Obituaries: Weeks of May 3, 2026, In Loving Memory
ROBERTSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE:
(Smokey Barn News)
*Refresh this page for updates and newly listed obituaries for this week.
Joyce (Johns) Holt
June 8, 1931 ~ April 29, 2026
94 Years Old
Joyce Johns Holt passed away at her home in Springfield on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
She was born and raised in Hancock County, Tennessee, and was always willing to tell anyone who would listen about the beauty of the East Tennessee mountains and the story of the Melungeons in Hancock County. Joyce was born to the late A.B. Johns and Martelie Price Johns. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Holt, after nearly 69 years of marriage, by her sister Hallie June Ridge, and by her brother Dana H. Johns. Joyce is survived by her daughter Regina Holt of Springfield.
When Joyce left home and moved to Knoxville, she worked at a popular restaurant where she met Richard. After marriage, they lived for a short time in Atlanta, GA and then moved to Jacksonville, FL and settled down. She was a wonderful stay-at-home mother raising Regina through her high school years. She volunteered for many civic organizations, school, and church positions. Joyce and Richard later moved to Nashville, where she worked in various capacities including customer service director for a national transmission company and in insurance with her husband for many years.
After retirement, Joyce and Richard moved to Springfield, where she quickly made friends, joined the YMCA, and attended Springfield Baptist Church. She encouraged people and frequently asked where they went to church and if they knew the Lord. Joyce was a friend to everyone and enjoyed being Mom to many of Regina’s friends.
A private service will be held at a later date.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or to Springfield Baptist Church.
Services have been entrusted to the Robertson County Funeral Home
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Helen Beatrice Shepherd
July 4, 1935 – April 29, 2026
Helen Beatrice Spence Shepherd, age 90 of Murfreesboro passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Alive Hospice Murfreesboro. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Tuesday, May 5th in the Chapel of Austin & Bell Funeral Home, 2619 Hwy 41S, Greenbrier, TN with Rev.
Nathan Washburn officiating. The family will receive friends 9am until time of service on Tuesday, May 5th at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Chris Mann, Curtis Binkley, Paul Dalecke, Patrick Mann, Danny Taylor, Jr. and Daniel Taylor III serving as pallbearers.
She was born on July 4, 1935 in Murfreesboro, TN to the late Asie Burton Spence and Edna Beatrice Hansberry Spence. She was also preceded in death by husband, Roy Shepherd; daughters, Valerie Chowaniec, Paula Shepherd; step-son, Jimmy Shepherd; siblings, Hollis Spence, Dorothy Lacroy and Faye Lewis.
She was a member of Greenbrier First Baptist Church where she tutored students after school, served as children’s Choir Director and worked with Meals on Wheels. She was a graduate of Central High School in Murfreesboro and attended Belmont. She was a Certified Professional Secretary and worked at the Tennessee National Guard.
She is survived by sons, Russell (Janice) Mann, Mark (Debbie) Mann; daughters, Carolyn (Jeff) Jaco, Pam (Richard) Eaves, Pat Blain, Perri (Mark) Robertson; 19 grandchildren and numerous great & great-great grandchildren.
If so desired, contributions may be made to Alive Hospice Murfreesboro, 1629 Williams Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbell.com
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Martha Ann Greene
November 19, 1948 – April 30, 2026
Martha Ann Greene, age 77 of Cottontown, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2026 at The Maple Cottages in Portland, TN. She was born November 19 1948 in Atlanta, GA to William & Lea Johnson Finley.
She worked as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines before her retirement. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, gardening, rescuing dogs and her Flight community. She had been a member of The Worldwide Church of God in Newnan, GA. Martha is preceded in death by her parents.
She us survived by her daughters, Kelly (Dr. Jeffrey) Lamberth, Cottontown, TN and Erin Greene, Switzerland; son, Forrest Greene, Austin, TX; grandchildren, Liam and Lila Lamberth, Cottontown, TN; brother, Lannie (Gay) Finley, Newnan, GA; sister, Kaye (Elwood) Woodstock, MS; nephew, Joshua Finley, Newnan, GA.
A Graveside service and interment is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026 in White House Memorial Gardens at 2pm with Rev. H.D. Jones officiating. ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO AUSTIN & BELL 533 Highway 76 White House, TN 37188 (615)672-5000 www.austinandbell.com
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Jeffrey Alan Shores
July 8, 1959 – April 30, 2026
Jeffrey Alan Shores, age 66 of White House TN passed away Thursday, April 30, 2026 at his home. He was born July 8, 1959 in Nashville, TN to Fred Edward & Christine Angel Shores. He worked as a machine operator for Magnera, formerly DuPont. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and had been a race car driver at Highland Rim Speedway. He was an avid golfer, loved spending time on the beach, having a good laugh and most of all spending time with his family.
He was a member of McFerrin Missionary Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Angie Shores, White House, TN; daughter, Shannon (Alex) Miller, Scottsville, KY; step-son, Cody Hayes, White House, TN; sisters, Sheryl (Steve) Allen, Atlanta, GA and Angie (Troy) Davis, Portland, TN; 1 grandchild, Ella Hayes. In his final days his beloved dog, Rosie never left his side.
A Celebration of Life memorial service is planned for Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 5 PM, at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, TN Visitation will be held from 4 PM – 5 PM prior to the service at the church. ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO AUSTIN & BELL 533 Highway 76 White House, TN 37188 615)672-5000 www.austinandbell.com
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Debbie Honeycutt Martin
August 27, 1954 – May 3, 2026
Debbie Honeycutt Martin August 27,1954-May 3, 2026
The daughter of Clayton and Sue Jones Honeycutt. Preceded by her parents and sister, Joy Honeycutt Webster. Survived by her husband of 55 years, Johnny Martin; daughter Stacy (Todd) Martin Escue,; grandsons Zack (Rachel) and Ethan (Chandra) Escue; brother, Gary (Debbie) Honeycutt; sister, Brenda Honeycutt (Joe) Best; great-grandchildren, Lucas Escue, Liy Escue, Ryder Escue and Rhett Escue.
Debbie was a graduate of the Class of 1972 at White House High School, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad each year. Debbie began her working career at the Sumner County Board of Education, then moved to White House High School, followed by the City of White House, where she retired after 30 years of service.
Debbie had many interests which included spending time with her family, quilting, and most importantly following her Lord and Savior’s commandment of quietly doing good for others.
A funeral service is planned for Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 12pm in the chapel of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in White House with Pastor Ray Biggs officiating.
Interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery with Zack Escue, Ethan Escue, Brandon Webster, Blake Webster, Bruce Russell and Roy Barientos serving as pallbearers.
Visitation is planned for Tuesday, May 5, 2026 4-8PM and Wednesday, May 6, 2026 10AM until 12PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ stjude.org/donate ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO AUSTIN & BELL 533 Highway 76 White House, TN 7188 (615)672-5000 www.austinandbell.com
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Diane Crain
December 25, 1942 – May 3, 2026
Mary Diane Briley Crain, 83, of Greenbrier, was born to Raydean Briley and Evia Krisle Briley on Christmas Day in 1942 and what a gift!
A Memorial Service will be held at Greenbrier First Baptist Church on Thursday, May 7 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Nathan Washburn officiating. Visitation will follow from 3-5:00 pm at the church.
Diane was accomplished in so many ways. A graduate of Greenbrier High School, she attended MTSU, and worked at National Life & Casualty before being a full-time mom.
She could cook, sew, host and make a home fine and welcoming. She was practical and full of wisdom. Loaded with common sense, she was a problem solver, an avid reader, a jigsaw puzzler and great gift-giver.
Diane was so proud of her children and grandchildren and loved being with them and her husband, Bob. She made gingerbread houses, school pick-ups, wedding dresses and holiday dinners. And when she laughed it was glorious.
While never one to hold a grudge, she did mention (a time or two) having a Christmas birthday meant fewer gifts. So her family made sure there were plenty, wrapped in birthday paper, and not placed under the tree.
More than anything, Diane loved Jesus and her faith was most important. She served at church her whole life as a teacher, helper and secretary for 32 years before she retired in 2008.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Bob Crain, and her grandson, Jonathan Crain. Diane is survived by her sister Amy (Joe) Suter, and her children Donna (Gary) Heflin, Gregg (Jill) Crain, and Bill (Ana) Crain. Her family legacy includes grandchildren Zach (Jessica) Claus, Russ Heflin, Taylor (John) Brown, Lara Heflin, Justin Crain, Gabrielle Crain, Briley Crain, eight great-grandchildren, and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Thank you to The Arbors at Springfield Heights and Caris Hospice for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lottie Moon Offering at Greenbrier First Baptist Church where Diane was a member for 75 years. www.austinandbell.com
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Dr. Robert George Holston Sr., DO
January 29, 1947 – April 25, 2026
Dr. Robert George Holston Sr., DO, age 79, adored country doctor, devoted husband, father & grandfather, had his final house call on April 25, 2026 at his home in Cross Plains, TN. The family is hosting a Celebration of Life for “Doc”, “Dr. Bob”, “Dad”, “Daddy Bob” from 12pm – 4pm on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in the chapel at the Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield, TN.
Bob’s first sunrise was on January 29, 1947 when he took his first breath with his parents Marion Jimmie & Robbie (Foster) Holston, school teachers, in Borger, Tx. He was raised in Borger with his older brother Marion “Jim” Holston, Jr.. Bob knew at the age of 10 he wanted to be a doctor when he found a euthanized puppy behind a local veterinary clinic and brought it back to life. Growing up Bob enjoyed being a member of the Boy Scouts of America, football, & student government. He graduated from Borger High School with the Class of ‘65. He attended West Texas State University where he met the love of his life, Francis Sharon Mitchell. Bob & Sharon were married in Roby, Tx, August 9, 1968. He was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity at WTSU & graduated in 1969. He began his life’s mission of caring for God’s people when he was a member of the first graduating class of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Worth, Tx in May of 1974.
Bob & Sharon raised their four gifts of love, Michelle, Robbie, Jeremy & Jennifer as they cared for those in need in small, rural communities across Texas & Tennessee. Dr. Bob thrived on making house calls, delivering babies in his office and being a Team Physician for the Kennedale Wildcats(TX), Celina Bulldogs(TN) and East Robertson Indians(TN) football teams. After 51 years of practicing, 33 being in Cross Plains, The Holston Family Clinic saw their final patient in December, 2025.
Bob was surrounded by his children when he left their loving arms to join his sweetheart’s embrace, his parents, grandparents, & brothers at those pearly golden gates.
Dr. Bob will be remembered as one of the greatest men to ever live! He had a way of making everyone feel important, special, loved and cared for! His children left to honor his golden heart & life are Michelle Holston Tiernan and husband Tim Tiernan, Robert G. Holston Jr. and wife Barri (Robison) Holston, Jeremy F. Holston and wife Ginda (West) Holston, Jennifer Holston Waid and husband Adam Waid, & his precious fur baby Rusty. He was blessed to leave a legacy of 10 grandloves: Mitchell Short, Chelsea Short (Raymond Hopkins), Kanyon Short, Kalina Short, Barrett Holston, Knox Holston, Tyler Holston (Heidi Terral), Stella Holston, Ryan Luckett and Mac Luckett. He was extra blessed to leave 4 great grandloves: Kobe, Kaia & Baby Boy Hopkins, & Baby girl Paisley Holston.
Doc’s family will be forever grateful for our extended Holston Family: The “girls” at the office, Tammy Schmidt, CJ Jones, and Brianna Myatt, our “Earthly Angel” Edna Dowlen, Dr. Krocur and the ladies at Aveanna Hospice of Springfield, the caring family at Thomas Drugs, Stone Soup Ministry with Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and everyone that sent up loving prayers for our Superman who wore a stethoscope for a cape!
TAP TAP TAP Dad!! We will do our best to “always do the next right thing”!!
Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.
AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME- 509 WALNUT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, TN (615) 384-1000 www.austinandbell.com
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