Mr. Jerry Coker, age 57 of the Rock City Community, died Wednesday evening, April 23 at Highpoint-Riverview in Carthage.  He is survived by: wife, Sharon Coker; 3 daughters, Jennifer Coker and fiancee’ Danny Perez of Lafayette, Candise Hicks and husband Dee of Illinois, Shandie Alfieri of Pawpaw, Michigan; sons, David Sevensky and wife Jennifer of Chestnut Mound, Dustin Coker and wife Kaden of the Rock City Community, Justin Coker and wife Katelynn of the Rome Community; 2 brothers, Bobby Coker and wife Kim of Carthage, Terry Coker and wife of Hartsville; 15 grandchildren.  

Mr. Coker is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Monday afternoon, April 28 at 1:00 PM.  Eld. Barney Allison and Eld. Mike Turnipseed will officiate.  Interment in the Willow Grove Cemetery in the Templow Community.   Serving as pallbearers are: Truman Tuck, Brady Bowdeu, Blake Grisham, Dee Hicks, Michael Bane, Mike Scurlock; Honorary pallbearers, Bo Hiett, Scotty Lambert, Rodney McCormick, Logan Colyer, Konner Hicks, Jim Bo Evans.  

Visitation on Monday only from 11:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM.

Mr. Danny Andrews, age 75 of Lebanon, died Wednesday evening, April 23 at his home.  He is survived by: wife, Wanda Andrews; 2 children, Phillip Andrews and wife Jenny of Tuckers Cross Roads, Katie Andrews Wilson of Gainesboro;  4 grandchildren, Trinity Wilson, Willow Wilson, Raelynn Wilson, Colt Jones; 2 sisters, Bonnie Jones and husband Ronnie of Mt. Juliet, June Andrews of Lebanon; 2 brothers, Howard Andrews of Bowling Green , Kentucky, Jerry Andrews and wife Robin of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Fur Baby, Reesey

Mr. Andrews is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Saturday afternoon, April 26 at 1:00 PM.  Bro. Glen Denton will officiate.  Interment in the Sanderson Cemetery in Pleasant Shade with Russell Woodard, Ronnie Harris and Joe Matthews presenting the eulogies.   Serving as pallbearers are: Ronnie Harris, Joe Matthews, K. K. West, George West, Kameron West, J. C. Butler, Shane Dillard, Charlie Andrews, Todd Andrews, Brently Harris.  

Visitation on Saturday only from 11:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM.  

Mrs. Velma Beth Martin, age 60, of the Popes Hill Community in Smith County, TN, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Mrs. Martin was born March 24, 1965 in Carthage, TN, a daughter of the late William Riley Bates and Marion Star Maynard Bates. She married Jerry Lynn Martin and he preceded her in death on December 22, 2023. Mrs. Martin was also preceded in death by Sisters; Barbara Heimbach and Victoria Lee.

Mrs. Martin is survived by Children; Thomas Quinton (Monica) Bates of Harrogate, TN, and Joshua Evitts of Carthage, TN. Stepchildren: Savana Martin of Lebanon, TN, Justin (Autumn) Martin of Mt. Juliet, TN, and Adam (Rebecca) Martin of Lebanon, TN. Dog; Dawson. Ten grandchildren. Siblings; Faye (Ralph) Beckwith of Donelson, TN, Ronnie (Mary) Bates of Smithville, TN, Donnie (Judy) Bates of Lancaster, TN, Jimmy (Diane) Bates of Brush Creek, TN, Judy Mallory of Smithville, TN, Sherrie (David Ward) Bates of Smithville, TN, Jenny (Paul Strack) Bates of Red Boiling Springs, TN, Gail (Jerry) Petty of Gordonsville, TN, Tina (John Swanson) Bates of Gallatin, TN, Barry (Bobbi) Bates of Lafayette, TN, and Molly (Scott Taylor) Slager of Chattanooga, TN. Numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Martin are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 2PM with Bro. Guy Buckner officiating. Interment will follow in the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Friday from 2PM until 8PM and on Saturday after 10AM until service time at 2PM.

Mrs. Tommie Jean Clemons age 94, a homemaker of Carthage, was called to her heavenly home of eternal rest with her family at her bedside on Tuesday morning April 22, 2025 at the Highpoint Health-Riverview Medical Center in Carthage.

Funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home will be conducted on Thursday morning April 24th at 11 a.m. with Dr. Jim Clardy and Bro. Tom Pierce officiating. Following the services, burial will be beside her husband. parents and sister in the center section at the Granville Cemetery. Visitation  at Sanderson on Wednesday from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Thursday from 9:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM.  

The daughter of the late Hugh Hill McKinley who died at the age of 75 on June 20, 1948 and Nellie Lois Carter McKinley Cornwell who died at the age of 82 on August 1, 1987, she was born Tommie Jean McKinley in the Granville Community of Jackson County on August 30, 1930.

Mrs. Clemons step-father, the late Will Henry “Willie” Cornwell, also preceded her in death on September 22, 1959 at the age of 75.

Her only sibling, a sister, Ida Sue McKinley Reeves died in Murfreesboro on May 21, 2019 at the age of 86.

Mrs. Clemons was a member of the 1948 graduating class of the Jackson County Central High School and was transferred her junior year from Granville High School.

While at Granville she was a member of the Music Club her freshman and sophomore year where she served as President her sophomore year, was a member of the broadcast society her freshman year and where she also served as president.

Following transfer to Jackson County Central both her junior and senior year she was a member of the Future Homemakers of America serving as the class song leader, was the campus beauty her junior year, and her senior year, was a member of the Beta Club and was in the Beta Club play, an attendant to both the Beta Club Queen and Football Queen, served as class treasurer, a member of the Pep Squad and a member of “The Hickory” annual staff, serving as circulation manager. Mrs. Tommie Jean was selected as the prettiest girl of her graduating class and the statement made of her in the ’48 “The Hickory” annual by her class mates; “Beautiful as sweet, and young as beautiful”.

Shortly after graduation from high school, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Granville native James Edward Clemons at the Carthage United Methodist Church on July 3, 1948, He preceded her in death on July 23, 2022 at the age of 93, which was 20 days following their seventy fourth wedding anniversary.

She was employed as a Federal Crop Insurance Agent in Carthage from 1955 through 1960.

In 1971 she and the late Virginia Carter established the Carthage Fabric Shop in downtown Carthage where the former Fuqua-Butler Barbershop was located. They operated the business for thirteen years until their retirement in 1984.

While being reared and living in the Granville Community, Mrs. Clemons and her husband were members of the Granville United Methodist Church and after relocating to Carthage in 1966 prior to the impounding of the Cordell Hull Lake in the Spring of 1973, the Clemons family moved to their new home on Carmack Avenue and transferred their church membership from Granville to the Carthage United Methodist Church, where Mrs. Tommie Jean remained a faithful member until her death.

Surviving are her two sons; , Randall Clemons and wife Peggy of Lebanon and the Granville Community, Barry Clemons and wife Tiffy of the Dixon Springs Community; four grandchildren, James Michael Clemons of Nashville, Ashley Clemons Jordan of Lebanon, Steven Clemons and wife Kerri Beth Cookston Clemons of the Rome Community, Skyler Cowan and husband Ethan of the Russell Hill Community; five great-grandchildren, Kolby Jordan, Raelynn Cowan and James Cooper Clemons, Cole Clemons, and Riverlynn Cowan.

The Clemons family requests memorials to either the Granville Museum or the Granville Cemetery.

Active Pallbearers: Michael & Steven Clemons, Kolby Jordan, David & Paul Reeves, Jeff Wright,Ethan Cowan.

Honorary Pallbearers: Granville Museum Volunteers.

Special Honorary Pallbearers: Volunteers of Granville Museum, Dr. Richard Rutherford & Highpoint Health -Riverview nursing staff, Caregivers: Rida Cothron, Ann Wallace, Amy Bell, & Barbara Bratcher.

Mrs. Leila Anne Howard age 74 of South Carthage lost her earthly battle, but had earned an eternal home with God and the reuniting with her husband, parents, and sister, whom she loved so much and were dearly missed by her. Mrs. Howard was pronounced deceased with family at her bedside at 10:35 a.m. Monday morning April 21, 2025 at the Alive Hospice Residence in Murfreesboro where she was admitted March 31st suffering from dementia.

Her former longtime pastor, Bro. Randy Teat, will officiate at the 11 a.m. Saturday morning April 26th funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial will follow beside her husband in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

The Howard family will receive friends at Sanderson in Carthage on Friday April 24th from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Saturday after 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral services.

She was one of two daughters born to the late Edward Alex Proffitt who died at the age of 82 on September 21, 2007 and Leila Belle Day Proffitt who died at the age of 80 on April 30, 2008 and was born Leila Anne Proffitt at the former McFarland Hospital in Lebanon on September 5, 1950.

Her sister, Elizabeth R. “Libby” Proffitt Gregory succumbed to cancer at the age of 45 on August 11, 1991 at the age of 45.

Mrs. Howard was a 1968 graduate of Smith County High School where she had a triple major in Home Economics, Business Education, and Music. Active in the Future Homemakers of America, she was the songleader her junior year, Parliamentarian her senior year and was a recipient of the F.H.A. junior degree her sophomore year, was a member of the chorus and Fall Festival her final three years, in the Spring Festival her sophomore and junior year, the sweet sixteen her junior year and the Pep Club her final three years at S.C.H.S.

The statement made of her in the ’68 annual was; “Beauty is the first gift nature gives to a woman”.

She received her Associates Degree in Cosmetology from the Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin and was a Tennessee Licensed beautician and retired in 1994.

She was united in marriage on April 12, 1968 to Colburn Roscoe (professionally known as Mr. Carl) Howard Jr. He died as a result of cancer on April 16, 1993 following only twenty-five years and four days of marriage. The ceremony was solemnized by their then church pastor, Eld. Rob Roy Banks of the Carthage Emmanuel Church of Christ.

At the time of her death and for many years Mrs. Howard had been a faithful member of the Abundant Harvest Worship Center in South Carthage.

Surviving are her two children, Amie Howard Kirby and husband Jerrell of Cartersville, Georgia, Scott Howard and wife Donna Keaton Howard of Lebanon; four grandchildren, Katlin Crabb and husband Adam of Hendersonville, Retta Otting and Husband Dylan, Karla Kirby, and Porter Kirby all of Cartersville, Georgia; four great grandchildren, Ethan Sanders, Grayson Crabb, Hannah and Charlie Crabb.

Pallbearers: Michael & Jim Walters, Tim & Ed Sanders, Dylan Otting, & Porter Kirby.

Mrs. Helen Irene Davis, age 89, of Carthage, TN, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Mrs. Davis was born August 23, 1935 in Flynn’s Lick, TN, a daughter of the late Armel Hamlet and Gertie Mai Tyree Hamlet. She married J.B. Davis on October 12, 1953 and he preceded her in death on July 10, 1989. She was also preceded in death by Son-in-Law; Michael Ray Fariss on November 13, 2023 and Brother; Billy Jo Hamlet. Mrs. Davis worked for 14 years as a crossing guard for Davidson County School. She attended the Carthage Church of Christ.

Mrs. Davis is survived by Daughter; Darlene Fariss of Carthage, TN. Son; Russell Davis of Hendersonville, TN. Grandchildren; Heather Davis – (Dustin Zappone) of Ft. Myers, FL, Russ Davis of Nashville, TN, Jennifer (Rusty) Burton of Hickman, TN and Chris (Jill) Fariss of Lebanon, TN. Great-grandchildren; Caitlyn (Cleve) Rankin, Sam Burton, Lycity Burton, Kenidy Fariss, and Emery Fariss. Brothers; Tommy Lynn Hamlet and Jimmy Hamlet of Carthage, TN. Sisters; Frances (Walter) Stewart of Gordonsville, TN, and Effie (Tommy) Reeves of Brush Creek, TN.

Graveside Services and Interment for Mrs. Davis are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 1PM at the Gordonsville Cemetery with Edward L. Anderson officiating and Heather Davis delivering the Eulogy.

Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Monday from 6PM until 8PM. Family and friends will gather at the Gordonsville Cemetery on Tuesday just prior to the 1PM graveside.

Mrs. Davis family request memorial donations in her memory be made to the Carthage Church of Christ.

Mr. Donald Edison Blanchard, age 70, of Hickman, TN passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

Mr. Blanchard was born February 19, 1955 in Nashville, TN. He is preceded in death by Daughter; Amanda Blanchard, Sister; Marie Troupe, Father; Marion Blanchard, Step-father; Frank Johnson, and Mother; Eugenia Harris. Mr. Blanchard served his country in the United States Army from 1976 until 1987. He drove a dump truck for Lojac and Vulcan and worked for the United States Postal Service.

Mr. Blanchard is survived by Wife; Joy Blanchard of Hickman, TN. Son; Andy (Vicky) Alsup of Maryland, and four grandchildren.
Sister; Jahala Johnson of Murfreesboro, TN, Brother; David Blanchard of Arizona: children of his wife; Shawn (Brandi) Conner of Carthage, TN, Krisney (Jake) Flory of Hickman, TN, Ashley (Glen) Lattimore of Dekalb County, TN, Robert (Kaitlyn) Conner of Crossville TN, and eight grandchildren.

Funeral Services for Mr. Blanchard are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 3PM with Bro. Brandon Patton officiating.

Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Tuesday from 1PM until 3PM.

Interment for Mr. Blanchard will take place at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on McCrory Ln in Nashville, TN.

Longtime Tuckers Cross Roads Community resident, Ms. Joyce Johnson, made her heavenly transition at 7:36 a.m. Saturday morning April 12, 2025 with her family at her bedside at her Trousdale Ferry Pike home. She was under the care of Alive Hospice of Lebanon.

Memorial services will be conducted on Thursday afternoon April 17th at 1 p.m. with Pastor Randall Hunt officiating from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends only on Thursday from 12 noon until the 1 p.m. services at Sanderson in Carthage.

She was the youngest of eight children born to the late Floyd Mason Petty who died January 8, 1981 at the age of 74 and Era Moss Petty who died June 3, 1982 at the age of 77 and was born Mary Joyce Petty in the Pea Ridge Community on September 28, 1938.

A son, Christopher Dean “Chris” Johnson, preceded her in death on June 14, 2023 at the age of 56 following a battle with cancer.

Mrs. Johnson was a longtime employee in the deli department at the Wal-Mart in Lebanon before her retirement.

She was a non-denominational Christian.

Surviving are her two sons, David Johnson and wife Sissy King Johnson of Gordonville, Eric Johnson and wife Apryl of Baxter; sister, Shirley Petty Young of Murfreesboro; brother, Pat Petty of Paris, Tennessee; six grandchildren, Rachel Mayberry of Lebanon, Justin Johnson of Mount Juliet, Heather Anderson and husband Jonathan, Kelsey Johnson all of Baxter, Erica Winebrenner and husband Sean of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Eliza Johnson Whitehead of Brush Creek; eleven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Herschel Coomer age 87 of the Kempville Community, and formerly of Mesa, Arizona, died peacefully at 10:23 a.m. surrounded by his loving family at their Reece Hollow Road home on Cordell Hull Lake and was pronounced deceased by Highpoint Hospice of Gallatin at 11:01 a.m. Thursday morning April 10, 2025.

Mr. Coomer was at the Hackett Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home and was to be cremated at the Cumberland Family Services in Algood. No public visitation or services are to be announced.

He was the son of the late Herschel Coomer Sr. and Estelene Holcomb Coomer and was born Herschel Coomer Jr. in Cincinnati in Hamilton, County, Ohio on October 9, 1937.

In Ashland City in Cheatham County in June of 1992, he was united in marriage to the former Margurite Clemantine (Peggy) Nelson.

Mr. Coomer was a retired manager for Sears over the window and siding division,

He was an avid golfer and truly enjoyed his retirement home in the Reece Hollow near Cordell Hull Lake.

He was a non-denominational Christian.

He was preceded in death by his son, Bryan Coomer who died as the result of an automobile accident on January 16, 2005 at the age of 40.

Mr. Coomer was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Coomer Proctor and a brother, Herbert Coomer who died at the age of 60 on May 23, 1994.

Surviving in addition to his wife Peggy of over thirty-two years are three daughters, Nadine Machado of Mesa, Arizona, Scheryl White and husband Jerry of the Kempville Community, Shairon Coffland and husband Robert of Cali Mesa, California, two sons, Kevin Lucas of the Kempville Community, Stephen Lucas of Fresno, California; special niece, Cathy S. Hunter and husband Roy F. Hunter of Brazil, Indiana; sister, Delores Duncan and husband Ron of Indiana; grandson, Jason Neil of Mesa, AZ; granddaughter, Stephanie Machado of Orange County, California.

Mr. Michael (Coach) King, age 59 of Carthage died Sunday morning, April 13 at the LeConte Medical Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.    He is survived by his  brother, Josh King of Carthage. 

Coach King is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Wednesday afternoon, April 16 at 3:00 PM.  Bro. Tommy Ferguson, Mark Medley and Scott Clemons officiating.  Interment in the Smith County Memorial Gardens.  Serving as pallbearers are: Larry Guffey Jr, Scotty Reece, Corey Reece, Noah King, Eli King, Daniel Thomas.

Visitation at the Carthage Chapel begins on Tuesday from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until service time at 3:00 PM.  

The family has asked for memorial donations to assist with funeral expenses.  

Mr. Richard Brown of the Bradford Hill Community was discovered unresponsive at his Bradford Hill Road North home on Saturday morning. He was pronounced deceased at 4:43 a.m. Saturday morning April 12, 2025 shortly after arrival at the Highpoint Health – Riverview Emergency Room in Carthage with C. P. R. in progress. Mr. Brown was 67.

Mr. Brown is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. His funeral services are scheduled to be conducted Tuesday afternoon April 15th from the Living Waters Ministries, Church of God in Gordonsville. Mr. Brown’s pastor, Rev. Kevin Blackburn, assisted by the former pastor, Bro. Bill Woodard, will officiate at the 1 p.m. services. Burial will follow in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

He was born Richard Clayton Brown in Nashville on May 18, 1957 and was the son of the late G. W. Brown who died at the age of 81 on September 9, 2003 and Caroline (Carolyn) Bertha Pagel Brown who died in 2002 at the age of 76.

Mr. Brown was preceded in death by his first wife, well known Smith County High School educator, Bertha Marie Hunt Brown, who died unexpectedly on September 6, 2012 at the age of 57.

Mr. Brown was married in Gordonsville at the Living Waters Ministries, Church of God on July 5, 2015 by then church pastor, Bro. Bill Woodard, to Hollywood, Florida native, the former Carol Jean Knight.

Mr. Brown was a devoted member of the Living Waters Ministries Church of God in Gordonsville.

He was a retired over the road truck driver for the former Rusty Dog Transport Co. in Lebanon before his retirement in 2014.

He was a recipient of his General Education Degree.

Mr. Brown was also a former motorcyclist and a member of the C. M. T. Abate organization.

Surviving Mr. Brown in addition to his wife Carol, of almost ten years, are his four children, Bobby Biggs and wife Vickie of Chapmansboro, TN, Crystal Marbut of Dickon, Amy Lee Brown of Nashville, Richard G. W. Brown and fiancée Valerie Whited of Paris, Tennessee; two step daughters, Tracy Clouse and husband Jeff of Spring City, TN, Vicki Harrell and husband Donald of Orlando, Florida; five sisters, Faye Biggs and husband Robert of Murfreesboro, Renee Walker of Nashville, Rhonda Jean Coleman of Savannah, TN, Tammy Melton and husband Jerry of Clarksville, Debbie Brown of Nashville; two brothers, Ronnie Brown of Gallatin, Ray Brown of Bon Aqua, TN; twenty three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Jeff Clouse, Thomas Hopkins, Brandon Satterfield, Michael, Chris, & Gabe Brune

Mrs. Shannon Baker Bishop, age 53 of the Boulton Bend Community, died Thursday afternoon, April 10 at St. Thomas Mid-Town in Nashville.  She is survived by: husband, John Bishop; 2 children, Logan Anthony Whitehead of Riddleton, Jordan Elizabeth Whitehead and fiancee Chris and son Silas of Boulton Bend; father, James Lee Baker of Boulton Bend; step-daughter, Stormi Bishop of Portland; 1 grandchild.  

Mrs. Bishop is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home.  Graveside Service and interment will be conducted at Smith County Memorial Gardens on Monday afternoon, April 14 at 1:00 PM.  James Lee Baker will present the eulogy.  

Visitation at Sanderson Funeral Home on Monday only from 11:00 AM until leaving for the cemetery at 12:40 PM.  

Ms. Karol Stanley, age 78 of the Smith Bend Community, died Tuesday morning, April 8 at her home.  She is survived by: daughter, Karol Stanley Dicker and husband Matt of Smith Bend; granddaughter, Kendall Gourley of Smith Bend; grandson, Gabriel Dicker of Clarksville; great-grandson, Michael Gourley of Smith Bend.  

Ms. Stanley will be cremated at Cumberland Family Services.  Memorial Services in Nashville at a later date to be announced. 

Mr. Rickey Angel, age 65 of the Turkey Creek Community, died Saturday evening, April 5 at Riverview Regional in Carthage.  He is survived by: wife, Lori Angel; daughter, Rachel Angel Paris and husband Robert of Carthage; son, Jeremy Angel and wife April of Murfreesboro; brother, Mitchell Angel of Turkey Creek; step-grandson, Jayden Moore.

Mr. Angel is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Thursday morning, April 10 at 11:00 AM.  Pastor Lanny Thomas will officiate.  Interment in the Smith County Memorial Gardens.  Serving as pallbearers are: Donnie Key, Matt Garmon, Lanny Thomas, Greg Rushing, Casey Rushing, William Stafford.  

Visitation will begin on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Thursday from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM.  

The family has requested memorials to assist with funeral expenses.  

Stormie was born on July 26, 1984 in Carthage, TN a daughter of the late Lary Lee Woods and Kay Marie Goss Woods who survives. She was a graduate of Smith County High School a caregiver for her mother and an avid animal lover. She was also preceded in death by a brother; Walter L. “Wally” Woods.

Stormie is survived by her mother: Kay Marie Woods of Carthage, Tn; sister: Tammy Ann Woods of Lebanon, TN; nephew: Kolby Woods of Lebanon, TN.

Stormie is at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes. No services are planned. She will be interred in Dixon Springs Cemetery.

Stormie’s family request memorial donations in her memory be made to Bass Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.