Area Obituaries

Kate Beasley Porter died July 4, 2025, in Oak Ridge, TN.  She was born January 16, 1937, to Kitty and William Beasley, on a farm in Dixon Springs, TN.  After graduating from Smith County High School in Carthage, TN, in 1955, Kate attended the University of Tennessee, where she majored in Home Economics and was…

Angie was born September 27, 1963 in Smith County, Tennessee to Bethel and Helen Davis. At a young age, she was adopted by Bessie McKinney. For many years, Angie worked in the Governor’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. She met Doug Wantz, her future husband, when they were both members of America Online. They developed a…

Carol LaVonne “Tootsie” Washer Walker, age 74, of Watertown, TN, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025. Tootsie was born April 12, 1951, in Killeen, Texas, daughter of the late Buil James Washer & Jo Doris Baker Washer. She graduated from Gordonsville High School in 1969, and earned her degree in elementary education from MTSU…

Mrs. Alice Faye Gregory, age 80, of Carthage, TN, passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Mrs. Gregory was born June 29, 1945 in Carthage, TN, a daughter of the late James Bowman and Ruth Pauline Hiett Bowman. She married Louis Henry Gregory on September 9, 1961 and he preceded her in death on December…

Lois Ellen Batley, a beloved mother and devoted friend, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, at the age of 96. Born on March 1, 1929, in Alabama, Lois lived a life rich with love, laughter, and cherished moments. Lois will be profoundly missed by her children, Theresa Dolbear, Elaine Bumpers, Linda Batley, Marilyn Bedwell,…

Mr. Baxter (Baxie) Key III died peacefully Sunday morning July 6, 2025 at the Smith County Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carthage at the age of 61 where had made his home since May 21, 2023. He was pronounced deceased at 4:45 a.m. by Gentiva Hospice of Livingston. Mr. Key was suffering from chronic Parkinsons…

Mr. John (Beaver) Kemp Jr., age 50 of the Rome Community was discovered unresponsive by his mother at their South Lovers Lane home at 5:55 a.m. on Thursday morning July 10, 2025 and was pronounced deceased on arrival at the Highpoint Health-Riverview Regional Medical Center Emergency Department at 8:51am.  Arrangements for cremation at the Cumberland…

A Davidson County native and Buffalo Valley Community resident, Mr. Robert Smith died peacefully at his Saint Marys Road farm home in Putnam County at 1:25 p.m.  Wednesday afternoon July 9, 2025. He was pronounced dead on arrival at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday afternoon at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Emergency Department at the age of…

Ms. Deona Lee Thomas, age 69, of Hickman, TN, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025. Ms. Thomas was born December 15, 1955 in Nashville, TN, a daughter of the late Joseph Benjamin Thomas and Frances Lee Gwaltney Thomas. She was the great-great-great grandchild of John and Elizabeth Carroll Gwaltney. She was also preceded in…

Ray Robert Riffle, age 85 of Dandridge, passed away at home on July 5, 2025 after a battle with cancer. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served two tours. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Greg Cain. Married on August 20, 1999, Ray…