Iyalode Nkechi Kianga Ajanaku, age 60, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at her home in East Knoxville, Tennessee in the arms of her family. She is preceded in death by grandparents, Abner and Wornie English; mother, Dorothy Marie English; aunt, Ruby Wright; and uncle, Elijh English. She is survived by her children: Bolanile (Abdella) Ajanaku-Habib of Nashville, Obayana Ajanaku, Takia (Kayode Faniyi) Ajanaku, and Tor (Romoke) Ajanaku, all of Knoxville, Nkosi Ajanaku (Quita) of Memphis,  Adisa Ajanaku (Zakiyah) of Oxnard, CA and Zola Binta (Jameel) Evans of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Khalid Abidoye, Rasheed, Jamaal, Ojo, Omar, Nkechi J., Ifayemi; Damani, Nia, Nkosi, Isis, Nariah, Zariya; siblings:  Sterling Coney and David (Kim) Coney of Knoxville, Renee Bey of Henderson, NV and Vita Earving of Gary, IN;  aunts: Wornie English of Gary, IN and Jennell English-El of Los Angeles, CA; uncle: John (Loretta) English; nieces: Stephanie Coney Lee of Indianapolis, IN, Adrienne Coney of Michigan City, IN and Andrea Coney of Gary, IN; nephews:  Broderick Moore and David Akeem Coney, both of Knoxville; cousins: Audrey Wright of Gary, IN, Rhonda English of Indianapolis, IN, Elijh “Ifalowo” English Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Anita Wright of Indianapolis, IN, Charles English of Jacksonville, FL and Renee English of Gary, IN; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Homegoing and Community Tribute for Ms. Ajanaku will be Saturday, June 10th, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Haley Heritage Square, 1600 Dandridge Avenue. Seating will be available in the Amphitheatre. Handicap seating will be available at the top of the Haley Heritage Square site.

Willie G. Dokes, age 53, of Knoxville, passed away on June 1, 2017 at UT Medical Center. Arrangements will be announced at a later time with integrity by Unity Mortuary.

“Beloved” Tennessee Anderson, age 105, went to rest Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at her home. She was retiree of Austin High School and Kiwanis Camp. She was a member of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Anderson; parents: Samuel and Minda Goley; brothers: Norman, Robert, Roy and Oscar Goley; sisters: Seffie Frell, Ethel Goley, Isbella Winton and Margaret Johnson. She leaves to mourn her daughter, Jeanette (Hearl) Bacon; grandchildren: Alaina (Kermit) Johnson and Jason Bacon; great-grandchildren: Alexander, Zachary and Gabriel Johnson; devoted niece, Patty Johnson Taylor; other nieces: Shirley (Levi) Williams, Delois Bond, Marcena Dowdell, Alvena Edwards, Doris Johnson and family; nephews: Albert and Gene Winton and Arthur Edwards of Richmond, VA; great-nieces: Makkletha Johnson, TamikaIon Bond, Tamela Edwards, Nina Garner, Keri (Michael) Pegeon, Senedra (Robert) Wiggins; great-nephews: Scott and Michael Taylor, Bryron, Eric, Glenn, and Roman Edwards, Arron Bond Jr.; and a host of cousins and other relatives. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow at 1:00 pm, at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Selma Avenue. The final resting place will be at Crestview Cemetery following the service. Services will conclude with a white dove release. The family wishes to give special thanks for every acts of kindness to: Southern Medical Group PLLC, Fort Sanders 7th Floor Staff, Smokey Mountain Hospice Group, Pastor John Ghostson & Church Family; and special friends: Mamie Thompson, Kathon Wilkins and John R. Golden.

Alexander “Bud” Wade, age 88 of Knoxville, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 25, 2017.  He was a member of Lennon-Seney United Methodist Church.  He retired from Leinart’s Inc. and Equip Control. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Margaret-Jean Wade; son, Ronald (Sharon) Wade; daughter, Waneta (James) Long; granddaughters: Carmen (J. Paul) Jones, Leslie (Ryan) Bond of Dallas, TX and Kimberly Long of Charlotte, NC; great-grandson, John P. Jones, III; great-granddaughter, Jade Bond; sister, Thelma Jackson; nieces, nephews and a lot of dear friends to include the Bradley, Moore and Voyager Club families.  Special thanks to the Avalon Hospice Staff, Jackie Davis and Deidre Tate for their tender and loving care. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with the funeral to follow, at Lennon-Seney United Methodist Church, 2084 Dandridge Avenue, with Rev. Dr. Elston McLain officiating. The final resting place will be at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Highway, on Friday June 2, 2017 at 9:30 AM with military honors. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Rachel Myers, age 50, was born November 19, 1966 in Orlando, Florida and departed this life from her home in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 24, 2017.  She was known as a faithful friend and loving supporter of children. She leaves to mourn her passing her father, James Calvin Myers, Sr.; her mother, Jane Arthur Myers; sons: Michael Myers and Tomariea Amir Harshaw; daughter, Nakisha Robinson; brothers: James Calvin Myers II, Michael Myers and John Lucas; sisters: Stephanie Myers, Charlotte Myers and Tiffanie Brown, all of Knoxville; four grandchildren and a host of close relatives. The family will receive friends from 1 PM to 2 PM on Saturday June 3, 2017, with the funeral following, at New Life Ministries, 1928 Fairmont Blvd, with Dr. Charles Sanderfur officiating. The family will assemble at 2527 Louise Avenue. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Hertistine Ellen Every Wooten, 67, affectionately known as “Dooley”, departed this life at her home on Monday, May 22, 2017.  She was a graduate of Austin High School Class of 1967 and furthered her education at Knoxville College where she graduated in 1971 with a BS Degree in Business Education.  She worked in the Oak Ridge-DOE Complex for 32 years and she retired in 2006 as Manager of Staffing and EEO/AA at Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC.  She was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Knoxville Alumnae Chapter.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Christine Every; father, Willie Every; grandmother Roberta Chesney; aunt, Bobbie Cavitt; uncle, R.L. Leonard and other family members.  She leaves to cherish her memory, devoted husband, Hollis Wooten; loving sister, Doris (Pat) Every; brother William (Susan) Every; nephews, Jeffrey Every of LasVegas , Nevada and David Every; sister-in-law, Mary Nixon; brothers-in-law, Iven Wooten and Roy Wooten;  adopted sisters, Margaret Scott Coleman, Hildrith Gillespie, Vernell Gray, Patricia Trammell and Emma Yancey; a host of other, nieces, nephews,  relatives and friends to include Frank (Snapper) Carr, William Kennedy, the Chesney, Leonard  and Gillette families.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with funeral services to follow, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 1807 Dandridge Avenue, with Reverend Leroy Franklin officiating.  The final resting place will be at New Gray Cemetery.  Services are to conclude with white dove release.

Margaret Ross Gaiter, a native of Knoxville, TN, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2017, at Holston Rehabilitation and Health Center. She was a 1947 graduate of Knoxville College.  After retiring from the Knox County Public School System, she continued her leadership roles in various civic, community, and public organizations. She was a faithful member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church where she served as minister of music for 38 years. She is preceded in death by husband, Felix Gaiter; daughter, Kathleen Gaiter Lowery Roberts; daughter-in-law, Kathy Henderson Gaiter; brother, Clifford Ross; sister, Constance Ross Mills; brother-in-law, Gaither Mills; mother, Margaret Ross Mitchell and step-father, Amos Mitchell; and aunts Macie Williams, Annie Lucille Houston, and Bessie Willard Houston. She is survived by children Felix Ross Gaiter and Peggy (John) Jackson; grandchildren Robin L. Barnes, Roger (Katherine) Lowery, Natalie Swift, Yusef (Michelle) Gaiter, Velvet Gaiter, Felix Xavier Gaiter, and Kleopatra Gaiter;  great-grandchildren Tariq and Jalil Barnes, Bishop Lowery, Lynden Gaiter, and Lacey Gaiter; sisters-in-law Erma Ross and Versie Gaiter; nieces and nephews Patricia (Bobby) Jennings, Anthony Mills, Dorothy (Larry) Brice;  great-nieces and nephews  Leslie Green, Tracey Hill, Raphael (Ashley) Mills, Rashaad Mills; great-great nephews and nieces  Martez and Jaida Hill, Raquell, Raphael II,  Ashiah, Sophia and Angela Mills. The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 16, 2017, from 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. with the service to follow at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church, 520 College St., Knoxville, TN, with the Reverend Dr. Michel Caldwell, officiating. Interment Services will be held on Wednesday, May 17, at 11:30 A.M. at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Governor John Sevier Highway. A white dove release will conclude the services. Mrs. Gaiter can viewed after 1:00 P.M. on Monday, May 15, 2017 in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary. Special appreciation to Larry Brakebill, Dr. Wahid Hanna and the University of TN Medical staff, and staff at Holston Rehabilitation and Health Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Beck Cultural Center, 1927 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915 or to the Byron G. Ragsdale Scholarship Fund, Rogers Memorial Baptist Church, 520 College St., Knoxville, TN 37921.

David F. Miller, of Knoxville, born February 16, 1954, better known by friends and family as “Candyman,” left us unexpectedly on Sunday, May 7, 2017. He is preceded in death by parents, David and Wilma Miller; and three brothers, Michael, Randy and Donnie Miller. He is survived by his husband Joshua Miller; three sisters: Terrie Barker, Tammie Barger, Teresa Brooks; two brothers-in-law, several nephews and nieces, aunts and an uncle. All who knew Davy will dearly miss him, his humor, his uncanny ability to be three steps ahead of the plan and innate capacity for merchandizing. The best wheeler and dealer you ever met, and never met a stranger. For now, we say “Talk to you later; keep the deals moving on the other side.” The family will receive friends on Friday, May 12, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow.

Ms. Mildred Hughley, affectionately known as “Milk,” departed this life peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. She was born November 4, 1932 in Zebulon, GA to the late Zire Hughley, Sr. and Ada Mae Russell Hughley. She was the fourth of eight children born to this union. Mildred lived a long and fruitful life, always abounding in prayer and faith.  She confessed her life to Christ at an early age where she joined Fullers Chapel United Methodist Church.  After moving to Knoxville, TN, she served faithfully at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church until her health failed. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, W.J., Jessie and Zire Hughley, Jr. She leaves to cherish her loving memory on devoted son, Jerome Roscoe (Sandra Maples) of Knoxville, TN.  Her memories will also be cherished by her two granddaughters, Keziah Roscoe and Denisha Hardin; four siblings, John Hughley of Hollywood, FL, Roy (Mary Jean) Hughley, Betty Alexander and Elizabeth (Arthur) Childs all of Zebulon, GA; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; special cousin, Pearl Roddy; special friend, Peggy Billingsley; and special neighbors, the Evans and Williams families. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, with the funeral to follow at 1:00 PM.  The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Hazel Mercedes Ewing Woods, born November 13, 1927, of Knoxville in Goin, TN to the late Alfred and Ellen Ewing, passed peacefully into  the hands of her loving Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Tennova Physicians Regional Medical Center. She is preceded in death by six sisters and her husband James Gilbert Woods, Sr. She is survived by four children: Sandra (James) Hoffman, Ellen Anita (Ralph) Parker, James Gilbert (Cookie) Woods, Jr., and Cathy Jamesena Woods-Gales; five grand-children and three great-grandchildren; special friend Lillian Dirl; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Foster Chapel Baptist Church, 2101 Ault Rd, with Pastor Joseph Tolbert as eulogist. Open visitation will be Wednesday, April 19, 2017 after 11:00 AM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary and Thursday, April 20, 2017 after 4:30 PM at Foster Chapel Baptist Church. The final resting place will be at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Highway, on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 9:30 AM. Services will conclude with a white dove release.