Archive for February, 2018

Leonard H. Smith

Saturday, February 24th, 2018

Leonard Harold Smith, age 79, resident of Shannondale Nursing Home, Knoxville, passed away at 2:45 am on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Parkwest Medical Center. He was honorably discharged from United States Army. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Will & Geneva Smith; mother & stepfather, Frances S. & Dave MGhee; aunt & uncle, Mary Jean & Otis Hall; and great-aunt & great-uncle Lela & Troy Prater. He is survived by his daughter, Cinthia Fredericks; granddaughter, Niaka Lewis; step-sister, Clara “Inez” Stephens; devoted nephew, Jasper Pride; devoted cousins: Pamela A. Hall of Nashville and Otis L. Hall of Englewood, NJ; devoted friends: Debra Dailey, Faye McMillan, Grasha and “Bull” Goodman; and a host of other relatives & friends. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 4, 2018 from 4-4:30PM at Unity Mortuary with the Memorial Service to follow. The final resting place will be at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, East Gov. John Sevier Hwy on Monday, March 5, 2018 at 2PM with military honors. A white dove release will conclude the services. Many thanks to staff at Shannondale Nursing Home.

 

Pamela A. Daulton

Friday, February 23rd, 2018

Pamela Ann Daulton (Payne) passed away suddenly on Friday, February 23, 2018 after a short illness. Pamela was born Tuesday, May 30, 1961 to Rosita and Ernest Daulton, in New Orleans, LA. She was the fourth of six children. Pamela was a graduate of Rule High School, Class of 1980. She was a stay-at-home mother to her four children: Crystal, Shawn, Natasha and Calvin, all of Knoxville. Pamela is preceded in death by her parents; older brothers, Ernest and David Daulton; youngest sister, Jennifer Asbury; and nephews, Joshua Myers and Danial Daulton. In addition to her children, she is survived by her nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; older brother, Danial Daulton of Knoxville; younger sister, Kimberly (Tommy) Asbury Thomas of Birmingham, AL. The family will receive friends from 12-1 PM on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow, with Chaplain Dan Hicks officiating. The final resting place will be Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Yolanda A. McKinzie

Monday, February 12th, 2018

Yolanda Antionette McKinzie, of Knoxville, went to her Heavenly Home on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. Yolanda was 62 years old. She is preceded in death by her mother, Minnie Carvin; brothers: Larry Colvin and Noman Carvin; sister, Elaine Carvin; uncle, Charlie Mitchell; aunt, Eline Mitchell; and cousin, Freddie Mitchell. She leaves to celebrate her life her loving and devoted husband, Paul McKinzie; sons: Travis, Larry and Norman McKinzie; step-daughter, Diane McKinzie; two grandchildren: Kyra and Quentin McKinzie, all of Knoxville; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted family and friends including Johnetta Maxwell, Larry Gene Coats, Patricia “Coop” Thompson, Glenda “Dimp” Britton, Wayne Coley, Ann Mitchell, and Connie, Phylliss & Michael.  Special thanks are extended to The Dialysis Clinic Incorporated and UT Medical Center. Mrs. McKinzie will lie-in-state on Friday, February 16, 2018 after 2 p.m. in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary. The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at New Friendship Baptist Church, 1933 Texas Avenue, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow, with Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook officiating and Pastor Dr. Joseph B. Smith, Jr., officiating. The final resting place will be at New Gray Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Florine B. Hawes

Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Florine Bozeman Hawes was born July 14, 1938 in Acworth, GA to Alfred & Lucinda Bozeman. She departed this life unto the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ on February 8, 2018 at Dominion Village Nursing Facility in Poquoson, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents. She retired from UT Medical Center after 31 years as a surgical nurse. As an active member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, she sang in various choirs, groups and attended bible study. Florine was a thoughtful and compassionate person who loved helping others. She graduated from Austin High School In 1958 and married Bennie Hawes in 1959. To this union two daughters were born, Tamara and Sheryl. She leaves to mourn her loving daughters, Sheryl (Eric) McCray of Hampton, Va., and Tamara (Darryl) Johnson of Douglasville, GA; one sister, Maebelle Nance of Knoxville; four grandchildren: Almontre Johnson, Arielle Johnson, Ashford Collins and Avondre Johnson; devoted friends: Ronnie Cantrell, Veretta Avery, Azalee Hall, Madeline Elder, Sherry Williams, Sylvia Brown, Odessa Wallace, Victoria McNeal and Carol Young; and a host of family and friends. Mrs. Hawes will lie-in-state on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 after 2 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends on February 21, 2018 from 11 AM-12 PM at Tabernacle Baptist Church with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 12 PM, with Pastor Christopher Battle as Pastor and Rev. Shawn Angel officiating. Entombment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. A white dove release will conclude the services.

Teresa D. Allen-Smith

Thursday, February 8th, 2018

Teresa Darnes Allen-Smith of Bealeton, VA, formally of Oak Ridge, TN, departed this life February 8, 2018 at the age of 56.  Affectionately known to some as “Tinker Bell”, Mrs. Allen-Smith was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Claude W. and Ella E. Allen; great-great grandmother, Jessie B. McDowell; father, Henry Ralston Eldridge, Sr.; brother, Eric M. Wright; aunt, Lillian E. Pettus; great uncle, Samuel R. McDowell; great aunt, Jessie B. Hill; cousin, Karen Hill; in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. John Augustus Smith, Sr.; and best friend, Kathy Ann Stephens. Mrs. Allen-Smith grew up as a member of Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Oak Ridge, TN and was most currently a member of Beulah Baptist Church, where the Rev. Verdice Stribling is Pastor, in Broad Run, VA for the last 27 years. As a native of Oak Ridge, Mrs. Allen-Smith attended the local school system, graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 1979.  At a young age, Teresa exhibited an affinity and natural gifts for the arts. She joined the Contemporary Dance Ensemble of Oak Ridge as a toddler, excelling in a vast variety of styles, including, but not limited to: ballet, tap and contemporary. Continuing formal study through high school, Mrs. Allen-Smith‘s graceful technique and ability flourished, performing in innumerable productions through the Academy with the added opportunity to perform alongside with her best friend Kathy. Concurrently, Teresa began her formal study of piano under the instruction of Mrs. Becky Ball, taking on classical, jazz and pop effortlessly as her ability to interpret music with the intent to provoke emotion was otherworldly. Also endowed to play piano by ear, she was able to incorporate these foundational styles as she modernized her own arrangements of black gospel songs.  She concluded her formal piano training instructed by Celeste Varagona. Mrs. Allen-Smith also undertook the study of other instruments, such as violin, clarinet and voice. She played the clarinet in the ORHS band and was a member of the All State Choir the entirety of her high school career. Teresa had always been active in her churches’ music ministry. She was the youngest musician to lead the Young Adult Choir at Spurgeon Chapel. This is where Mrs. Allen-Smith and a subset of choir members formed “The Voices of Faith”, an all-female gospel group, emphasizing the use of intricate harmonies, where Teresa led the group as their sole musician, creating original arrangements as they performed songs ranging from a cappella spirituals to contemporary gospel. Mrs. Allen-Smith carried on her love for praise music throughout her life, and was most recently the Music Director at Beulah Baptist Church at her time of death. Following high school, Mrs. Allen-Smith went on to attend Howard University in Washington, DC, where she majored in psychology. During her tenure at Howard, Teresa, an alto, travelled all across the globe performing with some of the University’s world-renowned choirs. One of Teresa’s most significant performances, however, took place at the White House, under the Carter administration, where Teresa and other members of the Howard University Concert Choir performed for His Holiness Pope John Paul II’s first visit to the United States in October of 1979, commemorating the first time a pope had ever visited the White House in history. Teresa’s unique vocal tone was both captivating and sincere, adding a welcomed layer to anything graced with her contribution. Mrs. Allen-Smith worked for the USPS for over 20 years, enjoyed vacationing on the beach, bowling, sewing, electronics, discovering new music, learning new things and cooking. Teresa was licensed real estate agent in the state of Virginia, and her favorite things to cook were Asparagus Casserole and Rainbow Cheesecake. Mrs. Allen-Smith is survived by her husband, John Augustus Smith, Jr.; daughter, Meghan Francis Smith; grandson, Elijah A. Smith, all of McLean, VA; grandmother,  Alice C. Pettus of Oak Ridge, TN;  sisters: Cornelia Wright of Oak Ridge, TN and Angela Eldridge of Knoxville, TN; brothers: Craig Greenlee of Williamsburg, KY, Henry R. (Andrea) Eldridge, Jr., of Harriman, TN,  Alexander Wright of Knoxville, TN,  Quincy Wright of Oak Ridge, TN,  C. Shawn Wright of Phoenix, AZ, Hubert Wright (Rosie) of  Longview, WA, and Walter Wright of Knoxville, TN; uncles: Willie Fred Pettus of Oak Ridge, TN, Raymond Johnson of Lexington, KY, Richard Johnson of Azusa, CA and H.C. McDowell of Oak Ridge, TN; cousins: the Pettus family of Oak Ridge, TN, the Johnson family of Lexington, KY, the Hill family of Los Angeles, CA and the Barksdale family of Harriman, TN; and special friends: Rose S. Weaver of Oak Ridge, TN and Percolia, “Cookie” Baylock  of Temple Hills, MD. A special thanks is extended to Mrs. Allen-Smith’s church family at Beulah Baptist Church in Broad Run, VA for their ongoing love and support of her throughout the years. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 22, 2018 from 11 AM to 12 PM at Spurgeon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 100 South Benedict Avenue, Oak Ridge, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow, with the Rev. Churchill W. Moore, Sr. officiating. The final resting place will be at Oak Ridge Memorial Park follow the service. A white dove release will conclude the service.

Harry L. McCray

Sunday, February 4th, 2018

Harry Lee McCray, 63, born of East St. Louis, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at his place of residence in Rockwood, TN. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ms. Cornelius Johnson; and father, Herbert McCray. Lee will be forever remembered with love by his devoted daughter, India (Wayne) Farmer; brother, Nathaniel McCray; granddaughter, Jasmine Brown; great-granddaughters, Aliyah and Amiyah Brown; devoted nephews, Shawn (Felicia) McCray and Ronnie McCray; best friend, Darleen Moulden; dedicated companion, Laura Jones; and a host of family and friends. Mr. McCray will lay in repose on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 8 AM to 12 PM in the Jefferson Davis, Jr. Memorial State Room of Unity Mortuary. Arrangements made with integrity by Unity Mortuary. Mr. McCray’s guestbook can be signed on-line at www.unitymortuary.com and www.legacy.com.

Walter R. Bradley

Sunday, February 4th, 2018

Walter  “The Rockefeller” Bradley was born April 7, 1933 in Knoxville, TN, to Walter Bradley Senior and Hattie JoAnn Lewis.  He departed this life unto the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ on February 4, 2018 at UT Medical Center. He leaves to mourn, his brother: John Sharp; loving daughter: Patricia Bradley; grandchildren: Michelle Bradley, Tanika Jackson, Michael Bradley, Aaron Barnett, Ambrosia Bradley and Briana Bradley; great-grandchildren: Tierra (Adrian) Thompson, Takia Duncan, TaShae’ Duncan, Janesia Bradley, Elijah Jackson and Dream Barnett; and seven great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and many close friends. Special thanks to the staff at UT Medical center and Ereka Perseley for all their love and support. The family will receive friends from 11 AM-12 PM on Monday, February 12, 2018 at Eternal Life Harvest Center West, 1801 Western Avenue, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow, with Elder Dane Johnson officiating. The final resting place will be at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 2200 E. John Sevier Highway, following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.

TJ Baskin-Williams

Friday, February 2nd, 2018

TJ Baskin-Williams, age 46, of Knoxville, departed this life on Friday, February 2, 2018 at North Knoxville Medical Center. She was the daughter of James Baskin and late Linda Joyce Baskin. TJ enjoyed “giving to others,” participating in family activities and loved cooking. She worked for the Knox County Schools for 25 years and then worked at Helping Hands Daycare. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandkids. She was survived by her husband of 15 years, Johny “Frank” Williams, Jr., and together they raised their children: Jarnesha and Johnny “Skeet” Williams of Knoxville. Her legacy continues with her six grandchildren; her devoted sister, Tracy Baskin; and her brother, Adam Baskin. She was loved dearly by the Williams Family and will be missed. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, February, 6th, 2018 from 4-6 PM at Unity Mortuary, 1425 McCalla Avenue. The repass will be follow at 1810 Stoney Point Road, Knoxville.