Gus F. Termon

Gus F. Termon

(Knoxville, TN) Gus F. Termon, Jr, age 75, departed this life, November 21, 2018 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents Gus and Hazel Termon, and 6 siblings: Willie A., Shirley, Barbara, Vivian, and Nancy Earnest, and Carrie Arnold. Gus was one of ten children. He was born and raised in Knoxville and a…

Infant, Taniya Mattress

Infant, Taniya Mattress

(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,…

Cecilia P. Carter

Cecilia P. Carter

(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…

Charles J. S. Brabson, Sr.

Charles J. S. Brabson, Sr.

(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”…

WANTED: Accounts of African-Americans and Blacks in Appalachia
Blacks in Appalachia

WANTED: Accounts of African-Americans and Blacks in Appalachia

(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…

Edward Flemmings

Edward Flemmings

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…

Tennessee Theatre Celebrates 90-years over 90 Days
The Tennessee Theatre lobby.

Tennessee Theatre Celebrates 90-years over 90 Days

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…

October Sports a New Fall Color – Pink
Breast cancer survivors (L-R) Alice Allen, Deborah Chesney is represented by her neice Asia, Melissa Ewing, Bonnie Solomon, Ronnie Chandler, and (seated) Geraldine Legrande were recognize on-behalf of all breast cancer survivors and victims. (Keelah Thompson, not pictured, was also unable to attend.)

October Sports a New Fall Color – Pink

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…

Austin-East Celebrates 50 Years at Homecoming
The Fort Valley State University Blue Marching Band, an HBCU in Fort Valley, GA will perform in the Austin-East 2018 50th Anniversary Homecoming parade and at half-time.

Austin-East Celebrates 50 Years at Homecoming

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…

Jewish New Year Celebrated at Holston River Park
Members of Shomair Yisrael Synagogue in East Knoxville are (L-R) Roland McFadden, Rabbi H. Michael Weiner, Amy Strom, Maya Baker, and Kami Henschen.

Jewish New Year Celebrated at Holston River Park

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…

Local City Council Movement Builds Regional Team Support
Members of the Knoxville City Council Movement hosted the Black Voters Matter team for a brief stop in Knoxville.

Local City Council Movement Builds Regional Team Support

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…

UT Students Return Enmass to Knox Village
Dr. Kathrine Jones-Morgan, UT College of Law; and Dr. Shea Kidd-Houze, Dean of Students welcomed students during a reception at the Freizon Black Cultural Center on UT Knoxville campus. Photo: David "Pug" Fuller

UT Students Return Enmass to Knox Village

  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,…

Sign Aretha Franklin’s Knoxville Guest Book
Aretha Franklin on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors hosted by then Pres. Barack and Mrs. Obama in 2015. (Photo by MOLLY RILEY, AFP/Getty Images)

Sign Aretha Franklin’s Knoxville Guest Book

(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,…