Booker, Richard L.  – age 81 of Knoxville passed away on Monday, February 4, 2013. He retired from Knoxville Utilities Board with 34 years of service. Richard was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Richard loved fishing, hunting and gardening. He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Alma Booker. He leaves to cherish his memory loving wife, Margie Booker of 59 years; sons, Richard (Angela Booker), Gilbert, Arizona, and Reginald (Diane Booker), Knoxville, TN; 3 grandchildren, O’Bryan, Eric, Chanel Booker and Jasmine; great-great-granddaughter, Caitlyn Booker; ex- daughter in-law, Mary Sue Booker; 4 sister in-laws; 4 brother in-laws; a host of other relatives and friends to include Patricia Wade and Lavern Lattimore. Special thanks to the NHC Staff and Caris Health Care. The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 10, 2013 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary. Bishop, Zack Flack officiating. Interment will be Monday, February 11, 2013 at TN state Veterans cemetery John Sevier Highway at 1:30 p.m.

Maïmouné Diakité Wright, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2013. She was born in the village of Zantiabougou in the Republic of Mali on November 2, 1961. She immigrated in 1986 and eventually studied nursing at the University of Tennessee where she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree. She later obtained a master’s degree there. She owned and operated New Hope Pain Clinic in Knoxville. She is survived by two daughters, Koura Elizabeth Wright and Adiara Wright-Beck, both of Knoxville, two brothers in Mali, Yaya Diakité and Drissa Diakité, a sister in Gabon, Aminata Diakité and three other sisters in Mali, Ramata Diarra, Rokia Diakité and Fatoumata Diakité, and her stepmother in Mali, Ba Coumba Sidibé. Her father, Labasse Diakité and mother, Ba Koura Diakité, have passed before her. Celebration of life service will be held in her honor at Unity Mortuary on Saturday, February 9. Visiting with family will be at 12:00 noon, with the service to follow.

King, DeShawn Dupree – age 18, was born on March 30, 1994 in Chicago, IL to Kimberly and Benjamin King. He attended Central High School. He is preceded in death by grandfather, Darryl Christan. Survived by son,  D’Arius King;  (mother) DeMyah Martin); mother, Kimberly King; father, Benjamin King; brother, Kendrick Burrows; sisters, IKenna  Pearson, Tavonna Pearson, Milwaukee, WI; grandmother, Lawana Christan; uncles, Antonio (Shayntay) Thornton, Sean Burrows, David King, Milwaukee, WI.; aunts, Daniella, Angela, Martha King, Milwaukee, WI.;  godmother, Faith Williams. Special thanks to Austin Homes Community. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 8, 2013 from 4:00 – 5: 00 P.M. with funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary. Family and friends will assemble at 2807 Linden Avenue at 3:00 P.M.  Interment will be on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Mount Olive Cemetery at 10:00 A.M.  The service will conclude with full dove release. A reception will be held at the Lighthouse in Austin Homes immediately following the burial.  

McMahan, Betty B. – born September 12, 1938, departed this life on January 26, 2013.  A graduate of Austin High School Class of 1956. Betty worked for Lawson McGhee Library until 2 years ago when her health fail resulting in retiring after 42 years of service. She attended St. Paul Baptist Church.  In later years a faithful Viewer of First Baptist Church; whereas every Sunday 11:00 AM “do not call”. She leaves enjoyable memories for everyone who knew her. Betty enjoyed and loved to be around her entire family. Preceded in death by parents, Hugh and Cornelia Ramsey; husband, David E. McMahan; sister, Emma Rose Curry. She leaves to continue their lives: son, Rickie McMahan; granddaughters, Nytria, Terica (Scottie) Williams and Brandi McMahan;  great-grandchildren , BreAsia Spaulding and Terrick Williams; devoted friend, Walter Senters; her shadow devoted niece, Jackie Carter;  great niece and nephew whom she help raised, Lakeysha and Michael Carter; 19 great-great nieces and nephews; 8 great-great-great, nieces and nephews;  brothers, John (Dora) Ramsey, Chesapeake, VA, Hugh Ramsey, San Diego, CA; uncle, James Chesney; special aunt, Lucille (Jesse) Sharp, her nieces and nephews Connie Ramsey, Andrew (Betty) Ramsey of San Diego, CA.; Lisa and Rodney, Chesapeake, VA.; several cousins and friends. Special thanks to Karen McMahan Grant for all the early mornings; granddaughter, Cassandra Johnson; Dr. Fred Hurst for 30 years of care, North Knox Dialysis her new friends; all the special people at Lawson McGhee Library.  As her wishes family will receive friends on Saturday, February 2, 2013  for one hour 12:00 noon-1:00 pm at St. Paul Baptist 2342 Louise Avenue Knoxville, TN with graveside services to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Smith, Elizabeth Alford – age 87 of Detroit, MI transitioned home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 25, 2013at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville, TN.  She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Roosevelt Smith; parents, Freeman and Rosa Alford; brothers, Maceo, Deeman, Freeman, and Edward Lee Alford; sister, Deloris Alford Tims. She leaves to cherish her memory loving and devoted sister, Margie Alford Keese, Knoxville, TN; brother, Homer Alford, Compton, CA; four step-daughters, Dorothy Lovell, Rosetta Richard, Rosalyn Wooten, Roberta Smith of Detroit, MI; nieces and nephews, Sharon, Jackie, Teresa, Maceo and Michael; special friend, Dianne Collier,  Detroit, MI; and host of cousins, friends and her Church family whom she loved dearly. She was a retired secretary and faithful member of Central CME Church, Detroit, MI. The family will receive friends for one hour on January 31, 2013 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Unity Mortuary Chapel, Knoxville, TN.  The family will receive friend on February 4, 2013 from 11:00 – 11:30 a. m. with funeral services to follow in Detroit, MI at Central CME Church, 7600 Tireman Avenue, Detroit, MI 48204.  Interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI immediately following the service.  Pastor, Patricia A. Hazis, Officiating, Swanson Funeral Home, Detroit, MI (313-272-9000) and Unity Mortuary, Knoxville, TN in charge.

Chandler, Helen P. of Knoxville, Tennessee departed this life on Friday, January 18 2013 at her residence surround by her loving family. Preceded in death by parents, Walter and Emma Wilson; husband, Paul Chandler; grandson, Richard Foxx, II. She is survived by daughters, Geraldine (Herbert) Brabson, Claudia (John) Harris of AL, Jonny (Edward) Foxworth-Williams; son, Michael A. Ross; 7 grandchildren; 3 sisters; 4 brothers; a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 11:30 AM until 12 noon at Unity Mortuary chapel with funeral service to follow. Interment to follow at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Drive. Service to conclude with full dove release.

Matthews, Daisy Steele – departed this life, on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Briarcliff Health Care Center, Oak Ridge, TN. She was preceded in death by parents, Melvin and Priscilla Steele, daughter, Trina Taylor, brother, Herman Steele. Survived by son, Edwin (Annette) Matthews; brother, James “Jim” Steele; 5 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 1 niece; 1 nephew; several cousins; devoted friend Sandra Tipton, other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 5:30p.m. – 6:00p.m.with funeral service to follow, Elder Alexander Lampkin officiating. Interment will be held at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens, Oak Ridge, TN on Monday, January 21, 2013 at 11:00a.m. Service to conclude with full dove release.

Hall, Laverna W. age 59, of Knoxville, Tennessee entered into Eternal Rest on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at Tennova Medical Center. Preceded in death by mother, Irene T. Woodard, father, Raymond E. Martin, husband, Rufus Gerald Hall, sisters, Inetta Jackson, Brenda Styles, brothers, Cecil S. Woodard and Raymond Martin, II. Survivors: daughters, Tomekia R. Hall, Knoxville, TN., Latasha Hall, Jackson, TN.; sisters, Dorothy A. Yarbrough, Carolyn G. Woodard and Della L. Woodard all of Knoxville, TN.; grandchildren, Rufus G. Hall, Boston, MA.; Keith Prater and Tysha Prater both of Jackson, TN.; great-grandchildren, Deandra Hall, Boston, MA, and Kaileb Keandra Prater, Jackson, TN.; and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, family and friends. Family will receive friends on Friday, January 18, 2013 from 12:00 to 1:00PM with funeral to follow at Wilder Street Missionary Church. Reverend Johnny Reid officiating. Interment to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery on Maryville Pike with services concluding with full dove release.

Love, Brandon A. of Knoxville, TN departed this life on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at Tennova Regional Medical Center. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Robinson Love and Ella Mae Muller. He leaves to cherish his memories, father, Benjamin “Popa” (Carolyn) Love, mother, Pandora Love; brother, Quentin Love; children, Anna Leigh, Kamya, Jayvion and their mother Veronica Locke; grandmother, Irene Clark; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 11:00AM until 12:00 Noon with funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary. Pastor Steve Simpson officiating. Interment to follow at New Gray Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Mills-Vonner, Marcus Keith – 26 of Knoxville, Tennessee departed this life Saturday, January 12, 2013 at UT Medical Center. Preceded in death by grandmother, Callie Kyle, uncles, Anthony DeWayne Mills and DeWayne Mills. Left to cherish memory: mother, Trina Vonner; father, Victor Mills; step-mother, Nicole Buchanon; daughters, Paige and Kyla Cooper; sisters, Chiquita and Kiaiandria; brothers, Lynndale and Markel; grandmother, Annie L. Mills; devoted friend, Heather Reynolds, a host of uncles, aunts, cousins other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 6:00-7:00 PM with funeral services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel.