Evelyn E. Maxwell, age 72, of Knoxville, departed this life on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at Fort Sanders Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced later with integrity by Unity Mortuary.

Luther Freeman, Jr., age 81, departed this life on Monday, August 14, 2107 at Fort Sanders Medical Center. Luther went to be with his heavenly Father to walk the streets of gold. He graduated from the Old Austin High School and served in the United States Army. Luther retired from KUB. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharnita Freeman; four children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary. The final resting place will be East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Highway, on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 11:30 AM.

Sylvia James, age 79, of Knoxville, departed this life on Sunday, August 13, 2017 at her residence. Mrs. James was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maxzille and Winnie Lewis; husband, Dr. Jesse James; and son, Raynold Vincent James. She leaves to cherish her fond memories her children: Jesse V. James, Vicki James, Violantha James and Sylvia Z. James; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 18, 2017 from 5-7 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary. The funeral mass will be held Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 12 noon at All Saints Catholic Church, 620 N Cedar Bluff Road. The final resting place will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Park immediately following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Capt. Carver Evers Lovely, age 53, of Oak Ridge, departed this life on August 10, 2017. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 4 PM to 6 PM, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow, at Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman Street.

John Paul Jones, Jr. of Knoxville, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on Sunday, August 6, 2017. He was born on August 12, 1961 to Reverend John Paul and Almeta Jones, Sr. in Chattanooga, TN. Paul was a graduate of West High School, class of 1979. He attended Tennessee Technical University, where he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He also attended Pellissippi State Community College where he graduated with an Associate’s degree in 2016. Paul served his country proudly and with honor in 1990 during the Gulf War, as a member of the Air Force National Guard. As a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Paul was a dedicated choir member. He served on the Building Committee for the new sanctuary and Family Center, along with the Finance Committee, Trustee Board, and headed the new Audio/Visual Committee, as well as other various other roles within the church. Paul was a Jack of all Trades, an avid Sci-fi fan, and interested in all things tech. For 28 years, Paul was employed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Systems Integrator. He was a member of several national award winning engineering teams. He leaves to mourn his passing, devoted wife Carmen Jones; son, John Paul Jones, III; parents, Reverend John Paul and Almeta Jones, Sr. of Jackson, TN; sister, Valetta (Patrick) Easley of Dallas, TX; nephews, Christopher and Patrick John (P.J.) Easley of Dallas, TX; in-laws, James and Waneta Long; sister-in-law, Kimberly Long of Charlotte, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends.  Special thanks to our devoted friend, Reverend JoAnn and Richard Hackler. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with the funeral to follow at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Avenue, with Reverend Leroy Franklin officiating. His remains will lie-in-state at the church on Saturday from 12 noon until the funeral hour and Friday after 11:00 AM at the funeral home. The final resting place will be East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Highway, on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 11:30 AM with military honors.  A white dove release will conclude the services.

James Leon Holley, age 97, of Madisonville, TN, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 with his family at his side. He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Holley; sister, Alice Boyd; and son, James Leon Holley, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Cora Holley; brother, Carlton Holley of Detroit, MI; daughter, Denora Holley; son, William (Tunisia) Holley; grandson, Alonzo (Katie) Holley; granddaughter, Marisha Holley; and two great-grandsons. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12, 2017 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Shiloh Presbyterian Church, 904 Biddle St, with the funeral service to follow with Rev. Sidney Davis officiating. The final resting place will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.

Robert Alonzo Washington, age 66, of Knoxville, departed this life on Monday, July 31, 2017 at his residence. He was born on June 1, 1951 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a member of the Knoxville College Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was also a member of Great Light #300 PHA Masonic Lodge. He is preceded in death by his mother, Bernetta Frazier; his foster parents, Hermine and Thaddeus Waiters; and brother, Melvin Washington. He leaves in this life his wife of soon-to-be 42 years, Sandra Ward Washington; their two daughters, Courtney E. Washington and Cristen W. (Carlton) Battle; grandsons, Ryan and Reece; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Bonham; three sisters, Marie, Bernetta and Debra; two brothers, James and Bernard; and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends and all who knew him as “the Stiltman.” The family will receive friends from 11 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, with the funeral to follow, with Rev. Leroy Franklin officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

James R. (Ronnie) Gilbreath went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday July 19, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis R. Gilbreath, Jr., and Climrose Franklin Gilbreath; and his brother, Lewis R. Gilbreath, III. Ronnie had a great sense of humor and could always be counted on for a good laugh. He was known for his cooking and auto body repair skills, and family and friends raved over his delicious fried chicken and bar-b-que ribs. He loved music and was very knowledgeable about musical artists and their recordings. Ronnie was well loved by many and will be greatly missed. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted fiancé and caregiver Kathy Gordon; daughter, Krystal Gainey; son, Chris Gainey; sister, Patricia G. Smith; brother, Michael E. (Retha) Gilbreath; aunt, Wanda Jean (James) Parton; many loving and devoted nieces and nephews to include Sharee, DeWayne, Selena, Michael Jr., Candice, Michelle, Tron and Tawana; loving cousins to include Juney, Butch, Spanky, Bonnie, Patrick, Rochelle and Tasha; a host of great nieces and nephews, other cousins and many friends. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, with the Homegoing Service to follow in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, with Rev. James Billings officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the homegoing service. Services will conclude with a white dove release. The family will assemble at 3104 Vera Street, Knoxville. A special thanks to the Reid, Billings, Cunningham, Gainey and Stephenson families, as well as Covenant Hospice Care for their loving care and support.

Mattie M. Davis passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at Fort Sanders Medical Center. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 12:00 PM at Good Samaritan Church, 2572 East Magnolia Avenue. Arrangements made with integrity by Unity Mortuary. Mrs. Davis’s guestbook can be signed online at www.unitymortuary.com and www.legacy.com.

Master Darshawn Martez Witt, Jr. “Stink”, age 7, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, July 16, 2017. Darshawn was born July 28, 2009 to Sabrina Chandler and Darshawn Witt, Sr. He attended Spring Hill Elementary School, where he strived to become an honor roll student, and HE DID IT! He was loving, caring and determined. He had a smile that brightened up the room and made everyone laugh. “Stink” loved playing PlayStation, making friendly bets and dancing at all of the kid birthday parties. He was a very competitive boy who loved NBA player Stephen Curry. Darshawn was special and definitely one-of-a-kind. He leaves behind his mother, Sabrina Chandler; father, Darshawn Witt, Sr. (Aminah Kea); godparents, William Gillette & LaShaundra Lenoir; siblings, Rakeem, J’Shawna, Darshawna, Marshawn, Ra’Nique Witt and Kamonie Hurt; devoted grandmothers, Edwina Porter Chandler & Sherri Farmer; grandfathers, Anthony (Geno) Mitchell, Charles Chandler and Sam Martin; a host of aunts, uncles, and numerous caring cousins, the Austin Homes Community and a lot more. Seven years on this earth and he touched so many hearts! Darshawn will never be forgotten and will truly be missed! The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 from 5:00- 6:30 pm at Overcoming Believers Church, with the Homegoing Services to follow with Pastor Daryl Arnold officiating and eulogist. The family will assemble at 4201 Alma Avenue at 4:00 pm. The final resting place will be at New Gray Cemetery on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at 10:00 am.