About Us

Tim Gentry is a native of Cannon County. He grew up in the Hollow Springs Road area. His parents are Boyd Gentry and Helon Milligan Gentry. He is married to Terri Henley Gentry. They have two sons, Jeremiah and Drew. He has four siblings, Karen Burks, Rene Faulkner, Jennifer Coppinger, and Lydia Bush.  Tim lives in the Short Mountain area. He is a graduate of Cannon County High School and John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science and member of Smith Grove Church of Christ.

He came to work at Smith Funeral Home in 2000. He is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. He is also a licensed Preneed Sales Agent for funerals and cremations. Tim is also able to help families in selecting a monument for their loved one. He has extensive experience in designing monuments and bronze markers.

In 2017 Tim became the majority shareholder of Smith Funeral Home.  In 2018, Tim and his siblings acquired the Smith Funeral Home property.  This investment in our community and service to families is a long-time tradition.

Hannah Parsley grew up in the Woodland community around Lake Anne. Her parents are David J. and Rene’ Gentry Faulkner. She has two sisters, Emily (Kyle) Stembridge and Rebekah (Jonathan) Lamb, and is married to Colton Parsley from the Short Mountain community. Colton and Hannah are members of Smith Grove Church of Christ, where they met and got married. She is a graduate of Cannon County High School, Sewanee: The University of the South, Middle Tennessee State University, and John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science.

Coming to work at Smith Funeral Home in December 2020, Hannah quickly found a home. She enjoys working with families and hearing each unique narrative. Her interests lie in caring for and serving the bereaved as they honor their loved one’s life and memory.

Richard Burks is a native of Cannon County. He is the son of the late Tom and Juanita Burks. He grew up in the Burt Burgen area with his three siblings, Tommy Burks, Ronny Burks, and Alicea Burks Moore. Richard married Karen Gentry Burks, and they moved out to their farm in the West Side Community, where they still reside. They have three sons, Doug Burks, Dan (Beth) Burks, and David (Emily) Burks as well as 4 grandchildren. He is a graduate of Murfreesboro Central High School and Middle Tennessee State University and a member of New Hope Church of Christ.

Richard invested the majority of his working life in his career as an educator. He taught at Woodbury Grammar School, Kittrell Elementary School, and Boyd Christian School for a total of 41 years with 3 years served as assistant principal of Boyd Christian School. After retiring from education, Richard came to Smith Funeral Home in 2015 and found his talents best suited helping the community he loves in times of grief and uncertainty.

Janet Bane grew up in Watertown and is the daughter of the late Howard and Margaret Donnell. Janet married Tony Bane, and together, they had three children, Jeff (Jen) Bane, Connie (Bobby) Moore, and Allison (Jason) Greer. They are the blessed grandparents of 9 grandchildren and one great grandchild and part of the family at Smith Grove Church of Christ. She graduated with the class of 1975 from Watertown High School and has ample experience working as a seamstress.  Prior to coming to Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, Janet worked as the Finance and Purchasing Secretary for Woodbury Church of Christ for 22 years. 

Coming to Gentry-Smith Funeral Home in May 2022, Janet was a natural fit. Her professionalism and years of experience working with the public developed meaningful communication and relationship skills. Janet’s gifts are evident in her ability to empathize and speak words of care and comfort to the bereaved.

Mike Smith founded Smith Funeral Home in 1971. He was raised on his father's farm in the Edgefield Community. Mike was a graduate of Central High School, the Louisville College of Mortuary Science and a member of the Woodbury Church of Christ. He was a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. Mike's easy going nature and love for talking with people was well known in the community. He was always willing to help someone.

Mike's passing in August of 2015 was a sad occasion for all of us. His smile and laugh are greatly missed by many.

In loving memory of Christine Dillon, Past - Secretary/Treasuer.  

On November 7, 2021 Christine Dillon passed away.  We still miss her kind and friendly smile and her caring spirit.  We are thankful for her years of service.

Christine Dillon was a life long resident of Cannon County. She was an employee of the Bank of Commerce in Woodbury for over 45 years. Following her bank career she came to work at Smith Funeral Home.

She was born and raised on the Sunny Slope Road. Her parents were Herbert John Dillon and Gladys Francis Dillon. She has She is a graduate of Central High School, MTSU and a member of the Woodbury Church of Christ. Her work at the Bank of Commerce allowed her to get to know many people from all over Cannon County. She loves to talk with people. She had a keen interest in families and history of Cannon County.

Bill Smith was born and raised in the Edgefield community of Woodbury. His parents were G. Stanton Smith and Linda Brevard Smith. His wife was Dorothy Smith. He had two sons, Mike Smith and Steve Smith; two granddaughters, Lindsay Patterson and Blaire Smith Patterson (Joe) and a great grandson, Gabriel Patterson. He was a graduate of Central High School, the LSU School of Banking and a member of the Woodbury Church of Christ. He was President of the Bank of Commerce in Woodbury with 55 years of service before coming to work at Smith Funeral Home.

Bill's passing in October of 2015 had a great impact on all of us and many people in the community. His extensive knowledge of Cannon County history and it's families will be sorely missed. He was a wonderful asset to our community.