Elmus Greston “Tot” Cantrell, 91, of Smithville passed away at NHC of Smithville on Jan. 27.

He was born Aug. 15, 1929 to his parents, the late John Lee and Ona Young Cantrell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers Joe, J.W., Morgan, Thaniel, Jewell, Doyce, John, Lewis, and Prentice Cantrell, sisters Carmine Poss, Nona Mai Glenn, Nell Fly and Janice Martin, son-in-law Alan Bradford. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Mr. Cantrell was a member of Mt. View The Baptist Church, retired factory worker and a farmer. 

He is survived and deeply loved and cherished by his wife of 68 years, Gladys Fuson Cantrell of Smithille, daughters Phyllis Hallum of Smithville and Suzanne (Bill) Gash of Smithville, grandchildren Jeremy Hallum, Stephanie Crabtree, Mandy (Paul) Talley, Cory Bradford, Jordan (Erika) Gash and Rachel (Kieran) Russell, great-grandchildren Wesley Hallum, Conner Crabtree, Trey Crabtree, Peyton Hallum, Hudson Talley, Owen Talley, and Torryn Gash, sisters Joan Harrelson of Lebanon, Hilda (Floyd) Corley of Tullahoma, brother McClure (Pam) Cantrell of Smithville, brother-in-law Joe Fly of Hendersonville, sisters-in-law Nell Cantrell of McMinnville, Wilma Jean Cantrell of Smithville, Frances Cantrell of Gallatin, special friend and caregiver Betty Davis, several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Funeral service will be 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. James Gibbs and Bill Gash officiating with burial to follow at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday from 12 p.m. until the time of the service at 3 p.m. Due to COVID-19, we ask for the health and safety of everyone that you please exercise social distancing. The pews in the chapel are marked to respect these guidelines and allow 100 to 125 for the service. The funeral home lounge is closed at this time and no food or drinks are allowed. The family asks in addition to flowers donations may be made to Mt. View Cemetery at Young Bend or Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Mr. Cantrell.  

DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Jan. 29, 2021