Ms. Jonnie “Foxy” Martin, age 59 of Carthage died  Wednesday evening, April 17 at Sumner Regional in Gallatin.  She is survived by a sister, Mary Bullock of South Carthage.

Ms. Martin will be cremated at Cumberland Family services.  A Memorial Service for “Foxy” will be held at Hickory Hills Community Room on Wednesday, April 24 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  The family has requested memorials donations to help with funeral expenses.  

Mrs. Margaret Speck, a housewife of the Hogans Creek Community, passed from this earthly life to eternity at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday morning April 16, 2024 with her two daughters at her bedside. Her passing was at the Smith County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage where she had made her home since June 13, 2023.

Funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home will be conducted Saturday afternoon April 20th with Eld. Anthony Dixon officiating. Interment following the 3 p.m. services will be in the Speck family lot in the Garden of the Cross at the Smith County Memorial Gardens, with Kenny Westmoreland, Chaplain for Gentiva Hospice, officiating.

The Speck family will receive friends at Sanderson in Carthage only on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the services at 3 p.m.

Born Margaret Dellia Christian in the Sullivans Bend Community, she was the youngest of seven children, three daughters and four sons, born to the late Melvin Ottis Christian who died at the age of 93 on November 27, 1990 and Vinnie Ethel Overstreet Christian who died at the age of 73 on February 21, 1975.

Five of her six siblings preceded her in death. They were a sister, Carrie Nell Christian Climer who died June 19, 2014 at the age of 94 and all four brothers, James Wade “J. W.” Christian who died January 4, 1966 at the age of 41, Leonard Wilson Christian who died October 3, 1966 at the age of 44, Jesse Julious Christian who died May 2, 2000 at the age of 73 and Oliver Smith “Shorty” Christian who died July 17, 2018 at the age of 88.

At the Smith County Courthouse on April 24, 1954, she was united in marriage to Livingston, Tennessee native George Howard Speck, who preceded her in death at the age of 73 on December 27, 2007. The ceremony was performed by then Smith County Justice of the Peace and Western Auto Store owner, the late H. H. White.

Two sons preceded her in death, Tony Howard Speck who died January 18, 1993 at the age of 37 as the result of a homicide and Marty Ottis Speck who died January 17, 2013 at the age of 47 as the result of a motorcycle accident near his Hogans Creek Community home.

Also preceding her in death was a grandson, Wesley Keith Speck who died October 7, 2008 at the age of 30 of sudden onset heart failure.

Mrs. Speck was of the Pentecostal faith and attended the Emmanuel Church of Christ.

She is survived by her two daughters, Connie Speck Bowman and husband Anthony of the Hogans Creek Community and Tammy Speck Smith and husband Tony of Carthage; special beloved sister, Maude Christian Mofield of Lebanon; six grandchildren, Tonia Miranda Speck of Hartsville Pike Community, Phylliicia Speck of the Ballinger Road Community, Blake Speck of Simpsonville, South Carolina, Betheney Speck of the Ballinger Road Community, and Audri Bowman and fiancée Payton of the Riddleton Community; one great granddaughter, Luna Petty

Pallbearers: Jimmy Christian, Shannon Speck, Tracy, Tommy, Landon, and Nick Mofield,

Daniel Christian, Payton Smith.

The Speck Family requests memorials to the Jordan Hackett Foundation.

A Flatrock Community resident known as the flooring man has died at the age of 65.

Mr. David Mears passed peacefully surrounded by his family at 9 a.m. Monday morning April 15, 2024 at the family farm home. He was pronounced deceased at 10 a.m. by Gentiva Hospice of Livingston who had been lovingly assisting the family with his care.

Mr. Mears was at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his family made arrangements for his cremation at Cumberland Family Services in Algood. The family will have a private memorial service at the family farm and he will be interred there.

The sixth of seven children born to the late Aubrey Lee Mears Sr. who died at the age of 64 on September 17, 1984 and Mary Louise Keller Mears Durham who died at the age of 78 on June 24, 2007, he was born David Reynolds Mears in the City of Decherd in Franklin County, Tennessee on August 12, 1958.

Three siblings preceded him in death, two sisters, Ann Mears Powers who died August 9, 2017 at the age of 66 and Betty Jean Mears Meeks who died October 29, 2009 at the age of 62 and a brother, Aubrey Lee Mears Jr. who died August 9, 2020 at the age of 71.

Mr. Mears was a 1976 graduate of Decherd High school.

In the Washburn Community of Grainger County on May 11, 1991, Mr. Mears was united in marriage to the former Dorothy Melissa (Cissy) Lay.

Mr. Mears was saved at an early age and at the time of his death was a member of the Rome Baptist Church.

He was an expert carpet, tile and wood floor installer and did much custom work for high school gym floors having placed school logos and names in center court. He and his sons owned and operated J & J Flooring until his retirement in 2018.

Surviving in addition to his wife Cissy of over thirty three years are their two sons, Johnathan Mears and wife Chelsea, Jared Mears all of the Flatrock Community; grandson, Johnathan Lee Mears II of the Flatrock Community; three sisters, Sandra Mears Kelley and husband Roy, Frances Mears Campbell and husband Larry all of Decherd, Patricia Mears of Lebanon.

Miss Carolyn Blair, a homemaker of South Carthage, died at the age of 79 with her sister and friends at her bedside at the Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage where she was admitted April 9, 2024 following a fall which fractured her hip at her Davis Street South home. She was pronounced deceased at 10:45 a.m. Monday morning April 15, 2024.

Miss Blair was at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Graveside services were conducted Tuesday morning with family friend David Haynes delivering the eulogy. Burial followed beside her parents in the Garden of the Cross at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

One of two daughters and a son of the late Haskell “Hack” Blair who died May 4, 2001 at the age of 85 and Nora Louise Crawford Blair who died March 24, 2004 at the age of 84, she was born Carolyn Jean Blair in Carthage on December 9, 1944.

She was preceded in death by a young brother, James Houston Blair, who was born June 3, 1939 and died May3, 1944, one month before his 4th birthday.

Miss Blair was reared on the Houston and Ollie Agee Owens farm in South Carthage which is now Riverpointe Estates.

She was a member of the graduating class of 1962 at the Smith County High School. There she majored in business education and home economics, of which she was a member of the freshman, sophomore, and junior classes and was also in the band and spring festival, both her freshman year.

The statement made about her time at S. C. H. S. was; “How dear to my heart were the scenes of my high school days.”

Miss Blair was saved as a teenager and was of the Missionary Baptist faith.

She was a longtime employee of the former W.E. Stephens Manufacturing Co. in Carthage and retired from the former James River Corporation in Gordonsville.

Surviving is her sister, Barbara Blair Tomlinson and husband Gary of Hartsville; nephew, Tim Tomlinson and wife Sylvia and their five children, Hunter, Kassidy, Caroline, Ann Marie, and Haynes all of Hartsville.

Mr. Allen Hempelmann, age 82, of South Carthage, died Thursday afternoon, April 11, at his home in South Carthage. He is survived by his wife, Carol Hempelmann of South Carthage; daughter Karen Cain and husband Brad of Flatrock.

Mr. Hempelmann was at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home and will be cremated at the Cumberland Family Services in Algood. There are no services planned at this time.

Mrs. Louise Glover, age 84, of Gordonsville, TN, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, lovingly surrounded by her family at her home.

Born Mary Louise Harris in Baxter, TN on May 6, 1939, to the late Tandy and Estelle Fields Harris. Louise was a 1958 graduate of Baxter Seminary.

She married the love of her life, Bobby Glover on August 5, 1961. He preceded her in death on February 17, 2018, after 56 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by a son, Darryl Glover, on June 30, 1968, and son-in-law, Wayne Maynard, on March 2, 2009. Louise was also preceded in death by all of her siblings, Bobby Harris, Johnny Harris, Evelyn Cummings, Judy Pippin, Inez Harris, Hallie McBroom, Benton Harris, and Willy Harris. Louise was saved on July 26, 1963. She was a member of The Macedonia The Baptist Church in Club Springs. Louise greatly enjoyed watching all of her grandchildren and attending yard sales and auctions to collect antique glassware.

Mrs. Glover is survived by three children; Sandra Maynard of Lancaster, TN, Gary (Laurie) Glover of Hickman, TN, Gregg (Lori) Glover of Buffalo Valley, TN. Grandchildren; Amanda (Tanner) Freese, Courtney Maynard, Trevor (Anna) Glover, Peyton Glover, Connor Glover, Katie Glover, and Caroline Glover. Four Great-Grandchildren; Carlie Maynard, Charlotte Freese, Harrison Glover, and Lillie Glover. Sisters-in-law: Diane Harris of Tiverton, RI, and Betty Harris of Gallatin, TN. Brothers-in-law: Jerry (Evelyn) Glover of Algood, TN, and Ricky Ezell (the late Helen); Sister-in-law; Dorothy (David) Elrod.

Funeral Services for Louise Glover are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 1PM with Bro. Tim Bennett and Bro. Garry McBride officiating. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Tanner Freese, Trevor Glover, Peyton Glover, Connor Glover, Ken Herd, Stacy Herd, Roger Glover, and Terry Harris.

The Glover family requests memorials in Mrs. Glover’s memory be made to Katie Glover or to Macedonia The Baptist Church.

Mrs. Eleanor Myers, age 82, of South Carthage, died Thursday morning, at her home. She is survived by Son; Randy Myers and wife Paula of South Carthage, grand children Heather Crowley and husband Jeff of Gordonsville; Joshua Ray Myers ad wife Ashlynne of Popes Hill; Tyler Myers of Gordonsville; Lenee Judd and husband Michael of Carthage; Daniel Knight and wife Rachel of Hartsville; Rachel Taylor and husband Thomas of Defeated Creek.

Mrs. Myers is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where her service will be conducted on Sunday afternoon, April 14 at 3:00 PM with Daniel Knight and Josh Myers doing the eulogy. Interment will follow at Smith County Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers: Josh Myers, Daniel Knight, Ronnie Lankford, Jimmy Lankford, Tyler Myers, Kylan Johnson, Michael Judd, Caden Myers, Jeff Crowley, Derek Allison.

The family will receive friends at the Carthage Chapel beginning on Sunday from 12:00 PM until the service time at 3:00 PM

Carthage native, Mr. Dale Hunt of Lebanon, died March 11, 2024 at the age of 69 at the Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital in Lebanon.

Memorial services are scheduled to be held to Celebrate his Life on Saturday morning April 27th at 11 a.m. in the Garden of the Cross at the Smith County Memorial Gardens. Bro. Tim Frank will deliver the eulogy. The family will receive friends at the graveside following the service.

The oldest of five children, four sons and a daughter, he was born Franklin Dale Hunt Jr. in Carthage on October 19, 1954 and was the son of the late Franklin Dale Hunt Sr. who died as the result of a vehicle pedestrian accident at the age of 27 on April 14, 1964 and the late Opal Butler Hunt Blansett who died on March 25, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Regina Blansett Stone.

An outstanding athlete, Mr. Hunt was a member of the 1973 graduating class at Smith County High School where he played football all four years. His major was auto mechanics and all four years he was a member of the “C” Club, the Owls football squad, and the pep club.

Mr. Hunt was a retired Correctional Sergeant with the State of Tennessee Department of Correction.

As a child, he attended with his grandparents, Joe and Dora Hardcastle Butler, First Baptist Church in Carthage.

Surviving are three sons, Justin Hunt and Jason Hunt and their mother, Nancy Wyatt Hunt of Woodbury, Bronson Hunt and his mother Kelly Hunt of Portland; three brothers, Troy Hunt of Lebanon, Randall Hunt of Nashville and Barry Hunt of Madison.

Mr. Warner Owen Hale, age 55 of Carthage, TN, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Mr. Hale was born December 2, 1968 in Detroit, MI, a son of Frances Elaine Woodard Hale and the late James Hale. He was also preceded in death by grandparents; Violet and Dewey Woodard and Warner and Georgia Mae Hale Thompson. He was a God-fearing Christian. He loved his family dearly and there was no end to what he would do for them.

Mr. Hale is survived by Wife; Danielle Hale of Carthage, TN. Children; Kyle Andrew Hale of Carthage, TN, and Tyler James (Maria Johnson) Hale of Tanglewood, TN. Grandchildren; Arabella Hale, Kalista Hale, and Vanessa Hale. Siblings; John (Melinda) Hale of Newport, TN, James (Lavonna) Hale of Tennessee, Darline Gregory of Hartsville, TN, Mildred Hale of Grant, TN, and Patty Reid of Lebanon, TN.

There are currently no services planned.

James Murray Sykes, age 89, of Crossville, Tennessee passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 6, 2024 with his loving wife by his side. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen Seal (Bill), parents Walter and Sadie Sykes, brother Robert H. Sykes (Gladys), and sister, Nancy Swain. Survived by his wife Sallye Sykes, daughters Lynn and Marian Sykes, grandchildren Jeremy Seal (Jennifer), Jonas Rubright (Keri), and Taylor Brandon (Derrick); great grandchildren Billy Seal, Tuesday and Annaleigh Edmondson, Isaiah Rubright, Dax Harden and Alliana Brandon and several nieces and nephews.

No service will be held. Donations in his name can be made to Hospice of Cumberland County. 30 E Adams Street, Crossville, TN 38555

Mrs. Rebecca (Becky) Paschall Malone Allmon, a longtime resident of Mt. Juliet, TN, went to her heavenly home on April 5th, 2024 at 1:47pm at Riverview Regional Hospital with family and Cathy Murphy, her caregiver, at her side.

Becky was born on January 29, 1940 in Hickman, Tennessee. Becky graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1958 and had a long work history working at Welsh Company, TVA, Mercury Records, and retired after many years from United Methodist Communications.

Preceding her in death would be her late parents Ray & Ocia Paschall, grandparent Finis & Evie Nixon and Oscar & Sue Paschall, Becky lost her youngest daughter Kelli Malone Pitman suddenly on December 6th, 2018. Also preceding her in death was her husband Jimmy Allmon and the father of her children Emmett Malone.

Becky is survived by three children; Mike Malone, Bob Malone, Beth (Tim Loftis) Kemp. Grandchildren; Cate Malone (Gage) Scurlock, Dustin (Megan) Malone, Chase (Zuzzel) Malone, Drew (Shelby) Kemp, Demi Kemp, Kelsi Pitman (Jason) Steffan, and Jack (Mallory) Pitman. Great grandchildren; Hattie Scurlock, Jax and Savannah Malone, Cam & Aria Malone, Cooper & Kyndal Kemp, Jordyn Swann, and Jackson Steffan. Sisters; Linda Upchurch and Janice (Jimmy) Perrigo.

Funeral Services for Becky Allmon were conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 3PM with Mark Medley officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Hill Cemetery.

The family requests memorials be made to Gordonsville High School Athletics.

A Tanglewood Community wife, mother, and grandmother was found unresponsive on the floor by her son, Robert, on Friday morning at their Sunnyview Drive home. Mrs. Fisher had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.

Mrs. Beth Toney Fisher age 63 was pronounced deceased at 8:55 a.m. Friday morning April 5, 2024 at the Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage where she was admitted with C. P. R. in progress.

Mrs. Fisher is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Her funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday afternoon April 9th at 1 p.m. from the Cornerstone Baptist Church in the Tanglewood Community with her pastor, Bro. Ron Ralph officiating. Her nephew, Eld. Scott Rigsby will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the Fisher Family lot in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

The Fisher family will receive friends at Sanderson in Carthage on Monday from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Tuesday at the Cornerstone Baptist Church from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral services.

She was born September 6, 1961 in Nashville one of four children, three daughters and a son and was the last surviving child of the late Benton Lee Toney who died April 14, 2003 at the age of 82 and two weeks earlier her mother Ruby Aline Price Toney had died at the age of 78 on March 31, 2003.

The youngest of four children, she was preceded in death by all three of her siblings. They were Cheryl Toney Rigsby who died at the age of 77 on February 26, 2022, Phillip Terry Toney who died at the age of 78 on May 24, 2021 and Barbara Toney Lewis who died at the age of 33 on December 13, 1972.

Mrs. Fisher was a 1979 graduate of Smith County High School and where she majored in Home Economics, a class she was a member of all four years. She was a member of the business club her junior year, participated in the Spring Festival all four years, the chorus her final three years, and her senior year was a member of the office staff where she was office staff representative to the student body and the student body selected her as the friendliest girl in their class of ’79.

At the Pleasant Shade Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Shade on October 24, 1981, she was united in marriage to Carthage native Robert Ernest (Bob) Fisher Jr. The ceremony was performed by the late Eld. Charles Jones, then church pastor.

Mrs. Fisher was a charter member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church.

At the time of her death she was employed by the Dana Corporation in Gordonsville in the assembly section.

Surviving in addition to her husband Bob of over forty two years are their two daughters, Rachel Fisher Voltaggio and husband Tony of Nashville, Rosie Fisher Gray and husband Shawn of Hartsville; their son, Robert Ernest Fisher III of the Tanglewood Community; three grandchildren, Carson and Jackson Gray of Hartsville and Anna Voltaggio of Nashville; fur baby, Miss Lucy.

The Fisher family has requested memorials to the Cornerstone Baptist Church Missions Program.

Pallbearers: David & Mark Lewis, Noah & Eli King, Carson Gray, Jonathan Partlow, John & Jacob Toney

Pastor Philip Dunn age 65 of La Porte, Texas left this world on Wednesday morning April 3, 2024 at 8:39 a.m. at his home, surrounded by those he loved and those who loved him.

Graveside services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon April 7th with Bro. Ron Ralph officiating. Burial will follow in the Gazebo Garden at the Dixon Springs Cemetery. The Dunn family will receive friends at the graveside.

Born Philip Lee Dunn in Corpus Christi, Texas on November 19, 1958, he was the son of the late Fred and Helen Dunn. At the age of 13, while listening to a sermon on the radio, Philip received the Lord Jesus Christ into his life. Later, in his early 20’s, after the tragic loss of his mother, he moved to Houston, TX. He started attending, Prairie Garden Baptist Church where he met the Wheat family and his eventual wife, Robin. Philip and Robin were married on September 15, 1984. Philip was very active at Prairie Garden as the music director and in various other ministries.

A few years later, Philip and Robin relocated to Shady Acres Baptist Church, a church they grew to love along with the pastor, Brother Jack Wood. They were both active at Shady Acres, doing what they could to help the church, while also raising their family for the Lord. Philip became the choir director while also serving in the jail and prison ministry.

After serving Shady Acres for almost fifteen years, Philip was called as founder/pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church here in LaPorte where he served until his graduation to glory.

Pastor Dunn was always passionate, caring, loving and very particular with everything he did. He was always looking for a new joke to put a smile on someone’s face. He loved to clown around with his grandchildren and loved his Blue Bell. He had the biggest heart for LaPorte and His church family, even if, as he would say, “they walked on my grass”! He fought a good fight and finished his course. He was a great soldier of Jesus Christ, faithful to the end of his race.

Philip is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Christene and his father, Fred Stanley. He is survived by wife of 39 years, Robin Renee along with their children, Tammy Drake, Joe (Ruth) Dunn and Christine (Jacob) Ralph. He is also survived by his siblings: Stanley Dunn, Charles Dunn and Sylvia Workman who he called “Sister”. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren- Lauren, Alyssa, Grant, Jace, Jackson, Tanner, Lena Rae, Douglas, Joe Jr., Uriah and Aaron; three greatgrandchildren- Madeline, Traven and Nathan.

Rather than donations or flowers, the family asks that you take some special time with your family and friends. Make a special memory in the days to come, as you remember, time waits for no one.

Pall bearers: Leo Laurel, Joe Palmer, Wesley Neal, Ron Arnita, Loren Green, Jared Brewer.

Honorary pallbearers: Ron Carlson, John Deshotel, Mike Gaskin, Larry LaFrienere, NM Starr, Wes Neal Sr.

Mr. Kenneth “Big Daddy” Marshall, age 72 of Hartsville, died Wednesday morning, April 3 at Sumner Regional in Gallatin.   He is survived by: wife, Linda Woodmore Marshall; 4 sons, Shannon Woodmore and wife Kristen of Hartsville, Jedidiah T. Marshall of Bethpage, Travis Marshall and wife Misty of Hartsville, Casey Marshall and wife Krystal of Hartsville; sister, Anna Ruth Walker and husband John of Hartsville; 10 grandchildren, Niko Woodmore, Niera Woodmore, Chyanna Marshall, Jedidiah Dyvon Marshall, Jevon Marshall, Jazzlynn Marshall, Jaleah Marshall, Tristin Carr, Melvin Marshall, Sadie Marshall.

Mr. Marshall is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Sunday afternoon, April 7 at 3:00 PM.  Pastor Fred Beasley, Pastor David Randolph, and Pastor Tony Clemons will officiate.  Interment in the Temple Cemetery on Wolf Hill Road in Bethpage, TN 37022. Serving as pallbearers are: Jevon Marshall, Tristin Carr, J. D. Marshall, Niko Woodmore, Melvin Marshall, Landon Whitefield, Dyson Satterfield. 

Visitation on Sunday only from 1:00 PM until service time at 3:00 PM.  

Mr. Elwood Lykins, age 88 of Carthage, TN passed away on Sunday March 31, 2024.

Mr. Lykins was born August 12, 1935 in West Liberty, KY. He was a son of the late Roy Lykins and Vesta Mae Howard Lykins. He was also preceded by six siblings: Harold Lykins, Woodrow Lykins, Paul Lykins, Eugene Lykins, Maxine Miller and Hazel Cox. He worked at Taveres High School in Tavares, Florida as a custodian retiring in 1993. He loved music and singing and was an avid musician and singer in his younger years.

Mr. Lykins is survived by three children: Timothy (Nickie) Lykins, Pamela Cook, and Gary (Rebecca) Lykins; grandchildren, Heather Lykins, Timothy S. Lykins, Chris Cook, Chelsea Lykins and Cara Sattar and several great-grandchildren.

Mr. Lykins is at the Carthage chapel of Bass Funeral Homes. Mr. Lykins family will hold family services at a later date.