Jones, Ethel H. – departed this life on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 12:30 pm at Mercy Hospital Knoxville, Tennessee. She was employed with the Knoxville City School System at Oakland Elementary; Attorney T.W. Thomas, and the University of Tennessee before her retirement. She was a faithful member of Foster Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (FCMBC) for over 45 years. Preceded in death by her parents, John and Lucille (Pittman) Harris; husband, Jack Jones; sister, Cora Montgomery, and granddaughter, Kim Wallace. She leaves to rejoice in her home-going daughter, Minister Ethel Woodruff; 4 grandchildren; 9 great-grand children; and 9 great great-grand children; a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Home-going services will be held at Foster Chapel Baptist Church, 2101 Ault Road, Knoxville, TN 37918. Reverend Joseph Tolbert, Pastor will officiate on Saturday, December 26, 2009. Friends will be received from 12:30 – 1:30, and the celebration of life will begin at 1:30 PM. Interment to follow at Foster Chapel Cemetery. Services to conclude with a dove release.

Hickson, Gladys Eleanor – Born June 19, 1928 left this life on Friday, December 18, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Preceded in death by her parents, Stella and Ulysses Davis; brothers, Ulysses Davis Jr.; James Davis, Alonzo Davis; sisters, Ruth Jackson and Francis Whitehead; son, Mark Hickson; granddaughter, Chalise Anderson. Survived by husband, Ernest Hickson Sr.; uncle, Chester Davis; brother, Walter (Barbara) Davis; children, Vernita Lee, Norma (Keith) Grant, Norman Hickson, Ernest Hickson, Jr.’ Yvette Hickson Hickson, Jacquelyn (Terry) McGhee, Lelia (Bernard) Groves, Zanther Hickson and a devoted daughter-in-law Mattie Cuberson; 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends Monday, December 28, 2009 at Kirk Hills Presbyterian Church, 4123 Buffet Mill Road from 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon with service to follow. Reverend Dr. David Groves officiating. Interment to follow at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at 1:30 PM. Service to conclude with a dove release.

Sharp, Robert N. (Geese) – age 79 went home to be with the Lord on December 18, 2009 at UT Medical Center. He was a long time and faithful member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church where he served as a trustee. He graduated from Austin High School, Class of 1949 and attended Knoxville College. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. Robert retired from Rohm and Haas after 42 years of service. Preceded in death by: his parents, Louis and Katheryn Sharp; sister, Delores Sharp Thomas and his uncles, Albert, Dean and Harrel Simpson. He leaves to cherish his memory: devoted wife of 40 years, Ruth; devoted daughter, Denise Jones of Knoxville; son, John Madden of Maryland; grandchildren, Robert Bridwell and April Jones of Knoxville, Jordan Madden of Maryland; great-grandchildren, Robert “Eli” Reigny and Jaden; sisters, Louise Sharp and Betty Lyons of Indiana, Helen (Jack) Jones of Maryland; brother, Charles Sharp of Knoxville; several nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends to include Reverend and Mrs. A. D. Baxter, Mrs. Lizzie Sanders and the Class of 1949. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 from 5:00-5:30 PM with funeral services to follow at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church with Rev S.E. Caldwell officiating. Interment Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 11:30 AM at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from December 19 to December 21, 2009

Nunnally, Ronald – of Knoxville, TN passed on December 6, 2009 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital.  He was born February 12, 1940 in Griffin, GA to the late Annie L. Dobson.  Preceded in death by wife, Odessa Stinson-Nunnally; brothers, Gregory Dobson and James Edward Dobson.  He is survived by sisters, Cheri Dobson, Sharon (Ronnie) Bullock, DeVeta (Rocky) Valentine, Darcel Dobson all of Knoxville, TN; nieces, Tara Watkins, Sheri Dobson of Knoxville, Metish  (Don) McDowell-Smith of Macon, GA; nephews, Carlos Valentine, Juan (Erica) Dobson, Doyle Dobson, Shannon Dobson, Ramon Dobson and Darris McDowell; granddaughter, Dayshara Stinson; a host of friends, great-grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Friday, December 11, 2009 from 11:00 – 11:30 AM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Interment to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery with Reverend Robert Monroe officiating.

Buffington, Homer Eugene succumbed to God’s will, Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

The youngest child born to Walter P. and Ollie M. Buffington, October 18, 1938, he was a faithful and dedicated life-long member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

He leaves to cherish his memories, devoted and loving wife, Essieaurt Buffington; son, Jermaine E. Buffington; brother, James Buffington; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; mother-in-law, Josephine Brown of Knoxville; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and a loving extended family – Quicks and Scotts.

The family will receive friends Saturday, December 19, 2009 at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church, 520 College Street, 12:00-12:30 p.m. with funeral to follow.  Rev. Michel S.E. Caldwell, officiating.  Interment at Highland South Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers and other acts of kindness, please make donations to the Rogers Memorial Baptist Church Sunday School, to which he was very dedicated for 26 years.

Giles, Fredrick DeVaugh Sr. – passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Fred was born March 19, 1949 in New York, NY. the city that he loved. Fred was founder and owner of Selig Taxi and Limousine services. Former employee of Ft. Sanders Regional Hospital. He was preceded in death by: parents, Catherine Eve and Noah Giles; sister, Ida Morrow. He leaves to cherish his memories: loving devoted wife and buddy, Rita McKinney Giles; loving son, Fredrick DeVaughn Jr., (Atlanta, GA); mother, Rose Mary Durant; daughters, Sonett and Jamie Giles, New York, NY; devoted aunt and uncle Margaret and John Hale, New York, NY;  sister, Alice Giles, New York, NY; step-children, Jervece and Don Juan Hensley; special loving sister-in-law Cecelia Dragg, Knoxville; brother-in-laws; Dr. Gary McKinney, Atlanta, GA, JC and Don McKinney, Knoxville; many special nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends too numerous to name. The family will receive friends at Unity Mortuary on Thursday, December 17, 2009 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Services will follow. Entombment, Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Services to follow with full dove release.

Foster-Cates, Excina Denise – expired on December 1, 2009 at her home in Knoxville, TN from a lengthy illness. She was a faithful member of Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church. Preceded in death by: beloved son, Benjamin Alexander Cates; grandparents, George and Marie Brabson. Survivors: beloved mother, Sandra Faye Boya; beloved  husband, Michael Andre Foster; sons, DeAndre Michael Foster and Benji Tava Boya; daughters, Cierra Foster, Joy LaFaye Boya; brothers, Bottavian Boya, Doc Dupree Boya; sister, Saundrell Marie Boya; nieces, Janesha and Janosha Boya; very devoted aunts, Lola Cates, Katrina (Zack) Merchant, Bonita (Billy) Henegar; very devoted uncles, Richard (Vicki) Brabson, Carl (Michelle) Brabson, George Bradson; very devoted cousin, Etholia Ann Brabson; very devoted friends, Maria Bingham, Lisa Hall (Bruce) Gaines. A hosts of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:00 PM at Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church with funeral services to follow. Pastor Christopher L. Snow officiating. Interment to follow at New Gray Cemetery. Service will conclude with a dove release.

TAYLOR, ELEANOR – age 66, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, November 28, 2009 in Washington, DC. Preceded in death by her parents, John W. Taylor and Clara S. Taylor and four brothers. Eleanor was a very passionate and loving person who loved helping people. Eleanor accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of the late Bishop Harold J. Bell. Eleanor graduated from Austin High School in the class of 1962. Before relocating to Washington, DC she attended Knoxville College in Knoxville, TN. She retired from FDC of Chevy Chase Maryland after 26 years of service. She leaves to cherish her memories a devoted sister, Minnie L. Taylor of Washington, DC; sister, Opal M. Taylor; brother, Joseph D. Taylor of Knoxville, TN; devoted niece, Ruth Hopkins of Washington, DC; nieces, Gwen Edge of Bowie, Maryland, Belinda Davis of Macon, Georgia, Patricia and Norma Brown of Knoxville, TN; devoted nephew, Larry Cooper of Riverdale, Maryland; nephews, Robert Taylor of Knoxville, TN and Allen Taylor of Macon, Georgia; a host of grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 7, 2009 at Unity Mortuary from 11am-12pm with funeral services to follow. The Reverend Dr. Harold A. Middlebrook, Sr. officiating. Interment, New Gray Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release. Please leave condolences below.

Greenlee, Orangietta Lucinda (Cindy) – Born November 20, 1954 to Edward and Orangie Howell, went to her heavenly home November 28, 2009 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.  She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Preceded in death by: mother, Orangie Howell; grandmother, Lucy E. Collins; sister, Cordonnia Watts; niece, Yolanda Howell, and aunt, Arvene Hodge. She leaves to cherish her memories: loving husband of 38 years, Hillman Greenlee; daughters, Tamika and Jesseca; grandson, Temichael; dad, Edward Howell, Sr.; brother, Edward (Denise) Howell, Jr.; sisters, Connie (Curtis) Davis, Jennifer (Willie) Ross; brother-in-law, Jarman Watts; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous friends. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 from 6:00-7:00 PM with funeral services to follow at Loveland Baptist Church. Reverend Oliver Wolfenbarger officiating.  Interment Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. Mt. Olive Cemetery, Maryville Pike. Services to conclude with a dove release. Arrangements by UNITY MORTUARY. Please leave condolences below…

Wilkerson, Terry Lenise – departed this life on November 24, 2009.

Terry was a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. She graduated from Austin East High School class of 1977, also a graduate of Nursing School. Terry loved working with others at the Cerebral Palsy Center on Woodland Avenue her last employer. Preceded in death by: parents, James and Ruth Wilkerson; sister, Lou Ann Wilkerson. Survived by sons, Trevon and Brandon; granddaughter, Braylin Wilkerson; brother, Wayne Wilkerson; nieces, Temeka and Deanna Wilkerson and great-nephew Darius Jackson. Terry was loved and will be missed by many family members and friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 4, 2009 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 12:30-1:00 PM with services to follow. Reverend Sandford Miller officiating. ARRANGEMENTS BY UNITY MORTUARY. Please leave condolences below…