Funeral services have been set for the three Obion County Central High School fishing team members who died as a result of a boating accident on Pickwick Lake February 22.
Services for all three–Kenneth Driver, age 43; Kenneth Driver Jr., age 15, and Chandler Smith, age 15–will be held at Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home.
After their boating accident, an extensive two-week search on Pickwick and the Tennessee River was conducted by the TWRA and numerous other local and area agencies. The three were found over a three-day period late last week.
The following are the obituaries for the three.
Kenneth Wayne Driver
Kenneth Wayne Driver, 43, of Obion went home to be with the Lord Saturday, February 22, 2020.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Mt. Moriah Cemetery near Obion.
Visitation will be held at Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday.
Pallbearers will be Cameron Jordan, Troy Richards, Jerry Gammons, Brandon Fowler, Todd Wade, Robbie Baker, Daniel Baker and David LaMastus.
Kenneth was born May 9, 1976, in Union City, son of Billy Joe and Darlene (Baker) Driver of Troy. He was employed at the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber in Union City until its closing. Kenneth was then employed at Interrail Signal in Cottage Grove. He was currently employed as a electrician for SRG Global in Newbern. Kenneth was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and was a avid hunter and fisherman.
He is also survived by his sister, Christy Driver of Troy; two nephews, Cameron Jordan and Drake Driver both of Troy; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was also preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Wayne Driver, II; and his grandparents, Robert and Lois Baker and Billy C. and June Driver.
Kenneth Wayne Driver II “Junior, Boo”
Kenneth Wayne Driver II “Jr. , Boo”, 15, of Troy went home to be with the Lord Saturday, February 22, 2020.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Friday at Second Baptist Church in Union City. Brother Ricky Stover, Brother Eric Burress and Brother Jay Spaulding will officiate. Burial will follow in Terrace Hill Cemetery near Troy.
Pallbearers will be Zachary McDaniel, Cameron Jordan, Lee Whitehead, Collin Whitehead, Shon Johnson, Alex Johnson, Anthony McElroy, Hunter McElroy, Kody McElroy, Timothy Knapp, James Moore Jr. and Dustin Pollard.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Obion County Central High School Rebel football team, members of the OC Anglers and students in the MLR and construction classes at OCCHS.
Visitation will be held at Second Baptist Church from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of services Friday.
Kenneth Wayne Driver II “Boo” was born June 12, 2004, in Union City, son of Lisa (Johnson) Driver of Troy and the late Kenneth Wayne Driver. He had played football for Hillcrest Junior High in Troy (#69) , was a sophomore at Obion County Central High School where he enjoyed taking shop classes, played on the junior varsity and varsity Rebel football teams (#62), and was a member of the OC Anglers. Boo had played baseball up until junior high school, he enjoyed riding dirt bikes, camping and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He attended both Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and Minnick Bible Church where he was baptized September 30, 2018 by Brother Ricky Stover.
He is also survived by one brother, Zachary McDaniel of Hornbeak; one sister, Amber McDaniel of Murray, Kentucky; one nephew, Tallen McDaniel of Hornbeak; his grandparents, Ann Johnson of Paris, Roger Johnson of Memphis and Billy and Darlene Driver of Troy; his uncles and aunts, Shon and Carrie Johnson of Paris, Deborah and Anthony McElroy of Mansfield, Timothy and Wendy Knapp of Dyersburg, Bret and Michelle Johnson of Ridgely, Chad and Connie Edmundson of Pace, Florida, Christy Driver of Troy and Daniel and Norma Jean Downing of Union City; and seven cousins, Cameron Jordan and Drake Driver both of Troy, Chris Kemp of Lexington, Kentucky, Justin McElroy, Hunter McElroy and Kody McElroy all of Mansfield and Alex Johnson of Paris.
He was also preceded in death by his great grandparents, R.D. and Rachel Downing, Evelyn Johnson Burns, Robert Johnson, Robert and Lois Baker and Billy C. and June Driver.
Chandler Joe Smith
Chandler Joe Smith, 15, of Samburg went home to be with the Lord Saturday, February 22, 2020.
Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Black Oak Gymnasium in Hornbeak. Brother Lee McBride and Brother Eric Burress will officiate. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery near Hornbeak.
Visitation will be held at Black Oak Gymnasium from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of services Wednesday.
Pallbearers will be J.T. McClain, Paul Hayden Seals, Dustin Pollard, Gavin Simmons, Jamaad Mosley and Jonathan “Bubba” Blakley.
Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Chandler was born April 23, 2004, in Martin, son of Timbo and Amanda (Whitehead) Smith of Samburg. He was a sophomore at Obion County Central High School where he was a member of the OC Anglers. Chandler received Jesus Christ as his savior on May 1, 2017 and was baptized July 30, 2017 in Reelfoot Lake at his request. He was a member of Walnut Log Baptist Church and also attended Samburg Assembly of God, was a avid hunter and fisherman. Chandler had played basketball and was on the cross country team at Black Oak School and had also played baseball.
He is also survived by one brother, Justin Matthew Smith of Samburg; his grandparents, Alisa and Rodney Reed of Tiptonville, Randy Smith of the Shawtown community and James and JoAnn Whitehead of Obion; his great grandmothers, Dorothy Bingham of Samburg and Frankie Whitehead of the Shawtown community; one uncle, Jeremey Smith of Samburg; two aunts, Brandi Smith of the Shawtown community and Wendy Bloxom of the Clayton community; and several cousins.
He was also preceded in death by his grandmother, Vicki Reed.
Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home
Kenneth Driver II
Chandler Smith