By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Ella May Jones, 98
Placeholder Image
Updated: Nov 10, 2012, 7:08 PM
Published: Nov 10, 2012, 7:10 PM

Smithville resident and DeKalb County native Ella May Jones, 98, was born Sept. 26, 1914 and died Nov. 9 at DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville following a short illness.
A homemaker and member of Smithville First Assembly of God, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Mary Etta Redmon Delong. She was married to William Arthur Jones, who preceded her in death May 2, 2004. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Maude Wall, Goldie Whitley and Jackie Williams.
During her life, Mrs. Jones was a dedicated Christian, active in her church and community. She was involved with the American Red Cross and as an election pole volunteer. She and her husband owned and operated several successful businesses prior to retirement, and at the time of his death at age 90, they had been married 70 years.
She is survived by nephews, Freddie, Joel, Doyle and J.F. Williamson, Woody and Royce Davenport, David Williams, Ronnie Whitley and Thwaitt and Jack Wall and nieces, Janice Maynard, Alvida Woody, Bobbie Harrison, Melba Pedigo, Ann Webb and Lynn Cantrell.
Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. today in High’s Chapel with Larry Briggs and Donnie Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at Keltonburg Cemetery in DeKalb County. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of service Sunday at High’s.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) Nov. 11, 2012
Juanita Walker Cantrell, 96
67f52669239fa.webp
Published: Apr 9, 2025, 2:16 AM

Rock Island resident Juanita Walker Cantrell, age 96, was born Sept. 1, 1928 at home in Rock Island and died April 4, 2025 at NHC Healthcare of McMinnville following a brief illness.

Mrs. Cantrell was the last living telephone operator for General Telephone Company and worked at Lentz and Cooper and Martin in the butcher shop before opening Rock Island Nursery with her husband, Lewis Cantrell. She was the first ladies club president at Rock Island. Mrs. Cantrell was of the Baptist faith.

She was the daughter of the late Louis and Martha Jane Welch Walker. Mrs. Cantrell was married July 24, 1947 to Lewis Cantrell who preceded her in death on October 3, 2008. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Annie Rose Dickerson and Inez Boren and brothers, L.D. (Ardis), Carl (Frankie Dunn), Leroy and Clifford Walker.

Survivors include son, Danny Lewis (Kathy) Cantrell of Rock Island; daughter, Jo Carolyn (Wayne) Ellis of Seymour; special daughter, Donna Sullivan of Rock Island; grandchildren, Melisa (Jon) Tyus, Angie McCormack, Natasha (Eric) Prater and Kyle (Elizabeth) Cantrell; great-grandchildren, Casey, Cameron and Shelby Sullivan, Niki, Mariah, Micah, Robert and Alana McCormack, Liam Prater, Ander, Rees and Harper Cantrell; great-great grandchildren, Jaxson Sullivan, Odessa and Eleanora Jenkins; sisters-in-law, Virgie Walker and Reba Walker both of McMinnville and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 in High’s Chapel with Melonie Walker Turner to officiate. Interment will follow at Mt. View Cemetery in McMinnville. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of service at High’s.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.