Teresa Curtis Hunter

49 year old Teresa Curtis Hunter of Northfield Subdivision, Alexandria died Monday at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. The body is at Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria where the funeral will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Barry Whitaker will officiate and burial will be in Hillview Memorial Cemetery in Alexandria. The Hunter family will receive friends at the Avant Chapel on Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the service time at 2:00 p.m. She is survived by her husband, Martin Hunter of Alexandria. Two sons, Will Tarpley and Derrick Tarpley both of Alexandria. Her mother and father, Faye Fowler Curtis and Ralph Lee Curtis of Alexandria. Two brothers, Steve and his wife Michelle Curtis of Alexandria and Jeff Curtis of Alexandria. Two nephews, Dakota and Colton Curtis and a niece, Savannah. Avant Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of the arrangements.

City Board Votes To Buy Drug Dog For Police Department

The Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday night voted to purchase a certified drug dog for the police department from a vendor in Miami, Florida at a cost of $7,500.
Police Chief Gus Clemente says the dog will be used in investigations to search for a variety of drugs.
Chief Clemente says while the dog will be certified, the officer who works with the animal will have to receive some training.
In other business, Jimmy Lewis, operator of the Smithville Golf and Swim Club, is asking the city board to reduce his rent from $2,500 to $1,000 per month in consideration for his making major improvements to the irrigation system at the golf course.
Lewis, with his former partner Darryl Counts, was granted a five year extension of his lease agreement along with a five year renewal option only a few months ago. In that amended agreement is a clause that says “the tenant has committed itself to expend the sum of one hundred thousand dollars in order to dig a second well, to install a sprinkler system for the fairways, and to purchase golf carts”.
Under the previous agreement with the city, Lewis had the golf course and swimming pool leased until 2012 at a rate of $2,500 per month. Under the amended agreement, Lewis was granted an extension of his lease through 2017 at the same rate of $2,500 per month, with a five year renewal option. The monthly rate can be renegotiated in 2017.
Lewis says he has already spent a great deal of money on the golf course and swimming pool and he now needs some help from the city.
Lewis says the volume of water needed to supply water to all the fairways cannot be supplied by the well that now exists and that two new wells are required. He says the holding pond that the golf course now has does not have the capacity to hold the volume of water needed so it will need to be enlarged or a new pond will have to be dug.
Lewis wants a reduction of $1,500 per month in his rent for sixty eight months until the irrigation improvement project is paid off, starting in June, 2006 through January 2013.
City aldermen asked Lewis to obtain more bids on the proposed project and they would consider his request at the next meeting on Monday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m. at city hall.

Dean Cantrell

82 year old Ms. Dean Cantrell of Smithville died Monday morning of an extended illness at NHC Healthcare Center. She was a member of the Smithville First United Methodist Church and former owner of the Keltonburg Grocery Store. She was also a retired nurse, sales clerk, and a dispatcher. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Michael Hale will officiate and burial will be in the Keltonburg Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer Cecil and Ethel Taylor Hall; her husband, Gentry Lee Cantrell; a daughter, Darlene Haas; and a sister, Ruby Brown DeBruce. Survivors include her children Jerry Lee and his wife Jane Cantrell of Smithville. Ronald Glynn and his wife Judy Cantrell of McMinnville. Phillip Wayne and his wife Marilyn Cantrell of Smithville. Regina Hope Bates of Smithville. Twelve grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren survive along with two sisters, Patricia Wooten of Mount Clemens, Michigan and Joan Burge of Clinton Township, Michigan. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Thelma Bell Davenport Mathis

82 year old Thelma Bell Davenport Mathis of Liberty died Monday morning at DeKalb Hospital. She was a member of the Cave Springs Missionary Baptist Church and a homemaker. The funeral will be Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Charles Allen Gentry and Dewey Dyer will officiate and burial will be in the Sycamore Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.; and Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 10:00 a.m. An Eastern Star service will be held Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney Tolbert and Lou Ola Bransford Davenport; a daughter, Sharon Starr Mathis; brothers, U.C. and Homer Davenport; and a sister, Velma Lois Wilkerson. Survivors include her husband, Guy G. Mathis of Liberty. Three children, Patricia Ann and her husband Odie Tallent of Smithville, Thelma Guylene and her husband, Dr. Robert R. Atnip of Smithville, and Van Miller and his wife Debbie Mathis of Liberty. Nine grandchildren, Louie Hendrixson, Jill Goneke, Javon Hendrixson, Lisa Tramel, Bob Atnip, Tara Jane Summers, Jared Atnip, Eric Mathis, Pamela Shaw. Two step-grandchildren, Josh and Jason Tallent. Seven great grandchildren, Andy Hendrixson, Chase and Caleb Tramel, Ari Scott, Preston Summers, Chandler, and Olivia Shaw. One brother, William B. Davenport of Lebanon. Three sisters, Elease Cripps and Robbie Sanders of Lebanon and Maxine Bowers of Gallatin. A sister-in-law, Thelma Davenport of Lebanon. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Pauline Mason

75 year old Pauline Mason of Smithville died Sunday of an extended illness at DeKalb Hospital. She was a Baptist and a retired police dispatcher. A graveside service will be held Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the Sycamore Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents, Brunell and Annie Duggin Gassaway; her husband, Alton E. Mason; and a son, Larry Mason. She is survived by a nephew, Mike and his wife Trena Gassaway of Smithville. Sisters-in-law, Pauline Witty of Woodbury, Ruth Mason of Michigan City, Indiana, and Ruby Carroll of Knoxville. Ms. Mason’s remains have been cremated. There will be no visitation or service at the funeral home. Family and friends will gather at Sycamore Cemetery on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Troy Malcolm Lee

73 year old Troy Malcolm Lee of Liberty died Sunday morning at his residence of a sudden illness. He was a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation and was self-employed in hardwood flooring. The funeral will be Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Smithville Church of God where he was a member. Donnie Kelly will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the church and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 3:30 p.m. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wynona Corrilyn “Mimi” Lee and a grandson, Adam Troy Lee. Survivors include special friend, Janet Clendenon of Liberty. Seven children, Troy Malcolm Lee, Jr. of Gasden, Alabama; Robin Lee Rushing of Northport, Alabama; Holly Barnes of Smithville; Bradley Hughes Lee of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Tracey Lee and Kelly Lee Hollingsworth both of Smithville; and Christopher Phillips Lee of Atlanta, Georgia. Seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren survive along with four brothers, Russell Lee, Charles Daniel Lee, Jr., Ebb Lee, and Roy Lee all of Alabama. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Woman Severely Burned After Apparently Smoking In Bed

A 62 year old resident of Fiddler’s Manor Apartments on Walker Drive was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga Sunday morning with severe burns after apparently smoking in bed .
The name of the woman is being withheld pending notification of her family.
Detective Sergeant Chris Russell of the Smithville Police Department says Officer Marcus Caldwell responded to the call around 11:00 a.m. The Smithville Volunteer Fire Department was also summoned to the scene.
Upon arrival, Officer Caldwell and another resident found smoke coming from under the door of the woman’s apartment. Caldwell forced open the door and found the apartment filled with smoke. The woman was in the bathroom and she had suffered severe burns on her head, back, and the sides of her body.
Officer Caldwell removed the woman from the apartment. She was treated at the scene by DeKalb EMS and airlifted from the parking lot of Smithville Elementary School by a Life Force Helicopter Ambulance and flown to Erlanger Hospital.
The other sixteen residents of the apartment complex were evacuated from the building as a precaution, but no one else was injured.
Detective Sergeant Russell says the preliminary investigation is that the woman may have been smoking in bed and either caught her clothing or some other cloth material on fire. Authorities believe she had gone from the bedroom to the bathroom in an attempt to extinguish the fire.
The woman’s apartment apparently received little or no fire damage, and no other apartment was affected by the fire.

Sandra Kay Witty Willoughby

50 year old Sandra Kay Witty Willoughby of Alexandria died Thursday at UMC of Lebanon of an extended illness. She was a Warren County native, a member of the Alexandria Church of Christ, and an order entry employee for Goldner Company. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Trey Helton and Howard Knox will officiate and burial will be in Riverside Gardens. Survivors include her husband, John Willoughby of Alexandria. A daughter, Katie Willoughby of Alexandria. Two step-sons, Johnathon and his wife Rena Willoughby of Smithville and Jessie Willoughby of Dowelltown. Two grandchildren, Lydia and Jathan Willoughby of Smithville. Her father, Howard Witty and his wife Barbara Witty of McMinnville. Three step-brothers, Brent, Greg, and Derrick Pennington of McMinnville. Her mother-in-law, Georgie Willoughby of Hickman. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sylvia Stewart Witty. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Relay For Life Huge Success

Hundreds gathered at Green Brook Park Friday night for the annual Relay for Life fund raiser sponsored by the DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society and the event has generated more than $97,000.
There was plenty of food for sale, games for kids, a male beauty contest, a candle light illumination ceremony, a cancer survivors walk, and more, all in an effort to raise money to find a cure for cancer.
Iva dell Randolph says this year’s goal of $100,000 was almost met with still some more money yet to come in. “As of Saturday morning, we had collected and deposited in the bank, $97,562. We want to thank everyone for their support.”
SW Manufacturing’s team raised $7,426, more than any other team. Smithville Elementary School had the best decorated camp, and K & M Jewelry was recognized for having the Most Spirit.
Mark “Kitty” Violet was the winner of the male beauty contest.

Scholarships Awarded To Fifty Three Students At DCHS

Fifty three members of the Class of 2006 at DeKalb County High School received scholarship awards during Friday’s annual Senior Awards Day program.
Colleges, universities, businesses, civic groups, and other organizations presenting awards and their recipients are as follows:
Tennessee State University:
Four year $36,000 Minority Scholarship- Keitha Pryor
Middle Tennessee State University:
$1,000 Raider Scholarship-Paige Reeder
$5,000 Neill Sandler Scholarship- Bethany Davis
$6,000 Four year Provost Scholarships- Charles Cox, Justin Hooper, Shane Baker, and Sean Leiser
$12,000 Academic Service Scholarships- Samantha Emerson, Ben Malone, and Jacob Norton
Tennessee Tech University:
Athletic Scholarship to play golf- Tara Cantrell
$16,000 Four year Academic Scholarship & $1,000 College of Engineering Scholarship- Kirk Micheals
Valedictorian Scholarship/ Human Ecology Department (Martin and Lorraine Peters Endowed Scholarship $2,500 per year)- Elise Cantrell
$8,000 Golden Eagle Diversity Residential Life Scholarship- Jessica Ingram
$4,000 Legacy Scholarship- Aaron Young
$3,500 Science Fair Scholarship- Zachary Fuson
$1,000 College of Business Administration Louise N. Taylor Endowed Scholarship- Kheela Blair
Tennessee Technology Center at Livingston:
Academic Scholarships- Benjamin Nolt and Samantha Walker
Vol State Community College:
$1,500 Division Academic Service Scholarship- Corey Williams, Samantha Walker, and Caitlin Robinson
Cumberland University:
$2,500 per year Academic Scholarship- Bethany Sims
Academic Scholarship- Paige Bass
University of Tennessee at Knoxville:
$1,500 per year University Scholarship- Daniel Alexander
$3,000 per year Volunteer Scholarship- Courtney Curtis
U.S. Army:
$37,144 Montgomery GI Bill Award- Matthew Sorrell
U.S. Marine Corps:
$36,000 Scholarship- Alesha Billings
Distinguished Athlete Awards- Ben Malone and Tara Cantrell
Scholastic Excellence Award- Elise Cantrell
Motlow State Community College:
$4,000 Academic Service Scholarships- Joshua Hendrixson and Sara Jared
Tennessee Titans:
$1,200 Community Service & Leadership Scholarship- Ben Malone
DeKalb Hospital:
$1,000 Scholarship- Christen Hale
Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship (Caney Fork Chapter)- Malea Adamson
Smithville Women’s Club:
$500 Scholarships- Paige Preston and Malea Adamson
Lucille Stewart Memorial:
$2,000 Scholarships- Jacob Nokes and Cody Randolph
Matthew McAfee Memorial:
$2,000 Scholarship- Ashley Underhill
DeKalb Foundation for Education:
$500 Scholarship- Kristen Strickland
Kenny and Kyle Robinson Memorial:
$1,000 Scholarship- Paige Reeder
DeKalb County Scottish Rite:
$1,000 Scholarship- Janda Emmons
Eddie Crips Memorial:
$1,000 Scholarship- Janda Emmons
Liberty State Bank:
$1,000 Scholarships- Kealah Curtis and Kheela Blair
Chris Lawson Memorial:
$500 Scholarship- Kristen Strickland
Pizza Inn/Bumpers Drive-In :
$1,000 Scholarship- Kristen Strickland
Charlene Morrison Johns Memorial Senior Achievement Award for Excellence:
$500 Award- Susan Willis and Jacob Norton
DeKalb Funeral Chapel:
$500 Scholarships- Bethany Davis and Janda Emmons
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home:
$500 Scholarships- Whitney Rice, Zachary Fuson, and Chase Bradford
Allen Hooper Memorial:
$500 Scholarship-Corey Williams
DeKalb Farmers Coop:
$500 Scholarship- Aaron Young
DCHS Class of 1966:
$500 Scholarship- Whitney Rice
AmSouth Bank:
$500 Scholarship- Amanda Green
Smithville Rotary Club:
$500 Scholarships- Paige Reeder and Krista Puckett
$100 Math Award- Charles Cox
$100 Vocational Award- Sarah Randolph
DeKalb Retired Teachers Association:
$500 Scholarships- Jason Lattimore and Josh Odom
Smithville Business & Professional Women’s Club:
$500 Scholarships- Tiffany Nicole Waggoner and Janda Emmons
Leadership DeKalb Alumni Association:
$500 Scholarship- Daniel Alexander
DeKalb Republican Women:
$500 Scholarship- Kris Robinson
Agee Oil Company:
$1,200 Scholarship- Daniel Alexander
Amvets Post #101:
$250 Scholarship- Zack Lay
Amvets Post #101 Ladies Auxiliary:
$250 Scholarship- Josh Ramsey
DeKalb County Fire Fighters Association:
$250 Scholarships- Elicia Taylor, Whitney Rice, and Ashley Underhill
DCHS Class of 1969:
$250 Scholarship- Kevin Colvert
Elzie & Nell McBride Memorial:
$500 Scholarship- Jacob Norton
DeKalb County Soil Conservation District:
$500 Scholarship- Zachary Fuson
DCHS Student Council:
$250 Scholarship- Janda Emmons
Studio Six Photography:
$200 Scholarships- Ashley Underhill and Nicole Linn
Two students, Shane Miller and Jacob Norton, received awards for perfect attendance during their four years at DCHS.
Two teachers, Betty Paris and Joey Reeder, were also recognized for perfect attendance this year.
Harriett Cantrell was named DCHS Teacher of the Year as selected by the faculty.
The Tennessee Scholars is a recognition program that encourages students to take a more rigorous and challenging course of study in high school. It is a partnership between the school district, County Mayor’s office, the education committee of the Chamber of Commerce, the State Department of Education, Tennessee Chambers of Commerce and Industries, and the Tennessee Business Round Table.
The Tennessee Scholars have met a rigorous program of study, which includes advanced math, science and technical classes, have maintained a good record of discipline and attendance and have completed at least twenty hours of community service.
The following students from DCHS are this year’s Tennessee’s Scholars: Daniel Alexander, Tara Cantrell, Courtney Curtis, Samantha Emerson, Janda Emmons, Kalee Finley, Amanda Green, Justin Hooper, Jessica Ingram, Sara Jared, Nicole Linn, Ben Malone, Jacob Norton, Lourdes Quezada, Cody Randolph, Caitlin Robinson, Kris Robinson, Amanda Scott, Kathy Scott, Bethany Sims, Matthew Taylor, Ashley Underhill, Corey Williams, Susan Willis, and Aaron Young.
Other senior awards and the recipients are as follows:
Senior Band Awards: U.S. Marines “Semper Fidelis”- Josh Hendrixson; Outstanding Senior Musician- Corey Williams; Most Improved Senior Musician- Kathy Scott; Most Dedicated Senior Band Student- Zach Fuson; Outstanding Color Guard Member- Samantha Emerson.
Outstanding FCCLA Seniors- Amy Williams and Susan Willis.
U.S. Marines Scholastic Excellence Award- Elise Cantrell.
Distinguished Athlete Awards- Ben Malone and Tara Cantrell
Economics Award for Outstanding Achievement- Courtney Curtis and Daniel Alexander
Government Award for Outstanding Achievement- Ben Malone and Malea Adamson
Advanced English IV- Shane Baker and Kirk Michaels
English IV- Alesha Billings and Lulu Quezada
Art- Erica Brown and Nicole Linn
Health Science Education- Shane Baker
Forensic Science Academic Achievement- Kristen Strickland and Corey Williams
Theatre Arts Best Actress- Susan Willis; Theatre Arts Best Supporting Actress- Ashley Craver and Kathy Scott; Theatre Arts Best Supporting Actor-Cody Byars; Theatre Arts Best Animated Character- Amy Williams.
Student Council Vice-President- Zach Fuson; Student Council Treasurer- Sean Leiser; Student Council Senior Members- Jacob Norton, Janda Emmons, Ben Malone, Amy Adkins, Ashley Craver, Bethany Davis, Jessica Ingram.
Overall Business Award- Kris Robinson
Yearbook Awards: Co-Editors- Elise Cantrell and Keitha Pryor; Business Manager- Shane Miller; Features Editor- Matthew Taylor.
Most Improved Math Student- Ricardo Gutierrez
Math Award- Jessica West
Database- Andrew Nunley and Ryan Taylor