Clinton Burns, Jr. – entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at his residence. Clinton was born on July 8, 1956 to the late Clinton and Wilhelmenia Burns in Flint Michigan. He was a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church where he served on the hospitality committee and active member of the Bible. He was preceded in death by parents, grandparents, sister, Charmaine B. Lattimore; brother-in-law, Dwayne Lattimore. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Terry; children, Dereke Williams, Sr., Shante Brown, Alesia Burns, Clinton Burns, III; stepson, Terrence Brown ; stepmother, Shirley Burns; grandchildren, Nasir, Nairobe, Nubian, Nujani, Clinton IV, Tazarius, Quintin and Elijah, Dereke,  Jr., and Devin Williams, Jhadijah Brown and Jabari  Lewis; 3 brothers, Donny Young, Lavernon Burns, Gilbert Stockton; 4 sisters, Danetta Sanders, Revelta (Jew)  Tabace, Donna, Cynthia Burns and Teresa Stockton. The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 8, 2015 from 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church with funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m. with Rev.  Elizabeth Peterson officiating and Rev. George Waters, eulogist. Interment to immediately follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery. Services will conclude with full dove release and blanket presentation.

Clarissa D. Gaines – passed away June 26, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. She graduated from Alcoa High School class of 1973. She worked at U.T. Hospital and in Syracuse, New York. Denise was a member of Church of Christ in Syracuse. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Cooper and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Gaines;  father and stepmother, Ben and Mathilda Gaines; aunts, Priscilla and Viola Cooper; uncles, Aquila Cooper and William Powell, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memories; mother, Esther Gaines, daughters, Angela Capers, Jenka (Angelo) Coker; son, Fredrick Ray; sisters, Lisa Gaines, Annette Gaines, Malanie Gaines; brothers, Brian and Steven Gaines; devoted aunt, Dr. Lula C. Powell and Cousin, Alwyn Powell; a host of nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends; devoted friends, Peggy Webb and Sharon Ferguson. The family will receive friends Monday, July 6, 2015 from 11:00 -12:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow at Unity Mortuary Chapel with Dr. Rev. Lorin Harris officiating. Interment to follow at New Gray Cemetery. Services will conclude with dove release and blanket presentation.

Mr. John Darren Gill Jr. was born in Mobile, Alabama on August 18, 1960 to the late Mr. John Darren Gill Sr., and Mrs. Cecil Rene Gill. John was the seventh of their eight children. John passed away on June 22, 2015 in Atlanta, GA and was a member of Greene Forrest Baptist Church (Atlanta, GA). In his early life he accepted Christ at a young age and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist church (Knoxville, TN).  John graduated from Austin East High School (Knoxville, TN) in 1978 where he played football and baseball. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA., and he was a member of the Free Masonic “Mason” Fraternity (Great Light Lodge 330). He was a specialist of Network Control at AT&T.  John was an avid golfer, and a family man full of personality who never met a stranger. His warming smile, charismatic personality and his love for all near and far will be forever missed; especially in his Stone Mountain neighborhood where John was deemed the “Mayor”, which is a place where everyone truly knew his name. John was preceded in death by his father, John Darren Gill, Sr. He leaves to cherish his lifelong memories and to celebrate his life, devoted wife, Sandra Helaine Gill of 25 years; mother, Cecil Rene Gill; sisters, Doris Gill Davis of Tacuma Washington; Vera Gill-Harvey, Johnnie (Thomas) Morgan, Joyce(Willie) Howard, Karen (Chris) Thompson all of Knoxville, TN.; brothers, Cal (Sharon) Gill, Sr. of Knoxville, TN.; Mark Anthony Gill of Bristow, (VA); mother- in- law, Mrs. Essie Barton; brother-in-law, Mike(Pam) Hannon and sister-in-law, Renea Hannon all of Newport, TN. and a host of nieces, nephews,  god children, and adopted neighborhood kids . Mr. Gill’s body may be viewed Friday, June 26, 2015 after 3:00 pm at Unity Mortuary Chapel. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 11:00 to 12:00 pm at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church 1807 Dandridge Avenue, with funeral services to follow with Rev. Sanford Miller officiating and Rev. Dexter Mims eulogist. Interment to immediately follow at New Gray Cemetery. Services to conclude with full dove release and blanket presentation. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Mrs. Sandra Gill at 497 Chartley Dr. Stone Mountain, GA 30083. Family will assemble at 3727 Ivy Avenue.

Ned Wilson, Jr. – departed the earthly life for his heavenly home on Monday, June 15, 2015. He was born February 3, 1947 to the late Ellie Zigle and Ned Wilson, Sr. Ned is preceded in death by his wife, Teresa Wilson; sister, Diane Wilson; brother, Archie Wilson. He leaves to cherish his memories: daughter, Teresa Wilson; grandson, Torrez Wilson; sons, Ned Wilson lll, Steven (Diedrea) Allen, Sr. and Stacy Carmichel, daughter, Sonya  (Patrick) Carmichel Jones; 10 grandchildren;  1 great-grandchild;  close family friends Alice Bradburn and Rex Howard. The family will receive friends Friday, June 19, 2015 from 11:00 – 12:00 pm with funeral service to follow at Knoxville Christian Center 818 N. Cedar Bluff with Dr. Barry Culberson officiating. Interment to follow at 2:30 p.m. Sherwood Memorial Gardens 3176 Airport Hwy, Alcoa, TN. Services will conclude with military honors, doves release and blanket presentation.

Ronnie Lee “Red Dog” Coffer – age 66, of Ben Atchley Veterans Home, went to be with the Lord on June 14, 2015. Preceded in death by his parents, Isabella (Robert) Freeman and Albert Coker; grandparents Gordon and Rosa Coffer; sister, Cheryl (Vesta) Coffer; nephew, Donald Lauderdale; loving companion, Tonia “Tonie” Briggs. Left to cherish his memories: daughter, Tracie (Vernon) Blair;  stepdaughters,  Sara, LaQuesha Briggs, Ashley (Tyreese) Weaver; 7 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers, James Russell Coffer, Raymond, Jessie and Victor Coker; sisters, Willa Mae Thomas, Ora Lee (Bobby) Coffer, Rose (Charles) Winton, Rosella (Willie Charles) Winton, Angela (Eric) Myers and Alberta Freeman; sister-in-law, Glenda King (Albert Allison); caregiver and best friend, Annetta Jackson; a host of others nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Family visitation will be held Monday, June 22, 2015 at Unity Mortuary Chapel from 11:00 – 12:00 pm, with funeral services to follow at 12:00 pm. with Rev. Howard Hale, Sr., eulogist. Family will gather at the home of his sister, Ora Lee Coffer, 2574 Woodbine Avenue, 37914. Interment to follow at 1:30 p.m. East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, John Sevier Hwy. Services will conclude with military honors, doves release and blanket presentation.

Mary L. Mathis – age 53 of Knoxville, TN departed this life June 5, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family, her courageous battle is completed. She was preceded in death by her father, Buford Mathis; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. James B. (Martha) Blanton, Jr.; Joe Lee (Ida) Mathis; uncle, James B. Blanton III; companion, Jesse W. Turner. She leaves to cherish her memory: loving and devoted children, Calvin (Lawana) Mathis, Candice (Ulysses) Hampton; father of children, Calvin (Terri) Carson; granddaughter, Caleigh; mother, Emily A. Mathis; brothers, Christopher and James; sisters, Marilyn, Kimberly, Debra all of Knoxville; special cousins, Joseph and Timothy Davis; devoted friend, Stacy Owens; numerous relatives, friends and members of First A.M.E. Zion Church. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at The University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, Hospice Care and the Walter P. Taylor Homes Community. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 11, 2015 from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. at First A.M. E. Zion Church with the Homegoing Celebration to follow at 6:00 p.m. with Minister Calvin Carson and Rev. Michael McNair officiating.