Stewart, Helen – age 89, completed her race February 6, 2010. She was a member of Canaan Baptist Church of Christ. Preceded in death by husband, J.C. Stewart and mother, Julia Kirk. Survived by: daughters, Judy (James) Carpenter, Marlene (Larry) Lewis, Loretta Stewart (fiance’ Anthony Reid), Lynda (Wilson, III) Taylor; sister, Willie Jo Hill; nephew, Curtis (Jessica) Hill; grandchildren, Jackie (Orlando) Moore, Nakia (Rodgers) Clay, Jessica Carpenter, Marie, Joshua, Andrea, and Alyssa Lewis, Wilson, IV, and Bradford Taylor ; several great- grandchildren; caregiver, Wanda McCleary. The family will receive friends from 12-1 pm on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, 1117 Beaman Lake Road with funeral services to follow. Reverend Dr. Harold A. Middlebrook officiating. Entombment at Sherwood Memorial Gardens to follow. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Breedlove, Martha E. Long – age 95, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. She retired from Standard Knitting Mills and Conley E. Morris Clothing Store. She was preceded in death by: husband, Reverend J. H. Breedlove; daughter, Arlunda R. Breedlove; parents, Harvey and Sarah Long; 3 brothers, Harry, Jesse Renfro and George Long; sister, Hattie Ledford. Survived by: sister-in-law, Vivian Knight of Columbus, Ohio, many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, Sentertown and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. families and many dear friends. Family will receive friends at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church  on Saturday, February 13, 2010 from 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon with funeral services to follow. Dr. Joe B. Maddox, officiating. Interment to follow at Highland South Memorial Park. The service will conclude with a dove release.

Senter, Dr. Howard Gray – Age 84 of Knoxville, TN, passed away on February 5, 2010 at UT Medical Center. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Senter; daughters, Gwendolyn Senter and Patricia A. McCray; parents, Gilbert W. and Camma Senter of Nashville, TN; brothers, Nelson, Harold, Gilbert, Thomas; sisters, Yvonne, Marian and Milbra. He is survived by siblings, Ronald Senter and Wilma Jackson; grandchildren, Douglas (Missy) McCray II, Micheal (Chandra) McCray, Brian McCray, Tiffany (Clifton) Hancock; great-grandchildren, Maia McCray, Chyna McCray and Vontez McCray; son-in-law, Douglas McCray, Sr.; special friends of the family, The Fulkerson’s of Lenoir City, Patricia McDaniel, Paulette Frazier, Janice Glasgow; McDonald Drive Church of Christ family and many nieces and nephews. Dr. Howard Senter grew up in Nashville, TN. He was number 5 of 10 children, with a twin brother Harold. His father, Gilbert, was an agricultural agent for Davidson County. He enrolled at Tennessee State University Agricultural School with the intention of studying agriculture. His education was interrupted by a two-year stint in the U.S. Navy. After the military, he went back to the School of Agriculture. At some point, he read a textbook describing various cattle diseases. From then on, he knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. He approached the Dean at TSU and asked him to develop a curriculum of pre-med for him to study. Sometime later, Tuskegee College announced it was opening a School of Veterinarian Medicine. Dr. Senter transferred there and in 1950, graduated with several others, with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation, Dr. Senter seized the opportunity to move to Knoxville, TN, where he has lived ever since. He has practiced in East Tennessee with an enormous passion for the people and the animals that he cared. Dr. Senter was a trailblazer, being the first licensed African-American Veterinarian in the state of Tennessee. His involvement with his clients, community and church is extensive. Dr. Senter was the first African-American to serve on the Tennessee Board of Veterinarian Medical Examiners beginning in 1976. Other involvements: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Tuskegee Institute Alumni, National Housing Foundations, Chairman of the Board for Magnolia Federal Savings and Loan Association, President of East Knoxville Optimist Club, and the Board of Directors of Knox Zoological Parks, Inc. In 2007, Dr. Senter was presented with a proclamation from the City of Knoxville and the County of Knoxville, declaring December 8 as Dr. Howard G. Senter Day. Last, but not least, Dr. Senter served on the Board of Directors of the Knoxville Christian School and was honored in 2008 with an Appreciation Dinner. Forty-two years of service to the people and their animals at Broadway Veterinarian Clinic, 50 years of faithful membership to McDonald Drive Church of Christ, and a lifelong service to God, he was adored by many and will be missed by all. Pearlie Strong – “If we all patterned ourselves after him, I think we’d all be all right.” Services will be at McDonald Drive Church of Christ on February 13, 2010 located at 3800 McDonald Dr., Knoxville, TN 37914. Brother Van Hardin officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 4-6 p.m., with funeral services to follow at 6 p.m.

Published in The Tennessean from February 10 to February 11, 2010

Kemp, Joseph L. Jr. – Age 62, departed this life on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Edward Sr., and Maggie E. Kemp; maternal grandparents, Theodore, Sr. and Beulah Tate; five aunts; one cousin. Survivors: son, Joseph L. Kemp, III; mother, Ina Gene Henderson; brothers, beloved caregiver George (Glenda) Kemp, Knoxville, TN and Terry L. (Annette) Kemp of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Peggy Jean (Eddie) Buchanon, Maryville, TN, Jennifer Chapman, Fort Wayne IN; five aunts; three uncles; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral services to follow. Family will assemble at 2922 Sunset Avenue at 11:00 AM to proceed to Mortuary. Elder Robert Cannon, Jr. officiating. Interment at Southern Chain Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from February 5 to February 9, 2010

Orr, Beatrice Washington – was born Lillie Beatrice Washington May 8, 1913 to Annie Jane and Sandy Jackson Washington in Gordo, Al. She was raised and went to school in Tuscaloosa, Al, finishing high school at Central High School and Stillman Junior College. She came to Knoxville in 1935 and did substitute teaching in the city school system. She met and married “Deacon” Billy Orr, December 9, 1937. Two children were born of this union, the first a son, died soon after birth. The second child, Mrs. Billie Jean Jones died January 25, 1981. Survivors: Grandchildren, Brian Keith Jones, Elston Howard Jones and Luanna Jones; many relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 10:00-10:30 AM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with services to follow. Reverend Michel S. E. Caldwell officiating. Interment to follow at New Gray Cemetery. Services will conclude with full dove release.