84 year old Melvin Eugene “Gene” Gillette of Smithville died Sunday after a long illness.
A retired owner/operator of Gillette Service Center, a retired United States Air Force veteran for 20 years of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and a member of the Baptist Church, he was the son of the late Charlie L. and Cleo Della Neeley Gillette. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ralph Gillette; niece, Mildred Lee; and granddaughter, Amber Nicole Tilton.
He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Gena and Steve Tilton of McMinnville; one son, Greg Lee Gillette; two grandsons, Kaleb and Nicholas Tilton of McMinnville; sister-in-law, Maureen Gillette of the Dibrell Community; special friend, Jo Grace Lowery of Smithville; and many more friends and family survive.
He was a member of American Legion Post 173, VFW Post 5064 and the Lions Club. He was a volunteer for many years with the VA Hospital.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at High’s Chapel with Bill Hall officiating. Burial will follow in New Union Cemetery, DeKalb County with full military honors administered by VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at High’s.
High Funeral Home in McMinnville is in charge of the arrangements.

32 year old Daniel Luke Caldwell of Rock Island died early Sunday morning from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Warren County. He was a born again Christian and was formerly employed at Federal Mogul. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Banks Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the service at 2:00 p.m. Caldwell was preceded in death by a brother, Jacob Lee Caldwell; his maternal grandfather, Austin Scurlock; his paternal grandparents, Wade and Pearline Caldwell; and an uncle, Larry Scurlock. Survivors include his parents, Terry and wife Donna Scurlock Caldwell of Rock Island. Maternal grandmother, Ruth Vanatta Scurlock of Smithville. Five aunts, Diana Thomas and Jannie Gordon both of Michigan, Janice Johnson and Pam Miller both of Smithville and Peggy Scurlock of Kentucky. Three uncles, Gordon Caldwell of Michigan, Danny and wife Teresa Scurlock and Jeff and wife Debbie Scurlock all of Smithville. One nephew, Andrew Caldwell of Smithville and several cousins and friends. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

89 year old Louise G. Dodd died Sunday March 24 at Heritage Park Care Center in Colorado. She and her late husband, Grady Dodd ran the Hosiery Mill for many years and then later Lou Ann Fashions. She was a member of the Smithville First Baptist Church for many years. At the age of 87, she decided to move to Colorado. She is survived by a daughter, Esther RS Claridge and her husband Marvin of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; 4 Grandchildren and 5 Great-Grandchildren; several cousins and many friends. A graveside celebration of life service will be at 2:PM Wednesday April 17 at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the local arrangements.

68 year old Hoyt Caldwell of Smithville died Thursday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was self-employed and a Baptist. He was the son of the late Roscoe and Beulah Redmon Caldwell, in addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Martha Caldwell; Brother, Carl Caldwell; Sister, Joyce Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell is survived by wife Jeanine Cook Caldwell of Smithville; Son, Daniel Caldwell of New Jersey; Step-Children, Brenda (Arthur) Aguilera of Chicago, IL., Randy (Debbie) Gregory of Westmoreland, Joy (Charlie) Parker of Smithville, Jill (Mark) McSparren of Rhome, Texas; Sisters, Carolyn and Henrietta Caldwell both of Smithville, Charlotte (Hank) Ballew of Dubai U.A.E.; 9 Grandchildren and several Great Grandchildren. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2: 00 p.m. Sunday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Michael Hale officiating and burial in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will Saturday 11:AM until 8:PM and Sunday 9:AM until the time of service at 2:PM.

Mrs. Lera D. Walden, age 75 of Alexandria, TN passed away Monday, April 8, 2013 at Bellwood Assisted Living.
Mrs. Walden was born March 10, 1938 in Liberty, TN the daughter of the late William Delton Vanatta, Sr. and Ruth Lude Hunt. She married J.B. Walden on November 5, 1971 and he preceded her in death on August 14, 2004. She was also preceded in death by Two Siblings; Lois Gregory and Ray Donald Vanatta. She worked at Watertown and Alexandria Garment, Norvell, Dress Barn, and Cracker Barrel. She was also a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Lebanon, TN.
She is survived by her Son; James “Randy” (Kathy) Slager of Alexandria, TN. Two Grandchildren; Stephanie Elizabeth (Joseph) Peek of Algood, TN and James Wesley (Valerie) Slager of Alexandria, TN. Five Great Grandchildren; Gracie Peek, Garrett Peek, James Kolton Slager, Kolby Jackson Slager, and Kyra McKay Slager. Brother; William Delton (Pat) Vanatta, Jr. of Lebanon, TN. Two Sisters; Lucille (Hoyt) Garrison of Alexandria, TN and Brenda (David) Denney of Lebanon, TN.
Graveside Services for Mrs. Walden are scheduled to be conducted 10AM Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at Hillview Memorial Cemetery with Bro. Thurman Seber and Bobby Kelley officiating.
Visitation with the Walden family will be at Avant Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2PM to 8PM and on Wednesday after 9AM until we leave for the cemetery at 9:45AM.

91 year old Ethel “Dean” Trapp of Smithville died Monday at NHC Healthcare Center in Smithville. She was a homemaker and a member of the Smithville Church of Christ. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Dan Gulley will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 11:00 a.m. Trapp was preceded in death by her parents, Festus Dewitt and Eddye May Terry Stoots; her husband, James Fantly “Pig” Trapp; a brother, William Stoots; and a half-sister, Ruth Redwood. Survivors include a son, Terry Trapp of Smithville. A granddaughter, Hayley Culwell and husband Jonathon of Smithville. Two great grandchildren, Noah and Hannah Culwell. Special friend, Maxine Trapp of Smithville. Special nephew, Dan Stoots of Smithville and a cousin, Don Terry of McMinnville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

64 year old Larry Hale died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. Born in Detroit Michigan, he was a resident of Short Mountain Road, Smithville. Hale was worked in maintenance at Federal-Mogul in Smithville and was a veteran of Vietnam having served in the Army and earning the Purple Heart. The funeral will be Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Dennis Ellis, Nick Pelham, and Chad Hale will officiate. Burial will be in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Hale was preceded in death by his parents, Shelah (Duck) Hale and Jewell Bryson Hale Melton; his step dad, Frank Melton; his wife, Brenda Hale and his brother, Freddy Hale. He is survived by two daughters, Kristie and husband Charles Nokes and Shelia and husband Chris Ellis of the Short Mountain Community. Four granddaughters, Olivia and Travis Neal, Lyndsey Miller, Ashlyn Ellis, and Lilly Ellis. One great granddaughter, Caroline Neal. Siblings, Brenda and Gerald Motley, Harry and Eddena Hale, and James and Marilyn Hale all of the Short Mountain Community. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

One month old Patrick Randall Wilson Fults of Liberty died early Saturday morning at his residence. The funeral will be Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. B.J. Thomason will officiate and burial will be in the Nichols and Fults Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. until the service at 4:00 p.m. The child was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Roy Wesley Fults; his maternal grandfather, Jr. Randall Smith; and an aunt, Pat Fults. Survivors include his parents, Jeffery Fults and Maranda Smith of Liberty. One brother, Kenny LeAllen Fults of Woodbury. Two sisters, Keegyan Leigh Rutland of Liberty and Mardee Juliet Diane Fults of Norene. Paternal grandmother, Martha Fults of Smithville, maternal grandmother, Mary Smith of Smithville. Great grandmother, Louise Smith of Smithville. Seven aunts and uncles, Russell and Helen Fults and Ricky and Janie Fults all of Liberty, Wesley “Bull” Fults of Woodbury, Jacky Fults, Jeff and Diane Hardin, Amanda and Ralph McIntyre, and Josh McCowen all of Smithville. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins survive. The family asks that donations please be made to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home to help with burial expenses, in lieu of flowers. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

51 year old Lonnie Lee Brown of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a factory worker. The funeral will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. at DeKalb Funeral Chapel. Robert Shepphard will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from noon until 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the service at 1:00 p.m. Brown was preceded in death by his mother, Margie Jane Brown; brothers, Carl Freeman Brown; John Ricky Brown, and Roscoe J Brown; and a sister, Judy Brown. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Carol Brown of Smithville. Two children, Lonnie JB Brown and Shanna Marie Brown both of Smithville. Grandchildren, Lilly Ann Brown and Rebecca Lee Brown. Father, J.B. Brown of Celina. Sisters, Joan Marie McCormick of Gainesboro and Dorothy Sanders of Smithville. Brothers, Glen Brown, David Bruce Brown, Enoch Lee Brown, and Curtis Wayne Brown all of Smithville. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. The family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses, in lieu of flowers.

56 year old Shelia Austin of Elkton, Kentucky died early Thursday morning there. She was a member of the Church of God. The funeral will be Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Marty Goddard will officiate and burial will be in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry Austin; parents, James and Marion Jackson; and a sister, Linda Carol Jackson. Survivors include a son, Scott and wife Brandi Austin and two grandchlldren, Sean and Jade Austin all of Woodbury. One brother, Donnie and wife Cindy Jackson of Lebanon. Two sisters, Cathy and husband Vince Miller of Knoxville and Darlene Ferrell of Lebanon. Step mother, Ruth Jackson of Smithville. Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.