Michael Edward Woods, “Mike”, age 53, of Knoxville, departed this earthly dwelling place on Thursday, June 27, 2019. He attended Mt. Juliet High School and was a 1989 graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was employed by USF Holland in Knoxville, where he had worked for 12 years. He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Allen Woods, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Woods; sons, Micah Woods and Joshua Woods; sisters, Cheryl (Michael) Pippen and Janet (Raymond) Mayberry; brothers: Clifford (Sherrill) Woods, Henry A. (Fransenia) Woods, Jr., and Gilbert Woods; ex-wife, Derise McLean Woods; and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. The family will receive friends on Friday, July 5, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, with the Celebration of Life service to follow at 6:00 PM with Evangelist Anton Ivy officiating. Mr. Woods will be available for public viewing at the time of the Receiving of Friends. In lieu of flowers and plants, donations to offset the cost of his children’s education would be most appreciated.

At age 103, Mrs. Olga Lash Barnes departed this life Tuesday June 25, 2019. The daughter of Rev. Wiley H. Lash and Mrs. Mary Lash, founders of two Lutheran churches and several businesses, she grew up in Salisbury, N.C. where she attended public schools, graduating with honors from Livingston College with a B.A. degree in English and Education. After graduation, at age 19, she accepted a two-year teaching position at Morristown College, in Tennessee, before moving to New York City where she earned her M.S. degree in Library Science from Columbia University. She subsequently taught in Trenton, New Jersey, married and moved to Washington, D.C., where she held itinerant librarian positions in two area public middle schools, one in Georgetown and the other in Washington, D.C. In addition, Mrs. Barnes served as a Reference Librarian at the Library of Congress. As a member of several civic and community organizations throughout her career, Mrs. Barnes was a life-long supporter of civil rights and education. She was one of several pioneers in efforts to desegregate railroad transportation from New Jersey to the nation’s capital and in initiatives to bring library services to disadvantaged public school students in the District of Columbia. For more than seventy years, Mrs. Barnes was a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. S.E. Barnes, a member of “The Golden Thirteen,” first African-American commissioned officers in the history of the United States Navy (1946); her sister Nadine W. Gwaltney of Los Angeles, CA; brothers: M. Traugott Lash, Wiley I. Lash (first African-American elected Mayor of Salisbury, NC) and Dr. John Lash (Professor and Special-Assistant-to the President of Texas Southern University, Houston, TX; and columnist, the Houston Chronicle newspaper). She is survived by three children: Dr. Olga M. Welch (beloved son-in-law, George E. Welch), Alexa B. Donaphin and Michael D. Barnes; granddaughters: Dr. Taja M. Welch, Bethany C. Donaphin and Stephani A. Welch; and great-granddaughter, Amaya Donaphin. A Remembrance Ceremony will take place Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 11 a.m. to ll:30 a.m. in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, 1425 McCalla Ave., Knoxville, TN. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Knoxville, TN, in Mrs. Barnes’ name. At a later date, a family graveside service for Mrs. Barnes will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C., where she will be interred next to her husband.

Unity Mortuary is honorably serving the family of Timothy L. Jones, 60, of Knoxville, who departed this life on June 20, 2019. Arrangements are forthcoming and will be announced at a later time.

Angela Yvonne McKenzie Brodie, 54, of Knoxville, departed this life on Friday, June 14, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey Brodie; father, Wilford Billingsley; mother, Barbara Jean McKenzie; grandmother, Cassie McGee; grandfather, Alvin McKenzie; paternal grandparents: Erma Waters and William Billingsley; and uncle/father, James Kelso. She is survived by her daughters: Lauren Brodie and Leslie Brodie; sons: Jeffrey Brodie and Mike Stover; sisters: Allison (Venice) Foster, Lisa Billingsley and Kristy (Curtis) Billingsley Thomas; brother, Edward (Chell) Billingsley; aunt/mother, Mildred Kelso; grandchildren: Edward Brodie, Jaleia Thompson, Jeffon Brodie, Jazaria Brodie, D’Mariaye Brodie, E’Laila Roberts, Avah Ellington, E’lania Roberts, La’Mira Bradley, Akili Wilson, Journee Turner and Amiyah Stover; great-grandchildren: Julianna & Julia Thompson and Kinleigh Brodie; devoted friends: Raynard King, Latethia Goins, Tyrone Green, Greg Ellington, Danny Roberts and LaToya Brown; and a host of relatives and friends. Mrs. Brodie will lie-in-repose on Friday, June 21, 2019 from 9 AM to 6 PM in the Jefferson Davis, Jr. State Room of Unity Mortuary. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 4 PM to 5 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary, with the Celebration of Life Service to follow with Pastor Steve Simpson officiating.

Zacharia “Ocho” Nahimana was born on July 19, 1998 in Tanzania, Africa to Alex Barinzigo and Penina Hakizimana. They came to America in February 2008. Zacharia attended Stone Mountain Middle School and Austin East High School. He later went to work multiple jobs searching for his perfect fit. At the time of passing, he was employed at McDonald’s. Zacharia was a shining light that always set the mood to joy and happiness wherever he went. He had a smile that was uplifting, kind and loving. He was only on this earth for 20 years, but he leaves a lifetime of love, joy, laughter and memories that will never be forgotten. Zacharia Nahimana leaves to mourn his passing his parents: Alex Barinzigo and Penina Hakizimana; his sisters: Delephine Ndayisenga and Charilote Nibitanga; his brothers: Emmanuel Niyonkuru Alex, James Nbayishimiye, Jean Marie Niyonzima and Jimmy Hakizimana; special friend, Alex Ndwanishaka; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and close friends. “Ocho” will lie-in-repose on Friday, June 21, 2019 from 9 AM to 6 PM in the William V. Powell, Jr. Memorial Chapel of Unity Mortuary.  The Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 12 noon in the chapel. The final resting place will be at Mount Olive Cemetery following the service. A white dove release will conclude the services.