“Black people today, for all our righteous anger and forceful dissent, still believe in the American Dream. And we must, in this year of doubt and confusion, remind a forgetting nation that this land is ours, too. This nation too often forgets that this land is sprinkled with our sweat, watered with our tears, and…
Powell, TN – William “David” Hunter, age 73, of Powell, TN, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2021. He was a retired detective from Knox County Sheriff’s Office, a former op-ed columnist for The Knoxville News Sentinel for 27 years, the author of 21 books, and of numerous magazine articles from Jack and Jill, Mad…
Mary Wilson was an R&B singer and a founding and the longest member of the Supremes was born March 6, 1944, to Sam, a butcher, and Johnnie Mae Wilson in Greenville, Mississippi. She died on February 8, 2021, at her home in Henderson, Nevada at the age of 76. You can share your condolences for Mary Wilson…
By Bill Chappell NPR (January 22, 2021) – Hank Aaron, seen as a hero for shattering Babe Ruth’s home run record and also for his longtime advocacy for civil rights, has died. “Hammerin’ Hank” was 86. The Atlanta Braves confirmed his death on Friday. “We are absolutely devastated by the passing of our beloved Hank. He…
Editor’s note: David Hunter passed away shortly after submitting his last editorial piece for publication in the Enlightener. He was a friend, colleague and ally. I sought him after the Knoxville News Sentinel’s reconstruction eliminated most local columnists. We became allies. I was honored to have him grace the Enlightener platform with his experience in…
KNOXVILLE, TN – Dorothy J. McKinney Moore was a true trailblazer in Knoxville law enforcement who retired with 25-years of service. At the age of 30, she became the second African-American female officer at the Knoxville Police Department. She served on patrol, teleserve and culminated her career as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division…
OAK RIDGE, TN – Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Dave Anderson Sr, past NAACP President, Oak Ridge Chapter was born December 2, 1947, in Jacksonville, Florida to the late John William and Francis Anderson. He devoted his entire life to serving his country and his community with unparalleled bravery and devotion to his fellow man. He…
Emmett Yette, a retired educator, coach, and mentor to many youths. After graduating from Tennessee State University, Mr. Yette’s coaching and teaching career spanned from Campbell High School in Rockwood, Tennessee, to the Blue Ridge Job Corps in Marion Virginia. He retired from the Knox County School system after working as a teacher/coach at Vine…
KNOXVILLE, TN (October 28, 2020) – Harold Agnew, Sr. was born to Henry and Allie Agnew in Anderson, S.C., on February 23, 1928. He retired several months ago due to the pandemic. He was cared for by his loving daughter. It was during this time that he began longing to be with his family and…
Professor Robert E. Boyd was a passionate educator. He retired in 2018 from Pellissippi State Community College where he taught for 50 years. Before returning to Knoxville in1995, he was a middle school and high school English teacher in Long Island, NY for over 23 years. Prof. Boyd was born in Sevierville, TN, and was…
KNOXVILLE, TN (Oct. 2, 2020) – Elandria “E” Williams, age 41, died on Sept. 23, 2020. The Highlander Research and Education Center staff and associates are crying out with immense shock and sorrow at the death of a cherished member of the Highlander family who served on Highlander’s Education Team from 2007-2018. You can view the full obituary…
Vera Ferguson-Williams died on Friday, Sept. 11, in Little Rock, AK. She was married to Alfred Williams, a member of the Clinton 12, for 25-years before his passing last year on March 14, 2019. Mrs. Williams will be interred at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Clinton, TN near her husband. You can read…
In the last days of her life and knowing what would be to come after she died, Justice Ginsburg uttered these words, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.” – Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Actions to Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg RBG’s wish is…
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the longest-serving woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, a champion of women’s rights, and a balanced, strong liberal voice on issues dividing the nation, has died. She was 87. The following is the official announcement issued by The Supreme Court of the United States: WASHINGTON, DC (Sept. 18, 2020) – Associate Justice…
The world is reeling from the loss of iconic actor Chadwick Boseman, who died Friday, August 28, after fighting a 4 year battle with colon cancer. Boseman died at home surrounded by his family. Worldwide (August 30, 2020) – A statement posted on his official Twitter account read: “It is with immeasurable grief…
Dr. D. L. Derrickson Sr., departed this life, August 19, 2020, in Knoxville, TN. For 50 years Dr. Derrickson pastored Rock Temple Church of God in Christ on Maria Ave. in Mechanicsville, which was later named First Church of COGIC. The church is now located on a street named in his honor, at 1954 Donald…
The Reverend Stone N. Carr was the first African-American Commissioner of Alcoa, TN. He entered eternal rest on August 14, 2020 at the age of 88. Rev. Carr was also a retired pastor in Alcoa and Knoxville, a civil engineer, business owner, political activist and community leader, who was recognized for his many contributions to…
One of the “Big Six” leaders of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, John Lewis continued to fight for people’s rights since joining Congress in 1987. NATIONWIDE (July 20, 2020) – Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) was often referred to as “one of the most courageous persons the Civil Rights Movement ever produced.” John…
Knoxville, TN – Vernon Dwight Hardin, a well-known vocalist and percussionist, departed this life, April 16, 2020, at U. T. Medical Hospital after a brief bout with a very aggressive cancer. Dwight Harding & Think Twice Band performed at many venues in and around the East Tennessee area. He was the son of gospel singer,…
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…
(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,…