Mr. Gregg Kemple age 77 of South Carthage died on Wednesday morning March 20, 2024 at his Gibbs Landing Drive home with his wife at his bedside. He was pronounced deceased at 3:03 a.m. by Gentiva Hospice of Cookeville who had been assisting Mrs. Kemple with his care during his final days on earth.

Mr. Kemple’s pastor, Bro. Ron Ralph will officiate at the 1:00 p.m. Friday afternoon March 22nd funeral services which will be conducted from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery.

The Kemple family will receive friends at Sanderson in Carthage only on Friday March 22nd from 11 a.m. until the services at 1 p.m.

He was one of four children, three sons and a daughter, and the last surviving child of the late James Sweeney Kemple Jr. who died September 28, 2002 at the age of 86 and Doris Applegate Kemple who died September 14, 1988 at the age of 71 and was born Gregg Alan Kemple in East Liverpool in Columbiana County, Ohio on November 21, 1946.

A sister, Mrs. Sherri Kemple Paulson preceded Gregg in death as did his two brothers, Mr. Kim Kemple who died at the age of 53 on October 19, 2005 and Mr. Gary J. Kemple also preceded him in death.

Mr. Kemple was a 1964 graduate of East Liverpool High School in East Liverpool, Ohio and Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

At the Donelson Nazarene Church on October 8, 1988, he was united in marriage to South Carthage native, the former Devon Renee Torrence.

He was a member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church in the Tanglewood Community.

Mr. Kemple began his career with the Hill’s Stores chain and after the purchase by Wal-Mart retired as a District Manager for the Wal-Mart Corporation.

Surviving in addition to his wife Renee, of over thirty five years, is a sister-in-law, Susan Kemple of Akron, Ohio; nephew, Jason Kemple of Akron, Ohio and his children, Isabelle, Kiera, Grace, and Caden; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sammy Bob Torrence and wife Peggy Porter Torrence of South Carthage; brother-in-law, Bob Torrence of Chestnut Mound and his children, Bo Torrence and wife Sarah of Chestnut Mound and children, Jaxson and Madelyn, Alyssa Waggoner and husband Hayden and children, Everly and Maddox, Faith Torrence of Gordonsville.

The Kemple family requests memorials to the Cornerstone Baptist Church Building Fund or Missionary Fund.

A beautiful person inside and out, Virginia Lester Agee, shared her warmth with her family and friends for 99 years until her peaceful transition to her heavenly home on March 18, 2024, much to their sorrow.

Born November 13, 1924 in Dayton, OH, a daughter of the late Jack Lester, Sr, and Beulah Mai Williams Lester. She graduated from Gordonsville High School and Tennessee Tech University, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. Her love for helping others was apparent. She deeply enjoyed her time as the guidance counselor at Gordonsville High School. An educator who was “called” to her profession, she was much loved by students and colleagues alike. Above all, she was a devoted wife and mother.

She married the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Ivy C. Agee, Jr on June 7, 1942, and shortly thereafter sent him to World War II, not to see him again until the war was over. He preceded her in death on December 16, 2019, after 78 years of marriage. Along with her adoring husband and parents, Virginia was also preceded in death by Son; Dan Oliver Agee, Father-in-Law; Ivy C. Agee, Sr., Mother-in-Law; Hettie Lucille Gwaltney Agee, and Siblings; Ronnie Lester, Jack Lester, Jr, Bill Lester, and Jean Lannon.

Never one to sit around, Virginia was very active in the Gordonsville United Methodist Church. She was one of the pillars of the church and supported it with her “prayers, presence, tithes, and efforts.” Virginia was also very active in her community, participating in and observing the daily life of Gordonsville, TN, from her home on Main Street where she lived for 70+ years.

She was a friend and confidante to many. She was loved greatly and will be forever missed.

She is survived by devoted daughter and son-in-law; Celia (Mort) Stein. Sister; Nancy Walker. Grandchildren; Amanda (Tommy) Dillehay, Matt (Dana) Stein, Jake (Rhea) Stein, and Daniel Agee. Three great-grandchildren; Kelsi (Dylan) Davis, Maura Basil, and Jonah (Sarah) Stein. Two great-great grandsons; Ryder Stein and Cade Stein.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Agee are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 2PM with Bro. Dickie Johnson officiating. Eulogies will be delivered by Margaret Eastes Scott and Jane Bass Turner. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery with Bro. Floyd Massey officiating.

Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Wednesday from 4PM until 6PM and on Thursday from 12PM until service time at 2PM.

Memorials may be made to Gordonsville United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, Gordonsville Public Library, or the Smith County Humane Society.

The family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude to Mrs. Virginia’s loving and devoted caregivers: Bobbie Eastes, Thomasene Grisham, Jennifer Schwan, Connie Rumley, Anne Hawthorne, and Clara Sadler.

Mrs. Carole Ann Norris of Carthage was pronounced deceased at the age of 65 at 11:45 a.m. Friday morning March 15, 2015 at the Riverview Regional Medical Center in Carthage after becoming gravely ill at her Horizon Circle home.

A memorial service to celebrate her life is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home. Burial beside her husband will be at a later date to be scheduled at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.

She was born Carole Ann Dickerson in Nashville on September 28, 1958 and was the daughter of the late Roy Cecil Dickerson who died October 15, 2021 at the age of 80 and Patsy Lee Satterfield Dickerson who died May 19, 1992 at the age of 49.

She was a 1976 graduate at Smith County High School where she majored in Home Economics and studied all four years and was a member of the Pep Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael L. Norris who preceded her in death at the age of 54 on May 28, 2012 while they were residing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Also preceding her in death was a step-son, Michael Wayne Norris Jr. who died in February of 2023.

Mrs. Norris was a former warehouse logistics operator.

She was a non-denominational Christian.

Surviving is her son, Jim Law and wife April Shrum Law of the Hogans Creek Community; brother, Roy Dickerson of South Carthage; grandson, Cooper Law of the Hogans Creek Community; step daughter, Crystal Norris; six step grandchildren, Jacob, Jaxon, Jagger, Tyler, Candace, and Makayla.

Ms. Renee Palmore age 44 of Carthage was pronounced deceased at 1:47 a.m. Saturday morning March 16th shortly after arrival at the Tri-Star Stone Crest Medical Center E. R. in Smyrna after suffering an apparent heart failure.

Funeral services from the North Carthage Baptist Church are scheduled to be conducted Tuesday afternoon March 19th at 1 p.m. with the church pastor, Eld. Anthony Dixon officiating. Burial will follow in Section three at the Ridgewood Cemetery.

The Palmore family will receive friends at the church only on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the services at 1 p.m.

Ms. Palmore was born Jean Renee Palmore in Nashville on May 21, 1979 and was the second of two daughters born to Barbara H. Burlison of LaVergne and the late James P. Palmore who died in 1987 at the age of 47

Ms. Palmore was a recipient of her General Education Degree.

She was saved at the age of 43 and was baptized into the full fellowship of the North Carthage Baptist Church by Eld. Anthony Dixon.

She was a former drug store clerk.

Surviving in addition to her mother Barbara, is her only sibling, a sister, B. Jeanette Whitman of Carthage.

Mrs. Lucy Midgett Hackett, a devoted Christian who loved her family endlessly, went to be with the Lord on March 16, 2024 at 2:21 a.m. at the age of 83 at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville. She was born December 17, 1940 and was a native of the Popes Hill Community in Smith County.

Mrs. Hackett had been in failing health but had been cared for by her loving husband, Kemmel, on a daily basis on their Ben Green Road farm in the Tuckers Crossroads Community until admitted to the hospital on March 11, 2024.

Memorial services conducted by her pastor, Eld. Junior Dickerson, are scheduled to Celebrate her Life on Tuesday afternoon March 19th, at 5 p.m. from the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral home. At a later date, interment will be in the Garden of Everlasting Life at the Smith County Memorial Gardens.

The Hackett family will receive friends and family at Sanderson in Carthage on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 from 3 p.m. until the 5 p.m. memorial service.

She was one of six children, three daughters and three sons and was the fifth child born to the late Charlie Robinson Midgett who passed at the age of 78 in 1976 and Mary Ann Thompson Midgett who passed at the age of 92 in 1996.

Mrs. Hackett was the last of the six siblings to enter Heaven. The two sisters were Yvonne Midgett Montgomery Maxwell who passed at the age of 75 in 2003 and Charlotte Midgett Owen who passed at the age of 83 in 2018. Her brothers were Harold Midgett who passed at the age of 85 in 2011, Bobby Midgett who passed at the age of 52 in 1982, and Raymond Midgett who passed at the age of 18 months in 1945.

Mrs. Hackett was also preceded in death by her son-n-law, Jerry Jarrard, who lost a long battle to cancer at the age of 56 in 2016.

She was saved at the age of 14 on August 1954 and was baptized by Eld. Phocian Gibbs into the full fellowship of the Plunketts Creek Missionary Baptist Church in the Rock City Community.

Mrs. Hackett was a member of the 1959 graduating class of Smith County High School where she was a member of the Beta Club, band queen attendant and treasurer her junior year. She was President of the Art Club her senior year and participated in chorus and art classes throughout high school.

At the New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in the Pea Ridge Community on October 2, 1959, she was united in marriage to James Kemmel Hackett by Eld. Phocian Gibbs who came out to their car and performed the ceremony there.

Mrs. Hackett was an artist at heart and taught art at Union Heights Elementary School in the 1960’s. Once becoming a mother, she devoted her life to her family. She returned to work in dietary department at Tuckers Crossroads Elementary School for ten years before retiring in 1987 and returning home to be a full-time housewife.

Surviving in addition to her husband of over sixty-four years, Kemmel, are their two daughters, Kimberly Hackett Jarrard (Jerry Jarrard), Melissa Hackett Hudson and husband Clay all of the Tuckers Crossroads Community; four grandchildren, Michael Jarrard and wife Sarah of Murfreesboro, Kristy Jarrard of Lebanon, Chance Hudson and wife Kortney of Lafayette, Jake Hudson and wife Alice of Lebanon; six great-grandchildren, Abbie and Savannah of Lebanon, TN, Kaylee of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Weston of Murfreesboro, TN, Waylon and Khloe of Lafayette and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. William Jerrell Hall, age 77, of Alexandria, TN, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Mr. Hall was born May 13, 1946 in Alexandria, TN, a son of the late Joe Don Hall and Bonnie Athelene Judkins Hall. He was also preceded in death by Brother; James Tommy Hall and Sisters; Betty Jean Malone and Roberta Hall.

Mr. Hall graduated from DeKalb County High School in 1964 as part of the first graduating class. Mr. Hall was the first senior voted Mr. DCHS. After school, Mr. Hall began his career with Dekalb Telephone Cooperative, working on the line crew and setting poles. Over time he worked his way higher into the telephone company and helped form the Advantage Cellular division of DTC. He worked for 41 years total at DTC and was serving in management at the time of his retirement.

He was a longtime member of Upper Helton Baptist Church. He married Sherry Hale on January 25, 1964.

Mr. Hall is survived by Wife of 60 years; Sherry Hale Hall of Alexandria, TN. Three Sons; William “Mickey” (Kristy) Hall of Lebanon, TN, David Christopher (Lori) Hall of Rutherfordton, NC, and Brian (Trish) Hall of Smithville, TN. Grandchildren; Heather (Camden) Griffin, Matthew (Shelby) Hall, Caleb (Lousia) Hall, Wesley (Anna) Hall, Alayna Hall, Lydia Hall, Brayden Howard, Jaycee Barrett, Callie Beth Hall, Brian Reid Hall, Andrew (Kayla) Groce, Abby Puckett, Tanner Puckett, and Austin Groce. Great-grandchildren; Avery Griffin, Lynlee Hall, Stella Groce, Makenna Hall, and Kaitlyn Hall. Brothers; Bobby (Faye) Hall of Alexandria, TN, and Joe Don “JD” (Becky) Hall of Lebanon, TN. Special friends and neighbors; Dewayne Cantrell, Tony Nixon, Patrick Crook, and his DTC Family.

Funeral Services for Mr. Hall are scheduled to be conducted from Avant Funeral Home on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 2PM with Bro. Thurman Seber and Bro. Jimmy Arms officiating. Interment will follow in the Brush Creek Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be at Avant Funeral Home on Friday from 2PM until 8PM and on Saturday after 10AM until the service time at 2PM.

Mr. Jerry Johnson, age 77 of Cartwright, died Thursday morning, March 14 at his home.  He is survived by: wife, Kathy Dallas Johnson; sisters, Roselle Elifrits of St. Joseph, Missouri, Christine Pernitza and husband Mike of Houston, Texas; son, David Koenig of Fort Collins, Colorado; 2 grandchildren, Travis Schneider and wife Heather of Frederick, Colorado, Reanna Johnson of Hartsville; 4 step-children, Mary Coleman of Popes Hill, Christina Sandlin of Carthage, Chris Dallas and wife Erin of Rock City, Terry Dallas of Cartwright.

Mr. Johnson’s service will be conducted on Saturday morning, March 16 at 11:00 AM at the Carthage First Freewill Baptist Church.  Bro. Frank Bratcher will officiate.  Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post # 57.  Interment in the Ridgewood Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are: Scott Jones, Ayden Jones, Everett Jones, Keayon Jones, Chris Dallas, Michael Claiborne.  

Visitation at Sanderson Funeral Home on Friday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  Visitation at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM.

Mr. Jason Watts, age 49, of Gordonsville, TN passed away on Wednesday, March 13. 2024.

Jason was born December 13, 1974 in Carthage, TN, a son of James Randy Watts and Jeanette Lee Bates Watts. Jason was a 1994 graduate of Gordonsville High School. He was an avid golfer, winning the 2012 Southern Hill Men’s Championship.

Jason is survived by Father; Randy (Shelia) Watts of Gordonsville, TN. Mother; Jeanette Bates Watts of Gordonsville, TN. Sister; Christy Norris of Brush Creek, TN. Nephews; Hunter Mann, Hayden Mann, and Brandon Mann.

Funeral Services for Mr. Watts are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 3PM with Bro. Doug Dillard officiating. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday from 4PM until 7PM and on Friday after 1PM until service time at 3PM.

The family requests memorials be made to American Heart Association.

Mr. Maxey Scott, age 81, of Rome Community, died Tuesday morning, March 12, at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. He is survived by  wife, Sylvia Napier Guerra Scott, son Michael Guerra of Rome, two sisters Connie Stalcup of Edmonton, KY, Martha Western of Celina, brother Glenn Scott and wife Jo, of Celina, grandchild, Katelyn Scott Shelton of Celina, great grand child, Carter Allen Shelton.

Mr. Scott is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Friday afternoon, March 15, at 1:00 PM with Bro Wayne Malone officiating. Burial will follow at Smith County Memorial Gardens. Active Pallbearers: Bobby Scott, Shannon Napier, Stan Hampton, David Cassady, Stephen Patterson, Chris Frein.

The family will receive friends at the Carthage Chapel beginning on Thursday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM., and on Friday 10:00 AM until service time at 1:00 PM.

Mr. Ashley Gaylor, age 51, of Funns Branch, died Thursday morning, March 7, at his home in Gainesboro. He is survived by his mother, Wanda Merritt of Funns Branch, sisters, Angie Gaylor of Funns Branch, Amy King of Funns Branch, Emily Rosati of Funns Branch, brothers, John Kevin King , Nathan Rosati, and aunt Anita Rosati of Funns Branch, several nieces and nephews, Abigail Gravitt, Astara ” Sissy” King, John King, Michael King, Luke King, Benjamin Jennings, Jack Gravitt, Ian Rosati, and Nathan Rosati. 

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

s. Lynn Elrod, age 67 of Sparta, died Sunday afternoon, March 10 at her home.  She is survived by: siblings, Jim Green and wife Debbie of Gordonsville, Connie Freed and husband Fred of Strawberry Plains, Pam Finch and husband John of Ashland City; daughters, Kayla Stevens of Sparta, Keelie Elrod of Sparta.  

Ms. Elrod is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home.  She will be cremated at Cumberland Family Services.  No formal services are planned.

Mrs. Elizabeth Wright Rollins, age 100 of Flat Rock, died Sunday afternoon, March 10 at Quality Health Care in Lebanon.  She is survived by: children, Bettye Rollins of Lebanon, Lana Chitwood and husband Stephen of Celina, Diana Rollins of Flat Rock, Steve Rollins of Flat Rock, Alice Givens and fiance’ Kenneth Bennet of Tuckers Cross Road; grandchildren, Alicia Roberts and husband Brad of Lebanon, Katie Kimes and husband Kyle of Estell Springs, Lana Vera and husband Christian of Deckerd, Logan McKinney and wife Jennifer of Florida; 10 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Rollins is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home.  Family and friends will gather at Ridgewood Cemetery for a Graveside Service and Interment on Thursday afternoon, March 14 at 1:00 PM.  Bro. Tim Frank will officiate. 

There will be no visitation at the funeral home.

The family has requested memorials to St. Jude Childrens Hospital.

Mr. Toney Lynn Lamberson age 77, of the Temperance Hall Community of DeKalb Co. passed away Friday March 8, 2024.

Mr. Lamberson was born on September 15, 1946 in Dekalb Co., TN, a son of the late Toney Smith Lamberson and Hazel Louise Cripps Lamberson. He was married to Linda Ruth Mullican on April 5, 1976.
He worked in construction, at the shirt factory, cabinet shop and was a farmer. He was a member of the Temperance Hall Pentecostal Church.

Mr. Lamberson is survived by his wife: Mrs. Linda Lamberson of Temperance Hall, TN; sister-in-law: Gail Mullican; niece, Lisa Mullican Barrett: nephew, Paul (Kalee) Mullican; great nephew, Adrian Barrett, and several other nieces and nephews.

Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes conducted the services on Monday March 11, 2024 with Bro Chris McMillen officiating. Interment followed in the Gordonsville Cemetery.

Mr. David “Nick” High, age 38, of Memphis, died Tuesday evening, March 5, at Saint Francis in Memphis. He is survived by 2 children Carter Rachaad High and Evanora High of Memphis, mother Karen High of Kingston, sister Keishala High-Lorah and husband Jason of Knoxville, Niece Daviah K. High of Knoxville, Great Aunts, Grace Ferrell Hobbs of Murfreesboro, Ruth Hogan Haile of Hickman, Great Uncles Bern Hogan of Hickman, Bobby Joe Hogan and wife, Annie of Nashville.

Mr. High is at the Carthage Chapel of Sanderson Funeral Home where his service will be conducted on Monday afternoon, March 11, at 1:00 PM with Rev. James Guthrie Sr. officiating. Burial will follow at Smith County Memorial Gardens. 

Pallbearers: Jacky King Jr., Jacky King Sr., Greg High, C.W. High, DeShawn Wester, Jeffery Hobbs, Lonnie Thompson, Destin Thompson, Trey Hogan, and Tony Hogan.

The family will receive friends at the Carthage Chapel beginning on Monday from 12:00 PM util the service time at 1:00 PM.

Mrs. Beverly Ann Hackett, age 86, of Hackett Valley Community of Smith County, TN, passed away on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.

Mrs. Hackett was born July 26, 1937 in Carthage, TN, a daughter of the late Dewey Perrigo and Elsie Mai Armistead Perrigo. She was also preceded in death by Brothers; Thomas Edward Gibbs and Dewey Clyde Perrigo: Step-sister; Thelma Perrigo Massey: step-brothers, J.D. Perrigo and James Haggard Perrigo. Mrs. Hackett was a 1956 graduate of Carthage High School. She worked at Reed Bros Drug Store in Carthage for 30 years. Mrs. Hackett married Jerry Hackett on February 9, 1963. She was attended The Church of God of Prophecy. She was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved being a homemaker and farmer’s wife.

Mrs. Hackett is survived by husband; Jerry Hackett of the Hackett Valley Community in Smith County, TN. Children; Michael (Vonda) Hackett of Hackett Valley Community, and Michelle (Jerry) Young of Hackett Valley Community. Grandchildren; Paige Young, Courtney Young, Criston (Johnnie) Zeigler, Kaitlyn (Nathan) Letner, and Isaiah Hackett. Great grandchildren; Jaxon Letner and Alexis Letner. Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Hackett are scheduled to be conducted from the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2PM with Bro. Bobby Peoples officiating. Interment will follow in the Gordonsville Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Saturday from 3PM until 7PM and on Sunday after 11AM until service time at 2PM.