Hall, Opha Bettye (Toms) – age 79 slept away on Wednesday, December 25, 2013 at Parkwest Hospital. She was a faithful member of Foster Chapel Church. Retired from Robertshaw and graduated from Austin High School Class of 1954. Preceded in death by parents; husband, Namon Hall, Sr.; 3 brothers, Mitchell, Campbell  and RC Toms; 1 sister, Elizabeth Toms; grandson, Douglas Clayton, Hall, Jr. and Chancellor Sterling. Survivors: sons, Namon Hall, Jr., Douglas, Hall, Sr.; daughter, Patricia Hall; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Nell Rose Martin; sisters-in-law, Mary (Ira) Grimes, Amanda Hall, Etta Hall, Carolyn McGill, Frances Hall; brother-in-law, Paul Hall; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Sunday, December 29, 2013 at Foster Chapel Church on 2101 Ault Road from 3:00 – 4:00 pm with funeral services to follow with Reverend Joseph Tolbert officiating. Interment will be held on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Knoxville National Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Wykle, Edward (Ed) Lee Sr.- Age 65 of Knoxville, TN passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at his residence. He was born as the fourth child to Don and Corine Wykle on February 22, 1948. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Corine Wykle; sister, Addie Mae Wykle Watts; brother-in-law, John Tinsley; and special friend, Linda L. Meade Nelson. He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Patricia of Knoxville, TN; daughters, Rhonda “Diane” Wykle of Clearwater, FL, and ldelia “Dee-Dee”(Rev. Aderon) Billingsley, Jr. of Knoxville, TN; son, Edward L. Wykle, Jr. of Smyrna, TN; grandchildren, Anthony Lundy (Sherelle Glenn) of Kennesaw, GA, Teonaka Watson of Boynton Beach, FL, Jamal Lindsey of Owensboro, KY, Aaryanna Billingsley of Knoxville, TN, Romeo Wykle of Cleveland, TN, and Savon Wykle of Smyrna, TN; great grandchildren, Jahtiyha Taylor and Jayla Johnson of Boynton Beach, FL, and Maliyah Lindsey of Owensboro, KY; brothers, William (Janice) and Tommy (Philander) Wykle of Knoxville, TN; brothers-in-law, Willie Watts of Knoxville, TN, and Larry (Pecolia) Tinsley of Lithonia, GA; sisters-in-law, Teresa Bates, Linda (Tim) Lattimore, and Debra (Carl) Ursery all of Knoxville, TN; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and several devoted friends too numerous to name including, the Austin High School, Class of 1966. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 30, 2013 at Unity Mortuary Chapel, 1425 McCalla Avenue, from 1:00-2:00 pm followed by a celebration of life service with Rev. Aderon L. Billingsley, Jr. officiating. The family will assemble at the home of brother, Tommy Wykle, 1905 Rivershore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37914.

Hines, Dex Anton “Lil Daddy” – of Knoxville went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 23, 2013. He was joyfully reunited with his grandparents Sergeant Joe & Mary E Hines; grandfather, Edward Porter, Sr. and mother, JoAnn Hines Dixson. Dex was a fighter and even when the struggle was hard, he never gave up. He loved spending time with his family and motorcycle family “Over the Top.” He leaves to cherish his memory: father, L. A. Willis; devoted wife, Anitra Tate Hines; son, JaQuail Williams; daughters, Quendexsha, JaQuasha, Shavayah and Dextynnie Hines; brothers, Joe C. Hines, and Tony Dixson; sisters, Nikki Boatwright and Jacqueline Boatwright all of Knoxville, TN; a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to name consisting of the Hines, Porter, Tate, Baily and Boatwright Families; devoted father-figures, William Dixson and James Burdine. Family will receive friends on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Eternal Life Harvest Center Western Avenue location from 11:00 AM until 12:00 noon with funeral services to follow with Pastor James Davis officiating. Interment to follow at Highland-South Memorial Park. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Willie Jean Rodgers-Wagoner, age 78 was born January 6, 1935, surrendered to Christ on December 22, 2013, Knoxville, TN. She was married to Richard D. Wagoner, Sr. Preceded in death by parents, Zack and Willie (Harris) Rodgers, husband, brother, S. Paul Rodgers, sister, Vivian Geraldine (Rodgers) Colbert and niece, Janice Matthews. Survivor’s children, Deborah, Terry, Richard, Jr.  (Sandra) and Marvin (Teresa’); grandchildren; siblings, twin William ( Roxie) Rodgers, Louella Crump and Truman Rodgers; several nieces; nephews; cousins; close friend, Marian Scott,  Linda special Crochet Instructor and the Salt Ministry of CEC and special pet “Roscoe”. Family will receive friends on Friday, December 27, 2013 from 11:00 – 11:30 AM with funeral services to follow at Community Evangelistic Church, 2650 Boyd’s Bridge Pike Knoxville, TN 37914, with Reverend Reginald Strong officiating and eulogist. Interment to follow at 1:00 PM, National Cemetery 939 Tyson Street, Knoxville. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Roberts, Eugene was called home by his Heavenly Father on December 10, 2013. Eugene was born on August 9, 1932 to Luther and Allie Roberts in Knoxville, TN.  A member of the Austin High Class of 1951 and later received his Associate’s Degree in General Business Administration. Eugene retired as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart and Korean Service Metal with 4 Bronze Service Stars and several other honors during his 21 years of military service. He later worked for Job Corps, TVA and Knox County. Eugene is preceded in death by his parents Luther and Allie Roberts, beloved wife Hermione “Dee”; daughter, Kim; son, Mark; brother, Luther “Blue” Roberts. Eugene is survived by three children: daughter, Robyn (Vernon) Valentine; son, Victor (Jacquelyn); daughter, Shari; daughter-in-law Kathy. He was blessed to have 9 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Patti Hogue and Mary Roberts; and brother-in-law, Ralph Armstrong; a host of other family members and friends. Family will receive friends on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 5:00-6:00 PM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with service to follow with Bishop. Zack Flack officiating. Interment will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at 11:30 AM with full military honors at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Governor John Sevier Highway. Services to conclude with full dove release.

Lankford, Jeffrey Gordon – age 53 departed this life on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Parkwest Hospital. He was born to the late Jerome and Mary Lankford. Jeffrey was a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park IL., and received his Associate Degree from Triton College in Chicage, IL. He was a Brilliant Artist and Musician he played in live bands all over Chicago, later he worked as Manager for PIP Printing Company. He leaves behind to mourn:  a daughter, Reyla; 2 grandchildren , Nas and Iyas;  Jeff is also survived by 7 siblings, Charles (Kippy) Brown, William (Mike) Henderson, Sandra D. Brown, Robert (Jerry) Lankford, Keith A. Lankford, Tonya M. Stigall and Mark K. Lankford and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins nieces, nephews and friends. Family will receives friends on Friday, December 13, 2013 at Unity Mortuary from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow with Elder DeWayne Stevens officiating. Family will assemble at Unity Mortuary at 11:30 A.M.