Lytle, Sonja Sherrine Hodge – age 64, of Knoxville, departed this life on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at her home after a lengthy battle with cancer. She graduated from Austin High School and attended college in Kansas, MO. For many years, she was gainfully employed by CCA, K-25 and Y-12 in Oak Ridge, TN. She was a loving and devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Preceded in death by her parents, John Hodge, Della and Ed Harris and brother, John Anderson. She leaves to survive her passing: loving and devoted children, Stephanie (Gerald Parks) Hodge and Robert Houseal, Jr.; devoted grandchildren: Corey Page, S. Karisma and Shafiyq Parks; loving and devoted siblings: Vincent Hodge, Sr., Gerald (Kathy) Hodge, Geraldetta Dozier, Wilma (Ken) Gordon and Eddie Harris; a host of cousins, nieces and nephews to include devoted niece, Latasha Johnson and devoted nephew, James Hodge; devoted friends: Dimples, Ken Gordon and Kim Hunter. On Thursday, November 1, 2012, the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with funeral to follow at East Fifth Avenue Baptist Church. Dr. Don Olive officiating and Eric Bonner, eulogist. Interment will immediately follow at Crestview Cemetery where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Edwards, Howard Lee – departed this life on October 19, 2012.  Howard was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the U.S. Army.  Preceded in death by his wives, Angela Denise Edwards and Felicia Yarbrough, mother, Barbara Parks, father, Eddie Williams and grandmother, Willie Bell Edwards. Survived by children: Pamela (Antjuan) Simmons, Orlando (Keiota) and Joshua Edwards, Tynetta Brewster and Keishawn Shade; grandchildren: Aloysius (Licia) Gregory, Arsenio Moulden, Keena and Darius Robinson and Uriyha Brewster; three great- granddaughters; siblings: Sharon (Dennis) Smith, Buford (Linda) Edwards, Pauline (Larry) Minnefee, Marvin Hall and Lorenzo Williams; devoted friends, Oscar Smith, Steve McMahan, Ernest Willis and Paul Brewster. A special thank you to staff at James H. Quillen VA Hospital, Mountain Home, TN. On Thursday, October 25, 2012, the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with funeral to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Reverend Rick Rice officiating. Friday, October 26, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., the interment will take place at Knoxville National Cemetery, 939 Tyson Street.  The service will conclude with military honors and dove release.

Hill, Kenneth Howard – “Ken” to some and “Money” to others, transitioned from this life to his heavenly home on October 15, 2012 after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Ken was known for his sense of humor and love of people. He was an employee of Star Sales and The Salvation Army before his health began to decline. Ken was predeceased by his mother, Mary Hill, father, Henry McFarland and grandparents, Trester and Laura Wilson. He leaves to cherish his memory: daughter, Kenisha Hill; granddaughters: Danasia Moore, Dijanna and LaKari Hill; brothers, Robert (Pauline) and Leonard Hill; sisters: Judy Page, Louise (David) Moore and Laura Jean Hill; special cousins: James (Kellie) and Michael Kennedy and Marilyn (Bubba) Flowers; nephews, Julius Page and Evan Hill; nieces, Kimberly Hill-Brown, Davisha Moore and Jailyn Hill; special friends: Kenneth Gordon, Lloyd McMahon, Kelly Kieser and Ben Goss including his friends from The Salvation Army. A special thank you to the doctors and staff at Tennova (St. Mary’s) and Smokey Mountain Hospice for the loving care given to Ken. On Friday, October 19, 2012, the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel.

Wells, Dorothy Ann – departed this life on Friday, October 12, 2012 at Tennova Healthcare. Preceded in death by her husband, Alford, granddaughter, Emani Sadayah Mobley, parents, James Sr. and Hattie Kimber and brother, David Kimber III. She leaves to mourn her passing: son, Adrian (Charmaine); daughter, A’Deidra; grandchildren: Adrian II, Anthony and Kendrick Wells and Chris Carter; brothers: James Jr. of Las Vegas, NV, Howard (Brenda), Hiram and Jesse Kimber; sisters, Regina and Donna Kimber; a host of other relatives and friends. On Thursday, October 18, 2012, the family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with funeral services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Rev. John Ghosten, officiating and Reverend Cedric Jackson, eulogist. The interment will immediately follow the funeral at Knoxville National Cemetery where a full dove release will conclude the service.

Randall, Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col.) Ernest T. – transitioned labor to reward on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at his residence. He was born on December 21, 1939 in Paris, Maryland to the parents of Alice Gray and James Randall.

He graduated from Brooks High School in Prince Fredrick, Maryland. He received his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture from Maryland University at Princess Ann, Maryland in June 1961.

He joined the US Air Force August 1961 and completed his flight school in Selma, AL. He retired as a pilot ranked as Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service. He continued his pilot career flying for Bill Cosby, Exxon Mobile Oil, and other private entities for an additional 20 years before retiring. He traveled the world near and far including Africa, India, Germany, Japan and other areas in Europe. He flew the C-141 cargo planes.

His Air Force career includes awards and medals; Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Small Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Antarctic Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After joining Mount Calvary Baptist Church, he sang with the Men’s choir, served as a trustee, attended Sunday School and Bible Study. He was recently ordained as a Deacon on September 16, 2012.

While serving in the US Air Force he married Gloria Anne Tolson on January 19, 1972. Deacon and Mrs. Randall celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary this year.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Randall, mother, Alice Gray, two sisters Constance Randall and Brenda Nash. He leaves to cherish his memory: a very devoted wife, Anne; daughter, Jenelle (Los Angeles, CA); son, Michael Wallace (Shadyside, MD); grandson, Jordon Wallace (Annapolis, MD); sisters, Agnes Warrick (Upper Marlboro, MD), Patricia Diggs (Lanham, MD); brothers, Samson Nash, Jr. (Chillum, MD) and a host of nieces, nephews, many cousins and friends. On Monday, October 15, 2012, the family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2714 Brooks Road, Knoxville, TN  37914. Reverend Leroy Franklin officiating.

Busby, Betty J. – of Knoxville, formerly of Plant City, FL, departed this life on October 6, 2012 at UT Medical Center. Mrs. Busby was a loving and kind person, a caretaker by nature. She cared for her family so much even raising a grandson as her own child. Over the years, she worked as a school teacher at Cleveland Elementary, a seamstress and a child care provider at various daycares. Preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel Sr., her parents, Wilson Tolbert, Jr. and LeAnn Clementez, grandparents, Wilson Sr. and Lilly Tolbert and two sisters. Survived by: devoted daughter, Andrea (Eugene) Busby; sons: Nathaniel, Jr., Christopher, Amos (Maya) and Allen Busby; special grandson, Nathaniel III; 17 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 2 sisters; 2 brothers; a host of other relatives and friends. A heartfelt thank you to Martin Mill Dialysis Clinic, Dr. Robert Martin, Campbell Station Primary Care and UT Medical Center. On Friday, October 12, 2012, the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. with service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Brother Malik Potter and Minister Terrance Schofield officiating.

Johnson, Thomas – of Knoxville, departed this life on October 2, 2012 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Thomas was born to Eugene (Willie Mae) Johnson, Sr. on November 30, 1949 in Laurens, SC. Thomas retired from Robertshaw with 30 years of service. He was a loving and kind uncle and brother who loved family and especially his longtime companion. Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Frank and Eugene, Jr.; sisters, Rachel Schumpert, Mary Frances Hunter and Lucy Rhodes. He is survived by a very devoted niece, Glenda D. Johnson; a very devoted great niece, Brenda (Shannon) Riley; brothers, William of Spartanburg, SC; Richard (Lavern), and Willie Jay (Freda) of Knoxville; sisters, Sarah (Robert) Edwards; Clara Dean Byrd of Knoxville; and Beatrice Sturghill of Hartwell, GA; a loving and devoted companion of 40 years, Ruth Crump; and a host of nieces and nephews. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff of Norris Rehabilitation Center in Anderson County and the Eighth Floor staff of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center for their kindness, care and compassion toward Thomas. On Saturday, October 6, 2012, the family will receive friends from 3:00-3:30 p.m. with funeral services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel. Associate Pastor, Rev. Mitchelyn E. Thompson officiating.