Mr. Larry Ash, age 78 of Carthage was pronounced deceased at 5:18 a.m. Friday morning September 22, 2023 at the Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage after becoming gravely ill at the family’s Riverside Drive North home.

Mr. Ash was at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home and had requested to be cremated. That will be performed at the Cumberland Family Services in Algood.

The Ash family will hold a private memorial service at their home with their pastor Rev. Monica Mowdy officiating.

Interment will be at a later date by their infant son in the Center Point Cemetery in Center Point, West Virginia.

Mr. Ash, a native of Steubenville in Jefferson County, he was raised on the family’s 100 acre farm in Doddridge County, West Virginia and was the fourth of thirteen children and was born Larry Roger Ash on August 18, 1945 to the late Maule Leonard Ash who died December 3, 1965 at the age of 56 and Freda Fonda Ford-Ash who died February 24, 2014 at the age of 96.

Two brothers also preceded Mr. Ash in death, they were; Albert Edgar Ash who died at the age of 75 on June 25, 2012 and Rexford “Rex” Ash who died at the age of 65 on May 12, 2009.

In Sedalia, West Virginia on October 24, 1970 he was united in marriage to Stonewood, West Virginia native, the former Linda Jo Corathers.

They Ash family mourned the death of a son, Larry Roger Ash II on November 19, 1974 who died at the age of six weeks.

Mr. Ash was a member of the 1963 class of Doddridge County High School in West Union, West Virginia.

He was a retired employee of the Union Carbide Corporation in Anmoore, West Virginia.

In 2003 the family relocated from West Virginia to Carthage to be near family living here.

The Ash family attends the Carthage United Methodist Church, but retained membership in the West Milford United Methodist Church in West Milford, West Virginia.

After relocating to Carthage, Mr. Ash may be best remembered as a salesman for the D. T. McCall and Sons Store in Carthage.

Surviving in addition to his wife Linda of almost fifty three years are their seven children, Tammy Berg and husband Matt of the Hickman Community, Valerie Tippy and husband Brad of Carthage, Shawn Ash and wife Jennifer of Salem WV, Mackenzie Ash, Katie Ash, Morgan Ash and Alyssa Ash all of Carthage; eleven grandchildren, Mayson Roberson and husband Chris of Cookeville, Dalton West of Chattanooga, Logan West of the Hickman Community, Jessie Reed and husband Dillon of the Grant Community, Trinity Tippy of Chattanooga, Maddie Tippy of Port St. Joe, Florida, Haven Tippy and Savana Tippy both of Carthage, Tristan Ash and Emily Ash both of Salem, WV, Matthew Berg II of the Hickman Community; nine surviving siblings, Sharon Ash Darby and husband Jack of Tampa, Florida, Rita Ash Costilow and husband Bill, Janice Ash Evans and husband Jerry, Donna Ash Yerkey and husband Bob, Leonard Ash and wife Debbie, Rick Ash and wife Roberta, Rhonda Ash Cavins, Freeman Ash, Lester Ash, and Jeff Ash all of Salem West, Virginia; three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Phillip Fisher, age 57 of Hartsville, died Tuesday morning, September 19 at AHC Northside in Murfreesboro.  He is survived by: 2 sisters, Barbara Jo Belcher, Betty Jo Scott; brother, James Lynn Fisher and wife Anita, all of Hartsville.  

Mr. Fisher is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Thursday morning, September 21 at 11:00 AM.  Bro. Randy Swafford will officiate.  Interment in the Dixon Springs Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are: Mike Belcher, Kenny Belcher, Chris Belcher, Jason Scott, Daniel Harris, Kendall Belcher, Dewayne Fisher, Jerry Dies, Clarence Dies.

Visitation on Thursday only from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM.  

Mr. Howard Paul Hunt, Jr., age 73 of Gordonsville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Mr. Hunt was born March 10, 1950 in Mishawaka, Indiana, a son of the late Howard Paul Hunt, Sr. and Wilmetta Ullery Hunt. He attended the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Lebanon, TN.

Mr. Hunt enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. He served during the Vietnam Conflict for the 173 Airborne out of Ft. Campbell. For his service he received numerous medals including the Purple Heart.

Mr. Hunt worked as a welder for pipelines for numerous years. He loved hunting, camping, and fishing. He was a very lovable, caring man and had many friends.

Mr. Hunt is survived by Wife; Judy Hunt of Gordonsville, TN. Children; Dustin Alan (Cathy) Hunt of Gordonsville, TN, and Rusty Paul (Cheree) Hunt of South Carthage, TN. Grandchildren; Elizabeth Guerrero, Emily Hunt, Lori Lacy, Katerina Hunt, Brianna Spencer, Jasmine Hunt, and Nathaniel Hunt. Nine great grandchildren. Siblings; David Hunt, Sr., Kathryn Tibbo, Ronald Hunt, Marcia Cannoot, Roger Hunt, Sr., Charles Hunt, and Elaine Shreve, many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services for Mr. Hunt are scheduled to be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 105 Peyton Road, Lebanon, TN. 37087 on September 23rd at 2 pm CT with Bishop Stotts officiating.

Visitation with the family will be at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lebanon from 1pm until service time at 2PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for monetary donations to help cover the cost of funeral services / cremation / memorial services.

Mr. Roy Rice, age 67 of Difficult, died Friday afternoon, September 15 at Riverview Regional in Carthage.  He is survived by: children, Jennifer Rice De La Sanchez and husband Leonard of Libertyville, Illinois, Ryan Rice of Cookeville; siblings, Debbie Angelos, Paul Rice, Eric Rice all of Gainesboro; 3 grandchildren, Cash Sanchez, Frankie Sanchez, Bryer Britton Rice.

Mr. Rice will be cremated at Cumberland Family Services.  A Memorial Service will be conducted at a later date.  

Mr. Ronnie Howell, age 64 of Kempville, died Friday morning, September 15 at Riverview Regional ER.  He is survived by: wife, Lauren Howell; 3 children, Ronnie Howell Jr of Madison Heights, MI, Melissa Taylor of Cookeville, Amanda Forrest and husband Cody of Victorville, California; sister, Sharon Preston and husband Fred of Sterling Heights, MT; 4 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren.  

Mr. Howell will be cremated at Cumberland Family Services.  There are no services planned at this time.  

Perhaps the most astute businessman to ever own a Carthage business has died at the age of 94.

Mr. A. B. McCall was pronounced deceased at his Jackson Avenue home at 1:07 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon September 13, 2023 by HighPoint Hospice who had been lovingly assisting the family with his care. His family was at his bedside.

Funeral services will be conducted from First Baptist Church in Carthage on Saturday afternoon September 16th at 3 p.m. His pastor Bro. Tim Frank will officiate and Menda, her husband Howard, A.J., Derek Decker, Tom Grant and Jack McCall will deliver eulogies. The musical presence will be by Terri Lynn Weaver. Burial will follow by Virginia in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

Born Albert Burr McCall Sr. on July 10, 1929 in South Carthage to David ‘Thomas (D.T.) McCall who died at the age of 85 in 1985 and Amy Barnett Manning McCall who died at the age of 77 in 1980.

One of nine children, he spent summers helping in the general store that his grandparents, Albert and lcie McCall, founded in 1896 in the Flat Rock, Community

Six of his eight siblings preceded him in death, Mary Nell McCall Hight who died August 7, 2022 at the age of 91, Frank Thomas McCall who died June 15, 2003 at the age of 81, Ray Barnett McCall Sr. who died February 2, 2008 at the age of 83, David Manning (Dave) McCall who died April 27, 2008 at the age of 70, Lois McCall McDonald who died September 14, 2009 at the age of 82 and Mildred McCall Hix who died January 16, 2013 at the age of 80.

Mr. McCall was a member of the 1947 graduating class at Smith County High School where he played football all four years, majored in agriculture and his senior year the chapter won the State Chapter contest and was one of sixteen chapters in the Nation to receive a bronze emblem for their outstanding chapter activities. While at S.C.H.S. he was in the Beta Club, the English, Science Declamation, Latin, “C” club. HE was F.F.A. secretary his sophomore year, F.F.A. vice-president the senior year and was a member of the junior play cast and played on the F.F.A. basketball team his senior year.

Following high school graduation he attended Tennessee Technological University in 1947 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1950. He earned a Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of Missouri in 1951.

From 1951 to 1952 he taught agriculture at Winterset High School in Winterset, Iowa.

From 1952-54 Albert served as a Second Lieutenant and forward observer in the Korean War. He was combat wounded in an explosion from an enemy round and discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant.

After military service he went back to Iowa and taught agriculture to World War Two veterans at Boone High School. He then went to work on a P.H.D. at Iowa State University, while holding down 5 different jobs.

One day Albert was driving down the street in Boone, Iowa and stopped at a traffic light and saw Virginia Doran stopped at a light in her car. He asked his friend, Stan Moffet, who she was. They then drove to her house where Stan introduced them, Virginia was 18 and home on a break during college. She was attending William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri on an academic scholarship. They were married 9 months later and spent the summer in Europe on their honeymoon, where they visited 17 countries.

They moved back to Carthage, TN where Albert bought into his father’s furniture and appliance business in 1955 and remained active until his retirement in 2006.

Virginia attended Tennessee Technological University and had the highest grades in the Home Economics and Agriculture department her senior year. She graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

With an enduring love for each other, he and Virginia traveled the world, met with both President George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and the entire McCall family and the community and her friends were saddened by the death of Virginia on December 10, 2022 at the age of 86.

Albert’s father, D.T. McCall started as a salesman for the general store and began the business using a horse and buggy to go house to house, buying and selling produce and other goods throughout Smith County. He brought the first electrical appliances to Carthage and showcased them at a local bank. In the late 1930’s he bought a corner lot on the town square and opened a furniture and appliance store.

In 1958, Albert learned that a local cheese company was changing its manufacturing process. Seventeen hundred dairy farmers would need all new industrial type milk coolers to continue to supply the company with milk. Further research showed that North Carolina had just outlawed the exact type of cooler that the Tennessee manufacturer required. After several trips East, Albert bought one thousand coolers and had them shipped by truck to Tennessee. On the way back they stopped in South Carolina to fill the coolers with peaches to sell back in Carthage.

The next year he found out that five hundred commercial size electric ranges were available from a company in Akron, Ohio. They were Korean war surplus. That particular part of Ohio primarily used natural gas for heating and cooling. TVA provided electricity for Middle Tennessee. Albert bought the ranges for a great price and passed the savings along to various schools in the state.

When oil prices fell in 1984, large inventories of household furnishings that were originally intended for condos in Saudi Arabia, were sitting in a warehouse in Houston. The orders were cancelled and everything was up for auction. Albert went to Houston and bought it all and moved thirty-seven truck loads in seven days. Once again he passed along the savings to his customers and made a good profit too.

One year he would sell almost five hundred window air conditioners to the Metro Nashville Housing Authority because of a heat wave and he was the only dealer in Tennessee that had that many in stock.

For twenty years Albert advertised on the “’Ralph ‘Emery Show” on Channel Four. Between Five and Six A.M. the show commanded an eighty percent market share. Albert made quite an impression on the morning audience. His five commercials were so popular that Channel Four used them to promote the Emery show. Business boomed and Albert became a popular TV personality in Channel Four’s Middle Tennessee/Southern Kentucky/Northern Alabama viewing audience. At that time “The Ralph Emery Show” had the highest lead in audience to “The Today Show” in the whole country.

D.T. McCall & Sons is in the top fifty independently owned furniture dealers in the nation, and in terms of sales floor square footage and warehouse square footage is the largest furniture and appliance store in the United States, according to Home Furnishings Daily. The same magazine also named D.T. McCall & Sons number one in the United States in profit per dollars’ worth of sales.

Albert was a contributor to Republican politics because he believed in preserving the freedoms we have as Americans and encouraging the personal responsibility and potential of individuals.

Albert and Virginia have 2 children, Menda Holmes and Albert Burr McCall II.

Menda is an Advertising Agent and her husband, Howard Holmes of Lebanon, a mechanical engineer. Menda, has two children. Monica Virginia Arms, a dental assistant of Mount Juliet, Derek McCall Decker of Nashville a financial advisor with Wilson County Bank & Trust.

Albert Jr. is a partner and President at D.T. McCall & Sons, living in Lebanon He has two children. Houston Alexander (Alex) McCall of Carthage, and Katherine Elizabeth (Kate) McCall of Lebanon, both of whom work at D.T. McCall & Sons,and A.J.’s two granddaughters, Ava Rae McCall and Ella Jane McCall.

Also surviving is a sister, Ruth Jean McCall Garrett and husband Gary, John E. McCall and wife Kay all of the Tanglewood Community; sister-in-law’s, Rebecca Hackett McCall of South Carthage and Helen Mundy McCall of Simpsonville, SC.

Mr. McCall is a member of First Baptist Church in Carthage and enjoy traveling.

The McCall family has requested memorials to either First Baptist Church Carthage or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.

Pallbearers, Chris McCall, J. J. McCall, Alex McCall, Jack McCall, Derek McCall, Tom McCall, John McCall and Dewey McCall.

Mr. Bobby Gene Glidwell Sr., age 84 of Carthage died Wednesday, September 13, at Vanderbilt Wilson County Medical Center. He is survived children Bobby Glidwell Jr., James Glidwell and wife Mattie of Lebanon, Cindy Glidwell and husband Kolt of Lafayette, grandchildren Bobby Glidwell III and wife Chelsea, Catherine Glidwell, Brittany Paige Glidwell, James D. Glidwell Jr. and wife Candace, Jonathan Claude Glidwell and wife Shae, Several Step Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Siblings are Hazel McComb and husband Leroy of Hendersonville, Charlie Glidwell and wife Eloise of Tupelo, MS, William Glidwell and wife Diane of Gallatin, James Glidwell and wife Kathy of Milan, Sister in Law Patsy Glidwell of Gadsden, and mother of Children Betty Jean Glidwell.

Pallbearers are Kolt Evans, James Glidwell Jr., Bobby Glidwell III, Baylian Glidwell, Jonathan Glidwell, Jerry Dotson Huddleston.

Mr. Glidwell is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Friday afternoon September 15 at 1:00 PM. Bro. Donnie Payne will officiate.

Visitation will begin Thursday afternoon from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Friday morning 11:00 AM until service at 1:00 PM.

Mrs. Carol Crawford Woodard, age 74, of Gordonsville, TN passed away on Monday, September 11, 2023 at Smith County Health and Rehab.

Born Rebecca Carol Crawford on May 21, 1949 in Carthage, TN, a daughter of the late Charlie Campbell Crawford and Susie Katherine “Kate” Mason Crawford. She was also preceded in death by Brothers; Glen Crawford, L.B. Crawford, and Billy Crawford, and Sisters; Thelma White, Sue Crawford Escue and Jean Gibbs. Mrs. Woodard married Thomas Jordan “Tommy” Woodard on November 29, 1969 and he preceded her in death on August 21, 2003. She attended Gordonsville High School and was a member of Poplar Hill Baptist Church and worked at the Welsh Co. and then worked at Smith County Health and Rehab in the dietary department for 12 years until she retired in 2018.

Mrs. Woodard is survived by a son: Eric Woodard of Gordonsville, TN :
Grandchildren: Leia Woodard and Macy Woodard. Siblings; Charlene Petty of Watertown, TN, Sandra Jo (Jerry) Jennings of Statesboro, GA, Gerald Crawford of Gordonsville, TN, and Cathy Hewitt of Carthage, TN.

Funeral services for Mrs. Woodard are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday September 14, 2023 at 1PM with Bro Jimmy Gregory officiating. Interment will follow in the Smith County Memorial Gardens..

Visitation with the Woodard family will be held at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Wednesday September 13, 2023 from
2 PM to 7 PM and on Thursday September 14, 2023 after 10AM.

Mrs. Woodards family request memorial donations be made to assist with funeral expenses.

Mr. Ronnie Wayne Collins, age 73 of Watervale died Tuesday, September 12, at Riverview Regional Medical Center. He is survived by his wife Reba Collins and children Stephen Collins and wife Melody of Powell, Scott Collins and wife Beverly of Lavergne, Phillip Collins and wife Gigi of Huntsville, AL, Siblings David Collins and wife Pat of Knoxville, Brenda Owens of Knoxville, Grandchildren Nathaniel Collins, Aria Collins, Becca Collins, Celeste Collins.

Mr. Collins is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Saturday morning September 16 at 11:00 AM. Dr. Mike Norris will officiate.

Visitation will begin Friday afternoon from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Saturday morning 10:00 AM until service at 11:00 AM.

Mrs. Opal Ray Fields, age 93 of Elmwood died Monday, September 11, at The Pavilion Senior Living. She is survived by her daughter Lisa Overstreet and husband Michael of Elmwood, two grandsons Stephen Overstreet and wife Beth of Tanglewood, Adam Overstreet and wife Jessica of Elmwood.

Mrs. Fields is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where her service will be conducted on Thursday afternoon September 13 at 1:00 PM. Eld. Ricky Day and Eld David Manning will officiate.

Visitation will begin Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM and Thursday morning 10:00 AM until service at 1:00 PM.

Pallbearers are Dewey Dyer, Michael Driver, David Driver, Mike Turnipseed, Ken Fields, Jerry Hubbard.

The Family request memorials to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church.

Mrs. Paula Dillard Proffitt, age 80, of the Lock 7 Community in Smith County, TN, passed away on September 9, 2023.

Mrs. Proffitt was born August 5, 1943 in Smith County, TN, a daughter of the late Carl Columbus Dillard and Gladys Mildred Blackburn Dillard. She married Robert Allen Proffitt on March 22, 1958 and he preceded her in death on October 8, 2011. Mrs. Paula was also preceded in death by Infant Son at birth; Kevin Proffitt and Sister; Peggy Jones.

Mrs. Proffitt worked for numerous years at Union Heights School. She was a member of the Mt. Cavalry Pentecostal Church in Rock City, TN.

Mrs. Proffitt is survived by Son and Daughter-in-Law; Keith (Judy) Proffitt of Rome, TN. Granddaughter; Jessica (Cameron Crook) Proffitt of Rock City, TN. Sisters; Patricia Clevinger and Pamela Petrey. Devoted Sister-in-Law; Alline “Shorty” Smith. Numerous nephews also survive.

Visitation and Funeral Services for Mrs. Proffitt were conducted from the Carthage Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Monday September 11 2-8 p.m. until services at 1PM on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 with Bro. Randall Hunt and Bro. Ricky Rios officiating. Interment will follow in the Smith County Memorial Gardens with Michael Christian delivering prayer.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Mt. Cavalry Pentecostal Church Youth Fund.

Mrs. Frances Hesson Poynter age 81, of Carthage, Tn passed away Friday September 8,2023.

Mrs. Poynter was born September 15, 1941 in Lafayette, TN a daughter of the late Robert “Bob” Hesson and Martha Inez Stephens Hesson. She was also preceded in death by siblings: Johnny Hesson, Jimmy Hesson, Donnie Hesson, Bobby Hesson and Susie Crowder and father and mother-in-law: Paul and Pauline Higginbotham Poynter. She was a 1959 graduate of Macon County High School. She married Tyrone Poynter on September 18, 1965. She owned and operated Anna’s Flower Shop and Poynter Cleaners with her family for over 30 years. She was a member of Carthage United Methodist Church

Mrs Poynter is survived by her husband: Tyrone Poynter of Carthage, TN; children: Michelle (James) Halliburton of Carthage, TN and Tara (Chuck) Whitlock of Lebanon, TN; grandchildren: Tiffany (Ryan Slater) McCormick, Brian (Renae West) McCormick, Bo (Cooper) Whitlock, Alec Whitlock and Bryce Whitlock; great-grandchildren: Adysen Slater, Ophalya Slater, Eloise McCormick, Jace McCormick, and Mallory McCormick; brother: Kenny (Bonnie) Hesson of Scottsville, KY; sisters: Pat (Bobby) Russell of Lafayette, TN, Rhoda (Billy) Wilmore of Lafayette, TN, Kim (Mike) Scott of Lafayette, TN and Dean (Randall) Oldham of Lafayette, TN.

Funeral services and visitation for Mrs. Poynter were conducted at the Carthage Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Sunday September 10, 2023 at 4PM with Rev Monica Mowdy officiating. Interment was at the Smith County Memorial Gardens in Carthage, TN.

Ms. Allison Carver of the Monoville Community died at 2:42 p.m. Thursday afternoon September 7, 2023 at the Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin where she was admitted September 1st suffering from congestive heart failure. Ms. Carver was 62.

Eld. Carter Robinson officiated at the 3 p.m. Monday afternoon September 11th funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial will followed her mother in the Carver lot in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

Ms. Carver was one of four children, a daughter and three sons and was the daughter of the late Roy Lee Carver who died April 12, 2012 at the age of 83 and Robbie Faye McCallum Carver who died November 14, 1994 at the age of 59 and was born Allison Faye Carver in Carthage on April 30, 1961.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Smith County Sheriff’s Department detective, Robert Earl Carver, who died at the age of 37 on December 21, 1989 as the result of a massive heart attack suffered at his Gordonsville home.

Ms. Carver was a Smith County High School graduate and was a member of the class of 1979. She majored in Home Economics, was a member of the V. I. C. A. Club her junior and senior years and her freshman year was a member of the Spanish Club.

Her parents, Roy and Robbie, established Lavilla Pizza in Carthage in April of 1971 and she was employed with the Carver family there until her father sold the business in 1995 following the death of his wife in 1994.

She then attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville where she received her Bachelor of Science in Education.

She was a former 5th grade educator at the Smith County Middle School.

Ms. Carver was a member of the Carthage First Baptist Church and attended the Hogans Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

Surviving are her two sons, Joshua Lynn and wife Rachel of the Thompson Station Community in Williamson County, Matthew Lynn and wife Meredith of Hope Mills, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Joanna Lynn and Josiah Lynn; two brothers, Dan Carver and wife Linda of Murfreesboro, Patrick (Pat) Carver and wife Valerie Ballinger Carver of Carthage.

Mr. Dave Johnson of the Difficult Community, a talented leather craftsman and knife maker, was pronounced deceased at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon September 6, 2023 at the age of 78 as the result of an acute myocardial infarction. He was admitted to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon.

Mr. Johnson was at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home and was to be cremated at the Cumberland Family Services in Algood. The memorial service will be planned at a later date.

He was born David Arthur Johnson in Cincinnati, in Hamilton County, Ohio on March 9, 1945 and was one of three children, two daughters and a son of the late George Arthur Johnson who died at the age of 66 on June 24, 1983 and Minnie Eloise Lary Johnson who died at the age of 62 on September 6, 1980.

A sister, Susan Johnson Stroud preceded Mr. Johnson in death on October 30, 2022 at the age of 79.

In Chicago, Illinois on September 2, 1967 he was united in marriage to the former Linda Carol Stroud.

They relocated from Ludington, Michigan in 1975 to the Difficult Community and purchased a farm on Defeated Creek Road.

Mr. Johnson was a 1963 graduate of Muskegon High School in Muskegon, Michigan.

He attended college at Michigan State University.

He was a licensed surveyor in both North Carolina and Tennessee and after working for himself for several years he began employment with the Regan-Smith Company in Nashville from which he retired.

Because of his skill as knife maker, he was recognized as a Journeyman Bladesmith by the American Bladesmith Society.

Surviving Dave in addition to Linda, the Mother of his two sons, are Jason Johnson of Seattle, Washington, Matthew Johnson of the Difficult Community; his sister, Mary Calvit Gondella of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; two grandchildren, Katelyn Johnson and Parker Johnson.

The gentleman responsible for the hiring of the employees and initial plant operation of the Dana Corporation in Gordonsville has died at the age of 88.

Mr. Dean Hickman, a longtime resident of Gordonsville and now of Shelbyville, Indiana, was pronounced dead on arrival at Johnson Memorial Health E.R. in Franklin, Indiana on Monday evening September 4, 2023 at 8:43 p.m. after suffering an apparent attack while mowing at the home of his lady friend in Franklin.

Mr. Hickman is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral home where his funeral services will be conducted on Saturday afternoon September 16th at 1 p.m. with his longtime pastor, Eld. Junior Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow beside his wife in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

Military Chapel honors will be provided by the American Legion Post # 57 of Carthage.

Mr. Hickman’s family will receive friends at Sanderson in Carthage only on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the services at 1 p.m.

The youngest of ten children, five sons and five daughters, he was born Merrell Dean Hickman in Cleveland in Bradley County, Tennessee on May 3, 1935 and was the last surviving child of the late Cletus William Hickman and Fannie Joann Bonine Hickman.

The nine siblings preceding him in death were; Margaret Hickman Scott, Bonnie Hickman Anderson, Sarah Lou Hickman Souls, Grace Hickman Cody, Jim Hickman, Johnny B. Hickman, Nathaniel “Red” Hickman, Clyde William Hickman, and Cecil Dugan Hickman.

He attended Bradley County High School and was a member of the class of 1951, having received his General Education Degree.

On April 4, 2022, he was preceded in death by his wife of almost sixty nine years, Cleveland, Tennessee native, the former Willie Mae Walker Hickman. They were united in marriage in Rossville, Georgia on June 27, 1953 by Rev. George McClure.

He was a United States Air Force Veteran during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with the rank of Basic Airman from the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas having been assigned to the 3708th Military Squadron.

He began his career with the Dana Corporation in 1955 in Marion, Indiana and transferred to Gordonsville on September 3, 1983 to begin hiring for the Gordonsville plant. After that plant began operation he was transferred to Reston, Washington, a Seattle suburb to manage that plant for two years before returning to Gordonsville to complete a thirty five year career with the Dana Corporation.

After coming to the Gordonsville facility, he would hire 120 employees to operate the plant which had the first day of operation on December 5, 1983.

The first six employees hired on the first day employment was opened were Linda Bennett Williams, Mitchell Brooks, Patrick Brooks, Obie Apple, Danny Shepherd and Jay Wilburn.

Mr. Hickman was always proud that the second employee hired, Mitchell Brooks of the Defeated Creek Community, was still employed at the plant almost forty years later and held the first seniority position at the facility.

After returning to Smith County from the Washington State Plant in 1990, he was saved at the age of 55 and was baptized into the full fellowship of the Plunketts Creek Missionary Baptist Church in the Rock City Community.

Mr. Hickman was very proud with his fellowship at the Plunketts Creek church. He enjoyed being a mentor to the young men within the church and to have the opportunity to encourage their involvement in service to the Lord.

The most important thing in Mr. Hickman’s life, beside his relationship with the Lord was his family. He always instilled in his children and grandchildren a strong work ethic. He wanted them to strive to succeed and to keep trying, to do better each time, were things they all had lovingly taught to them in them growing up.

After returning to Smith County he and his wife made their home on Maple Street in Gordonsville.

Mrs. Harriett Matthews became a part of his life this last year. They shared a common love of family. Working side by side they laughed and enjoyed a wonderful friendship.

Also surviving are three daughters, Lola Mae Hickman Hively and husband Randy of Claypool, IN, Cathy Hickman Mican and husband Rob of Chicago, Illinois, Beverly Hickman Small and husband Perry of La Fontaine, IN; son, Russell Charles “Russ” Hickman and wife Kim of Shelbyville, IN; twelve grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

The Hickman family has requested memorials to the Plunketts Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be men he had mentored from Plunketts Creek; Eld. Anthony Dixon, Mark Dawson, Mike Darnell, Richard Gregory, Lendon Grisham, and Mike Dickerson.