Jones, Cynthia Fay – of Knoxville, TN, was born to the union of John H. Martin and Fay D. Martin on September 8, 1947. Cynthia went to be with Jesus on September 7, 2014. Cynthia leaves to cherish her memories:  daughters, Cynthia, Diane and Jackie; son, Frank; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Special thanks to Dr. John Sunil from Southern Medical Group and Staff at the University Nephrology. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 13, 2014  from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 Pm at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral  services to follow at 1:00 pm. Interment will be held on Monday, September 15, 2014 at New Gray Cemetery  at 12:00 noon.

Rev. James Whyte, of Knoxville, departed this life on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at UT Medical Center.   He was the former pastor of Clinton Chapel and Wallace Chapel in Knoxville.  He leaves a loving wife, Rev. Marcia Whyte; daughters, Teri Whyte-Scott (Richard); Emily Whyte; Noelle Whyte; son, Isaiah Whyte; granddaughters, Amber Scott and Jaeda Scott; mother-in-love, Norma Smith and a host of family, friends, coworkers and colleagues.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 10:00 am with service beginning at 11:00 am at Greater Warner Tabernacle, 3800 MLK Avenue, Knoxville with Reverend John Butler officiating and Bishop Darryl Starnes eulogist.  Interment will follow at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery 2200 E. John Sevier Highway at 1:30pm, services will conclude with military honors and full white dove release. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org) are encouraged.  The cortege will assemble 3429 Peachwood Road at 9: 00 am.

Staples, Ruby L. – age 86, departed this life on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at NHC Fort Sanders Healthcare. She was born on May 21, 1928 in Columbia, SC. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Earl Staples. Survived by granddaughters, Ericka Evans, Nicole Foster and Elease Suber; 7 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, other relatives and friends. The family will receive on Monday, September 8, 2014 from 1:30 until 2:00 PM with funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Michel S. E. Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release. The cortege will line up at 1225 University Avenue at 12:30 pm.

Harper, Ella W. – of Knoxville departed this life on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at her residence. She was preceded in death by her mother, Elouise Washington. Survivors are husband, Jimmy Harper; children, Ricky Washington and Sabrina Harper, Knoxville; 4 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and 1 great- great grandchild; 2 brothers; 2 sisters and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. At her request there will be no services.

Allen, Jacqueline D. – departed this life on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Summit View Nursing Home, Lakeview, TN. She was born on December 26, 1956 in Panama City, FL., and baptized on October 20, 1963 at Redemption Lutheran Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Jimmie Allen, Panama City, FL. She leaves her mother Annette (Charles) Howell; son, Jermaine Allen; brothers, Antonio Allen and Christopher Allen both of Knoxville, TN.; grandchild, Kayla Allen and three great grandchildren; aunts, Hattie Duggins of Jamesville, NC, Katie Thomas of Spring Valley, NY., and Ethel Franklin of West Palm Beach, FL.; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Friday,  August 29, 2014 from 6:00 until 7:00 PM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral services to follow at 7:00 PM  with Elder  Joe Maddox  officiating. The cortege will line up at 2522 Woodbine Avenue at 5:00 PM.

Shands, Margaret D. Bradley – age 86, of Knoxville, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at NHC Ft. Sanders Nursing Home in the presence of her son and daughter-in-law. Receiving of friends will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at Foster Chapel Baptist Church, 2101 Ault Road, Knoxville 37914 from 11:00AM  to 12:00 Noon with services to follow at 12:00 Noon. Pastor Joseph Tolbert officiating and Rev. Darris Waters eulogist. Interment to follow at Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Hall Rd, Alcoa TN.  The cortege will line up at Unity Mortuary at 10:00 AM in precession to the church.

Cooper, Viola A. – Passed away on Wednesday, August 6, 2014. Ms. Cooper was born in Tyrone, NC. on the 25, of July, 1932, the second daughter of Leonard and Mae Berta Cooper. Ms. Cooper was a graduate of Charles M. Hall School, Alcoa TN.  She was preceded in death by parents, Leonard and Mae B. Cooper; brother, Aquilla Cooper; sister, Priscilla Cooper; brother in law, William V. Powell, Jr. Ms. Cooper is survived by her 3 sons, Calvin L. (Fatima), David (Jessica) and Jerry (Jannetta) Cooper; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sisters, Dr. Lula C. Powell and Esther Gaines and a host of nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 10, 2014 from 6:00-7:00 PM with funeral services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel at 7:00 PM with Pastor Dr. Willa Estell officiating. Interment will be held on Monday, August 11, 2014 at 11:00 AM at New Gray Cemetery.

STYLES, IRENE – age 90, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at NHC-Fort Sanders Healthcare. She was born May 23, 1924 in Veazey, GA Preceded in death by parents, Lozell and Estelle Styles; brothers, Izell Styles, Anderson “L.O.” Styles and Grady Styles; sisters, Georgia Mae Smith, Annie Kate Baugh, Sarah Bell Roland, Mary E. Roland and Lois Robinson. Survived by sister, Millie L. Haynes of Greensboro, GA; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 from 5:30-6:00 PM with funeral services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Cecil Clark Officiating. Interment will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 1:30 PM at Jefferson Cemetery in Siloam, GA.

Timothy Samuel Tillery, Jr. – of Knoxville, son of Timothy Samuel Tillery, Sr. and the late Sherry Ann McCray was born on October 31, 1989. He was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 19, 2014. The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 12:00 until12:30AM at Over Coming Believers Church with services to follow at 12:30 Noon with Pastor Daryl Arnold officiating.

DeBurns, Eriv Duquesne “Duke” – age 54, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully to his eternal home on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at U.T. Medical Center.  Eriv graduated from Rule High School Class of 1977, and served in the United States Marine Corp. Eriv was preceded in death by devoted mother, Charlesetta “Charlie,” “Cissy” DeBurns; grandparents,: Delitha Miller (Bell), Alonzo Bell; special grandmother, “Nanny” Mattie Scruggs; uncles, William Carroll DeBurns, Kenneth Bell, Sr., Elsworth Bell and Alphonso Bell; devoted aunt, Dorothy Bell; Duke loved his family and was much loved by them. Survived by and forever memories left with devoted precious daughter, Erica DeBurns and grandson Aerik Keenan DeBurns, Muskegon, MI.; devoted  brother, JaGade DeBurns with  whom he resided; devoted and beloved sister, Robalynne “Robin” DeBurns (Gerald Revels) Knoxville, TN.; beloved nieces, Monkique Wright and Shayla Hawkins; great niece, Jayriaauna Jones, Knoxville, TN.; special and devoted friend Lynne Anderson, Knoxville, TN.; devoted aunts, Annette Bell and Sarah DeBurns, Knoxville, TN., devoted cousins,  that were raised as brothers, Kenneth Bell II, and Jeffrey Bell,  Knoxville, TN.; many  extended family members  and friends including the DeBurns family members  in Virginia and Arizona. Special thanks to Dr. Tom Kim, Dr, J. Subramanian, Dr. Bertoli and the entire Oncology Staff, Ms. Sylvia and the 7^th floor staff and 12^th floor Nurses and staff at UT Medical Center.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday July 22, 2014, from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. with services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Rev. A.D. Baxter officiating. Interment will be held at a later date at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Highway. Professional services made with integrity by Unity Mortuary. Mr. DeBurns’ guestbook can be signed on line at www.unitymortuary.com and www.legacy.com.