HUBBARD, LETHA RAY – Celebration of Life Services for Mrs. Letha R. Hubbard, age 94, of Knoxville, TN. Born February 18, 1916 to the late George and Nettie Ray, Mrs. Hubbard departed this life on March 30, 2010. She was married to the late Reverend Alfonzo W. Hubbard for 51 years. She graduated from Knoxville College in 1951 where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and received her MS Degree from the University of Tennessee. A long-time and faithful member of Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, she served as Ruling Elder, Trustee, Adult Sunday School teacher (40+years), member of Presbyterian Women, the choir, and supported other church activities. She also belonged to several civic and social organizations. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Alvin Ray Hubbard; brothers, George Jr. and Frank Ray. Survivors include; loving and devoted daughter, Cassandra (John) Ghosten Jr., Hampton, GA; granddaughter, Drs. Kristi (Dana) Lee, Mitchellville, MD: grandsons, Michael Hubbard, Des Moines, IA; Anthony Hubbard, Minneapolis, MN; great-grandchildren, Madison, Shelby and Ellis Lee; sister-in law, Lee Ethel Hubbard, Montgomery AL, a host of nieces, nephews and extended family friends. Special thanks to the UT Medical Center staff (9th floor) for their kind and compassionate care during her illness. Family and friends will assemble for a special Delta Sigma Theta Sorority ceremony, Sunday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. (open to the public) at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Receiving of friends will be held Monday, April 5, 2010 from 5-6 p.m. at Emanuel Presbyterian Church 3023 Selma Avenue with Funeral Services to follow. Reverend John A. Ghosten officiating. Interment, Tuesday, April 6 at 10 a.m. Crestview Cemetery. Services to conclude with a full dove release.

Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from March 31 to April 4, 2010

Fair-Jones, Bessie Mae – age 81 departed this life on March 20, 2010 at Ft. Sanders Hospital. She was born in Sheffield, AL. on March 30, 1928. Preceded in death by: parents, Willie Jones and Pearline Jones-Harris; grandson, Edward Jackson; sisters, Herlene (Thomas) Elder, Marie Poole, Mary Anderson, Martha Bassette, Alice Johnson and Sally Littles; brothers, Melvin, Albert and Edgar Jones and James Harris. Survived by children, Robert (Tracy) Fair, Alberta (LaFrance) McBee, Diane Barkley, Michael (Kathy) Barkley and Edward Fair Jr.; sisters, Mary Louise Thomas and JoAnne (Clarence) Easterly; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; special friend, Claudine Dyers. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Ft. Sanders Hospital. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 26, 2010 at New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 1801 Eight Avenue from 12:30-1:00 PM with services to follow. Reverend Dr. Reginald O. Butler and Reverend Dr. Harold A. Middlebrook officiating. Interment to follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release. Family will be at the home of Alberta McBee, 221 C. Bell St. Apt. 258.

Upton-Houston, Barbara Diane – arrived at her eternal home on March 19, 2010 after a 2 year courageous battle against cancer. Preceded in death by: father, Alex Houston; brothers, David and John Houston; nephew, David Houston. Keeping her memories alive will be done by: devoted daughters, Paula and Yolanda Upton; devoted grandchildren, Yasmine, Leroy, Ardarrius, Dereke and Artinna; mother, Paula; sisters, Fannie and Judy (William) McCoy; brothers, Alex and Ray; former husband, Kenneth Upton; many nieces and nephews too numerous to name. Devoted friends, Sharon Maples, Diane Abernathy, Carol Harris, Nancy Lee, Sue Miller, Peggy Pickle and the entire staff at Salon Visage. Special thanks to 8N at Ft. Sanders. Dr. Ibach, Dr.Grapski, Elmeira and Linda for continuous care and support. Extended families; the Upton, Dunn and Hardy. Family will receive friends on Monday, March 22, 2010 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 Noon at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral services to follow. Reverend Jerry Upton officiating; Reverend David Upton assisting. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee. Services will conclude with full dove release.

Gunn, Anthony (Tony) Leroy Harris – was born on March 3, 1963 in Augusta, GA to the late Ola Mae  Harris Jones of Crawfordville, GA.  He departed this life on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:30 AM at UT Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.

Anthony graduated from Crawfordville High School in Crawfordville, GA.

Anthony was an employee of the Knox County School system for over 20 years, where he worked as an administrative assistant and crossing guard.

Anthony Gunn became a member of Foster Chapel Baptist Church.

Preceded in death by: his son, Andrew William Gunn, and step-father, Charles Jones.

Anthony leaves to rejoice in his homegoing: son, Anthony Leroy Gunn II; step-son, Marlon Mitchell of Gallitan, TN. Adopted (Great Aunt) Daisy Lee Gunn of Knoxville, TN, and father, Eddie Lee Jackson of Washington, GA. Siblings; Carlos Jones, Cynthia Jones, and Christy Bennett all of Knoxville,TN, Benjamin Ivey, Eddie Lee Jackson, Jr, Gwendolyn Jackson, and Angea Dye all of Washington,GA, Felicia Chapman of Anderson, SC, Gregory Jackson of Atlanta, GA,Valerie Rogers of Thomson,GA. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church at 1:00 pm in Sharon, GA.

Howell, Charles Napolean Sr. (School Boy) – was born on October 11, 1931.  He went to be with God on March 12, 2010.  Preceded in death by:  parents, Lester and Pearl Howell; sisters, Alice and Edna Howell, Helen Watson; brother, Ross Howell; first wife, Betty Howell; former wife, Mozella Howell.  Charles (School Boy) was a concrete finisher and a member of Cement Masons Local 78 for many years.  Formerly employed by Rust Engineering, Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation, Y-12, X-10, K-25 plants in Oak Ridge.  He leaves to mourn his passing, survivors:  devoted daughter, son-in-law and caregivers, Kathy (Gary) Tate; sons, Charles (Annette), Napolean (Margaret) of Calhoun, GA, Janardo Howell; step-daughter, Tonya Ivory; brothers, Edward, George (Karen) of Marion, OH; 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.  Family visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 5:00-6:00pm at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral service to follow.  Reverend Steve Simpson, officiating.  Interment on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 10:00am at New Gray Cemetery.  Services will conclude with a dove release.  The family will be at the home of Kathy and Gary Tate, 2634 Lay Avenue.

Fox, Jerry Gilbert – age 77, of Knoxville, departed this life at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital on Thursday, March 11, 2010. Veteran of the Korean War. Preceded in death by father and mother, John R. Fox and Maggie Fox, and brother, Orsviel Eugene Fox. Survivors: daughter, Carol D. Fox, of Atlanta, GA; grand-children, Tre’Von Fox, Makyra Peery, and Kamyra Peery, all of Atlanta, GA.; stepson, Dewayne Willis of Louisville, KY; sister and brother-in-law, Johnnie Mae and Charles E. Branner, Jr.; nieces, Pamela Branner Deathridge, Tiajuana J. Branner; nephew, Rickey E. Branner; great-niece, Taylor D. Deathridge; all of Knoxville; and a host of other relatives and friends to include the Fox families and Gwen Fox of Toledo, Ohio. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. with funeral to follow. Rev. Dr. Latisha Reeves officiating. Interment at Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors by Volunteer State Honors Guards.

Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from March 13 to March 15, 2010

Lee-Rollins, Theopher Josephine – transcended from Earth to Glory on March 10, 2010. She was baptized at the age of ten by Reverend H. J. Bailey at the Old Ebenezer Baptist Church, which later became Payne Avenue Baptist Church. She was a Faithful Charter Member of Payne Avenue Baptist Church and a member of the Senior Church Choir. In the mid–fifty’s, she joined Ebenezer Baptist Church where her husband, Robert, was a deacon and she became a deaconess. She was in the Senior Choir there as well. After the passing of her husband in 1980, she came back to Payne Avenue Baptist Church and returned to the Senior Choir until she retired in 1999 because of an ankle problem. Theopher was a graduate of Austin High School (class of 1941).  Sister of the Order and the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) for over fifty years, Worthy Matron for more than ten years of Wheeler Leona Chapter #232, Past 1^st Lieutenant of Keblah Court #57 Daughter of Iris. A member of the Girl Scouts Alumni Trailblazers and the YWCA, Life time member of Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Inc. and NAACP. Preceded to Glory by Mother; Theodocia Mills Rollins, Father, Mr. Richard Rollins, Sr.; Brothers, Mr. Richard Rollins, Jr., Husband, Mr. Robert Eberle Lee, Sr., Son, Mr. Robert Eberle Lee, Jr.,;Sister, Mrs. Margaree Rollins Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memories a most devoted and loving son, Mr. Avon Williams (Sherryl) Rollins, Sr.; three devoted and loving daughters, Mrs. Audria Rollins McFarland (Knoxville),  Mrs. Carmen Lee (William) Gardner, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Mrs. Theopher Lee (Tommy) Roberts, Athens, Tennessee; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; several nieces nephews, cousins and many other family members and friends; four very special long- time friends, Mrs. Willie Mae Eleby, Mrs. Helen Phelps, Mrs. Rebecca Walker, Mrs. Jeanette Dennis, Felicia  Hoehne, nurse Emma Penson and her Mt. Olive Senior program and many other loving friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 11:00am – 12:00 noon with funeral services to follow at Payne Avenue Baptist church Reverend Richard Brown officiating. Entombment to follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Service to conclude with full dove release.

Hall, Ernest Jr. – went home to be with the Lord on March 8, 2010 at Hillcrest North Nursing Home. Preceded in death by mother and father, Reverend Ernest Hall, Sr. and Willie Mae Hall; sisters, Eliza Cooper, Melzella Hall, Armythine Jackson, Virginia Jackson and Rosezena Hall; brothers, Otis Hall and Lewis Hall. Survived by: children, Fyansola Roberson, DeAnna Hall and Standley Hall all of Louisville, KY., Ernestine Floyd of St. Mary, GA; devoted sister, Juanita Avery, Katherine Hall, Lillian Woodruff and Parthenia Hagler all of Knoxville; brothers, Reverend Robert Hall of Rockwood, TN. and Reverend Willie J. Hall, Greenville, SC.; many nieces, nephews and friends. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 from 12:30 – 1:00 pm at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Graveside services to follow at Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.  The service will conclude with full dove release.

LAURA JEAN DEADRICK BRABSON of Knoxville, Tennessee born on November 19, 1931 peacefully entered into the wonderful eternal glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, March 05, 2010 at Brakebill Nursing Home. A member of New Covenant Baptist Church; she was preceded in death by her husband, Vanderbilt Brabson, Jr.; father and mother, Isaac and Sedalia Deadrick and devoted cousin, Pauline McPherson Armstrong and on March 3 another close cousin, Sarah McPherson.  Survived by a sister, Thelma Matthews (Lowell) and family; she leaves six children, Marlena Brabson Beal; Linda Wilson (Willie Garfield); Vanderbilt Brabson, III (Doretha); Rev. Fredrick E. Brabson, Sr. (Delores), Yvonne Cox (Daryl) of Knoxville and Michael O. Brabson (Lisa) of Chester, Virginia; 19 grandchildren, William Lee Beal III, Matthew P. Beal (Terria), Brittany K. Beal; Anston Wilson, Shantala Hill (J R); India Brabson Oliver (Marcus); Vanesha Brabson; Vanderbilt Brabson, IV and Joshua Brabson; Donald Spears, Fredrick E. Brabson, Jr., Nicholas Brabson; Jarred, Caleb, Daniel and Chandler Cox; Ali Brabson Hinson (Alan), Maya Brabson Stewart, and Michael O. Brabson, Jr.; 14 great grandchildren (Jameshia, Ashley (Saffell), Elisah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zion, Israel, Matthew, II, Memphis, Deja, Ashley (Spears), Deja, and DeShawn.  She also leaves behind to celebrate her homegoing a host of family members—the Deadrick, Armstrong, McPherson and Brabson families. Laura Jean Brabson, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother bequeathed an indelible legacy of faith which was only exemplified by the love and commitment she gave so unselfishly to her family.  The family wishes to express their appreciation to Kee, Mary, Anne, the nurses, staff and physicians of Brakebill Nursing Home who gave such gentle, loving and devoted care to our mother since May 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National Alzheimer Association of America.    Family and friends are welcome to visit and pay their respect at Unity Mortuary Monday, March 8 after 10:00 am.  Graveside services to be held on Tuesday, March 9, at 1:30 pm at Bethleham Cemetery.