Elizabeth Caldwell

94 year old Elizabeth “Lizzie” Caldwell of Smithville died Monday at NHC Healthcare Center. She was a homemaker and a member of the Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Martha Mahathy Arnold; her husband, George Caldwell, Sr.; a son, George Caldwell, Jr.; and four grandchildren. Survivors include a son, Ralph Tommy Caldwell of Dowelltown. Two daughters, Marie Nixon of Watertown and Shirley Southard of Smithville. One sister, Ruby Vaughn of Dowelltown. Eight grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Deputy Fired For Alleged Inappropriate Contact With Female Prisoner

A DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy has been terminated for alleged inappropriate contact with a woman he placed in custody Friday night.
Sheriff Lloyd Emmons confirms that he has dismissed Officer David Sharp.
According to Sheriff Emmons the woman, who was taken into custody by Officer Sharp for violation of probation, was upset when she arrived at the jail, complaining to the staff that she had been the victim of a sexual assault.
The Sheriff’s Department conducted an internal administrative investigation while the TBI is conducting a criminal probe into the matter, including the collection of DNA evidence.
Sheriff Emmons says the woman has been moved to another location where she is receiving counseling.

Murfreesboro Man Injured In Motorcycle/Car Accident

A 58 year old Murfreesboro man was injured around 5:05 p.m. Saturday afternoon in a motorcycle/car collision on Highway 96 (Dale Ridge Road).
Stephen M. Brown of Greenbrier Drive, Murfreesboro was taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Hospital.
Sergeant Billy Prater of the Tennessee Highway Patrol says 57 year old Mary J. Farris of Capshaw Road, Smithville was operating a 2004 Chevy Malibu attempting to enter Highway 96 from a private drive at 908 Dale Ridge Road, when she failed to yield the right of way and pulled into the path of a northbound 2004 Suzuki motorcycle, operated by Brown.
Sergeant Prater says Brown applied his brakes, laid the motorcycle down, and slid into the left front corner of the car.
Farris was not injured.
The accident was investigated by Trooper Allen England of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, assisted by Sergeant Prater, and officers Kenneth Whitehead, Jon Slager, and Mike Murphy of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Members of the Liberty Volunteer Fire Department also responded.

Smithville Police Make Arrest In Drug Store Burglary

Smithville Police have apparently solved the burglary of a local doctor’s office and pharmacy with the arrest of a 28 year old man.
Detective Sergeant Chris Russell of the Smithville Police Department says Samuel Wade Walker of 128 Jerry Walker Drive, Smithville has been charged with sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (percocets), theft over $10,000, and two counts of burglary. His bond is set at $140,000.
Walker is charged in connection with a break-in on Thursday, May 18th at the office of Dr. Melvin Blevins and Johnny’s Drugs.
During the pre-dawn hours of May 18th, Russell says someone broke out a rear window at Dr. Blevins’ office at the Center Hill Medical Building and entered.
Once inside, several attempts were made to make entry to the drug store next door through the wall.
After bursting through a sheet rock wall, the intruder or intruders removed from the pharmacy a large quantity of controlled substances including oxycontin, hydrocodone and xanax. The intruder or intruders then left, going back out the same way they came in.
Detective Sergeant Russell says police got a break in the case on Friday, May 26th when Police Chief Gus Clemente received an anonymous tip that Walker had a substantial amount of prescriptions at his residence.
Chief Clemente assigned Detective Sergeant Russell to the case and he initiated an investigation. Search warrants were subsequently executed and served at Walker’s home around 10:30 p.m. Friday night.
Detective Sergeant Russell says while executing the search warrant, he found a metal lock box in Walker’s bedroom closet. Inside the lock box were various prescription medications including percocets, xanax, morphine, tylox, subutex, avinza, and liquid morphine. The lock box also contained $1,200 in cash.
Russell says the drugs were positively identified as the narcotics taken in the burglary at Johnny’s Drug Store.
He says the street value of these drugs is estimated at $300,000.
Detective Sergeant Russell was assisted by Smithville Police Officer Steve Deffendoll, Deputy Jon Slager of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, the TBI and the Middle Tennessee Drug Task Force.
More arrests may be forthcoming as a result of this investigation.

VFW Honors Gold Star Mother During Memorial Day Weekend Program

The VFW POST 7623 held a Memorial Day weekend breakfast service Sunday morning and honored Gold Star Mother Norene Anderson, whose son, Ronnie Reeder, was killed during the Vietnam War.
Other Gold Star Mothers were invited to attend, but apparently could not be present.
Ms. Anderson says she is thankful that there are still some people who recognize the sacrifices of those who have served their country. “I appreciate the VFW for all they do to remember those people who gave their lives. I was reading a letter from my son yesterday and he said, ?mother, when you hear the expression war is hell, it is’. He knew. He was right in the midst of the Vietnam war. It’s a blessing that some people remember. A lot of people don’t remember. I appreciate the VFW and all they do.”
County Mayor Mike Foster, the guest speaker, says all veterans and those who died in action, should be remembered throughout the year and not just during Memorial Day. “The people in this room are the ones that have made a difference in this world, not just in our community. If it hadn’t been for them, there wouldn’t be freedom probably anywhere in the world. I think we need to appreciate all the veterans from all the wars, what they have done, and the sacrifices they have made for us. We need to honor and respect them. We need to instill in our people the importance of freedom and how we need to sacrifice for that if we have to.”
Foster continued, ” I remember going to Ronnie Reeder’s funeral and that brought a realism to me. Up until that time, a veteran was from World War II or Korea. But when it’s someone you knew and played sports with, it brings things home to you. We need to involve our young people, even in those tragic situations, so they realize those sacrifices are real. It’s very important to keep these traditions alive. That’s what we need to hold onto.”
At the conclusion of the program, a wreath was laid at the monument outside the VFW building, which bears the names of local servicemen who died during World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Two Men Face Federal Charges For Distribution Of Marijuana

Two alleged marijuana dealers in Warren and Cannon County have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury stemming from a two and a half year old undercover investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, the Southeastern Drug Enforcement Agency, the Middle Tennessee Drug Enforcement Agency, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Agency, and the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
48 year old Jeffory Carl Young of Short Mountain Road, Woodbury and 53 year old Morris Edward Roller of Lance Road, McMinnville are each indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute over 2,200 pounds of marijuana and a multi-count indictment for distribution of marijuana.
Young, a convicted felon, was arrested in a traffic stop in Manchester on Wednesday. Authorities found and seized some handguns at his home.
Roller was picked up at his Warren County farm on Wednesday. He was in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest.
Both are in federal custody in Hamilton County.
Authorities have seized 31 parcels of land, equaling 1900 acres with a tax appraisal of $2.5 million; more than $10,000 in cash; and over ten pounds of marijuana.
Investigators also confiscated two farm tractors, a round hay baler, semi-truck, a ton truck, and a bob cat loader, all believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the sale of drugs.
The Tennessee Department of Revenue has also levied a $60,000 tax against the two men, which they will have to pay.
Warren County Investigator Patrick Ray says more arrests are forthcoming as a result of this investigation, including some from DeKalb County.

Howard Lee Patton

68 year old Howard Lee Patton of Smithville died Thursday of cancer at his residence. He was an electrician, plumber, and a member of the Webb’s Chapel United Methodist Church. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Tim Ferguson, Junior Hibdon, and Donald Owens will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Franklin and Cartie Clelia Cantrell Patton. Survivors include his wife Jean Patton of Smithville. Children, Lisa and her husband Eddie Rowland and Angie and her husband Barry Reed all of Smithville; David and his wife Shelly Patton of Atlanta, Georgia; and Sherry and her husband Phil Hanks of Nashville. Five grandchildren, Amanda, John, and Hannah Reed, Caleb Rowland, and a foster grandchild Eric Dysinger. One brother, Frank Thomas Patton of Mount Juliet and two aunts, Jean Haley and Nell Cantrell both of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the American Cancer Society in memory of Mr. Patton

Billy Cantrell

49 year old Billy Cantrell of Smithville died Tuesday night of a short illness at DeKalb Hospital. He was a Baptist and was employed as a group leader at Nissan. The funeral will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. James Williams and David Mahan will officiate and burial will be in Whorton Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Houston, Sr. and Elsie Mae Taylor Cantrell. Survivors include his wife, Doris Cantrell of Smithville. Children, Amanda and her husband Jimmy Vaughn; Houston Cantrell; Maranda and her husband Michael Washer all of Smithville. A daughter-in-law, Brandy Green Cantrell of Smithville. Two grandchildren, William Hunter Cantrell and Gabriel Allen Washer. A brother, Buddy and his wife Deborah Fuson of Cabot, Arkansas. A niece, Jennifer and her husband Jon Kennedy of Little Rock, Arkansas and a nephew, Jeffery and his wife Meg Fuson of Macon, Georgia. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in memory of Mr. Cantrell in lieu of flowers.

Leverne Barnes

52 year old E. Leverne Barnes of McMinnville died Tuesday at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga of an extended illness. He was a factory worker and a member of the Mount Hope The Baptist Church. The funeral will be Friday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville. Tim Pelham, Tim Bennett, and Greg Hibdon will officiate and burial will be in the Jefferson Cemetery in DeKalb County. Visitation will be Friday from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service. He was preceded in death by his father, A.B. Barnes; a brother, Willard Twain Barnes; his grandfathers, Grover Barnes and John Taylor Russell; and grandmothers, Mary Emma Barnes and Maggie Ella Russell. Survivors include his wife, Janis E. Barnes of McMinnville. A son, Johnathan Barnes of McMinnville. His mother, Anna Ruth Barnes of McMinnville. A sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Billy Rankhorn of McMinnville. A niece, Ashley Barnes of Illinois and several other friends and relatives. Love-Cantrell & Cope Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.

Anna Faye Cripps

63 year old Anna Faye Cripps of Smithville died Monday at Vanderbilt Hospital. She was a retired assembly line worker at Federal Mogul and a member of the Mount Mariah Baptist Church. The funeral will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Haskell and Nancie Johnson Pack and a daughter, Shelley Cripps. Survivors include a daughter, Flesha and her husband Al Collins of Watertown. Two sons, Troy and his wife Jamie Cripps and Jason and his wife Bethany Cripps all of Smithville. Three granddaughters, Carrie Morgan Collins of Watertown and Elizabeth and Ellie Cripps of Smithville. Four grandsons, Matthew Collins of Watertown and Jackson, Haden, and Dylan Cripps of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the service time at 1:00 p.m. The family requests that donations be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home for burial expenses in lieu of flowers.