(Hayden_Chestnutt_program) Chestnutt, Hayden Lee– born October 12, 1949, departed this life July 27, 2011 after a lengthy illness.  Preceded in death by father, Raymond Simmons.  He is survived by his devoted wife, Debra; sons, Andre (Trina) Owens and Darry Owens; twelve grandchildren; mother, Annie Pearl Chestnutt; sisters, Shelia Chestnutt and Shannon Bradley; brothers: Eric (Betty) Chestnutt, Ray, Raymond and Roderic Simmons; sisters-in-law: Brenda Galbreaith, Beaulah Reed, Mabel Bryant; brothers-in-law: Frank (Sharon) Brown, Charles Neal, Willie (Janice) Scott; devoted nieces: Patrice (Jermaine) Buchannon, Denise Atkins and Shannon Whiteside and other nieces, nephews and several relatives to include devoted aunt, Ethelyne Avent; devoted cousins, Frankie Atkins and Sandra K. Brown; and devoted friends: Tom Gray, Steve Wingo, Janice Hudson and Cecil Essie.  The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 4, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Reverend Johnny Reid officiating.  Immediately following the service, interment will take place at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.  A full dove release will conclude the service.

Porter, Edward Jr. – age 48, born in Knoxville, on May 18, 1963. Passed away on July 23, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Melissa Porter; daughter, Tabitha Porter and son, Kwame Porter all of Melbourne, Australia; father, the late Edward Sr.; mother, Jacqualine Porter; siblings, Porter and Bailey; other family members to include the Porterfield, Reece, Anderson, Coats, Cross and Whitman; a of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to name. Memorial Services will be held at Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist 1723 Washington Avenue on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Visitation from 6:00-6:30 pm with funeral service to follow. Reverend Ricky Freeman officiating.

(Thomas_Maples_program) MAPLES, THOMAS NEAL: “Tom” went to be with his Heavenly Father on July 23, 2011 at home. Tom was born September 7, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama to Jessie Maples and Eddie Maples. Tom was a Boy Scout as a young man. He graduated from Austin High School in the Class of 1952. He was a cook by profession for many years. He also served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Tom lived in New York, Connecticut and South Carolina before returning to Knoxville.  Preceded in death by: mother, Jessie Maples; father, Eddie Maples; brothers, Willie A Woodruff, George H. Woodruff, Eddie Maples, John Maples and John Sam Ogleby. Left to cherish his memories: daughters, Robin Everett; son in law, Jeremiah Everett of New York, Janet Parks of New York; son, James Smith; devoted niece, Carrie (Clerance) Arnold; sister-in-laws, Oralee Maples, Edna Mae Carter, Genneve Parks, Mittie Wooddruff; special friend and care giver, Clyde Barnard; devoted friends, Terry Smith, Gloria Smith; a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews and many friends; long-life friends, the Smith, Arnolds, Tates, Termons, Coats and Kennebrew families. Family visitation Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 6:00-6:30 PM with funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Zack Flack officiating. Interment Monday, August 1, 2011 at 1:30 PM at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery with full Military Honors and Dove release.

(Mary_Winton_program) Winton, Mary Ruth Sterling (Big Mamma) went home to be with the Lord at St. Mary’s Hospital on July 21, 2011. Mary was born on November 6, 1927 to the parents of Jessie and Claude Dean Sterling. She was the second of 4 children. She was a devoted member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church for over seventy (70) years. She was preceded in death by: father, Claude Dean Sterling; mother, Jessie (Phillips) Sterling; brothers, Pless Dean and Hubert John Sterling, Robert (Bobby) Thomas; nephew. Left to cherish her memories: sister, Yvonne Patterson; devoted daughter, Mary Ruth (Phillip) Patterson; devoted grandson, Pless D. Sterling; devoted sister-in-law, Gwen (Von) Sterling; very devoted niece, Gwendolyn (Chris Tate) Sterling; nieces, JoAnn Glenn, Frances, Shirley Ann (Dan), Althea Pope, Jessie, Natasha (Paul) Charlene Buchanan, Patricia, Vernie McDuffey, Peggy Givens and Joyce Christopher and Shanna Jack; devoted nephews, Terry “Big Stuff” (Sabrinia), Larry “Lil Stuff,” and nephews, Hubert Thomas, Claude (Veronica), June (Marcia) and Hubert (Stella), Reggie (Shirley) Givens and Willie Jack, life-long friend Florence Robinson; cousin, Mary Helen Allen; a host of other relatives and friends. Devoted caregivers, Rena “Lil bit” Allen, Agnes Bush, Debra Lowery and Akia Jack; devoted friends, Elder Albert (Teresa) Martin. Special thanks to St. Mary’s ER and CP – Unit, Amedisys Hospice, Dr. Raymond Brig – TN Cancer Institute, St. Mary’s Infusion Center and Dr, Fred J. Bennett. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2011 at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church with funeral services to follow with Pastor James Davis officiating. Interment will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM at New Gray Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

(Aubrey_O’Neal_program) O’Neal, Aubrey Gregory “Blue”– departed this life on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at his residence.  Preceded in death by parents, Alonzo (Alzonia) O’Neal and brothers, William “Soulful” and Ray A. O’Neal.  Survivors are children: Lisa and Nekya Howard, Laketa (Marcus) Kelly, Ericka Roulhac and Eric Maxwell;  siblings: JoAnne O. Winton, Deborah (Jeffrey) Perry of Fredericksburg, VA, Howard (Georgianne) O’Neal of Gotha, FL, Samuel (Pamela) O’Neal; sister-in-law, Vernita O’Neal; 16 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, 15 nieces, nephews and cousins; devoted companion, Brenda Maxwell; devoted friends: Darlyne Howard, Chris Manis, Courtney Montgomery, Derrick Patterson, Steffon McLean, Rick Woodfin and Emanuel Howard and a host of other relatives and friends.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Elder Darlene Berry officiating and Elder Adriane Berry assisting.  Interment immediately following the funeral service at Mount Olive Cemetery.  Service to conclude with a full dove release.

(Debbie_Booker_program) Booker, Debbie K.-born April 21, 1960 to the late Susie Mae Booker, passed away suddenly of a massive heart attack on Thursday morning, July 14, 2011.  She was a graduate of Austin East High School, class of 1978.  Preceded in death by mother, grandparents, George (Roma) Davidson and brothers, George F. and Dean D. Booker.

She left to cherish her memory: daughters, Devona Kincaid and Mikeesha (Tony) Winston; grandchildren: LeeShira, Chantel, T.J, Lennox and Langstan; life companion, Richard Kincaid; siblings: Woodson, Donell (Sherry), Earnest and Lisa Booker and Sandra Tipton; a host of other relatives to include special nieces, Stephanie, LeeShell and Alexandria and special nephew, Brandon; special friends to include Michael Edkis, Townview Towers residents and many other family and friends too numerous to name.  The family will receive friends on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 5:30 p.m to 6:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Dr. Joseph Rice officiating.

Spencer, Jr., Lesselle C.– of Knoxville, departed this life on July 13, 2011.  He was born on September 29, 1959 to Catherine Bunch and Charlie Shannon, Jr.  Both parents preceded him in death.  He leaves to cherish his memory: three sons, Lamont, Corey and Lesselle Spencer, III; grandchildren; sisters: Charlene Watson and Catherine Hearn; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends to include devoted nieces, Christina and Tina and devoted nephews, Louis and Lil David.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow at the Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Pastor Mark Wayne Cunningham officiating.  Interment will be Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Tennessee State Veterans’ Cemetery.  The service will conclude with full military honors and a full dove release.

Flemming, Tony Lavon– age 43, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 11, 2011.  Preceded in death by grandmother Juanita Flemming; uncles: Robert, Howard, Willie and Jeffrey.  He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted mother, Elizabeth; sisters, Lisa and Casey, brother, Jafer (Erin); aunt, Wanda and special devoted and loving aunt Kaye Flemming; uncles: Nathan, William and Kenneth and a host of nieces and nephews to include the Calloway, Smith and Anderson families.  Memorial service at Unity Mortuary on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 12:30 pm to 1:00 p.m.

(Keith_Davis_program) Davis, Keith A. – of Knoxville, TN, departed this life on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.  He was a graduate of Fulton High School class of ’88.  He was a faithful member of Peace & Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church, being a pianist for the male chorus for many years.  Keith later became a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by:  paternal grandparents, Eddie (Louise) Davis and maternal grandmother, Andreana P. Young. 

He leaves to mourn his passing, a very devoted  mother, Bessie Jackson; father, John (Marie) Davis, brothers, James Leon (Pamela), Vincent (Niketa), Kenneth (Consuela) and Vernon (Nikki) Davis; sister, Cynthia Davis Howard; grandfather, Archie (Mike) Young; a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, two great-nieces, two great-nephews, and other relatives and friends too numerous to name. 

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 10, 2011, at Peace & Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church, 1723 Washington Ave., from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm with the funeral service to follow. Pastor John B. Jordan officiating.  Interment will be Monday, July 11, 2011, at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Sutherland Ave. at 10:00 am.  The service will conclude with a full dove release.

Sifford, Zelma E. Jones– age 86, of Knoxville, born in Philadelphia, TN to Minnie Lee Jones and Charlie Murdock.  When Heaven’s gates opened July 4, 2011, God welcomed her home.  She blessed everyone she knew with her loving spirit and kind heart.  Mother Sifford was a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Brenda L. Harris; sisters, Clara Claybon and Barbara Whaley; brother, Harold “Sassie” Jones and grandson, William Andre Ealey.  She is survived by a loving family and many friends to include daughters, Sandra (Edwin) Campbell and Janice (William) Wykle; brother, Thomas E. Jones of Chicago, IL; brother-in-law, Carl Whaley of Cleveland, TN; grandchildren, Kirk and Charles (Anthonia) Harris, Brandon (LaSonda) Campbell, all of Dallas, TX, Zahn C. Ealey of Tecoma, WA, Brian (Doreatha) and Pamela Campbell, Amanda Wykle, all of Knoxville and Patrick Barnes of Durham, NC; twenty-three great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends at Broadway Towers and her beloved Tabernacle Church family.   On Monday, July 11, 2011 at Tabernacle Baptist Church, the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow.  Pastor Christopher Battle officiating.  Interment will be Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Highland South.  The service will conclude with a full dove release.  Family and friends are gathering at 305 Chilhowee Drive.