Byrd, Rosa – departed this life on the morning of July 24, 2012. She was the fifth of nine children born to George, Sr.  and Olivia Byrd in Fountain Inn, South Carolina on November 10, 1919. Early in her life the family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee. She completed her education at Austin High School and then attended Tennessee State University.

She will be most remembered for her cooking skills and her hospitality. Everyone that entered her home was offered a delicious meal. As her life progressed, Rosa became the caregiver for her mother in her elder years. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing to create her own clothing.

Rosa was preceded in death by her sisters Wille Mae Gaddis, Ruth Walker and Curlee Lyons: and brothers Theron Byrd, and Lee Roy Byrd.  Throughout her life, Rosa enjoyed the company of her niece Cheryl (Henry) Cardwell of Knoxville and nephew Michael Hutchinson of Hillsborough, NC.

In her later years she was cared for by her beloved sister Edith (Fredrick) Jackson of Knoxville who will cherish her memory and life. She also leaves her brother Reverend George Byrd, Jr. of Knoxville; sister Eliza (Luther) Anderson of Upper Marlboro, MD and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of NHC Fort Sanders and Caris Health Care for the excellent care they provided Rosa.

On Sunday, July 29, 2012, the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Rev. Johnny R. Watson, Sr. officiating. Interment will take place at New Gray Cemetery where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Minnie Threat lived a rewarding life blessed by our Creator heard the voice of her almighty God call her to receive her wings and join him in heaven on July 19, 2012.

Sister Minnie Threat was born on November 11, 1921 in Auburn, Alabama to the late Nick and Emma Lou Threat. Sister Threat and her family moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee in 1957, where she soon after united with Oak Valley Baptist Church.

Sister Minnie Threat “Dudda” as she was called by all who knew and loved her was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren, and in her earlier days she loved cooking and gardening. One of her favorite songs was “Amazing Grace”, which she found the strength to sing even in her last days.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons- John Lewis Threat, Sr. and James Dowdell, two grandsons – Victor and Jerome Threat, one great-great grandson – Titan Pendergrass, two sisters – Daisy Crawford and Hattie Gilmore, and four brothers – Ben Threat, Commodore Threat, John Wesley Threat, and Carey Threat, and a nephew that was raised in the home – Willie Lewis Threat.

She leaves to cherish her memories; a daughter – Lois (Elder Lloyd) Jones, Jr., of Oak Ridge; a son – Ben (Byers) Dowdell, Jr. of Herndon, VA; One sister – Katie Strickland of Oak Ridge, and one sister-in-law- Edith Threat of Alexandria, VA; four granddaughters – Betina (Hasaan) Brown of New York, NY, Nakia Threat of Woodbridge, VA, Kim Dowdell and Renee Weatherspoon of Oak Ridge; Seven grandsons – Clarence (Angela) Threat, Sr., Troy Threat both of Oak Ridge, John Lewis (Cindy) Threat of Woodbridge, VA, Terrance Prince of Fairfax, VA, Byron Dowdell, Greg Weatherspoon, and Dwayne Carmichael all of Oak Ridge, a special niece – Mary Threat of Oak Ridge, and a host of great-grandchildren, great- great  grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. On Saturday, July 28, 2012, the family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the funeral to follow at Oak Valley Baptist Church. Reverend Dr. Hardil Thomas officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Gardens.

Willingham, Carlton Maurice, Sr. – born October 18, 1950, departed this life on July 15, 2012 at Holston Health Rehabilitation. He was a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp. Carlton, Sr. retired as Supervisor of the Security Department- TVA Summit Hill.  Predeceased by his son, Julian D. Willingham, father, David Willingham, Sr., mother, Eunice Jenkins, stepfather, Fred Dean, Sr. brothers, Larry, Sr. and David Willingham, Jr. He leaves to mourn his passing: children, Carlton Willingham, Jr. of Bath Springs, TN and Clarissa R. Willingham of Louisville, KY; nine grandchildren; brothers, Fred Dean, Jr. and Philip Dean Dover; sisters: Debra Smith, Virginia Locke and Kathie Hall; very special devoted friend, Clara Goss and daughter, Tammy G. Rowe; former wife and mother of children, Shirley Willingham; a host of other relatives and friends. A special thank you to the staff at Holston Health Rehabilitation. On Wednesday, July 18, 2012, the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Interment will take place at TN State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. Gov. John Sevier Highway where full military honors and dove release will conclude the service.

Christine Moore departed this life on Friday, July 6, 2012. She was born to her parents on August 13, 1949 in Sweetwater, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by: mother Eula Locke; father, Robert Upton; sister, Magalene Locke; brothers, Calvin Locke and James McSpadden. She leaves to cherish her memories: devoted daughter, Vickie McMillan (Joseph) Tuft; grandchildren, Dartagenus McMillan, Damien Debro, Deius Debro; loving sister, Joann Settlers and devoted niece, Jackie (Darren) McDuffey; special friends, Amanda Swell, Ester Glenn, Suzie Smith and Beaetta Prater, and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at Unity Mortuary on Saturday, July 14, 2012 from 11:00-11:30 AM. Reverend Reginald Strong officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery. Service will conclude with full dove release.

Chandler, James R. II– born April 13, 1979, departed this life on July 1, 2012. James was a graduate of Karns High School, Class of 1996 and received his Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech in 2003. Not only was he a scholar, but an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, hunt and surround himself with nature. Predeceased by his grandparents, he leaves to cherish his memory: devoted mother, Barbara Jean “B.J” Chandler; father, James R. (Mary) Chandler, Sr.; brother, Ernest Derek Reagan; sisters, Raphael (Pat) Feamster, Philadelphia, PA and Juanetta (Bobby) Smith; devoted nephew, Derek James Reagan; devoted cousin, Sgt. Major Kevin Eugene McCrary, Sr.; a host of other relatives and friends. Special thanks to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department and the ER staff at Parkwest Hospital. On Saturday, July 7, 2012, the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with the funeral to follow at Eternal Life Harvest Center, Western Avenue location. Pastor James E. Davis officiating and Bishop Billy McCool, eulogist. Interment will take place at New Salem Cemetery, Sevierville, TN where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Harris, Ronald Donnell “Don” – departed this life on June 24, 2012. He was born September 22, 1945 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the parents, Charles M. Harris and Rosa Lee Stokely Harris. He was the fourth of six children (a seventh child, Belinda Faye, died during early infancy) and leaves behind a brother, Eugene Harris, four sisters, Carolyn Clark (John), Wanda Langham, Valvier Bright and Cynthia Dismukes (John); nieces, Lorna Harris, Cathy Downs, nephews, Charles Harris, Matt Harris, Jameson Harris, George Harris, Kevin Harris, Clarence Harris (Lisa), Christopher Harris, Harvey Downs, Jr., Garfield Bright, Jr. and Sancha Dismukes (Cynthia); several grand nephews, grandnieces, cousins and close friends. On Friday, June 29, 2012, the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Jesse L. Jones officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery East- John Sevier Highway.

Vernon, Nedda Lee Allen – age 78 of Knoxville, TN passed away at UT Medical Center on Sunday, June 24, 2012. She was a graduate of Austin High School class of 1951. She dedicated her life to serve Jehovah at the age of 14 years old and was faithfully serving in the North congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the time of her death. Nedda was preceded in death by her parents, J. D. and Ruth Mae Allen, brothers, J.C. and Marvin Allen, sisters, Juanita, Willie Belle and Mary, aunt, Elizabeth Allen Tuggle and cousins of the Tuggle family. She leaves to cherish her memories;  her loving husband for 40 years, Edlin; sons, Mr. & Mrs. Gold-Burn Vernon, Edward Vernon, Mr. & Mrs. Refeno & Mr. & Mrs. Rafael Cato; brother and sister-in-law Joshua Allen, West Palm Beach, FL, Aaron (Barbara) Allen, Knoxville, TN, cousins, Jewell Fannin and Evelyn Daniels, Knoxville, TN. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to name. The family extends their thanks and appreciation to UT Emergency Room Physicians and Staff working the night of June 22, 2012, Pulmonary Critical Care Physicians, the nurses and waiting room staff, MCCU#2 who cared for Nedda , along with Tjuan L. Overly, MD, Ramanujan Samavedy, MD and UT Home Health. Memorial Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1702 Harris Road Knoxville,
TN 37924 with Brother Stanley Boggus officiating, assisted by Brother  Chester Green, Jr.

Brooks, Virginia – of Stone Mountain GA, formerly of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away June 24, 2012. She was predeceased by her husband, Jessie Brooks, parents, Charlie and Carrie Bankston and 11 siblings. Survived by devoted daughters, Betty (Vincent) Martin of Stone Mountain, GA and Belinda Brooks of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren: Jamarcus  Fishback, Jarvis Fishback of Knoxville, TN, Chavius Martin, Gregory Martin of Stone Mountain, GA; siblings, Mattie J. Willis of Zebulon, GA and Johnnie Bankston of Miami, FL; a host of nieces and nephews. Thanks to the Martin and Anderson families, Ephraim family of GA, Hospice of Atlanta and Elaine (Bob) Simms of Knoxville. On Saturday, June 30, 2012, the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon; the funeral will follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Reginald S. Strong officiating. The interment will follow at Mount Olive Cemetery, 2500 Maryville Pike. A full dove release will conclude the service.

Thomas, David Earl ‘Rock’ – departed this life June 23, 2012. Retired from Knox County Schools, Maintenance Dept. Faithful member of First Baptist of Roseberry City where he was a loyal deacon. Preceded in death by parents, Aaron (Laura) Thomas, and wife, Mary R. Thomas. Survived by wife, Linda Thomas; daughters: Juanita G. (Phillip) Harris, Felicia and very devoted daughter Carla Thomas; son, David Thomas step-daughter, Glenda “Diane” Johnson; all of Knoxville; seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren; mother-in- law, Velma Buford, sister/brothers-in law; Brenda Lamar, Charles (Sherree), & Dexter Buford; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to include Nannie Moore, Daisy Latimer, William Rodgers, Sonny (Hannah) Ellis and Leroy Bishop. Special thanks to 3 West Staff, Fort Sanders Regional. On Wednesday, June 27, 2012, the family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 10:30 a.m., the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Pastor Cedric Jackson officiating. Interment will take place at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View Pike. The service will conclude with military honors and a full dove release.

Davis, James Edward – translated this life on June 20, 2012 at Tennova Select Specialty Hospital. Mr. Davis gave his life to Christ in 1964 at Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion where he served as a Steward. He retired from Lockheed Martin with over 30 years of service. Preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ocey Davis. He leaves to cherish his memory: loving wife, Sherwood Moore Davis; son, James Troy Davis; daughters, Tina Davis Harris and Taffeny (Nick) Rivers; grandchildren: Raymond Harris, Simone and Moses Davis, Nicolios, Nicolas and Legend Rivers; brothers, Charles Davis, Knoxville, TN and Willie (Carolyn) Davis, Acworth, GA; brother-in-law, Rev. Churchill Moore, Sr.; sisters-in-law, Paula Newton, Lafrieda Odom and Lavonia Moore; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Special thanks to Drs. Webb, Holmes, Lyons, Joseph and the staff of Tennova ICU and Select Specialists. On Sunday, June 24, 2012, the family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church. 3800 Martin Luther King Avenue. Reverend Dr. George Banks officiating. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens where a full dove release will conclude the service.