Street, Lenoir City is in charge of arrangements. This information provided as a courtesy of DeKalb Funeral Chapel.




Hooper Judkins

February 16, 2023

A beautiful soul has arrived at his Heavenly home. Ivan Hooper Judkins age 76 of Smithville passed away peacefully at Alive Hospice on February 14, 2023. He was born February 4, 1947, to the late Walter and Reba Judkins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life Linda Gail Redman Judkins, mother and father-in-law Charles and Ina Mae Redman, grandparents Roscoe and Amanda Judkins and Shelton and Clara Carter, brother and sister-in-law Leonard and Patricia Redman.

Hooper was a member and song leader of Bright Hill Church. He was a kind and gentle man; he was selfless and giving and a true Christian. He lived most of his life caring and doing for others. He was especially good to his family, and he was loved dearly by them. He enjoyed riding horses and being Santa at various churches.

Hooper is survived by son and daughter in law Greg and Melanie Judkins of Smithville, Grandchildren Amber (Tyler) Pyles of Dowelltown and Ethan Judkins of Smithville, brother Jimmy (Donna) Judkins of Lancaster, Nephew Benny (Suzanne) Judkins of Cross Plains , nieces Valerie Judkins of Lancaster, Angelia (Kevin ) Harvey of Alexandria and Ashley (Michael) Lich of Old Hickory, great nieces Ava Lich and Kailey Harvey and great nephews Blaine, Peyton, and Brennan Judkins, Gavin Lich and Wyatt Harvey. Special cousin Elizabeth Johnson and special friend Linda Sutton.

Funeral Services will be at 2 pm Friday February 17, 2023, at Dekalb Funeral Chapel with Bro David Lunsford officiating and burial will follow at Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 4 pm until 8 pm and Friday 12 am until time of service at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Bright Hill Church or the charity of your choice. Dekalb Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.




Bettty Sue Joyce

February 14, 2023

Bettty Sue Joyce, age 86, of Smithville passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023 at the Webb House in Smithville. She is preceded in death by her parents, John Wesley Messick and Ophia Judkins Messick; husband, Ira Gene Joyce; daughter, Debra Jean Joyce Popham; half-sister, Mary Schwartz; half-brother, W.C. Messick.

She is survived by daughter, Rosemary Joyce Melton of Smithville; son, William (Candy) Joyce of Murfreesboro; 4 grandchildren, Stephanee Wright (Sean) Tramel, Preston Melton, Abby Popham (Matt) Houge, Nick Popham; 1 step-grandson, Bob Roberts; 6 great-grandchildren, Aubree Tramel, Gunner Tramel, Haylee Killian, Baylee Killian, Wesley Houge, Andrew Houge; sister, Nettie Messick Hayes of Mt. Juliet.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, February 15 at 2:00pm at DeKalb Memorial Gardens with visitation with the family on Wednesday at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home from 11am-1pm.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.




Chris a.k.a. “Smiley” Bates

February 11, 2023

Chris a.k.a. “Smiley” Bates age 53 passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at his residence in Smithville. He was born December 8,1970 to his parents, Harlon Bates and Mary Carolyn Page Miller. He was preceded in death by a brother, Jason Allen Bates. Mr. Bates was a Baptist and previously worked at Oster before he became disabled. He is survived by son: Charles O’Brian (Samantha) Bates of Olive Branch, MS; grandson: Kayden Bates; mother: Mary Miller of Sparta; father: Harlon Bates of Smithville; sister: Carol Morse of Sparta; brother: Jeffery Lee Bates of Smithville. Graveside services and interment will be 2:PM Sunday February 12, 2023 at DeKalb Cemetery with Bro. Sam Allen officiating. There will not be any services at the funeral home, family and friends will meet at the cemetery for the service. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.




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