Dwayne Page

Less than two weeks after the body of 31-year-old Brittany Ann Miller was found, investigators have now officially ruled her death a homicide.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said Tuesday afternoon, January 21 in a brief statement that the autopsy performed by the state medical examiner has confirmed Miller’s death to be a homicide. The cause of death has still not been disclosed.

The murder case is being investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

“We want to thank everyone for all of the news tips and support given over the last two weeks since the discovery of Brittany’s body. We want anybody who has any information who has not reached out to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or emailTipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov”,” said Sheriff Ray.

Meanwhile, Miller’s memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, January 25 according to the obituary as follows:

On Saturday, January 14, 2025, it was discovered that Brittany Ann Brock Miller of 860 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee, was no longer with us.

Brittany was born on October 15, 1990, in DeKalb County to her parents Bridget Annette Green Brock and Rodna Wayne Brock, Sr. Her father predeceased her.

Most importantly, Brittany was a Christian and a faithful member of the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church. She was always willing to help with things that needed to be done. She was a very kind-hearted person. Brittany was a wonderful mother, who went to great lengths to see that the girls were cared for. She loved to play with them, go swimming, go to the park, do crafts, work in the garden, flowers and yard. They were the love of her life.

She cared for her household by helping tend a garden and then harvesting it and preserving the fruits of her labor. She loved to share with others. There was not a lazy bone in her body. She would don work clothes and go mow yards. She worked at various jobs to bring money into the household.

She was last employed part time with Walmart. Brittany was very close to her mother and talked to her or visited every day. Since she was oldest child, her brothers loved her very much and looked up to her.

With a hole in their hearts, she leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Samantha Willow Miller and Chloe Mae Miller; her mother, Bridget Ann Green Brock; brothers, Rodna Wayne (Susan) Brock, Jr., and Tyler DeWayne Brock, all of Smithville, Tennessee; aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.

Brittany claimed these comforting words from Job when he had lost everything: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Job 19:25-26

A Memorial service celebrating Brittany’s life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Indian Creek Memorial Baptist Church, 967 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville, Tennessee. Visitation with the family will begin at 12:30 p.m. and extend until time for the service at 2:00 p.m.

The family thanks Love-Cantrell Funeral Home for their loving and gracious assistance.

DeKalb County High School is proud to announce the donation of a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder to its maintenance and light repair automotive technology Program, courtesy of Nissan. The vehicle will serve as a valuable training resource, enhancing students’ hands-on learning experience and preparing them for careers in the automotive industry.

“We appreciate this donation from Nissan to help us provide students with hands-on learning opportunities,” said DCHS CTE Director Brad Leach. “We can’t wait to see the incredible things students in our automotive program will achieve. From classrooms to careers, we’re excited to be a part of these student’s journeys,” he said.

Michael Whitefield is the class instructor at DCHS.

“These vehicles will be used for high school students to learn some of the latest technology for their automotive services program so they can disassemble the brake assembly, tires, wheels, engine components, interior components, and pretty much use them as they wish for training or automotive services programs,” said Jason Stanley, Senior Manager for Nissan’s manufacturing workforce development in a phone interview with WJLE.

“It’s to introduce students to the latest types of vehicle technology, power train, and things of that nature to help them grow and learn for a potential career field if that’s a job or career opportunity they want to pursue after high school,” Stanley explained.

“These vehicles can only be used for automotive services type programs for disassembly repair. They are not eligible to be registered and driven on the streets,” he added.

“We work with our philanthropy division at Nissan on how to donate these vehicles to technical schools and high schools to support automotive services programs,” said Stanley. “This past year we had quite a few vehicles become available. We look at our current employee base, where our employees live, and try to connect with the schools in those areas. Working through TCAT McMinnville they helped us reach out to Brad Leach at DeKalb County High School who worked with our philanthropy team and secured the donation which we were able to make last Friday,” said Stanley.

“We are proud to be able to support our local high schools and the students. Obviously with Nissan being in the middle Tennessee area its always good to see people interested in the automotive environment. Not just from the manufacturing standpoint but from a dealer services viewpoint as well,” Stanley said. “We are proud to be able to support programs like this and help these students get some experience and exposure on new equipment and hopefully lead them to a career of their choice”.

Donny Green, County Executive Director of the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency (FSA), says the 2024 DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee election results have been approved by the Tennessee FSA State Committee.

For Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 1, Jimmy Womack was elected to serve as Committee Member. Danny Pirtle was elected to serve as 1st Alternate.

For Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 5, Clark Hollis was elected to serve as Committee Member. Brittany Duggin was elected to serve as 1st Alternate.

Elected members began their terms on January 1, 2025.

Robert “Bob” Melton was honored for his service to the Farm Service Agency as a county committee member for 9 years of consecutive service. Mr. Melton’s contributions to the DeKalb and Cannon County agricultural community are unparalleled, and his influences and leadership will benefit many generations to come.

The DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee met on January 14, 2025 to conduct its Organizational Meeting. For 2025, the Committee selected Terry Young as the Chairperson, and Jimmy Womack as the Vice-Chairperson. Grant Williams, Bart Lay, and Clark Hollis will serve as members of the Committee. Mary Sanders serves as the Committee Advisor.

The Committee meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:30 a.m. at the DeKalb-Cannon County USDA Service Center located at 647 Bright Hill Rd.

Green says that the DeKalb-Cannon FSA County Committee and office staff wish to express their appreciation to voters in LAA # 1 and LAA # 5 who participated in the election by voting and returning their ballots. “The local County Committees are a very important part of Farm Service Agency’s program delivery and administrative processes,” added Green.

For more information about FSA’s County Committees or other program inquiries, call 597-8225 (extension 2) or come by the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency office at 647 Bright Hill Street in Smithville. You can also visit the agency’s web site at: www.fsa.usda.gov.