Saffell, Barbara Jean – age 80, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Knoxville, TN. She was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking and spending time with her family. She was born to the late David and Sara Banks on January 9, 1934. Preceding her in death were her Husband, Everett “Tip” Saffell; Daughters, Karen Denise Booker, Brenda Jean Jatta, Phyllis Ann Saffell; Son, Terry Franklin Saffell; Sisters, Mary Frances Tate, Willie Bell Thomas and Juanita Davis; Brothers, Jimmy Banks, Johnny Banks and Robert Banks. She is survived by her children, Wayne Saffell, Marilyn Young, Angela Burns, Robin (Angela) Saffell, Sylvia Saffell, Ronald and Donald Saffell; 23 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014 at First AME Zion Church 1900 McCalla Avenue. The funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m with Reverend Michael McNair officiating. Interment will follow at Knoxville National Cemetary, 939 Tyson St. Knoxville, TN.

McFarland, Franklin Delano – of Knoxville, TN at the age of 78, moved to his new home on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. He now meets with his mother, Emma, father, Leroy and brother, Fred McFarland. He leaves behind two sons, Everett, Knoxville and Gregory, Atlanta; three daughters, Lenora, Atlanta,  Krystal, Nashville and Carmen, Knoxville; four sisters, Molly, Merilin, Carolyn and Martha; one brother, Leon McFarland; a host of other relatives and friends. He has fought the fight and finished the race. He will be greatly remembered.

George, DeAries – age 24, of Knoxville was called home to glory on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. He was preceded in death by mother, Brenda M. Davis, grandmother, Minnie S. Fullwood Davis, aunt, Martha E. Davis, uncle, James Davis, Eugene J. Mitchell, Jr. and cousin, Jayla Moffett. He is survived by: father, Benny George; step father, Ernest Long; brothers, James ”Possum” (Tina) Davis, Sr., Demetric George and Lavon Davis; sister, Brittany George; aunt, June Michell; uncles, Howard (Renda) Davis, and Cecil Duey George; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, girlfriend, Jessica McKamey and kids, Nasir and Nyla Bone. Family will receive friends on Monday, January 20, 2014 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 12:00  until 1:00 PM with funeral services to immediately follow with Pastor Sanford Miller, Sr. officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Olive Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Walter Brown , Sr. of Knoxville, TN departed this life on January 7, 2014. Preceded in death by: parents, Johnny “Smokey” and Earnestine Brown; 2 brothers; niece, Uniqua Brown. Survivors: daughter, Shalanda (Robert) Edwards of Jacksonville, FL; son, Walter Jr.; grandchildren, Eugene (Magorie) Brown and Marquise Brown; 3 sisters; 2 brothers; a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 from 10:00-11:00 AM with memorial service to follow at First AME Zion Church, 1900 McCalla Avenue, Knoxville, TN with Reverend Michael McNair officiating.

McKenzie, LaRhonda – was born on August 26, 1975. She departed this life on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. She leaves to cherish her memory: her parents, James McKenzie, Sr. and Yolanda McKenzie; her siblings, James McKenzie, Jr., Symira (Darium) Milton, Kenya, Cassie McKenzie and Admiral Robinson. She also leaves her children, Caleasha, Cajaniece, Caleaf, Jr., Catyana and Cadriana Davis; cousin that she raised Bettyjean (Michael) Gilbreath; several aunts, uncles, nieces nephews; cousins and many close friends that were like family that will forever hold a place in their heart for her. Family will receive at Unity Mortuary Chapel on Saturday, January 18, 2014 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM with funeral services to follow at 1:00 PM with Reverend Steve Simpson officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Olive Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Howard Linder, 64, passed away on January 1, 2014.  Howard was born May 5, 1949 in Wrightsville, Georgia. He was a Vietnam and Gulf War Veteran and a longtime employee of the Buford C. Smith Company. He was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He is survived by wife,  Patricia  (Bates) Linder; children, Christopher (Rozlyn) Linder, Natascha (Steven) Lundy and Ukennia Arinze; mother, Eddie Mae (Davis) Linder; sister, Lillie Gwendolyn Linder; brother, Dr. Harvey (Juliet) Linder; seven grandchildren and devoted sister in law and best friend Shirley Bates. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 9, 2014 from 5:00 -6:00pm with funeral service to follow at 6:00 pm at Mount Calvary Baptist church. Reverend Leroy Franklin officiating. Burial will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 9:30 am, East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with full dove release and military honors.

Hall, Opha Bettye (Toms) – age 79 slept away on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at Parkwest Hospital. She was a faithful member of Foster Chapel Church. Retired from Robertshaw and graduated from Austin High School Class of 1954. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Namon Hall, Sr.; 3 brothers, Mitchell, Campbell  and RC Toms; 1 sister, Elizabeth Toms; grandson, Douglas Clayton, Hall, Jr. and Chancellor Sterling. Survivors: sons, Namon Hall, Jr., Douglas, Hall, Sr.; daughter, Patricia Hall; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Nell Rose Martin; sisters-in-law, Mary (Ira) Grimes, Amanda Hall, Etta Hall, Carolyn McGill, Frances Hall; brother-in-law, Paul Hall; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at Foster Chapel Church on 2101 Ault Road from 3:00 – 4:00 pm with funeral services to follow with Reverend Joseph Tolbert officiating. Interment will be held on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Knoxville National Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Wykle, Edward (Ed) Lee Sr.- Age 65 of Knoxville, TN passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at his residence. He was born as the fourth child to Don and Corine Wykle on February 22, 1948. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Corine Wykle; sister, Addie Mae Wykle Watts; brother-in-law, John Tinsley; and special friend, Linda L. Meade Nelson. He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Patricia of Knoxville, TN; daughters, Rhonda “Diane” Wykle of Clearwater, FL, and ldelia “Dee-Dee”(Rev. Aderon) Billingsley, Jr. of Knoxville, TN; son, Edward L. Wykle, Jr. of Smyrna, TN; grandchildren, Anthony Lundy (Sherelle Glenn) of Kennesaw, GA, Teonaka Watson of Boynton Beach, FL, Jamal Lindsey of Owensboro, KY, Aaryanna Billingsley of Knoxville, TN, Romeo Wykle of Cleveland, TN, and Savon Wykle of Smyrna, TN; great grandchildren, Jahtiyha Taylor and Jayla Johnson of Boynton Beach, FL, and Maliyah Lindsey of Owensboro, KY; brothers, William (Janice) and Tommy (Philander) Wykle of Knoxville, TN; brothers-in-law, Willie Watts of Knoxville, TN, and Larry (Pecolia) Tinsley of Lithonia, GA; sisters-in-law, Teresa Bates, Linda (Tim) Lattimore, and Debra (Carl) Ursery all of Knoxville, TN; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and several devoted friends too numerous to name including, the Austin High School, Class of 1966. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 30, 2013 at Unity Mortuary Chapel, 1425 McCalla Avenue, from 1:00-2:00 pm followed by a celebration of life service with Rev. Aderon L. Billingsley, Jr. officiating. The family will assemble at the home of brother, Tommy Wykle, 1905 Rivershore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914.

Hines, Dex Anton “Lil Daddy” – of Knoxville went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 23, 2013. He was joyfully reunited with his grandparents Sergeant Joe & Mary E Hines; grandfather, Edward Porter, Sr. and mother, JoAnn Hines Dixson. Dex was a fighter and even when the struggle was hard, he never gave up. He loved spending time with his family and motorcycle family “Over the Top.” He leaves to cherish his memory: father, L. A. Willis; devoted wife, Anitra Tate Hines; son, JaQuail Williams; daughters, Quendexsha, JaQuasha, Shavayah and Dextynnie Hines; brothers, Joe C. Hines, and Tony Dixson; sisters, Nikki Boatwright and Jacqueline Boatwright all of Knoxville, TN; a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to name consisting of the Hines, Porter, Tate, Baily and Boatwright Families; devoted father-figures, William Dixson and James Burdine. Family will receive friends on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Eternal Life Harvest Center Western Avenue location from 11:00 AM until 12:00 noon with funeral services to follow with Pastor James Davis officiating. Interment to follow at Highland-South Memorial Park. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Willie Jean Rodgers-Wagoner, age 78 was born January 6, 1935, surrendered to Christ on December 22, 2013, Knoxville, TN. She was married to Richard D. Wagoner, Sr. Preceded in death by parents, Zack and Willie (Harris) Rodgers, husband, brother, S. Paul Rodgers, sister, Vivian Geraldine (Rodgers) Colbert and niece, Janice Matthews. Survivor’s children, Deborah, Terry, Richard, Jr.  (Sandra) and Marvin (Teresa’); grandchildren; siblings, twin William ( Roxie) Rodgers, Louella Crump and Truman Rodgers; several nieces; nephews; cousins; close friend, Marian Scott,  Linda special Crochet Instructor and the Salt Ministry of CEC and special pet “Roscoe”. Family will receive friends on Friday, December 27, 2013 from 11:00 – 11:30 AM with funeral services to follow at Community Evangelistic Church, 2650 Boyd’s Bridge Pike Knoxville, TN 37914, with Reverend Reginald Strong officiating and eulogist. Interment to follow at 1:00 PM, National Cemetery 939 Tyson Street, Knoxville. Services to conclude with full dove release.