Jones Jr. Matthew Aurelius (aka Matt Jones)- an “International Freedom Fighter”, Freedom Singer and Field Secretary of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), departed this life on March 30, 2011 in New York City.  Arrested 29 times during the Civil Rights Movement, Matthew Jones, a prolific songwriter and composer produced more than 500 Freedom songs.

Matthew A. Jones Jr. was born in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 17, 1936 to the union of Father Matthew Aurelius Jones, Sr. and Olivia Beatrice Browning. (Deceased). Besides his parents, Matthew Jr. was predeceased by his sister Ruth (Rose) Hicks and a nephew, Ronald G. Hicks.

Left to cherish his memory are: his beloved wife and soul mate, Shelly D. Jones of New York, NY; beloved sons, Matthew A. Jones III, Gerald Paul Jones, Sr. and Ellis Lebron Jones, Sr. all of Chattanooga, TN; brother, Marshall Russell (Alice) Jones of Brooklyn, NY; sister, Brenda Frasier Jones of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Shenearia, Lois, Matthew IV, Whitney Sade, Gerald Jr., Ellis Jr., Eva Lois, Elizabeth, Kezia, Rachel, Samuel, and Hannah Jones; great granddaughter: Kyaudreea Gaines; Uncle Grainger Browning Sr. and Aunt Esther Browning and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; extended family: Avon & Sheryl Rollins, Dr. Doris Scott Crawford, Anthony Cristello, Susie Erenrich, Stephen & Marci Ellis, Errol Maitland & Dr. Maxine Orris, Muriel Tillinghast, Martha Noonan, Dorothy Aldridge, Wazir Peacock, Ted Glick & Jane Calif, Nellie Bailey, Gina Tlamsa, Ray Collins, Sandy Boyer, Dr. Lenora Tate Magubane, Luci Murphy, Dale Kinney and many others too numerous to name.

Matthew’s family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow on Friday, April 8, 2011 at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 600 South Chestnut Street, Knoxville, TN.  Pastor David Pina officiating.  Matthew’s father, who was also a “Civil Rights Warrior”, was the first resident Priest in Charge at this church.  After the funeral, interment will be at New Gray Cemetery.  Service will conclude with a full dove release.

RICE, JOANN ROBINSON – age 71 of Knoxville, TN passed away at Mercy Medical Center on Thursday, March 24, 2011. She was preceded in death by: husband, Henry Rice, Jr.; son, Henry “Duke” Rice, III; parents, Richard Robinson and Corean Dixson Robinson-Gray; sisters, Esther Carter and Minnie Ruth Hamilton; brothers, Richard and James “Lighting” Robinson. She leaves to cherish her memories: children, Zachary “Crosetti” Robinson, Kathy (Michael) Barkley, Belinda Milburn, Debra (Sherman) Bess, Sherry Moore, Scottie Rice and Johnnie Mae (Minister Anthony) Rodgers; sisters, Evelyn Thompson and Mary Edwards; brother, Reverend Herman (Jessie) Robinson; 16 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins family and friends. Special thank you to NHC Fort Sanders and Shannondale Nursing Homes for their care. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 from 12:30-1:00 PM with funeral services to follow at Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend R.S. Brown, Jr. Officiating and Rev Herman Robinson Eulogist. Interment to follow at New Gray Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Reeves, Raymond N. – Age 74, of Knoxville, departed this life on March 17, 2011 at UT Medical Ctr. He was born in Sweetwater, TN. and attended school at Mt. Cumberland Church. Raymond was a faithful member of New Covenant Baptist Church and a former Deacon at Church of God, Maryville. He was a longtime employee of Markman’s and Zales.  He was preceded in death by: his wife of 47 years, Wanda Reeves; parents, Frank Reeves, Sr and Mabel Parker, and sister; Josephine Mitchell. He loved his family dearly. Survivors: sons, Rod (Norma) Reeves and Christopher “PJ” Reeves; daughters, Lakesha Reeves (Keith) McKnight and YuVonka M. Reeves; also Ronald, Donald and Sanford Smith; devoted sister and brothers, Bertha (Charles) Myers, Frank Reeves, Lawrence (Deborah) Reeves, and brother-in-law, Paul Means of Memphis, TN; eight dearly loved grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A special thanks to Sylvia, Vicki and the entire nursing staff at UT Hospital, 7 South.  Receiving of friends on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at New Covenant Baptist Church, 10319 Starkey Lane. Pastor Fredrick E. Brabson, Sr., Eulogist, Pastor Anthony Cannon, Officiating.  Interment, Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Highland South Memorial Park on Chapman Highway at 11:00 a.m. Services will conclude with a full dove release. ARRANGEMENTS BY UNITY MORTUARY.

Livsey (Brinson), Terry Lavon– age 52, was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 19, 1958.  She departed this life on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Fort Sanders Hospital.  Preceded in death by parents, Barbara Brinson (Curry) and Bozie Turner, Sr., brother Kerry Brinson and son, Travis Brinson.  She leaves to cherish her loving memory: sons, Johnathan and Carlos Brinson; grandchildren, Tiera, Taniya, Mercydes and Travis Brinson, Brooklyn and Carlos Johnson.  She leaves to rejoice in her home going; ex-husband, Norman Livsey; sisters,  Katherine (Robert Lee) Brown, Anita Brinson and Dana Goss; half-sisters, Gloria Robinson, Patricia (Kenneth) Bussell and Sandra Wittington; brothers,  Nathaniel, Rev. Larry (Wyness), Lamar and Reginald Brinson; half-brothers,  Bozie Turner, Jr. and Rosemond Turner; aunts, Marjorie Clemons and Lela Turner; an uncle, Emanuel (Barbara) Howard; devoted friends, Anthony Dean, Nakita Taylor, Brook Johnson, Treva Newton, Jared Neil and Teresa Holloway; special nephews, Kenny Goss, DeAndre’, Billy and Maurice Brinson; special nieces, Barbara Brinson and Kanessa Munsey and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.  When God called Terry home, she had fulfilled her motherly job.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at Greater Warner Tabernacle AME Zion Church.  Rev. Larry S. Brinson officiating.  Interment to follow service at New Gray Cemetery.  Service will conclude with a full dove release.

Milan, David – 57 went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 13, 2011.  He was preceded in death by his parents, W.T. Milan and Doshie Milan McKinney. Survivors: Loving wife Sheryl; daughters, Joy and Jana; Brother, Wardell (Linda) Milan, Sr. of Knoxville, TN; Mother-in-law, Dorothy Bradford of Memphis, TN and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends Friday, March 18, 2011 from 11 am – 12 noon with funeral services to follow at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 195 Wilberforce Ave. Oak Ridge, TN.  Interment will follow at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church Historical Cemetery. Service will conclude with a full dove release. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries (KARM).

Matthews, Thelma P. – of Knoxville was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 13, 2011. She leaves to cherish her memory: husband, Lowell Matthews, Sr.; daughters, Sedalia (Raymond) Burton and Ann Davis; son, Lowell E. Matthews, Jr.; a host of grand and great-grandchildren;  nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at Unity Mortuary Chapel with the funeral services to follow. Pastor Jeff Hensley, Eulogist. Interment to follow at TN Veterans Cemetery 5901 Lyons View Pike. Service will conclude with a full dove release.

Romero, Nancy E. – age 73 went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Ft. Sanders Regional. She was preceded in death by parents, Zelmar and Bernice Coker. She leaves to cherish her memory: son, Stephen Coker; daughters, Amber (Todd) Mathis and Angel (Tyrone) Bowman; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends, including the Open Door Church Family. The family will receive friends from 6:00-6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2011 at Open Door Church, 2806 Sherman Street, with the celebration of life to follow. Pastor Steve A. Simpson officiating.

Garrison, Katherine– age 77, departed peacefully on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Mercy Hospice.  Ms. Garrison retired from MK Ferguson Oak Ridge.  Preceded in death by parents: Willie Garrison, Gladys Garrison and stepfather, Tommie Matthews; grandparents, Joe and Mary Etter; uncles, Walter and Rev. Carl Etter; granddaughter, Felicia McClendon.  Survivors are devoted son, Fred E. Garrison; grandson, Fredrick R. McClendon; granddaughter, Cherie A. McClendon; great-grandchildren Breanna Burns and Frank E. Burns, Jr. a special devoted friend, Mr. James Brown; two other devoted friends: Ms. Mary S. Gibson and Ms. Curtis Thomas and a host of relatives to include the Etter, Collins and Weaver families.  A heartfelt thank you to Mercy’s St. Mary Hospital and Mercy Residential Hospice.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel.  Pastor Daryl Arnold officiating.  Interment will be Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Mount Olive Cemetery.  The service will conclude with a full dove release.

Barton, Kenneth – age 73 passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. Survived by devoted mother, Jacqueline Barton; daughter, Julia (James) Howard; son, Xavier (Latosha) Barton; grandchildren, Tiffany (Jedaryll) Chandler, Cordell (Toi) Howard, Tiera Howard, Jevon Barton, Taliya Barton; five great-grandchildren; uncle and aunts, Melvin Kemp, Geneva Ware, Lois Keith and Nancy Cannon; cousins, Roger Jackson, Geraldine Taylor and many other relatives and friends. Friends may call at there convenience on Thursday, March 10, 2011 after 10:00 AM at Unity Mortuary.