In Loving Memory: Obituaries January 5, 2025
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE:
(Smokey Barn News)
*Refresh this page for updates and newly listed obituaries for this week.
Dr. Garry Brewer Obituary
Dr. Garry Davis Brewer, age 89 of Springfield, died Thursday, January 2, 2025, at NHC Healthcare in Springfield. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson Country Funeral Home with Tim Harris officiating. Entombment will follow in the Springfield Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with Alan Holman, Kenneth Holman, David Moore, Mel Carr, and Tony Cobb serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and on Thursday from 11:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.
Dr. Brewer was born on December 9, 1935, to the late Gilbert Roscoe and Lura Dempsey Brewer. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee Dental School in 1958. Upon graduating dental school, he joined the United States Army as a dentist. After serving his country, he opened Garry Brewer DDS Family Dentistry. Dr. Brewer was a 50-year member of Springfield Baptist Church. He was also a 50-year member of the Springfield Rotary Club. He was a kind and gentle man who loved to sing in the choir and was known to tell dad jokes to all that would listen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Joe Brewer.
Dr. Brewer is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Jo Holman Brewer of Springfield, his sons and daughters-in-law, David and Leta Brewer of Springfield, Kevin and Melanie Brewer of Hermitage, and granddaughters, Cayce Ann Brewer, Lauren Ashley Brewer, and Christy Nicole Brewer.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the caregivers at Morningside and NHC of Springfield.
If so desired, the family requests memorial contributions be made to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital or The American Heart Association. All donations may be sent c/o the Robertson County Funeral Home.
Robertson County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
This obituary is a courtesy of Robertson County Funeral Home.
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Bobbie Blanton Norton Obituary
Bobbie Lynn Blanton Norton, age 71, of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025, at her son’s home in Cedar Hill. Her wishes are to be cremated, and the family will conduct a service at a later time in the spring.
Ms. Bobbie was born on June 22, 1953, in Cincinnati, OH, to the late Clelle and Corine Reynolds Blanton. She was a homemaker who loved her family dearly. Ms. Bobbie enjoyed being outdoors, either fishing or gardening. She had a green thumb and could grow just about anything. She liked taking family photos for scrapbooking and collecting blue glass. She adored her seven grandchildren and her dog. Ms. Bobbie is also preceded in death by her brother: Timothy Blanton, and her sisters: Vicki Blanton and Linda Morris.
Ms. Bobbie is survived by her sons: Jesse (Tara) Powell of Adams and Matthew (Leanna) Powell of Cedar Hill, by her daughters: Kyle Powell of Adams and Alana (Erin) Gustafson of Canton, OH, by her brother: Daniel (Dianne) Blanton of Cleves, OH, by her sister: Teri (Charles) Douglas of Lawrenceburg, IN, by her grandchildren: Everett, Gunner, Aleeah, Axel, Paisley, Zeke, and Lyla, and by a host of nieces and nephews.
Robertson County Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
This obituary is a courtesy of Robertson County Funeral Home.
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Juanita Laughlin Obituary
Juanita Ruth “Nita” Lansdale Laughlin, 96, of Springfield, passed from this life on Monday, December 30, 2024, at her home. Private graveside services will be held in the Springfield Memorial Gardens with Reverend Jason Jones officiating. Pallbearers will be Brad Moreland, Howard Bradley, Gene Beck, Will Worsham, and Ronnie Meador. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Daniel Cottrell, Dr. David Jarvis, Billy Paul Carneal, and Dr. Allan Naftilan.
Mrs. Laughlin was born May 4, 1928, in Mt. Sterling, KY, to the late Frank and Nina Foley Lansdale. She was a retired schoolteacher with the Robertson County Board of Education. Mrs. Laughlin was a member of the Short Story Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Robertson County Retired Teachers Association, and the Springfield First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed bird watching, was an avid reader, and a great lover of animals, especially cats. Mrs. Laughlin’s favorite pastime was traveling, especially to Canada and Mexico, and she loved going hiking and had hiked in most all of the National Parks throughout the United States.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Laughlin, brothers and sisters-in-law: Frank and Margaret Lansdale, Jr., and Paul and Christine Lansdale. Mrs. Laughlin is survived by her daughter: Lynn Laughlin of Springfield, by her nieces: Carol Gray, Karen Lansdale, Janis (Kevin) Gilbert, and Ann Carothers, by her nephews: Everett Paul (Linda Mueller) Lansdale, Harry Curlin, Jr., and George Curlin, and by her cats: Cole and Lucy, and her dog: Gracie.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be given to the Robertson County Animal Control, 2903 W County Farm Rd, Springfield, TN 37172.
Robertson County Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
This obituary is a courtesy of Robertson County Funeral Home.
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Jean Cook Obituary
Jean Swearingen Cook, age 86 of Springfield, passed from this life on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at her home. Funeral services were conducted Friday, January 3, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church with Pastor Russ Noss officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Church Cemetery with Tom Bell, Eddie Dickens, Brandon Smith, Troy Smith, Zane Spicer, Zachary Spicer, Tyler Spicer, Neyland Smith, Colton Shivers, and Hyddan Smith serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Peyton Smith and Lily Shivers. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 3 until 7 PM and Friday from 11 AM until the time of service.
Mrs. Cook was born July 19, 1938, in Franklin, KY, to the late Joe Luan “J.L.” and Mabel Edwards Swearingen. She was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. She retired as store manager at Clearview Shell and had also worked at Acme Boot. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. She loved all her family very much and also worked alongside her husband for many years taking care of their farm. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of almost 69 years, James Wilson “Jimmy” Cook; 6 brothers, Joe, James, David, Tom, L.D. “Hoot,” and Earl Lee Swearingen; and 2 of her sisters, Hazel Collins and Dru Slinkard.
Surviving her are her daughters, Debbie Bell and husband Tom, and Cheryl Cook and husband Eddie Dickens, all of Springfield; sister, Ann Beasley of Brentwood; grandchildren, Brandon Smith (Denise Stuard), Tiffany (Zane) Spicer, Troy (Brandi) Smith, Tara Shivers, and Hannah Dickens; and great-grandchildren, Peyton Smith, Neyland Smith, Zachary Spicer, Tyler Spicer, Hyddan Smith, Lily Shivers, and Colton Shivers.
The family requests, if so desired, for memorial contributions to be made to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. All donations can be sent c/o Robertson County Funeral Home.
Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
This obituary is a courtesy of Robertson County Funeral Home.
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Brenda Ayers Obituary
Brenda Kay Ayers, 73, of Clarksville, and formerly of Cedar Hill, passed from this life on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Tennova Health Care in Clarksville. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. in the Oakhurst Chapel of the Robertson County Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Smith officiating. Interment will be held, at a later date, in the Springfield Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home.
Brenda was born September 12, 1951, in Mt. Clemens, MI, to the late John and Marcia Wilkenson Jorgensen. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and was a retired registered nurse. Brenda enjoyed going to yard sales, reading, and was a member of North Springfield Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sammy “Bo” Ayers, and by her son, Donald Jesse Ayers.
Brenda is survived by her sons, Timothy Lee (Cheralyn Pelchat) Ayers of Sterling Heights, MI, and Brian Ayers of Cedar Hill; by her daughter, Julie (Jeromy) Phillips of Croswell, MI; and by her grandchildren, Elizabeth Ayers and Julieann Ayers.
Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
This obituary is a courtesy of Robertson County Funeral Home.
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Michael “Mike” Brian McCumber
Born October 26, 1963, Nashville, TN.
Departed December 21, 2024, Clarksville, TN.
Mike was 61 years of age, lived in Clarksville at the time of his passing but was a native of White House, TN. Mike attended White House High School, Class of ‘81, and was a member of the FFA, where he received an award for State Winner for Parliamentary Procedure in 1980. In his younger years, he was an employee at Al’s Food Valu in White House, then later other sales jobs. If you knew Mike, then you knew he could sell a glass of water to a drowning man. Later he pursued his DOT driver’s license to become an over-the-road truck driver. He started his career at Schneider National Carriers, completing his driver training through Schneider receiving his class A CDL endorsement. Mike, being a proud member of the Teamsters, continued on with his career through other companies, which include: Consolidated Freightways, Roadway Express, and Yellow Freight. Through these years, Mike also received endorsements required to haul hazardous materials, Hazmat and Tanker certification. His career included many accomplishments, such as a 2-million-mile safe driving record and a consistently safe, infraction-free driving record throughout his employment. In 2009, Mike began working at Florida Rock and Tank Lines, and he received four promotions, advancing to Driver Trainer, Dispatcher, Terminal Supervisor, and finally Terminal Manager by 2014. Mike was also employed at Speedway convenience stores and then Mapco where he was a Transportation Manager. At the time of Mike’s passing, he was employed by Circle K Stores, Inc. where he was Regional Safety Manager for the Midwest. Mike spoke highly of Circle K and his coworkers, he loved his job and the people he worked with from the beginning. He truly had found his business home and a special family within the Circle K company. With decades of experience from over-the-road truck driver to driver safety and terminal manager, Mike loved every aspect of his job.
Those of you who knew Mike, knew he never met a stranger and made many friends across the country. His wheels touched every state except Alaska and Hawaii. Beyond his job, he loved his daughter, Kayla, cooking, and watching football.
Mike was preceded by his parents: Henry Lester and Katherine Isabel McCumber. He is survived by his daughter Kayla McCumber; sisters Katherine (Katie) Frost, and Carole Newman; as well as a multitude of nieces and nephews.
Visitation were held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 1-4 pm at Cole & Garrett Funeral Home in White House. A memorial service with family and friends sharing their memories of Mike will begin at 4 pm.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cole & Garrett Funeral Home
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Alfred Elias Yazbak
December 9, 1990 — December 31, 2024
On behalf of the staff at Cole & Garrett Funeral Homes, we are honored to be serving the Yazbak family, but saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Alfred Yazbak.
Alfred’s full obituary is at this time incomplete, but will be shared once completed. Cole & Garrett Funeral Home – Goodlettsville has been entrusted with the final care of Mr. Yazbak.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Cole & Garrett Funeral Home
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Obituary for Kenneth Wayne Ford
Kenneth Wayne Ford, age 70, of Springfield, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024 at his home. Funeral services were conducted at 12pm Tuesday, December 31st at the Main Street Church of Christ with Bro. Barry Throneberry and Bro. Joe Rushing officiating. Burial will follow in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Sarah Greenfield, Mattie Greenfield, Audrey Greenfield, Michael Greenfield, Alan Green, Alex Green, Josh Gunn, and Sean Bond serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Isaac Ford.
The family will receive friends from 4-8pm Monday, and again from 10am until time of the service at 12pm Tuesday at the church.
Mr. Ford was born February 21, 1954, in Robertson County, to the late Clairse Henry Ford and the late Lula Dean Porter Ford. He was the Owner and Operator of Springfield Sheet Metal. Mr. Ford enjoyed hiking, photography, and watching the Titans and Vanderbilt. He was a member and Deacon at Main Street Church of Christ.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Ford was preceded in death by a child that died at birth.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly Kay Ford; son, Larry Wayne (Julie) Ford; daughter, Christy Nicole (Michael) Greenfield; 4 grandchildren, Sarah Greenfield, Mattie Greenfield, Audrey Greenfield, and Isaac Ford; brother, Henry Joseph (Carol) Ford, Sr.; and sisters, Barbara (Carl “Vernon”) Gregory, and Becky (Phil) Green.
The family would like to request that for Mr. Ford’s service on Tuesday, in honor and tribute to him, and his love for the outdoors, that you please wear your hiking clothes, boots, backpack, bring a walking stick, or whatever way you would like to honor his memory.
Arrangements entrusted to Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements. 509 Walnut St., Springfield, TN
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Obituary for Shirley Ann Hindsley
Shirley Ann Hindsley, age 84 of Goodlettsville, TN passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024 at her home. She was born March 2, 1940 in Goodlettsville, TN to Robert Grundy & Hellen Elizabeth Lassiter Lee. She worked as a school bus driver for Metro Nashville Schools until her retirement. She enjoyed flower gardening, sewing, crafting, and was an avid reader.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, JC Hindsley; son, Joseph T. Hindsley; daughter, Gwendlynn L. Victory; great-granddaughter, Emma Swann; sister, Georgia Kessler; brothers, Robert Lee and John Lee.
She is survived by her son, James C. (Darlene) Hindsley, Greenbrier, TN; daughter, Robin (Alan) Hampton, Goodlettsville, TN; sisters, Charlotte Wheeler and Susie Vambrick, both of White House, TN; grandchildren, Tamber Hindsley, Landon Hindsley, Jessica Eby, Micah Hampton, Dakota Hampton, Jeff Victory, Tiffany Crouch, and Amanda Swann; great-grandchildren, Daemon M. Eby, Alissa Russell, Devon Crouch, Ethan Swann, Erin Swann, and Cody Crouch.
There are no services or visitation scheduled for Mrs. Hindsley.
Arrangements entrusted to Austin & Bell, 533 Highway 76, White House, TN 37188. (615) 672-5000 | www.austinandbell.com
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Obituary for Kevin Brian Hetzer
Kevin Brian Hetzer, age 46 of White House, TN passed away Sunday, December 29, 2024, at his home. He was born on August 4, 1978, in Elizabethtown, KY to Andy Dell Hetzer and Margaret Marie Gibson. He worked as a Healthcare Executive for Health Trust and was a member of White House First United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his daughters, Kathryn Hetzer and Ellis Hetzer; son, Samuel Hetzer; mother of his children, Rebecca Hetzer; significant other, Allison Lowery; and her daughters, Ella Kate Pullen and Caroline Pullen; parents, Andy (Robin) Hetzer and Marie (Harley) Howell, Elizabethtown, KY; brothers, Michael (Jo Ann) Lake, Vine Grove, KY, Keith (Tina) Hetzer, Bowling Green, KY, and David (Johnnie) Hetzer, Louisville KY; sisters, Debbie (Chris) Ashlock, Sonora, KY, and Andrea (Robert) Miller, Louisville, KY.
A Celebration of Life Memorial service was held Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 1 pm in the chapel of Austin and Bell Funeral Home in White House with Bro. Michael Lake officiating. Visitation was held Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 10 am until the time of the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Arrangements entrusted to Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements. 509 Walnut St., Springfield, TN
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Obituary for Welbur Ellis
Mac “Welbur” Ellis, age 85, of Pleasant View, Tennessee, died Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Funeral services were conducted at 1 o’clock PM, Thursday, January 2nd at Good Springs Free Will Baptist Church in Pleasant View with Bro. Randy Riggs and Pastor Mike Hollis officiating.
Burial will follow in Good Springs Cemetery with Rob Ellis, Ron Balthrop, Tim Crutcher, Rodney Balthrop, Jason Ellis, and Mark Barnett serving as pallbearers.
The family received friends at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View on Wednesday, January 1st from 2:00-8:00 PM, and again on Thursday at the church beginning at 11:00 AM until the hour of service at 1:00 PM.
Mr. Ellis was born on November 30, 1939, in Robertson County, Tennessee, to the late Robert & Alice Gower Ellis. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He retired after 30 years with Pirelli Tire Manufacturing Company where he was a member of the UAW. Welbur loved to farm and raise tobacco and also raised foxes. He loved to hunt elk, deer, trap, and enjoyed traveling with his family. He was a member of Good Springs Free Will Baptist Church where he served as deacon for 30 years.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Faye Ellis; siblings, Rev. Don Ellis, Esterline Barnett, Marjorie June Crutcher, Evangeline Clinard, and Jewell Ellis.
He is survived by his daughter, Kelly (Jeff) Emerson; brothers, Robert Bell Ellis and Joe Bailey (Jerri) Ellis; sisters, Dimple Balthrop and Bonnie Balthrop; grandchildren, Morgan (Kevin) Fernandez and Zac Emerson; one great-grandchild, Emma Fernandez; and a host of loving nieces and nephews.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made in Welbur’s memory to Good Springs Free Will Baptist Church, 2330 Good Springs Rd., Pleasant View, TN 37146.
AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME in Pleasant View is in charge of these arrangements. 6316 Highway 41A, Pleasant View, Tennessee 37146 (615) 746-4433 www.austinandbell.com
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Obituary for Erich William Lorenz
Erich William Lorenz of Cedar Hill, Tennessee, passed away from this earthly life at the age of 82 at Brookdale Goodlettsville – Alzheimer’s & Memory Care in Goodlettsville, Tennessee on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Erich was born November 30, 1942, to Carl August Henry Lorenz and Mary Johanna Holtzmann Lorenz in Wise, North Carolina. After graduating in 1961 from Norlina High School in Norlina, North Carolina, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was a C-130 loadmaster, stationed at Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, Tennessee. In 1963, he met his beloved Joyce in Nashville, Tennessee. They were married on November 21, 1964. He attended night school for two years at the University of Tennessee at Nashville. He then began his career working for US Airways in various customer service roles for over 38 years. After his retirement from US Airways, he worked as a bus driver for the Robertson County Board of Education for 10 years.
Erich was a Christian and a member of Memorial Boulevard Church of Christ in Springfield, Tennessee. Erich loved Jesus Christ. He strove to love Him with all his heart, soul, and mind, and often invited those he met to church services and to study the Bible. Simply put, his goal was to go to Heaven and to help as many as he could to become fellow followers of Jesus Christ. Erich loved his family and people. He was known by many as “Big Erich.” He loved hosting an annual Fall “bonfire, wiener roast, volleyball and hayride” event on the family farm. He rarely had a lazy day and enjoyed cutting firewood, bushhogging, cleaning out fence rows, buying/selling/trading anything with wheels, boating, running, skydiving, observing nature and wildlife, or just soaking up the sun. Erich also had a life-long passion for aviation and earned his private pilot’s license in his mid-40s.
Erich was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife and caregiver, Mary Joyce Kenning Lorenz of Cedar Hill, Tennessee; son, Erich William (Ursula) Lorenz II of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; daughter, Jennifer Leanne Lorenz (Ryan) Hasty of Auburn, Alabama; three grandchildren, Nathan Lorenz (Bianca) of Portland, Tennessee, Lexi Lorenz, and Emily Lorenz, both of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; his beloved little sister, Patricia Ann Lorenz of Graham and Wise, North Carolina; his rescue Siamese cat, “Hershey,” and many other extended family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/) or to the Robertson County Humane Society (www.robertsoncountytn.gov).
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in the chapel of the Austin & Bell Funeral Home (509 Walnut Street, Springfield, Tennessee 37172) with Brother Tol Burk officiating. Military graveside services will follow in the Bellwood Cemetery in Adams, Tennessee.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 11:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home.
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Obituary for Edward Mario Novi
Edward Mario Novi, age 74 of White House, passed away Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, at NHC Sumner Place in Gallatin, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born May 13, 1950, in San Francisco, CA, to Edwardo Bromosco and Gloria Celestina Dellamaggiore Novi. He worked in Public Relations for AT&T until his retirement. Mr. Novi proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. He loved listening to music, especially jazz. He played clarinet and guitar and was an avid San Francisco Giants fan.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Victoria Boone Novi; and brother, David Novi. He is survived by his daughters, Antonella (Paco) Novandez of Anacortes, WA, and Laura Dawn Novi of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and his devoted friend and caregiver, Erik Anderson of White House, TN.
It was Mr. Novi’s wish to be cremated and have his ashes scattered at sea by the U.S. Navy.
A Celebration of Life Memorial service was held Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Christ Worship Center in White House at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are encouraged to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Arrangements entrusted to Austin & Bell, 533 Highway 76, White House, TN 37188. (615) 672-5000 | www.austinandbell.com
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