Payne, Barbara J. was born in Knoxville,TN, to the late Amos and Lillian Robinson. She departed this life on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center.

Barbara was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Jimmy Leroy Payne and sister, Ethel Robinson. Left to cherish her memory: daughter, Lisa (James) Mason; sister, Hazel (David) Richardson; brother, Amos Robinson; niece, Sharon Wheat; nephew, Warren Robinson; great-nephews, Warren Jordan, Lonnie and his children, Lonnie Jr., LiDaisha, LiMya, Limonnie Jones; great-nieces, Kizzie and Ebony Jones and a host of relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 pm with funeral service to follow with Pastor Michael Hayes officiating. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Knaff, Yvonne Lynor Willis– born August 21, 1960, passed away September 11, 2011.  Preceded in death by parents, Susie Mae Willis (November 5, 2002) and Edward “Toad” Willis (April 10, 2000) and grandparents: Emma Sue Flack, Charles Griffin, Grace Willis and Raymond Willis.  She leaves to cherish her devoted memory: daughter, LaToya Willis of Fort Walton, FL; two sons: Kelvin Knaff II (Alycia) and Dominique Knaff (Tiffany), both of Knoxville; four grandchildren: Calvin and Maleah Knaff and Carmello and K.J. Vessell; sisters: Elaine Willis of Knoxville, Mary Sue Booker of Clinton, Kim Dobson (Mike), Shonda Eskridge (Julian), both of Knoxville, Leslie Adams (Cory) of Akron, OH; brothers: Edward “Toby” Willis of Clinton, Anthony Willis (Diane) of Jacksonville, FL, Terrance Willis of Knoxville and Ronnie Gallaher of Claxton; aunts, Inez Flack of Miami, FL and Bonnie “Pat” Henderson (Gary) of Oak Ridge; uncles: L.A. Flack (Matilda) of Arden, NC and Raymond Willis (Flossie) of Knoxville; several nieces and nephews; special cousins: Jeannine Drummond, Sonda “San” Thaxton, Ricky Willis and Orvie White; a host of other cousins and relatives; special friend, Robert Washington.  Saturday, September 17, 2011, the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Clinton.  Reverend William Caldwell II officiating.  Interment will follow in church cemetery.  The service will conclude with a full dove release.

Wrancher, Lois– age 72, of Knoxville, died peacefully in her sleep at home with her loving husband by her side on September 8, 2011.  She was reared in Sweetwater, Tennessee.  Lois was a loving daughter, wife, mother and a devout and dedicated Christian in her church of Mattie E. Coleman CME.  As a faithful church member, Sister Wrancher sang in the choir, served on the usher board and the kitchen committee.  Adding to her many facets of devotion, she was a long time employee at Knoxville College, Financial Aid Department. 

Preceded in death by her mother, Katherine Herman; brothers: Charles Stephen III and John Henry, Jr.  Survived by her loving and devoted husband, Coleman Wrancher; children, Tonia and Gerald (Nancy) Carter, Jr. of New Jersey; four grandchildren; five great grandchildren; sisters, Karen and Denise Herman;  brothers-in-law: Henry Wrancher of New Jersey and Joseph Wrancher of New York; sisters-in-law: Mary Thomas of Knoxville and Caroline Strickland of Detroit; and a host of other relatives and friends.  The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at the Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Reverend A.D. Baxter officiating.  Interment will immediately follow the funeral at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Holley, Jr., James Leon– passed away September 7, 2011 at his residence, 311 Clyde Street.  He was born December 27, 1947 in Jefferson City, Tennessee to Ottis Dean and Leon Holley, Sr.  He attended Tennessee State University and later became self employed as a Food Caterer.  He was of Methodist faith.  Preceded in death by his mother.  He is survived by father, Leon, Sr.; stepmother, Cora; brother, John Samuel Bridgeforth (Alverren) and William Holley (Tunisia); sister, Denora Holley; uncle, Carleton Holley (Linda); niece, Marisha Holley; nephew, Lorenzo (Katie); great nephew, Tyson James Holley; several cousins in Tennessee, Michigan, North Carolina and Minnesota.  The family will hold a private memorial.  In lieu of flowers, please send love gifts in the memory of James Leon Holley, Jr. to Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries.

Nance, Beulah C. – of Knoxville, Tennessee went home to be with her heavenly Father on Monday, September 5, 2011 at Park West Hospital with her family by her side.  She was born in Newport, Tennessee on May 26, 1924 to her parents, Durse and Ollie Mae Cureton. Mrs. Nance worked majority of her life raising her siblings, her children and grandchildren. Devoting much of her time and energy to her family, friends and everyone in the community, she was known as the “Neighborhood Caregiver.”  Her interests also included cooking and being an active member of her church, Knoxville Baptist Tabernacle Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Durse and Ollie Mae Cureton, husband, Charles C. Nance, brother, Arlee Cureton, children, Calvin C. Nance and Francis Booker. She leaves to mourn her passing: children, George (Debbie) and Charles A. Cureton, Nola, Morris (Ann) and Willie (Katie) Nance; grandchildren: Rufus, Julienne (Gladys), Morris Jr., Willie Jr., Joshua, Jabari, Calvino, Tina, Reubin, Shirley, Seprina, Butch and Leon; a host of other family members and friends. On Saturday, September 10, 2011p.m., the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Bill Whitehead officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Olive Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Pannell, Jason “J.P.”- age 28, of Knoxville, departed this life on September 1, 2011.  Jason was born on March 2, 1983 to Quincy Pannell and Mary B. Pannell.  Preceded in death by grandparents, Charles Hardin, Sr., Iona A. McFarland and Jennie Pannell and an uncle, Charles Hardin, Jr.  He is dearly missed by parents, siblings: Charles, Charity, Vicki, Quincy, and Latoya; nephews: Charles, Jr., Jamal, Trashawn, Sean, Trivontay, Quincy, Jr. and Kayden; nieces: Mistashia and Janae; uncles: Lee (Debbie), Lorenzo, Julian (Tina) and Tim (Tina); aunts: Alice, Tonia and Candy (Vincent); cousins: Shawanna, Hope, Joshua, Jennifer, Jay, Kira, Rodniqua, Ashley; special friends: Eric, Howard, Jackie, Greg B., Ericka, Rita, Nikke, Angel, Darwin, James, Marshay; a host of other loving family members and friends.  On Friday, September 9, 2011, the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at the Unity Mortuary Chapel. Pastor Jake Green officiating.

Brooks, Freeman M. – of Kingsport, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on August 30, 2011 at Hillcrest Healthcare Center North. He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Virginia Brooks and Sandra Miller; two sisters, Lorain Coleman and Ruby Manuel and other family members and friends. A special thanks to the staff at Hillcrest Healthcare Center North. Graveside service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at Mitchell Crest Cemetery in Rogersville, Tennessee. Reverend Robert W. Monroe officiating. Interment to follow.

Johnson, Samuel L. – passed away Sunday, August 28, 2011.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War Veteran.  Preceded in death by mother, Georgia Rice and a grandson, Xavier “Doobie” Smith.  Mr. Johnson is survived by a loving wife of 47 years, Betty L. Johnson; daughter, Lena Pearl Morrison of Clarksville, TN; son, Linwood (JoAnn) Smith; grandchildren: Keda and Mark Smith, Shannta and Camara Smith of Nashville, TN and Jawanza (Reuben) Figueroa of Los Angeles, CA; 9 great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Unity Mortuary Chapel with the funeral to follow.  Pastor Richard S. Brown, Jr. officiating.  Interment will immediately follow the funeral at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.  A full dove release will conclude the service.

Dennis, Diana D. – of Knoxville, TN, entered the house of the Lord on Friday, August 26, 2011.  Left to cherish her memory: children, Dyamond Davis and Courtne Jackson; grandchildren: Takeidra Jones, Tiana Younger and Thaiya Davis; mother, Mary Davis; brother, Albert (Amanda) Davis; former husband, Nolan Dennis; devoted friend, Martie Nelson and other family members and friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 2, 2011 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Johnny Watson Eulogist.  A full dove release will conclude the service.

Mills, Shirley Ann– of Knoxville, TN, departed this life on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at St. Mary’s Hospital.  Shirley was born on July 5, 1949 to Ms. Teretha Robinson.  She retired from Alcoa Aluminum Company after 27 years of service.  Survived by sisters: Brenda Parker and Patricia Johnson; nieces and nephews whom she raised: Ponda, Dion, Than and Erreese; a host of great nieces, great nephews and friends to include caregiver, Mary Davis.  On Thursday, September 1, 2011, the family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at the Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Reverend Robert W. Monroe officiating.  Interment will immediately follow the funeral at Mount Olive Cemetery, Maryville Pike.  Service to conclude with a full dove release.  The family will receive friends at 3210 Landview Drive.