(Knoxville, TN) Infant baby, Taniya Mattress passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on November 25, 2018 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital. She was preceded in death by a brother, Tawaud Mattress, Jr.; great-grandfather, Robert Mattress, Jr.; great-grandaunt, Shelia Hooker. She is survived by father, Tawaud Mattress, Sr.; mother, Gekiya Hackler; grandparents, George (Brenda) Hackler,…
(Knoxville, TN) Cecilia P. Carter, age 65, of Knoxville, departed this life on November 24, 2018 at UT Medical Center. She is preceded in death by parents James Sr. and Martha Lee Mack; step-mother, Elsie Mack; brothers: James R., John I., Alton, Steve Mack; and her son Cecil Lee Thompson. She leaves to cherish her memories sons: Albert…
(Knoxville, TN) Thelma F. McMillan, 69, of Knoxville, departed this life Friday, November 23, 2018 at her residence. Arrangements will be announced later with integrity by UNITY MORTUARY.
(Knoxville, TN) Charles J. S. Brabson, Sr. departed this life on November 24, 2018 at NHC St. Mary’s. He was born August 28, 1933 to Thomas and Elizabeth Petty Brabson. Charles worked at TVA for many years and retired in 1990. He was preceded in death by his children, Sherrian “Cherry” Davidson, Renee and Charles “Chuck”…
(KINGSPORT, TN) An ongoing effort has been launched to document and record, in perpetuity, the accounting of Blacks and African Americans as far back as you have documents, photographs and oral accountings from or passed down from elders. The Kingsport Friends of the Archives in partnership with East Tennessee PBS wants to document and share your families…
Acts of Kindness Creates Hearts from Hurt Dec. 10th marks the 3rd annual celebration of the life of Alan Johnson who was only 19-years old when he became a victim of a senseless act of gun violence. The Johnson family and friends celebrate have celebrated his life with a public request for “Act of Kindness.” In…
Maryville, TN – Edward Flemmings, age 74, departed this life on Sunday, November 11, 2018, at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center after a short battle with pneumonia and dementia. He was a Viet Nam veteran and retiree of Alcoa Aluminum Industrial Plant. Preceded in death by wife, Bonnie Flemmings; parents, Carl and Lucille Flemmings; sisters, Elnora Muckle…
Eulogy of DENNIS EUGENE FOSTER aka Ronnie Love; was born November 13, 1950, to Heloise Hampton and Oscar Foster, Jr. in Bessemer AL., and transitioned peacefully on March 22, 2018, at his home in Stone Mountain, GA. The family moved to Cincinnati, OH when he was 2-years old, where he later attended Washburn Elementary School. He…
Throughout its “90 Days for 90 Years” anniversary celebration, the Tennessee Theatre is encouraging donations to ensure the continued preservation of the Official State Theatre of Tennessee and to also offer free community events. During the “$90 for Our Next 90 Years” fundraising campaign, tax-deductible donations of any amount are welcome. Donations may be made…
By Patricia Williams Move over Mother Nature, a new hue has been added to the fall color palette. Pink is being prominently displayed amongst the fall colors that blanket East Tennessee. During the month of October pink is being worn around town, on the field, and by fans at sporting events. “Pink-tober” is breast cancer…
The 2018 A-E 50th Anniversary and Homecoming parade were Friday, Sept. 28th.
Updated 9/28) (KNOXVILLE, TN) The 2018 Austin-East High School Homecoming this Friday, Sept. 28, is also school’s 50th Anniversary. Austin-East is the product of two racially segregated schools. Austin High School was where black students attended and East High was for whites. The two schools were combined in 1968 to form the integrated Austin-East High School that is in…
Spring Hill (K-5) STEM educator Amanda Mims-Callahan recognized as Teacher of the Month by Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Technology, ORISE.
By Patricia Williams On a recent Sunday night, the sounding of ram’s horns reverberated through the Holston Hills and Rivershore Estates area. It hailed from the Shomair Yisrael Synagogue. The new neighbors at 3811 Boyd’s Bridge Pike in East Knoxville that was formerly the home of Bethel AME Zion Church. The Messianic Jewish Congregation was…
By Patricia Williams This impressive tour bus arrived at Clinton Chapel Church in Mechanicsville on Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 2018. The bus carried team members of Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute. The BVM Tennessee Tour had day-sessions scheduled in Memphis, Nashville Jackson, and Chattanooga and added an unscheduled stop in Knoxville. Members of Knoxville City Council…
The 32nd Annual Lonsdale Homecoming was carried out without a hitch despite being relocated from the grounds of Sam E. Hill School at the intersection of Sherman and Minnesota Avenues to Lonsdale Park a few blocks away. The move was necessary after the parcel of land previously used for the homecoming was deeded from Knox…
The Reunion of the Ages was recently in Pigeon Forge for students who attended Morristown College, West High School (‘59-‘66), Nelson Merry (Jefferson City), and Miller Boyd Schools for blacks that were closed years ago, but not forgotten by its students.
They’re baaack. The fresh-faced, optimistic, energetic young people have infiltrated the campus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Some are adults and returning students while others are away from home for the first time. Make an effort to welcome, embrace and show them some love Knoxville. They are going to need their hair and nails did, locs and haircuts maintained,…
(KNOXVILLE, TN) The Queen of Soul, the beloved Aretha Franklin, died at her home in Detroit on Aug. 16th after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. In Detroit, four days of events will honor Franklin this week, with three days of public visitations around the city and a tribute concert prior to the funeral service on Friday,…
By Patricia Williams One of Knoxville’s own, Capt. Ronald Green was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Knoxville Police Dept. by City Mayor Madeline Rogero, and newly appointed KPD Chief Eve Thomas. Deputy Chief Green is a Knoxville native and a 1988 graduate of Farragut High School. He is the second African-American in the city’s…
By Theotis Robinson The August general and primary elections have now concluded with plenty of winners and losers to go around. The sad fact is that, as usual, turnout in our community was nowhere near its potential. As a result, we now have a County Mayor who seems to believe that all problems – funding schools in our community…
Women are winning in political contests nation-wide, and Blount County is no exception. Congratulations are in order for Jackie Hill, who won a historic victory in the August 2nd election. Hill is the first African-American woman to win a seat on the Blount County Commission. Jackie will take the District 1 Seat A position at…
Eldrea Ann Taylor completed a journey that began over 30 years ago. At 63-years old, she has earned her Bachelor’s in Organizational Management from Nyack College in New York in May. She attended class on the Washington, D.C. campus. She also obtained her Procurement and Public Contracting Certification from the University of the District of Columbia this year.
By Patricia Williams Knoxville and the State of Tennessee have new top cops. Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch has been appointed as the new Director of Tennessee Bureau of Investigations by Gov. Bill Haslam. Eve Thomas has been appointed as the new KPD Chief by City Mayor Madeline Rogero. The new Knox County…
By Chuck Williams (KNOXVILLE, TN) “The Mouth” is back on the airwaves for a second season. The show airs from 1-2p.m., summer Mondays on radio station WJBE 99.7fm/1040am. The show is conducted by five students that have participated in the Audio Production class of Charles Lewis at Austin-East High School. The returning cast mates and…