Mrs. Lois Greene Vance

Mrs. Lois Greene Vance age 59 of the Plunketts Creek Community died at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday afternoon January 21, 2025 at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville from injuries received earlier that afternoon in an automobile accident on I-40 East in Wilson County.
Funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home are scheduled to be conducted Saturday afternoon January 25th at 1 p.m. with Eld. Danny Raines officiating.
Visitation at Sanderson in Carthage will be on Friday January 24th from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and again on Saturday after 10 a.m.
Her husband, Joe Vance and daughter Claire and son Jon Neal, will complete the arrangements on Thursday afternoon January 23rd at 1 p.m. at the Sanderson Arrangements Center.
The Vance family has requested memorials to either St. Jude or the Caney Fork Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Donna Marie Cone

Mrs. Donna Marie Cone, age 59 of Elmwood, TN, passed away on January 17, 2025.
Mrs. Cone was born April 7, 1965 in Altoona, PA, a daughter of the late Lester Leroy Weaver, Sr, and Anna Marie Ruth Hoover Weaver. She was also preceded in death by 8 siblings.
Mrs. Cone is survived by Husband; Greg Cone of Elmwood, TN. Children; Crystal (Brandon) Litton and Thomas (Johnnie) Runser. Step-Children; Tiffany Cone, Brittany Cone, and Joshua (Shauna) Cone. Grandchildren; McKenzie, Adalynn, Molly, Colton, Xavier. Step-grandchildren; Mason, Cheyenne, Whitney, Logan, and Beau. Siblings; Timothy Newmann, Charles (Audrey) Weaver, Sr, Joseph Weaver, Trudy Eiselman, and Kathy (Ronnie) Taylor.
The Cone family will hold services at a later date and will share service details when finalized.
Mrs. Kathleen Gregory

Mrs. Kathleen Gregory, age 90 of the Defeated Creek Community, died Tuesday afternoon, January 21 at Knollwood in Lafayette. She is survived by: son, Hughie Gregory and wife Tammy of Defeated Creek; 2 grandchildren, Daniel Gregory of Difficult, Kendra Gregory of South Carthage.
Mrs. Gregory is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where her service will be conducted on Thursday afternoon, January 23 at 3:00 PM. Eld. Shawn Shepherd and Bro. Jackie Dillehay will officiate. Interment in the Dixon Springs Cemetery.
Visitation at the Carthage Chapel will begin on Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM and on Thursday from 12:00 noon until service time at 3:00 PM.
The family has requested memorials to Defeated Creek Fire Department.
Mrs. Marilynn Kirby

Mrs. Marilynn Kirby of Kennys Bend in the Rock City Community died at the age of 70 at 1:05 p.m. Saturday afternoon January 18, 2025 at the Smith County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage.
Funeral services will be conducted by her two brothers-in-law, Wally Kirby and Steve Kirby on Thursday morning January 23rd from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery in Carthage.
The Kirby family will receive friends on Wednesday January 22nd at Sanderson in Carthage from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. services.
Mrs. Kirby was the daughter of the late Ramey Leroy Henzman who died October 4, 2008 at the age of 72 and Marilynn Sue Taylor Henzman Wilson who died January 28, 2009 at the age of 71, and was born Marilynn Yvonne Henzman in Huntingburg in Dubois County, Indiana on May 14, 1954.
In Greenwood, Indiana on November 17, 1973, she was united in marriage to Jerrell D. Kirby at the Rocklane Christian Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby were preceded in death by a grandson, Christopher Jacob Kirby who died at birth on September 17, 1999 and by a granddaughter, Andria Paige “Andi” Johnson who died at the age of 17 as the result of a single car automobile accident on Lebanon Highway on June 6, 2010.
Mrs. Kirby was formerly employed in the cleaning department at Smith County High School and also was a sitter with elderly patients.
Surviving in addition to her husband Jerrell of over fifty one years are their three sons, Jerrell Kirby and wife Annie of Cartersville, Georgia, Jason Kirby and wife Michelle of the Kennys Bend Community, Josh Kirby and wife Brianna of Lebanon; five siblings, Ramey Lee Henzman of Dale, Indiana, Vicky Lloyd of Oaktown, Indiana, Rhonda Flores, Denise Henzman, and Duke Henzman all of Texas; twelve grandchildren, Retta Otting and husband Dylan, Karla and Porter Kirby, Carly Johnson, Alex Duke and wife Canaan, Jessica Smith and husband Eric, Gabrielle Nicole Duenez and husband Nick, Brendon, Hannah, Corbain, Walter, and Dean Kirby; one great-grandchild, Graham Smith.
Pallbearers: Jerrell, Jason, Josh, Kelly and Brendon Kirby, Nick Duenez, Dylan Otting, Eric Smith
Mr. John Franklin Michael, Jr.

Mr. John Franklin Michael, Jr., age 71 of Pleasant Shade, TN, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Mr. Michael was born April 8, 1953 in Michigan, a son of the late John Franklin Michael, Sr and Lucy Marie House Michael. He was also preceded in death by a daughter and sister; Constance Marie Michael. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also made a hobby of making walking sticks. He loved the Tennessee Titans and helping other people. He was affectionately known as Santa Claus due to his long white beard.
Mr. Michael is survived by wife; Teresa Gray Michael of Pleasant, Shade, TN. Son; Rev. John F. Michael, III, of Arkansas. Step-daughter; Samantha (George) Smith of Pleasant Shade, TN. Brother; Montey Glenn Michael of Arkansas. Sister; Tian (Lavoy) Sorg of Arkansas.
The family will hold private services at a later date.
Mr. Lynn Beasley

Mr. Lynn Beasley, age 81 of Hartsville, died Thursday morning, January 16 at his home. He is survived by: companion of 27 years, Melba Wix Carter; son, Shorty Beasley of Castalian Springs; 2 daughters, Mary Lynn Claridy of Hartsville, Deborah Woodall and husband Steve of Gallatin; 4 sisters, Ruthie East of Lafayette, Mary Beasley of Pleasant Shade, Carolyn Bringhearst and husband Eugene of Castalian Springs, Gail Woodard of Cato; brother, Dean Beasley of Lafayette; step-son, Greg Carter and wife Erin of Bethpage; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Beasley is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Sunday afternoon, January 19 at 3:00 PM. Eld. Brent Hall and Eld. Michael Nesbitt will officiate. Interment in the Dixon Springs Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are: Teddy Jewell, Atlas Barber, David Adcock, Allen Wall, Justin Beasley, Blake Carter.
Visitation will begin on Saturday at noon until 5:00 PM and on Sunday from 10:00 AM until service time at 3:00 PM.
Mrs. Shirley Christine Maxwell

Mrs. Shirley Christine Maxwell, age 89, of Livingston, TN, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Mrs. Maxwell was born August 12, 1935 in Jackson County, TN, a daughter of the late Marshall B. Wheeler and Carrie M. Maynard Wheeler. Mrs. Maxwell married James R. Maxwell and he preceded her in death on April 19, 2019. She was also preceded in death by Daughter; Faye Dodd, Son; John Lee Horton, and Step-daughter; Delores Ann Smith.
Mrs. Maxwell is survived by Daughter; Connie (Tommy) Smith of Springfield, TN. Step-daughter; Tina Huff of North Carolina. Two son-in-laws; Myk Dodd of Knoxville, TN, and Ray Smith of Livingston, TN. Ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Maxwell are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday, January 16, 2024 at 1PM with Ray Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Maxwell Family Cemetery in the Pea Ridge Community of Smith County, TN.
Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes after 10AM until service time at 1PM.
Mrs. Lucette Shoulders Kemp

Mrs. Lucette Shoulders Kemp, age 60 of Kempville, died Tuesday morning, January 14 at Riverview Regional in Carthage. She is survived by: husband, Steven Kemp; son, Adam Kemp of Kempville; sister, Sally Jane Whitefield and Lamar of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, mother-in-law, Kay Conditt Kemp of Kempville, sister-in-law, Lisa Kemp Huff and husband Alan of Granville, niece and nephew, Kayla and Justin Kemp.
Lucette will be at the Kempville Old Time Methodist Church where her services will be conducted on Friday afternoon, January 17 at 1:00 PM. Bro. Bryan Bratcher will officiate. Interment in the Defeated Creek Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers are: David Gregory, Richard Gregory, Charles Smith, Donny Dixon, Randy Shoulders, George Clay, Ricky Givens and Adam Kemp, honorary pallbearer, Justin Kemp.
Visitation at the Kempville Old Time Methodist Church will begin on Thursday at noon until 8:00 PM and on Friday from 9:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM.
Memorials to Joey Kemp Scholarship or Kempville Old Time Methodist Church.
Ms. Mary Martin

Ms. Mary Martin, age 76 of the Riddleton Community, died Monday morning, January 13 at her daughter’s home. She is survived by: daughter, Angie Brimm and husband Andy of Riddleton, Jamie Summers and wife Jennifer Long Summers of the Hickman Community, sister, Willie Lambert and husband Donnie of the Elmwood Community, 2 brothers, Ray Martin and wife Patricia Mckinney Martin of Popes Hill, Raymond Martin of South Carthage; 3 grandchildren, Jorja and Jude Summers and Hadley Brimm.
Ms. Martin is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where her service will be conducted on Thursday morning, January 16 at 11:00 AM. Bro. Floyd Massey will officiate. Interment in the Smith County Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers are: Shane Martin, Tom Jones, Shannon Brinkley, Justin Martin, Robert Martin, Mike Martin.
Visitation will begin on Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM and on Thursday from 9:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM.
The family has requested memorials to the Gordonsville Methodist Church.
Mildred Bennett Jones

Mrs. Mildred Jean Bennett Jones, age 84 of Gordonsville, TN passed away Thursday January 9, 2025.
Mrs. Jones was born in Gordonsville, TN on November 14, 1940, a daughter of the late Norman “Normie” Bennett and Frances Elizabeth Grisham Bennett. She was married to Allen Ray Jones on May 16, 1969, he preceded her in death on February 29, 2018. She was also preceded in death by three sisters: Martha Mai Bennett Fields, Mable Bennett and Linda Faye Bennett. Mrs. Jones was a 1958 graduate of Gordonsville High School and attended the Church of God of Prophecy.
Mrs. Jones is survived by three children: Norma (Bernie) Gregory of Gordonsville, TN, Lisa (Jimmy) Brown of Gordonsville, TN and Bill Jones of Elmira, NY. Grandchildren: Jaime Phann of Carthage, TN, Dustin Kyle Brown of Carthage, TN, Megan (Larry) Ross of Lebanon, TN and John (Cassie) Jones of Florida: great-grandchildren Cali Grace Brown of Carthage, TN, Titus Bo Brown of Carthage, TN and Millie Rayne Jones of Florida.
Mrs. Jones is at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes. Graveside services and interment are scheduled to be conducted at the Gordonsville Cemetery on Friday January 17, 2025 at 1PM by Bro James Guire.
Mrs. Jones family will receive friends at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Friday January 17, 2025 from 12 Noon until we leave to go to the Gordonsville Cemetery at 12:45PM.
Bobbie Mae Croslin Woods

On January 4, 2025 at 5:52AM Bobbie Mae Croslin Woods of the Lancaster Hill Community went to be with her Lord. She was born on March 15, 1928 in Smith County, TN to James Bennett Croslin and Vallie Crawford Croslin. On December 1, 1945 she married Ralph Woods in Ringgold, GA. They had three children Donna, Darla, and Teddy.
Bobbie helped to care for her family in any way she could. She attended Lancaster Hill Church of God for years and also Carthage Church of God until her health issues kept her home. Bobbie worked several years at Carthage Shirt Factory but most of her years were spent as a housewife, mother and daughter. She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph on December 26, 2004, parents James Bennett and Vallie Crawford Croslin, infant son Teddy, brother Bart Croslin and son-in-law Kerr Cowan. She is survived by daughters: Donna (Jimmy) Judkins and Darla Cowan of the Lancaster Hill Community. She has three grandchildren; Valerie Judkins, Benny (Suzanne) Judkins and Lori (Greg) Glover; five great grandchildren; Blayne Judkins, Peyton (Casey) Judkins, Brennan Judkins, Katelyn Glover and Caroline Glover: three nephews; Danny, Gary and Jamie Croslin: special cousin Jack Woodard of Birmingham, AL.
Mrs. Woods is at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes where funeral services are scheduled to be conducted on Tuesday January 7, 2025 at 1PM with Bro Seth London and Bro Bill Parkerson officiating. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will be held at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Monday from 2PM to 8PM and on Tuesday after 10AM until service time at 1PM.
Mrs. Woods family request memorial donations in her memory be made to St. Judes.
Mrs. Marie Thomas King

Mrs. Marie Thomas King of Carthage died at the age of 80 with her family at her bedside at 11:30 p.m. Thursday evening January 2, 2025 and was pronounced deceased at 12:57 a.m. Friday morning January 3, 2025 at her Third Avenue East home under the care of Gentiva Hospice of Livingston.
Funeral services from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home will be conducted on Monday afternoon January 6th at 1 p.m. with Bro. Tommy Ferguson and Bro. Billy Jones officiating. Burial will follow beside her husband, Kenneth and son Shane, in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.
Visitation at Sanderson in Carthage will be on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. and again on Monday from 10 a.m. until the 1 p.m. funeral services.
One of nine children, four daughters and five sons, she was born Lellie Marie Thomas in the Turkey Creek Community on December 20, 1944 and was the daughter of the late Gena (Gene) McMillan Thomas who died November 19, 1978 at the age of 67 and Colena Dixie Henry Thomas Allison who died June 10, 1996 at the age of 71.
Three brothers preceded her in death, Frank Edward Thomas who died at birth on January 28, 1943, Fred Allen Thomas who died November 7, 2003 at the age of 68 and Phillip Furd Thomas who died April 8, 2013 at the age of 50.
Mrs. King was a member of the 1963 graduating class at Smith County High School where she majored in home economics, a class she took all four years. She was also a member of the Smith County High School marching band all four years, was in the Spring Festival her sophomore and junior year, and her senior year was selected in the bands Who’s Who. It was stated in the ‘63 Owl annual that she was helpful, casual and attentive and her peers made the statement about her that; “truth is the most valuable thing we have”.
On June 11, 1964 at the former Carthage Emmanuel Church of Christ in Carthage, she was united in marriage to Elmwood Community native, James Kenneth King who died at the age of 78 on October 10, 2020 following over fifty-six years of marriage. They were wed by then church pastor, Rev. Rob Roy Banks with Audrey McBride Grisham and Elizabeth Grisham Thomas as witnesses.
Mr. and Mrs. King were preceded in death by a son, Rondal Shane King who died at the age of 29 in a single car automobile accident in Wilson County on November 15, 1998.
Mrs. King was a charter member of the Full Gospel Tabernacle In Jesus Name in Lebanon where she retained her membership until her death.
Mrs. King was faithful in attendance and a dedicated employee in the deli department in Lebanon from her employment in 1992 until her retirement in 2004 and prior to that was a longtime respected employee of the Texas Boot Company in Lebanon.
Surviving Marie are her two sons, Michael “Coach” King and Josh King both of Carthage; three sisters, Barbara Thomas Poston of Carthage, Patricia Thomas of Gallatin, and Carol Thomas Reece of the Halls Hill Community; two brothers, Billy Thomas and wife Elizabeth Grisham Thomas of the Turkey Creek Community, Ray Thomas of the Pavilion in South Carthage.
Pallbearers: Corey & Scotty Reece, Larry Guffey Jr., Noah & Eli King, Chris Thackxton.
Mr. Jackie Preston

Former Smith County General Session Judge, Jackie Preston of Gordonsville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in the evening, peacefully at his home surrounded by family. He was 88 years old.
Mr. Preston was born February 14, 1936 in Gordonsville, TN, a son of the late David Monroe Preston and Dora Mai Cowan. He married Janice Gail Williams Preston on March 29, 1964 and she preceded him in death on March 9, 2013. Mr. Preston was also preceded in death by Sister; Reba Bellar and his beloved dog, Stormy and cat, Meow Meow.
Mr. Preston attended Gordonsville High School. He worked at the Tennessee Department of Correction at the State Penitentiary for 3 years. After that, he was Chief Deputy for Smith County Sherriff’s Office from 1974 until 1978. He then served Smith County as General Sessions Judge from September 1, 1978 until his retirement on August 31, 2006. Mr. Preston was also a bus driver for Smith County School and served as a Smith County Commissioner for 8 years.
Mr. Preston was saved at First Baptist Church, Gordonsville and was baptized by Bro. Jonnie Young. He was a member of the Gordonsville Church of the Nazarene.
He will be remembered as a devoted father and loved the people of his community. He loved farming, his church, his family, and his John Deere Tractor.
Mr. Preston is survived by Children; Renee (Steve) Armistead of Club Springs, TN, Deborah Preston of Gordonsville, TN, Penny Preston of Gordonsville, TN, and Scott (Kim) Preston of Gordonsville, TN. Six grandchildren; Brooke Armistead, Brandi (Serman) Lim, Brittany (Caleb) Reese, Mackenzie (Brett) Silvers, Jesse Cole Preston, and Katie Preston. Eight great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services for Mr. Preston are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 2PM with Bro. Shane Smith officiating and Eulogies by Scotty Lewis, Eugene Roberts, and Steve Armistead. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery with Bro. Bobby Peoples officiating.
Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Saturday from 10AM until service time at 2PM.
The family requests memorials be made to the Smith County Humane Society or charity of your choice.
Mrs. Teresa James Ballard

Mrs. Teresa James Ballard, age 75, of Gordonsville, TN, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024.
Mrs. Ballard was born January 23, 1949 in Phoebus, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Herman James on September 11, 2012 and Una Lee Lawrence James on February 28, 2003. She married Howard Cecil Ballard on November 23, 1983 and he preceded her in death on January 20, 2023.
Mrs. Ballard graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1967. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Tennessee Tech University and worked as a teacher for 34 years until her retirement: one year at Union Heights Elementary and 33 years at New Middleton School. She loved her cat, Stray, and watching the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Braves. Mrs. Ballard also loved her family dearly.
Mrs. Ballard is survived by Daughters; Rachel (Jon) Kelley of Pea Ridge, TN. Penny Kinslow of South Carthage, TN, and Pamela Ballard of Chestnut Mound, TN. Eleven grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren. Brother; William (Vicky) James of Lebanon, TN. Two nephews.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Ballard are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 11AM with Bishop Richard Blackburn officiating. Interment will follow in the Baird Memorial Cemetery in Hickman, TN.
Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday after 9AM until service time at 11AM.
The family requests memorials be made to St. Jude.
Mrs. Gladys Andrews Sloan

Mrs. Gladys Andrews Sloan, age 93 of South Carthage, died Tuesday afternoon, December 31 at Vanderbilt-Wilson in Lebanon. She is survived by: son, Mark Sloan and wife Melissa of Turkey Creek; brother, Hollis Andrews of Gallatin; 3 grandchildren, Kaison Sloan and wife Grace of Pleasant Shade, Kolby Sloan of Carthage, Kassady Sloan Cadenhead and husband Noah of Hartsville; 3 great grandchildren, Boaz and Liam Sloan, Lylah Cadenhead; sister-in-law, Barbara Andrews of Lafayette.
Mrs. Sloan is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where her service will be conducted on Thursday afternoon, January 2 at 3:00 PM. Bro. Ron Ralph will officiate. Interment in the Pleasant Shade Cemetery.
Visitation on Thursday only from 1:00 PM until service time at 3:00 PM.
The family has requested memorials to Pleasant Shade Cemetery.