Bishop Elder Samuel Jemerson Smith, Sr., was born December 17, 1929 in Knoxville, Tennessee to the late Emma Preston. He departed this life June 8, 2018. He was the oldest of three children. Samuel was reared both in Knoxville, Tennessee and in West Virginia.

In 1948, Samuel and Navernia Carter (Smith) were happily married. To this union eight children were born.

Samuel was an active member at Trinity Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 222 Kirkwood Avenue, serving as deacon, elder, and treasurer over twenty-five years. He aided in the orchestration and renovation of Trinity (SDA) Church in 1996. Also, he served on the College Hill’s SDA School Board for the advancement of Christian Education.

He belonged to the Ebenezer Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Freeport, New York. He was one of the master minds that steered-headed the Building Committee to renovate Ebenezer SDA Church.

He was employed by the New York City Transit Authority in 1960 until he retired in 1988, serving for twenty-eight years.

On November 13, 2004, Samuel married Gladys Tywanna (Cash, Lowery) Smith.

Bishop Elder Samuel was proclaimed an honorary member of the Church of Right Now, Euclid, Ohio, through the direction of the Holy Spirit to/by the Bishop Charlie and Apostle/Pastor K. Cash Hawkins on October 18, 2015. Additionally, he was a consistent, humbled, faithful Prayer Warrior, always on his post until the very end, a watchman on the wall for God’s kingdom to come, God’s Will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Emma; first wife, Navernia; sons, Samuel, Sidney, Ward and Gregory; daughter, Karen; brothers, Robert and Clarence; and sons-in-Iaw, Bryant Loftin Sr., and Roger Baylock.

He leaves to mourn his passing a loving, caring, compassionate, and devoted wife, Apostle Tywanna Smith, Doctor of Ministry; a loving, caring, and devoted daughter, Gwendolyn Baylock; sons, Ronald (Louise) Smith, Hempstead NY, and Donnell Smith, Knoxville, TN.; stepson, Walter K. (Chimere) Lowery, Jr., Charlotte, NC; sister-in-law, Celeste Jemerson, Freeport, NY; grandchildren: Christopher, Jessica, Electa, Deointe, Bryant, Leslie, Lucaya, Danielle, David, Lisa, Donnell Jr, and Andrew; 22 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and special devoted friends: Elder Mary Harris and Virginia Randolph.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 15, 2018 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Honey Rock Victorious Church, 4004 Holston Drive, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow with Elder Charles Edward Dickey as eulogist. The final resting place will be at Berry Highland Memorial Gardens following the services. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Kimberly Rucker Williams departed this life on June 4, 2018 at her home. She was born on July 8, 1969 to the late Marvin and Jeanette Rucker, Sr. She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Kevin Williams of Dayton, OH; her daughter, Ladashia Rucker; son, Jamonta Rucker; grandchildren: Jamonta Jr., Ziemere and Ya’mon; sister, Sherrie Rucker; brothers, Marvin (Vanya) Rucker, Jr., and Rashad (Desaray) Rucker; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 12-1 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, 1425 McCalla Avenue, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow with Pastor Sanford Miller, Sr., officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Lawrence Elmer Mitchell, 80, of Knoxville, departed this life on Friday, June 1, 2018 at NHC Knoxville. He was preceded in death by his parents Herman Sr. and Verona Mitchell; brothers, Charles and Arthur; and sisters, Almeda Fitzpatrick and Virginia Flack. He leaves to treasure his memories his children: Lawrence Mitchell Jr., Joy Byrd, Lee Mitchell and Misty Mitchell; nine grandchildren: Antonio, Pierre, Jakolby, Samuel, Jashara, Niyah, Kaleb, Samahd and Joyah; brothers: Herman, Lonnie and James “JW” (Yvonne); sisters: Joyce (Walter) Parton, Brenda (William) Cansler; and a host of nieces, nephews, church family and friends. Mr. Mitchell will lie in repose on Friday, June 8, 2018 after 2 p.m. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 12-1 PM at Bentley Street Christian Church, 417 Bentley Street, with the funeral service to follow with Dr. Alvin Smith officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Alizae K. Eppinger, age 20, of Knoxville, departed this life on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at her residence. Arrangements are forthcoming and will be announced at a later time with integrity by UNITY MORTUARY.

Elaine Scott Crenshaw was born January 10, 1949 in Knoxville, TN to George William and Dorothy Elaine Jones Scott. Elaine attended Charles M. Hall High School and graduated from Everett High School, Class of 1967, in Maryville, TN. She majored Psychology and English Language and graduated from Knoxville College in 1971. She pursued a career in Accounting and retired from Bike Athletic Company. She married Ernest Charles Robinson and later remarried to Samuel Lewis Crenshaw. Elaine was a strong virtuous of woman that passionately shared the greatest gift of God…LOVE. She worked diligently over the years with Friends of Black Children and her own ministry, Virtuous Women’s Outreach. Elaine departed this life on Monday, May 28. 2018 at Wellstar Kennestone Medical Center, Marietta, GA. She was preceded in death by her parents and late husband, Sam. She leaves cherished memories to her eleven children: April (Phillip) Paten, Sam (Latisia), Keith, Roderick (Michelle), George (Tammy) Lytle, Chris, Stacey (Randy) Brewer, Nathaniel, Brittani, Brandi (Chad) Garrett and Jeffrey (Karina); 24 grandchildren; loving brother, Tyrone (Daphanie) Scott; devoted sisters/cousins, Nadine Nichols and Jackie Scruggs; and host of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 3, 2018 from 2-3 PM, in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel, Unity Mortuary, with the Homegoing Service to follow with Pastor Norman Jefferson officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Zion Cemetery, TVA Lab Road, Louisville, following the service. A white dove release will conclude the service.

Joan Dinnia McMullen, age 56 of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away peacefully at her home on May 27, 2018. She was born to the late Thomas McMullen and Othia F. McMullen in Selma, Tennessee. She was the baby girl (youngest) of 3 children. She was a graduate of Fulton High School in the class of 1977 and worked in Knox County Schools. She is preceded in death by her father Thomas McMullen and her brother Myron McMullen. Joan leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Othia F. McMullen; daughter, Tilitha McMullen; son, Myron D. McMullen; grandchildren: Daishyra N. Mobley, Karon and Myra McMullen; sister, Cynthia Carmicheal; nephew, Joseph W. Carmicheal, Jr., all of  Knoxville; and other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 12-1 PM at Bearden United Methodist Church, 4407 Sutherland Avenue, with the funeral to follow with Pastor Sherry Boles officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Thelma Ada Wade Jackson, age 87, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 after a brief illness.  She was born on December 19, 1930 to the late Wesley and Lucille Wade in Knoxville, TN. She was a member of Lennon-Seney United Methodist Church.  She is a graduate of Austin High School, Class of 1950.  Thelma was employed by the Knoxville Police Department, where she was a meter maid. Thelma is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sam Jackson; son, Dwight Henry; brothers, John “Jack” Black and Alexander “Bud” Wade; sisters, Alease Gibson and Evelyn Browne; and grandson, Rodney Wilson. She leaves to mourn her daughter, Sharon Walton of Huntsville, AL; son, Andra Jackson; grandchildren: Shree Wilson, Sophronia Jackson, David Howell, Andra Jr., Leslie Davenport and DeAndre’ Jackson; great-grandchildren: Sadaja Frazier, Elijah Wilson, Dreiona and Andraya Jackson; great-great grandchildren: Demond Young and Olyria Petty; devoted childhood friend, Jacqueline “Sister” Taylor; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. A special thanks to Jackie Marshall, Wilma Steel and the Avalon Hospice staff. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 21, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel, Unity Mortuary.  The funeral service will follow with Rev. Dr. Elston McLain officiating. Arrangements made with integrity by Unity Mortuary. Mr. Jackson’s guestbook can be signed on-line at www.unitymortuary.com and www.legacy.com.

Deacon John “Sam” Smith, 89, of Knoxville, departed this life on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jessie James and Mary Magnolia; his sister, Martha Robinson; and 3 children. He is survived by his devoted wife, Elizabeth Smith; children: Lena Pearl, Melvin Smith, Johnetta Smith, Dwight Smith, all of Knoxville; two devoted stepdaughters: Laranice Osaro and Kathy Weston; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends too many to mention. Special Thanks to the Doctors and Staff on the 3^rd Floor at Fort Sanders Medical Center. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 19, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mount Moriah FBH Church, 2001 Western Avenue, with the Homegoing Service to follow, with Elder Franklin Brown officiating and Bishop Alonzo L. Rodgers as eulogist. The final resting place will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Alcoa, following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

James D. Jackson, “Uncle Buddy,” age 55, went home to be with the Heavenly Father on May 3, 2018. He was born on March 21, 1955 to the late Millard Jackson and Trula Martin. Uncle Buddy was very laid back and a stylish individual who loved riding in his chair and listening to music. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Joe Melvin Martin, Millard Jackson, Jr., Walter Gene Jackson; and his sister, Lillian Middleton. Uncle Buddy leaves to cherish his memories one son, Michael (Keisha) Monday-Hines; grandchildren: Ke’Andre, Audrina and Kalissa; devoted great-nephew and caregiver, Davon “Butterball” Middleton; aunt, Catherine (Bay) Clark; devoted family members: Denise, Darrell, DeNisha, Darrel Jr., Darel, Deonte, Dushaunte and Junai; siblings: David (Caroline) Jackson and Tyrone (Annie) Steen; very devoted friend, Albert Nelson; and a host of family and friends too numerous to name. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 11 AM to 12 noon, will the funeral service to follow, in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, with Rev. Tyrone Steen officiating.