Graves, Thelma– departed this life on June 15, 2012.  Born in Manchester, GA and raised in Knoxville, Mrs. Graves attended public school and graduated from Austin High School, Class of 1944. Shortly thereafter, she received her degree from Morristown College in 1946. She worked as a secretary at Northside High School in Virginia and later moved to Baltimore where she resided form over forty years. She worked and retired from Fort Meade in Maryland as an Executive Secretary. Mrs. Graves returned to Knoxville after her retirement and until her earthly departure. Preceded in death by her husband, Timothy Graves, II, son, Timothy Graves, III and devoted aunt, Sarah A. Long. Survived by: devoted cousins: Betty L. Dirl and James A. Long, Sr, both of Knoxville and Arthur L. Long of St. Paul, Minnesota; special friends of many years, Mrs. Johnnie Parham of Washington, DC; and a host of other relatives and friends. Wednesday, June 20, 2012, a graveside service will take place at 11:30 a.m. at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View Pike.  Reverend Robert W. Monroe officiating. A full dove release will conclude the service.

Smith, Charles, F. – born July 18, 1946 accepted his heavenly wings on June 13 at his home. He was a Vietnam Veteran who served his country proudly receiving the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Metal with four bronze service stars and the Vietnam Campaign Metal with 60 Device. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Charles and Mary Smith, brothers Clarence and Nathan Hunter and grandmother Susie Fleming. He leaves to embrace his memory wife of 22 yrs Mrs. Sherrye A.  Smith, sisters Brenda J. Smith, Houston, TX and Helen E. Little, Chattanooga, TN, son Clarence D. Adams, Douglas, GA and beloved godson Isaiah Jones; three grandchildren, father-in-law James A. Powell, mother-in-law Harriett DeVault, brothers and sisters-in-law Anthony (Kay) Robinson, Sweetwater, TN, Kevin DeVault, Nashville, TN, Curtis (Kendra) Stacy, Crystal (Rick) Boyd and Elder Tonja Warren. Twenty nieces and nephews, to include devoted ones Shana L. Smith, Nikia P. Smith-Mills, Ricky Boyd III and Ernest Ray Warren Jr. (US Army), eighteen great nieces and nephews, several cousins and numerous friends to include Karen and Tony Crutchfield, Raymond Burton, Sr., Joyce Martin Bourne and the Turman and Holloway families. Special thanks to Ms. Lynn Calloway of Covenant Hospital. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon, funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Larry Brinson officiating and Elder Tonja Warren, Eulogist. Interment will immediately follow the service at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier Highway where full military honors and a full dove release will conclude the service.

Ward, Johnnie Green – of Oak Ridge, TN, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 13, 2012. He was born in Vaiden, MS on March 24, 1922 to the late Green and Isabelle Wilson Ward. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Rena Taylor Ward, brothers, Jessie Howard Ward, Arthur Ledill Ward, Otis Ward and Walter Ward, sister, Emma Jane Stewart Mattox, Callie Ward, Sallie Louise McCaskill, Lillian Berdia Skinner Woods, Christine Johnson and Rosie Pearl Ghosten. He was united in holy matrimony to Rena Taylor on February 26, 1949. There were no children born to this union.

He was veteran of WWII, serving with the United States Army from 1942-1945. He retired in 1985 from RCA. He enjoyed traveling in the eastern U.S., fixing things around the house, talking to family and friends and listening to political talk shows.

Mr. Ward leaves to cherish his loving memory: nephews, Clyde Fleming, Andrew Skinner, Billie Johnson, John D (Cassandra) Ghosten, Jr., Willie C. Stewart, Thomas C. (Colleen) Griffin, Rev. Walter (Brenda) Ghosten and Ronald Jay Griffin; nieces: Essie Stokes, Yvonne M. Mims, Alberta (Jessie)Hawthorne, Annie B. Jackson, Emma B. McCaskill, Helen Ghosten (Henry) Harris, Rosie M. (Andrew)King and Mary L. Ghosten; a host of great nieces and great nephews. He also leaves his home church family, Union Baptist, Philadelphia, PA and many other relatives and friends.

On Saturday, June 16, 2012, the family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel, 1425 McCalla Avenue, Knoxville, TN  37915. Reverend Hardil Thomas officiating. Burial will take place in Philadelphia, PA.

McSpadden, James L., age 59 of Knoxville, TN departed on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. He was preceded in death by parents; mother, Eula Locke Cowan, father, Jimmy McSpadden; brother, Calvin Locke; sister, Maglene Locke  He leaves to cherish his memory: loving sisters, Christine Moore and Joann Settles; devoted niece, Jackie (Darren) McDuffey; special friends, Ernestine Hayes and Brenda McMillan; a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Saturday, June 16, 2012 from 5:30 until 6:00 PM with funeral services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Charles McDuffey officiating. Family will be at 1405 Patricia Circle, Knoxville, TN 37914.

Allen, Charles Tony, Jr. – age 57, departed this life on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Tennova Medical Center. He was preceded in death by mother, Donnie Lee Allen, maternal grandmother, Laura Hale, paternal grandparents, Bryant and Janie Allen.  Survived by: devoted father, Charles T. (Janet) Allen, Sr.; sisters, Ella (Leon) Partridge, Marian (Alphonso) McAlister and Yvonne Allen; brothers, Donald Ray (Willie Jo) Allen, Andrei Allen and Mark (Tarra) Allen; uncles, William Allen of Aiken, SC and Roy Hale; aunts, Beatrice (Champ) Sims and Elizabeth Bailey; several nieces to include Day Day Allen, nephews to include Dearis and Raekwon, many cousins and friends. The family will receive friends on Monday, June 18, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Johnny R. Watson, Sr. officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at TN State Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier Highway. A full dove release will conclude the service. The family will assemble at 1732 Moses Avenue for procession to Unity Mortuary.

Roper, Bettye – died on June 9, 2012 after years of illness. She attended Virginia State University. Preceded in death by her husband, William B. Roper, Sr. She leaves her children, Paula and William, Jr. and several relatives to celebrate her life. Graveside services will be held in the rotunda at TN State Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View Pike on June 15, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. A memorial mass will  be held at a later date.

Adamson, John E., Sr. – departed this life on June 8, 2012. He was born March 22, 1931. He is predeceased by his parents, a daughter, two sisters and longtime companion, Dolly Whitehead. Survived by five children: John (Evelyn), Johnny, Eddie, Gary and Patricia (Jack); 13 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; a host of family and friends. Wednesday, June 13, 2012, the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Pastor Steve Simpson offficiating. Interment will take place at New Gray Cemetery. A full dove release will conclude the service.

Brown, Adrian Diane – age 56, of 2606 Chillicothe Street, entered into eternal rest on May 30, 2012. Preceded in death by mother, Vionnette Johnson Brown, brother, Philip Kirk Brown, grandparents, Sarah Johnson, Walter Jack and Henry (Ruby Lee) Brown, other relatives, Terrie and Phillip Johnson and Tonk McKenzie. She leaves to cherish her memory: children, Beverly (fiancé, Clifford Smith, Jr.) and Allan Brown, Latravia (Latrodrick) Rodgers, all of Knoxville and Anthony Cartwright, Ft. Lauderdale, FL; twelve grandchildren; father, Philip C. Brown; siblings, Michael (Tracy) Brown of Knoxville, Vincent (Darlene) Brown and Crystal (Bobby) Gray, both of Miami, FL; former husbands, John Tisdahl and Allan Cartwright; devoted friends: Mary Garret, Angie Brodie, Latitha Goins, Candace Hall, Laretha Smith and Yvonne Fortson. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Pastor Steve Simpson officiating. The interment will be Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at New Gray Cemetery where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Jackson, Willis “Mac” J. – departed this life on May 29, 2012 at FSRMC. He attended Indianapolis Public Schools and Austin High School; he was a pillar in his community and lived his life to the fullest. He was a true outdoorsman, avid fisherman and a huge sports fan. He coached baseball and played basketball. He enjoyed other activities such as traveling, boating and playing slots at the casino. Mac was a very generous and cheerful giver and a hard worker. He was a tool & die maker by trade while working at Boeing Aircraft, an independent truck driver and retired from ANR & ATL Freight System Inc. He was a member of Teamsters Local 135. Preceded in death by parents, Willis Sr. and Urgensteen Cook Jackson, sisters, Alice Holland and Alvercia Porter, and other relatives, Kendall, Kashar and Ciondre’ Porter and Walter Kemp. He leaves to cherish his memory: loyal and devoted wife, Kerri M. Jackson; step children, Tyesha and Tremond Robinson; the apple of his eye, little Miss Jahliya Robinson; sons, Willis III and Anthony Jackson; daughters: Ronda and Ann Jackson, Sonia Baker, Cheryl Newsome and Kim Washington; other children: Sandy, Randy and Danielle; 14 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; nieces: Gaynelli Williams, Angela Blair, Annetha and Bescetta Porter; favorite nephew, Donivalde “Eggy” Porter; in-laws, C. Wilson, A. Williams, W. Henderson and C. Kemp; a host of other relatives and friends to include devoted friends, David (Mary) Murray, Curtis Ray, Uncle Gary and the Glenn and McNair families and the Greater Shiloh PFC family. Special thanks to North Physicians Group, staff at FSRMC, Thompson Cancer Oncology, Statcare Pulmonary Consultants and Covenant Home Health. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Bishop T.L. Glenn officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Olive Cemetery, 2500 Maryville Pike where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Cobb, James Nathaniel – age 67, formerly of Augusta, GA was born October 13, 1944 in Knoxville, TN. He departed this life to be with our heavenly Father on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital. He worked as a grounds keeper at Unity Mortuary for many years. Preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Mae Cobb and nephew, Vernon Lee Cobb. He leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Glenda A. Booker, Atlanta, GA; grandsons: Andre’ Booker and Jeremy Motley; great grandson, Mason Kain Booker; mother, Estella Whitaker; sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and George “PeeWee” Mathis; uncle and aunt, George and Wilma Stacy; former wife, Geraldine Cadle; devoted companion, Essie Goody (NHC Fort Sanders); a host of other relatives and friends to include the Unity Mortuary family. On Monday, June 4, 2012, the family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., memorial service to  follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Leroy Franklin officiating.