Alford, Captain Marcus Ray, Sr. – of the United States Army passed away while serving in Iraq on Sunday, February 21, 2010. He was a member of First Calvary Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by: his grandparents, Mrs. Charley Mae Ray, Mr. Maceo Alford, Sr. and Mrs. Clara Mae Alford; aunt, Mrs. Jennifer Marie Ray Davis; uncle, Mr. Steven Ray; great-uncle, Mr. Joseph Mobley and great-grandparents, Mr. Charles and Sally Mae Mobley. Captain Alford graduated from South Doyle High School and Carson Newman College. Survivors are loving family: mother, Ms. Karen Ray of Knoxville, Tennessee; father, Mr. Michael Alford of Chattanooga, Tennessee; two children, Ms. Mya Alford and Mr. Marcus Alford, Jr.; brother, Mr. Jerry (Jane) Ray; grandparent, Mr. Richard Ray; aunt, Ms. Crystal Ray all of Knoxville; uncle, Mr. Maceo Alford, Jr. of Detroit, Michigan; great-aunt, Mrs. Margie Keese of Knoxville; nephews, Michael, Jerry II, and Richard; niece, Trieste; a host of cousins; other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, for visitation from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Unity Mortuary. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church with Dr. George W. C. Lyons and Pastor Benjamin E. Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. Services to conclude with full dove release. Arrangements by Willis Funeral Home, Inc., Dalton, Georgia and Unity Mortuary, Knoxville, Tennessee., March 4, 2010. Condolences may be left below.

Click to download a PDF of Captain Marcus Ray Alford Sr. funeral program.

Bennett, Ray F. – Passed away suddenly on February 26, 2010 at Mercy Hospital. He was born March 14, 1942 to Albert and Lema Bennett. He was a graduate of Austin High School Class of 1960.  He was a Vietnam Veteran.  Preceded in death by: parents; sister, Ruth Gatson; son, Orlando. He leaves memories to: daughters, Renee Bennett-Motley (Kenneth) of Birmingham, AL, and Ruthea Bennett (Andre Cosley); son, Raffell Griffin (Denise); 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; sister, Alberta Bennett; brother, Robert Bennett (Joann) all of Knoxville, TN; a host of other relatives and many friends. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 from 5-6 PM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral to follow. Interment will be Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 11:30 AM at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery (Lyons View Drive) with full military honors. Service will conclude with full dove release. Family will assemble at 3931 Holston Drive.

Hall, Judy – age 64, was born on October 15, 1945 in Knoxville, Tennessee and passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 after a prolonged illness. She retired in 2008 from Pellissippi State Community College after 33 years of service. She was a dedicated member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother. Preceded in death by: father, Neil Toms; grandmother, Geneva Trent and sister, Betty Bryant. Survivors: mother, Helen Phelps;  brother, Jeff (LaGayle) Phelps; daughter, Toni Cade; sons, Larry Cade and Richard Cade all of Knoxville, Tennessee; uncles, James (Joy) Upton, Cincinnati, Ohio; Gaines Lenoir Sr, and Russell (Pat) Toms all of Knoxville, Tennessee; granddaughters, Tasha Cade of Knoxville, Tennessee; Tasha Cade of Japan; grandson, Camu Cade of Japan; devoted cousin  Brenda Bailey of Knoxville, Tennessee and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family will receive friends at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church on Friday, February 26, 2010 from 11:30a.m.-12:00 noon with funeral services to follow. Reverend Dr. Michel S. E. Caldwell officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park on Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee. The service will conclude with full dove release.

Underwood, Riley, Jr. – passed away Sunday, February 21, 2010 at U. T. Medical Center. He was born to his parents in Union Spring, AL.  Preceded in death by: wife, Elizabeth Underwood; parents, Riley Underwood, Sr. (Leola); son, Charles M. Underwood; brothers, Reuben and BT Underwood; brothers-in-law, Rev. Dozier McKinnon and William Dale; sisters-in-law, Mary Dale, Dorothy Teal, Katherine Redmond, Etolia Littlejohn and Rosa Blanks. Survived by: devoted daughter, Juanita Underwood of Oak Ridge, TN; sons, Riley D. (Tamara) Underwood of Baton Rouge, LA, Robert K. Underwood of Aurora, CO and Joseph (Mamie) Underwood of Oak Ridge, TN; brother, Limmie (Ann) Underwood of Phoenix City, AL; grandchildren, Marcus, Darrly, Joseph, Peppi, Shonda, Kesia, Shacress Underwood and Timeshia Hamilton; sisters, Ora McKinnon of Oak Ridge, TN, Leiala Faulk of Saginaw, MI and Inez Bates of Linden, NJ; brothers-in-law, Gladden Dale, Richard Dale (Cammie Pearl Dorsset) and Harvey Sullivan; sisters-in-law, Alberta Sullivan, Rachel Billie and Charlotte Dale; special friend, Doris Hurd and many other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 PM with funeral services to follow at True Light Baptist Church with Rev. Darrius Waters officiating. Interment to follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.  Service to conclude with full dove release.

Onwo, Ezekiel Chichetaram – Born: December 9, 2009 in Roanoke, VA., passed away February 20, 2010 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Preceded in death by: grandfather, Okeke Onwo.Survived by: father, Paulinus Onwo; mother, Genesis Onwo; grandmother, Evelyne Onwo (Nigeria); grandfather, Alvin Weaver; grandmother, Marion Weaver; uncle, Joe Weaver; many aunts, uncles and cousins in Nigeria and in the United States. Graveside services will be held Friday, February, 26, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Highland Memorial Park West. Pastor Jayme officiating. Family and friends will assemble at 1:45 pm for graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to American Heart Association www.americanheart.org. In memory of Ezekiel C. Onwo.

Scott, James K. – was born on October 5, 1933 to Mary and Warren Scott, Sr. He gave up his earthly home on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at NHC Fort Sanders Nursing Home. Preceded in death by parents, four sisters and two brothers. He previously lived at Morningside Garden Apartments. He was educated in the Knoxville City Schools and was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He was employed by Regas Restaurant and Hermitage Concrete Pipe Company from which he retired. “Jim,” as he was called by his friends and family, was a quiet and soft spoken man. Jim is survived by: sisters, Ruby Jones, Jeanette Virginia McKinney and Shirley (Clarence) Mitchell; brothers, Warren (Barbara) Scott, Jr. and Charles Scott; many nieces and nephews to include special caregivers, Ellen Downs and Mary Alice Reed. Many cousins to include the McAliley family; devoted family friends, Doris (Pat) Every, NHC Fort Sanders Nursing Home, Deacon Osmond Robinson and Mount Calvary Church Family. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 22, 2010 from 12:00-12:30 p.m. with funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Leroy Franklin, officiating. Interment, New Gray Cemetery. The service will conclude with a full dove release.

Gaddis, Willie Mae Byrd took her eternal rest on February 16, 2010 at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA at the age of 93. She was a long standing member of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church.  Preceded in death by her husband, Spenser Samuel Leonard Gaddis and youngest son, William Leroy Gaddis;   survivors include, son, Lynn Edward Gaddis; and daughters, Anna Louise Lewis and Carolyn Gaddis.  Also, mourning her passing are sisters, Rosa Byrd, Rev. George L. Byrd, Eliza Anderson and Edith Jackson.  She is survived by seven grandchildren, nine great grand children and a host of nieces and nephews, as well as other family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon with funeral services to follow at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church where Rev. Michel S. E. Caldwell, Pastor will officiate and Rev. George L. Byrd will provide the eulogy.  Intermit will follow at Highland South Cemetery. Service will conclude with full dove release.

White, Michael Jeremiah – Three years old and Bennett, Olivia Briyona – 7 months old, crossed over into Beulah Land hand and hand with the Angels of God on Monday, February 15, 2010.  Preceded in death by: Great-Great Grandmother, Laura Freeman; Great Grandmother, Alfredda Jordan.  Michael was preceded in death by: Grandmother, Tonya (White) Gladden.  Survivors: Mother, Alfredda Bennett; Grandmother and Grandfather, Valerie (Donald) Fugate.  Michael survived by Great-Grandmother, Linda (John) Dunlap; Brothers, Shaquan Petty, Quentin Jr. of Chattanooga TN and Bryan Bennett of Knoxville, TN.  Olivia survived by: Brothers, Shaquan Petty and Bryan Bennett. Michael and Olivia are survived by: Great Aunt, Robin Contee Beard and her daughter (Jada) of Cedar Rapids IA, Samantha McKibben and Michelle White and Great Uncle, Darien McKibben of Chattanooga TN; Aunts, Sadrina and Salinna Hardy of Chattanooga TN.  Michael is survived by: Father, Quentin White Sr., and Olivia is survived by: Father, William Watkins, both of Chattanooga, TN; Family includes the Jordan, Freeman, Bennett, White, McKibbens and Watkins; many cousins, other relatives and friends.  Fellowship of family and friends will be held at the home of Rev. John and Diane Jordan, 2140 Dandridge Avenue 37915 on Friday, February 19 and on Saturday, February 20, 2010 for Family to assembly. Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at OverComing Believers Church with funeral services to follow. Pastor Daryl Arnold officiating. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, TN. The service will conclude with full dove release.

White, Michael Jeremiah – Three years old and Bennett, Olivia Briyona – 7 months old, crossed over into Beulah Land hand and hand with the Angels of God on Monday, February 15, 2010.  Preceded in death by: Great-Great Grandmother, Laura Freeman; Great Grandmother, Alfredda Jordan.  Michael was preceded in death by: Grandmother, Tonya (White) Gladden.  Survivors: Mother, Alfredda Bennett; Grandmother and Grandfather, Valerie (Donald) Fugate.  Michael survived by Great-Grandmother, Linda (John) Dunlap; Brothers, Shaquan Petty, Quentin Jr. of Chattanooga TN and Bryan Bennett of Knoxville, TN.  Olivia survived by: Brothers, Shaquan Petty and Bryan Bennett. Michael and Olivia are survived by: Great Aunt, Robin Contee Beard and her daughter (Jada) of Cedar Rapids IA, Samantha McKibben and Michelle White and Great Uncle, Darien McKibben of Chattanooga TN; Aunts, Sadrina and Salinna Hardy of Chattanooga TN.  Michael is survived by: Father, Quentin White Sr., and Olivia is survived by: Father, William Watkins, both of Chattanooga, TN; Family includes the Jordan, Freeman, Bennett, White, McKibbens and Watkins; many cousins, other relatives and friends.  Fellowship of family and friends will be held at the home of Rev. John and Diane Jordan, 2140 Dandridge Avenue 37915 on Friday, February 19 and on Saturday, February 20, 2010 for Family to assembly. Family will receive friends on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at OverComing Believers Church with funeral services to follow. Pastor Daryl Arnold officiating. Interment at Greenwood Cemetery, Knoxville, TN. The service will conclude with full dove release.

Muhammad, Yusuf I. – was born Joe Thomas Ridley-Russell III (Joey) on March 20, 1958. He was a member of Eternal Life Harvest Center. Preceded in death by: parents, Joe T. Russell Jr. and Gladys Ridley: grandparents, Joe Thomas Sr. and Ida Russell; sister, Katie; brother, James Ridley. Survivors include sisters, Patricia Speed, Cincinnati, OH and Linda Ridley-Waymon; brothers, Ronnie and Terry Ridley; uncles, Charles N. Russell (Barbara) Nashville, TN and James A. (Mose) Russell; devoted cousins and caregivers, Portia (Phillip) and Philisha Muckle and Barbara Russell, Orlando, FL., Lonita Smith (Phillip Wynn); several nieces and nephews to include Steven Mattress and Bernard Waymon; and a host of cousins and friends. The family will receive friends at Unity Mortuary Chapel on Friday, February 12, 2010 from 1:00-1:30 pm with services to follow. Pastor James Davis officiating. Interment to follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery. Service to conclude with a full dove release.