Griffin, Thompson L. – age 56, a resident of Green Valley Developmental Center, Greenville, TN departed this life on April 30, 2014. He was born April 28, 1958 in Knoxville, TN to Douglas, Sr. and Ross Lee Griffin. Preceded in death by his parents, Douglas, Sr. and Ross Lee Griffin; sister, Virginia Guinn; nephews, Shannon Allen and Aaron Allen, Jr. Thompson is survived by: his sisters and brothers, Barbara and Aaron Allen, Sr., Joann Harris, Wilma Buchanan, Douglas, Jr., Mays, Marion, Kirk and Dolly, Connie, Terry and Virginia, Quanitha; devoted staff of Green Valley and a host of nieces; nephews and other relatives and friends.  Family will receive friends Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 12:00 until 1:00 PM  with funeral services to follow at 1:00 PM  at Unity Mortuary Chapel  with Elder Aaron Allen and Elder Chester Green officiating. Interment to follow at New Gray Cemetery. Services will conclude with full dove release. The family will be receiving friends Wednesday evening, May 7, 2014 at the home of Mrs. Barbara J. (Aaron) Allen, 3308 O’Neal St. Knoxville, TN 37921.

Duncan, Karen (Karo) – was called home on Thursday, April 29, 2014 at her residence. She was a member of Honey Rock Church. Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ella Mae Duncan and son, Courtney Duncan. Survived by: brothers, Marvin and Kim and Clarence Duncan; sisters, Anita Means, Marilyn and Tammy Duncan; devoted nieces, LaTonya Penn and (Joe Jones), Hope Means and Brandi Duncan. Family will receive on Sunday, May 4, 2014 from 5:00-6:00 PM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral service to follow with Rev. Jerry Upton officiating. Interment will be held on Monday, May 5, 2014 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens at 11:30 AM. Services will conclude with full dove release.

Matthews, Hattie departed this life on April 26, 2014. She was preceded in death by her mother, Johnetta Matthews; father, Jesse Ward; son, Martes Matthews. She is survived by her sons, Donny and Anthony (Tonya) Matthews; sisters and brother-in-law, Sonia (Garfield) Wilson, Sherry and Shannon Matthews; aunt, Mary Rose, and a host of other family members, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 from 6:00-6:30 PM with services to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Elder Farris Long officiating.

Jackson, Deanna M. – departed this life on April 17, 2014 at Fort Sanders Regional. Deanna was a graduate of Austin East High School, Class of 2001. She was employed at Kroger in the Deli Department. She is preceded in death by grandparents, James and Ruth Wilkerson; mother, Lou Ann Wilkerson; aunt, Terry Wilkerson and daughter, Breanna Jackson.  She is survived by husband, Harris Jackson; children, Darius and Tamesha Jackson; father, Joseph Troutman; sister, Temeka Wilkerson; uncle, Wayne Wilkerson; cousins, Trevon, Brandon and Braylin Wilkerson; many relatives to include the Jackson, Wilkerson, Carter, Troutman and Hill families. Family will receive friends on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 5:00 – 6:00 P.M. at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral service to follow at 6:00 P.M. with Rev. Dennis Troutman officiating.

Latimer, Daisy N. – was born on February 14, 1940 in Dandridge, TN. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She departed this life on April15, 2014 at Tennova Hospital (Turkey Creek). She retired from Oak Ridge Nuclear Laboratory after over 26 years of dedicated service. She was a long standing member of the Oldies but Goodies Social club. Daisy was preceded in death by husband, Robert L. (Ugh) Latimer Sr., son, Nikki (Sam) Latimer, grandson Keith (Boo) Crews, her parents, Abe and Pearl Nichols, and two brothers and two sisters. She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters: Deborah (James) Wright, Marquita Crews and Kathy D. Latimer, two sons, Robert L. Latimer, Jr. and Brian K. Latimer. Grandchildren, Rashawn and Chancey Johnson, Bretrand Walton, Nikki Crews, Nicholas Mitchell, Marcellous Latimer and  9 great grandchildren. Two sisters, Francis Banner and Nannie Moore, brother,Charles (Ed) Nichols. A host of nieces and nephews and close friends. The family wishes to express gratitude to the doctors and nurses at Tennova Hospital (2nd floor and ICU unit). Family will receive friends, Monday, April 21, 2014 from 11:00 until 11:30 AM at Unity Mortuary Chapel with funeral services to follow with Elder Farris Long officiating. Interment to follow with full dove release at Knoxville National Cemetery on Tyson Street.

Houston Upton, Paula Ann – 43, departed this life on April 13, 2014, at UT Medical Center. Preceded in death by mother, Barbara Upton; grandmother, Leonia Tate; grandfathers, Alex Houston, Sr. and JC Tate; uncles, David, John, and Alex, Jr. Houston; cousins, Michael and Sam Houston; companion, Arthur Geter. Left to cherish her memories are: grandmother, Paula Houston; father, Carter (Josephine) Tate, Sr., stepfather, Kenneth Upton; devoted children, Ardarrius and Artiana Geter; devoted sister, Yolanda Upton; sister and brother, Antionette Gardner and James Tate, both of Atlanta, GA; devoted nieces and nephews, Yasmine and Leroy Jones III, Dereke Upton, Rashad Jones; a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.  Family will receive friends Friday, April 18, 2014, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Unity Mortuary Chapel, with funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. David and Jerry Upton officiating. Interment to follow with full dove release at Woodlawn Cemetery.

 Frenche Semarde Littlejohn, affectionately called “Cuda”, age 47, of 128 North Bertrand Street, Apt. 228, Knoxville, Tennessee, answered the Master’s call on Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Fort Sanders Medical Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.

 Son of Mr. Robert Littlejohn and Ms. Daisy Dover, he was born on December 3, 1966, in Cherokee County, South Carolina.  He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church.  Mr. Littlejohn was a graduate of Gaffney High School, Class of 1985 and attended Pellissippi State Community College of Knoxville.  He was employed at the Salvation Army, Knoxville. In addition to his parents, he is survived by four children, Frenche Littlejohn, Jr. of Gaffney, South Carolina, and Erland Littlejohn, Devonte Littlejohn and Devin Littlejohn, all of Manhattan, New  York; five sisters, Ms. Charlene Sarratt of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ms. Robin Littlejohn of Gaffney, Mrs. Theresa Mathis (William) of Knoxville, Tennessee, Ms. Bonita Littlejohn of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Ms. Deidra Camp (Maurice Petty) of Gaffney; two brothers, Aundra Logan of Ridgeville, South Carolina, and James McCluney (Alice) of Greenville, South Carolina; seven aunts, Ms. Lizzie Littlejohn and Ms. Annie Lou Littlejohn, both of Gaffney, Mrs. Nettie Mearite (Jerry) of Thomasville, North Carolina, Mrs. Annie Sue Littlejohn  (Billy) of Gaffney, Mrs. Gail Avant (Gary) of  Washington, D.C., Mrs. Rosa Webber (Kevin) of Gaffney and Ms. Frances Littlejohn of Laurel, Maryland; his uncle, Hydric Littlejohn of Gaffney; two great aunts, Ms. Vera Dawkins and Mrs. Beudell Ponder (Reverend J. D.), both of Shelby, North Carolina; and a host of other relatives. 

          Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 17^th, at 4:00 P.M. at Bethesda Presbyterian Church with Dr. William Duncan, Dr. James W. Sanders, Jr., Bishop Lance Jeter and others officiating. Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery. He will lie instate at 3:00 P.M. until the hour of the service. The family is receiving friends at the home of his father, Mr. Robert Littlejohn, at 202 Jolly Drive, Gaffney and at the home of his mother, Ms. Daisy Dover, at 621 Gardner Street, Gaffney, South Carolina. Foster Funeral Home of Gaffney in charge of arrangements. There will be a candle light visual at the home of William and Stephana Mathis, 1832 MLK Jr. Blvd. Knoxville, TN. on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Local arrangements made with Integrity by Unity Mortuary.

Johnson, Minnie Louise – departed this life on April 9, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maude and John Jarnagin; 5 sisters and brothers. She leaves behind a daughter, Glenna Huff; several grandchildren; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; nieces; nephews and other relatives and friends. There will be a Memorial Service on April 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 110 Young High Pike, Knoxville, TN.

Rev. William Hamilton, Sr. – age 92 of Knoxville, TN. passed away on April 9, 2014. He leave preceded in death mother, Laura Hamilton; wives, Lois Foster Hamilton and Edith Hamilton; daughter, Patricia Ann Baird. Left to cherish his memories: daughter, Ms. Juanita Clinkscales; son, William (Laurinda) Hamilton, Jr.; grandchildren, William (Lucia) Clinkscales, Sherri Long, Sidney Clinkscales, Shawn Baird, Christalyn (Kevin) Cunningham, Cicily Baird and William Hamilton, III; 15 great-grandchildren. A special thanks to Island Homes Health Care Staff. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 14, 2014  from 5:30 until 6:30 pm with funeral services to follow at Community Evangelistic Church, 2650 Boyd’s Bridge Pike with Elder Reginald Strong officiating. Interment will be Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Sherwood Memorial Gardens at 11:00 am. Services to conclude with full dove release