Rodgers, James Anderson “Hucky”- departed this life on March 17, 2012 in Nashville, TN. He was a member of Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Anderson W. (Edna Mae) Rodgers, sister, Linda Sue Sawyer and brothers, Michael, Ernest and Steven Rodgers. He leaves to cherish his memory: brothers, Ronnie, Kenneth and Minister Anthony (Johnnie Mae) Rodgers; sisters: Glenda Fears, Sheila Rodgers and Ruth Phelps; a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Payne Avenue Missionary Church, 2714 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. Reverend Richard S. Brown, Jr.
officiating.

Davis, Jefferson, Jr. – age 82, went home to live with God on Saturday, March 17, 2012. “Jeff” was a veteran of the United States Army, retired Captain of the Knoxville City Police Department, former member of the Holston Masonic Lodge and co-founder and Chairman of Unity Mortuary.  He was a lifetime member and trustee of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  Mr. Davis was predeceased by his loving wife of 39 years, Arcelia, his parents, Jefferson (Mamie) Davis, Sr. and a grandson, Matthew McAllister. He leaves to mourn his passing: daughters, Christine Clarke of Powell, TN, Mardest Crosby of Toledo, OH, and Yvonne M. Andrews; son, Danny McGrew; grandchildren: Nicole and Alicia Clarke, both of MD, Kevin (Amanda), David (Erica) of KY and Brian Andrews, Jamie (Ozzie) Carela of SC, Sharon Hensley of OH, Natalie, Kristen, Sydney of WA and Ryan (Krystal) McGrew; fifteen great grandchildren; cousins: Mary Ruth Reed, Essie Smith, Raleigh Wynn, Sr., Brenda Anderson and Ronald Martin; sister-in-law, Eveline Norman of OH; a host of other relatives and many friends to include those who were like family, Brian L. Buckmon, Dr. Lula C. Powell, AV Powell of Atlanta, GA, Margaret and Felix Gaiter, John Davidson, Brenda Colbert and the entire staff of Unity Mortuary (past and present).  We extend a special thank you to Dr. Janet Lubas and her caring staff.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion, 3800 MLK, Jr. Avenue.  Reverend Leroy Franklin officiating and Reverend Michel S.E. Caldwell, eulogist.  Friday, March 23, 2012 at 11:30 a.m., the interment will take place at TN State Veterans Cemetery, 5901 Lyons View Pike. The service will conclude with full military honors and a full dove release. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Dr. E.V. Davidson Recreation Center, 3124 Wilson Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37914 or the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915.

Easterly, Willis Mae – of Knoxville, TN, was called from her earthly home to her heavenly home on Friday, March 16, 2012. Ms. Easterly was surrounded by her daughter and other family members. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. She leaves to cherish her memory: loving and devoted daughter, Lillie (Donald) Widener; three grandsons; five great grandchildren; uncle, Rev. Franklin Easterly, KY; and a host of relatives and friends. Saturday, March 24, 2012, the family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at Payne Avenue Baptist Church.  Reverend Franklin Easterly, eulogist and Pastor Christopher Battle assisting.

Galbreaith, Hillyard Wilkins – age 71, of Knoxville, passed away Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at UT Hospital. Hillyard was a very kind and giving person. He truly loved his family. Preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline, son, Gregory, parents, Thelma and Franklin II and a brother, Franklin, III. He leaves to mourn his passing: one nephew whom he raised as his son, Jimmy (Brenda) Bridges, grandchildren and great grandchildren, daughter-in-law, Brenda Galbreaith, sister-in-law, Clara Galbreaith, uncle, Robert Galbreaith of Chicago, IL; many nieces, nephews and cousins to include the Harris, Debro, Perry, Whittington and Yette families; special friends, Melvin Kemp and Jim (Helen) Greenleaf. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 3, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon with a service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Elder Zack Flack officiating. The interment will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Williams, Rosie P. (Henry) – age 82, departed this earthly life on February 25, 2012. She is now resting from her labor and on her way to receiving her reward. Born to the late Luther and Minnie (Tucker) Henry, Sr., on March 25, 1929 in Opelika (Lee County) Alabama. She united with the Bethel #1 Baptist Church in Opelika, Alabama at an early age and upon moving to Knoxville, Tennessee she united with the Rogers Memorial Baptist Church where she remained a faithful member until her health failed. Preceded in death by parents and husband, the late Willie J. Williams; sisters, Bertha H. Germany, Annie Ruth Henry, Fannie Lois H. Cooper and Minnie H. Butler; brothers, Luther, Jr., Willie and Roosevelt Henry. She leaves to forever cherish her memory, sister, Nevada H. (Sam) Jones of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister-in-law, Levenia C. Henry of Tampa, Florida; brother-in-law, Solomon Butler of Knoxville, Tennessee, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and nephews; loving and faithful daughter-in-law, Alma C. Williams; caregivers, Joyce B. Echols, niece and Johnny (Bishop) Butler, nephew of Knoxville, Tennessee; a host of friends from Morningside Gardens Apartment Complex and the Rogers Memorial Baptist Church family. The family will receive friends from 5:00–6:00 p.m. at Unity Mortuary on March 1, 2012.  A graveside service will be held at the Bethel #1 Baptist Church Cemetery, U.S. Highway 29 North, Opelika, Alabama, with the Rev. J. D. Darden, officiating on March 3, 2012.

Poole, Betty Rose Ray – departed this life on February 24, 2012 at her home. She was born to her parents, Rachel and Jacob Ray, Sr. on March 10, 1938. Mrs. Poole was a member of First Calvary Baptist Church for many years while a resident of Golden Age Retirement Home for over 28 years. Preceded in death by husband, Willie Poole.  She leaves to cherish her memory: children, Albert (Jennifer) and Lenoria Allison, Teresa (Leon) Thomas of Cincinnati, OH and Cornelia Page; grandchildren: LaQuisha Poston, Atleeta Tillery, James Booker, Jr. of Oak Ridge, TN, Reuben Brewer of Cincinnati, OH, Desiree and Samuel Bates, Brandon, Benjamin and Bella Allison; eleven great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and a host of other relatives and friends.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 1, 2012 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow. A biblical reading by grandson, Reuben Brewer. The interment will take place at New Gray Cemetery where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Jackson, Melvin C. Jr. – age 59, departed this life Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at his home. He was an employee at Alcoa Aluminum Inc. Working as a Crane Operator for many years, he was then promoted to Safety Coordinator. Collectively, he had over 37 years of service at the plant. Melvin was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and a friend to many. Preceded in death by his parents, Melvin (Edwinna) Jackson, Sr.  Survived by a loving wife, Frances; children, Cherlinda (Lamont) Bassham, Sr., Melvin C. Jackson, III and Edwinna (Matthew) Keith; nine grandchildren; brothers, Roderick (Johnelle) and Thomas (Audrey) Jackson; a host of nieces and nephews. Monday, February 27, 2012, the family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at Bethel A.M.E Church. Rev. Johnny R. Watson officiating. Interment will immediately follow the service at Mount Olive Cemetery, Maryville Pike. A full dove release will conclude the service.

Curry, Stephanie A., 49, went home to be with the Lord on February 9, 2012 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Preceded in death by parents, Lee and Irene Curry. Survived by husband, Anthony Anderson; daughters, Kelly Brown and Amanda Wykle; step-children, Tasha Clark, Isaac and Dorsett Anderson all of Mobile, AL; brother, Lee W. Curry, Jr.; a host of other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Unity Mortuary Chapel at 6:00-6:30 PM with funeral services to follow.

Maxwell, Jane Regina – returned to heaven on February 5th, 2012. On February 12, 1946 the earth borrowed an angel from heaven when she was born in Georgetown Guyana. She was the youngest of six children born of Nellie and Reginald Major. Jane Maxwell obtained her primary education in Guyana, where after, she worked for the Prime Minister’s Office. In 1972, she migrated to the United States. In 1981, she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Business and Administration at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale Illinois. Jane Maxwell was accepted to the Masters in Business Administration Program at Southern Illinois University. While completing her coursework towards her master’s degree, she was simultaneously advancing her career in the Housing Authority Field. Jane Maxwell took advancing career opportunities that eventually led her to the Pierce County Housing Authority in Tacoma Washington were she retired after 20 years of service on June 30^th 2011. Jane Maxwell has always been a woman of strong faith and action. She has always been a woman of sincerity, integrity, purpose, poise and grace in all aspects of her life. She was very active for God through her church of many years, Bethel Baptist Church in Spanaway Washington, pastored by Pastor Terry Minge. After moving to Knoxville TN, she joined the House of Worship, pastored by Pastor Anthony Collins. She was an angelic example to her children and granddaughter. She was preceded in death by three brothers Phillip Major, Edward Major & Charles Major; and one sister Eunice Major. Jane Maxwell is survived by two children and their spouses, Abanni and Ethel Maxwell, Andrea and Michael Kwablah; one granddaughter Manye Kwablah; her sister, Beulah Enid Major; and several loving nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 10, 2012, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Unity Mortuary Chapel, 1425 McCalla Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37915. On Saturday, February 11, 2012, a homegoing celebration will take place at 12:00 p.m. at The House of Worship, 190 Manhattan Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830. Pastor Anthony Collins officiating. Interment will immediately follow the homegoing celebration at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. A full dove release will conclude the service.

Rusinek, Chamorro Racme – age 21, of Knoxville, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012. A graduate of both West High School, Class of 2008 and Tennessee Technology Center, Chamorro earned his certification with an EPA licensing in HVAC. He was formerly employed at D.F. Shoffner Mechanical & Industrial Contractor, Inc. Preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas Rusinek, great grandparents, Jesse (Margaret) Farmer, Charlotte M. Scaggs and Andrew Taylor, cousin, Barry Richardson. He is survived by loving and devoted parents, Kashi Nicole Farmer and David Allen Rusinek; a loving sister, Raja Akira Quran Farmer; grandparents, Jessie (Sharon) Farmer and Carol A. Rusinek; great grandmother, Jane Felker; uncles: Derek (Sharon), Aaron and Akira Farmer and Stanley Rusinek; aunts, Tammy Walden and Sherri Davis; great uncles and aunts: Jervis (Rosetta) Leath, Gloria, George (Jeanette), Mary, Melvin (Francine), and Michael (Lavita) Farmer; a host of other relatives and friends. Saturday, February 11, 2012, the family will receive friends at 4:00 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. Rev. John A. Ghosten officiating.