Gibson County lawyer Jeffery Alan "Jeff " Smith died March 29 at the age of 61. After earning a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis and a law degree from the university’s Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, Smith began practicing law in Trenton. He later served as the city attorney for Dyersburg and Rutherford and owned a number of H&R Block franchises with locations in Dyersburg, Humboldt, Martin, Ripley, South Fulton and Union City.

Nashville lawyer David L. Steed died Sept. 22 at the age of 69. A Vanderbilt University Law School graduate, Steed worked at the Nashville law firm of Cornelius & Collins for 41 years, first as an associate, then as a partner and finally as of counsel. Steed focused his practice on representing physicians and physician groups in matters ranging from health care liability defense, credentialing issues and third-party payor recovery matters. He also worked extensively with the Tennessee Medical Association. In a statement about Steed’s passing, the firm said, “Throughout his career, David exemplified the highest standards of the legal profession and played an important part in shaping the firm’s culture and success.” Read the full statement. Arrangements are being handled by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home.

Attorney Lorenzo A. Ramunno, a probate and estate planning lawyer admitted to practice in Florida, New York and Tennessee, died Aug. 30, according to the Ramunno Law Firm. Born in Buffalo, New York, Ramunno was the son of a judge and city councilman who had an early influence on a legal career marked by integrity and service. He earned his law degree from Nova University Law School and since 2004 had served as a Florida circuit court mediator. His practice areas included probate, estate planning, wills, trusts, small business corporations, real estate, trust administration and general law.

Bobby Cain, a member of the "Clinton 12" who helped integrate Clinton High School in East Tennessee in 1956 — one of the first high schools in the South to integrate — died Monday at age 85. The Associated Press reports that Cain was a senior when he entered the formerly all-white school on a court order. He had previously attended a Black high school about 20 miles away in Knoxville and was not happy about leaving his friends to spend his senior year at a new school in a hostile environment. Despite not being allowed to play sports and facing protests and violence — including being attacked after graduation — Cain persevered to become the first Black student in Tennessee to graduate from an integrated state-run school. He later attended Tennessee State University, worked for the Tennessee Department of Human Services and is remembered as a “reluctant hero.”

Morristown lawyer Joseph “Randall” Shelton died Aug. 31 under the compassionate care of Caris Healthcare Hospice, surrounded by his family. A 1964 graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law (now Winston College of Law), Shelton served in the U.S. Army and later opened his East Tennessee law practice, where he provided 50 years of dedicated legal service. A Celebration of Life will be held Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. EDT at Gateway Church, 503 S. Jackson St., Morristown 37813. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or Rotary Foundation. Call 866-976-8279 to donate by mail.

Retired Court of Appeals Judge Alan Highers died Aug. 27 at age 88. He received his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law. Highers practiced law with Gerber & Gerber and with Neely, Green & Fargarson in Memphis until he was appointed chief magistrate at the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County. In 1982, Gov. Lamar Alexander appointed him to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section, and he later became the senior appellate judge in Tennessee. Highers retired in 2014, after 37 years of judicial service. Memorial gifts may be sent to The Highers Scholarship at Freed-Hardeman University, 158 East Main St., Henderson, TN 38340.

Retired Rutherford County lawyer Allen D. Hale died Aug. 23 at age 73. A lifelong resident of the county, he worked as paramedic, police detective, assistant district attorney and private practice attorney. Visitation will be this Friday at 10:30 a.m. CDT at Jennings and Ayers Funeral Home, 820 S. Church St., Murfreesboro 37130. A service will follow at 12:30 p.m. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 5350 NW Broad St., Murfreesboro 37129. Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.jenningsandayers.com.

Lawrenceburg attorney Randy Hillhouse died Aug. 23 at age 71. Hillhouse earned his law degree from the University of Knoxville in 1977. He was the owner of Randy Hillhouse, Attorney at Law and a member of the Tennessee Bar Association. Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Ave., Lawrenceburg 38464, at 3 p.m. CDT tomorrow. Interment will follow at Fall River Cemetery in Leoma. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bo's Blessings.

A memorial service honoring retired Nashville General Sessions Judge William Higgins will take place this Thursday at 1 p.m. CDT in Courtroom 3B of the Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Ave. N., Nashville 37201. Higgins died Aug. 11 at the age of 86. After earning his law degree from the Nashville School of Law, he went on to serve on the Metro Nashville Council for three terms and practiced law for 13 years before running for the Davidson County General Sessions Court in 1980. He won that race and subsequently was elected to five terms. He was named presiding judge of the court in 2013 and retired in 2022 to return to practicing law. View an invitation for the event.

Knoxville attorney Albert Joseph Harb died Aug. 14 at age 73. Harb earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee and began practicing law independently before joining the firm of Hodges, Doughty & Carson in 1984, where he practiced until 2024. Over the years, Harb developed a large construction law practice, represented clients in personal injury cases and maintained a diverse list of corporate and commercial litigation clients. A reception for friends will be held Aug. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT at Apostles Anglican Church, 1540 Robinson Rd. NW, Knoxville 37923. The funeral is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 11 a.m. EDT at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, 9132 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37923. A graveside service will take place at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919. Donations may be made in Harb’s honor to Apostles Anglican Church, the Dr. Wahid Hanna Educational Endowment at the University of Tennessee or FISH Hospitality Pantries.