Donald Gene Ragan of Knoxville passed away peacefully March 30, 2017 at the age of 82. He was born in Belfair, Washington on October 27, 1934 to Clifford and Mildred Ragan. His family moved frequently with Don attending over 30 different grade schools. By the age of 14, Don was independent and working at a local appliance store. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Navy and served in Korea aboard the USS Boxer and in Honolulu, Hawaii as a radio intelligence specialist. After his honorable discharge, Don’s entrepreneurial spirit led him into business ventures in the US and China. Although Don’s favorite pastimes were sleeping, fishing, and crabbing, he was often out looking for prime real estate, timber, or any other potential business opportunity. After earning a bachelor’s degree, Don became a professor in China where he taught English for more than ten years at three universities. Don married his current wife Mary (Changxia Dai) in 2001. The couple returned to the United States from China in 2003, living and working in Oregon and New York before settling in Knoxville. In recent years, Don, Mary, and their son Jack have been successful renovating and renting houses. Don is survived by his wife Mary, 11 children, 28 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be private for the family of Mr. Ragan.

Dwayne Lee Goines, age 28, of Knoxville, departed this life on Saturday, March 25, 2017. He was born in Chicago, IL to Dorothy Goines and Earl Betts. He was also the youngest of five. Those that knew him BEST called him “Wayne”. He knew and accepted Christ at an early age. At age 14, he moved to Knoxville, TN, where he attended West High School. From there he met his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Galyon. During this union, God blessed them with a beautiful baby girl, Remy Marie Goines. Through the years, he spent several hours recording, producing and inspiring for his music to be heard! Wayne has ALWAYS had a passion for music. He was loving, caring, playful, outgoing, and just all together “Everybody’s Baby”. Wayne is preceded in death by his grandparents, James & Bernice Goines; and mother, Dorothy Goines. He leaves to continue to cherish his memories his grandmother, Archie Shelton; his father, Earl Betts; three sisters, Shawnda (Ralpheal) Goines-Lee, Bernice Goines and Danijah White; two brothers, Jesse (Miracle) Goines and Jerome Goines; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon at Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman Street, with the funeral service to follow at 12:00 noon, with Rev. Dr. Joseph Smith officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Hazel Marie Richardson, age 78, departed this life on March 21, 2017. She was born in Natchez, MS on April 29, 1938. Hazel grew up in Oak Ridge, TN and traveled the world, living in California, Connecticut and Louisiana. She finally came back home to Tennessee eight years ago. She was a retired teacher’s assistant and loved working with kids. She was a faithful member of Trinity Seventh-Day Adventist Church, serving under Pastor Nathan Williams. She was the head deaconess, chairperson for Living Stones Senior Ministries and a member of the Hospitality Team. She is preceded in death by her parents Amos Robinson, Sr., and Lillian Robinson; and her sisters Ethel Robinson and Barbara Payne. She leaves to mourn her passing: brother, Amos Robinson, Jr.; niece, Sharon Wheat; nephew, Warren Robinson; great-nieces, Kizzie Jones and Ebony Jones; great-nephews, Lonnie Jones, Sr. and Warren Jordan; great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, LiDaisha, Lonnie Jr, LiMonnie LiMaya, LaiLonnii and LaiShonii Jones; longtime friends Ruby Mason, David Miller, Mary Harris and Frank Gillespie; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Trinity Seventh-Day Adventist Church, with the funeral service to follow at 2:30 PM, with Pastor Nation Williams officiating. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Clarence Michael DeArmond, age 64, of Knoxville, went on to be with the Lord on March 20, 2017.  He is preceded in death by his father Clarence DeArmond, mother Frances L. DeArmond and nephew Bryan DeArmond.  He is survived by daughter Precious (Leopoldo Jr.) Richmond; three grandchildren: Jalisa Gillis, Maquay & Marquan Richmond; one great-grandchild, JaEden Hopson; brothers: Gregory & Jeffery DeArmond; sisters: Bevery Bonam and Sandra Gaston; nieces: Jamila Inman, Brina Tate, Anisha DeArmond and Ashley DeArmond; nephews, Jeffery DeArmond, Jr. and Orlando Harper; and several cousins. The remains of Mr. DeArmond will lie-in-state in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary on Thursday, March 23, 2017 after 2:00 pm.  Per the request of the family, the Homegoing Celebration will be private.  The family will gather at 6020 Morning Glory Place, Knoxville, following the service.

Travis A. Frazier was born on February 21, 1982 to Rosetta Harkness. He attended Overcoming Believers Church under the leadership of Pastor Arnold. He was presently employed by JFG. Mr. Frazier departed this life on Monday, March 6, 2017 at home. He is preceded in death by his father Robert Davison and grandparents Francis Frazer and Charles Stone. He leaves to cherish his memory his children: Trashauna  Ewing and Travis Frazier, Jr.; mother, Rosetta Harkness; stepfather, Roland Harkness; siblings: Torrey Frazier, Tara Frazier, Tunya Williams, Phillip, Kevin, Carmen and Curtis Harkness, Shayla Brown, Tashayna Davison, Ashley Eskridge and Jordon Hardy; nieces and nephews: Shantarah Upton, Sharise Bryant, Lyonesha and Monik Holland, Jayden Bryant, Torrey Patterson, Janaysia Roberts; great-aunts, Mary Hickey and Rosa Osborne; and a host of relatives and friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm with the Homegoing Celebration to follow at Overcoming Believers Church, 211 Harriet Tubman Street, Knoxville, where Pastor Daryl Arnold is Senior Pastor. Immediately following the service, the family will proceed to the final resting place at Mt. Olive Cemetery, where a white dove release will conclude.