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.