Mike Young

December 12, 1947 - April 4, 2020

The light dimmed over us when our beloved Michael L. Young transitioned to paradise on Saturday April 4, 2020.Michael was born December 12, 1947 to the Late Clyde Lamont Young and Delores Smith Brady in Johnson City, Tn. He grew up in Johnson City and at an early age attended Thankful Baptist Church. He later divided his worship between Thankful Baptist and Friendship Baptist churches in Johnson City, TN.

Michael was educated in the Johnson City school system attending Douglas Elementary School and Langston High School graduating in 1965 in the last class to attend Langston High School due to desegregation of the school systems. He served in the United States Air Force from 1965 to 1969. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from East Tennessee State University.

Michael was employed by Hensel Phelps in Denver, Colorado and most recently CSX Railroad, retiring in 2014 after 20 plus years of service. Michael was very knowledgeable in and loved history, a good joke and often jokingly described himself as “A Walking Book of Useless Information.”

Michael accepted the role as chairman of the LEAD committee for the continuing efforts to restore the old Langston High School building. He worked passionately and tirelessly to see culmination of this and previous groups’ efforts come to fruition in the grand opening celebration of the Langston Educational and Arts Development Centre in 2019.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Eddie Brady and stepmother Claudine Young, brother David Randolph (Randy) Young and Half-brother Dana Young. He leaves to mourn his wife Sarah Bell-Young, children and step children Alicia (Kenneth) Dalton Maryland, Jason R. Young (LaKisha) Michigan, step-children Nichole Bell, North Carolina, Talib Ennaemba and Tammie Ennaemba, Georgia.
Grand children and great grandchildren who he celebrated daily David Daniel Gibson V, Dia and Dayley Dalton, Idris and Layla Young, Carletan (Elizabeth), Cameron (Madison) and Caleb Bell, Wyndhem, Zakariah and Bahsia Ennaemba. Great Granddaughter Alyssa Roberts.

Half-brothers and half-sisters Terry Bradley (Mike), Curtis Young, Byron Young, Cornelius (Pete) Moton (Marquena), Richard (Bo) Moton (Che), Carol Oxendine (Raymond) and Elaine Hall (Michael). Aunt Laurice Y. Coxe, Bro/Cousin Wayne Yett and a host of beloved cousins whom he treasured. Devoted brother and sister in law Wayne and Lana Daggs and children.

Mike Berryman

July 29, 1952 - January 24, 2020

Michael Edward Berryman departed this life on January 24, 2020. Mike was born on July 29, 1952, to the late Vincent Whitney and Thelma Otelia Berryman-Smith in Leesburg, VA. He was the oldest of five children. Sometimes in life, you get extras blessings over and over and Mike was that person. Mike met the late Dr. Robert Banner and his wife Marian, they fell in love with him and offered him a better education and more of a connection with the Equestrian world and now he had a dual family in both Virginia and Tennessee. Mike was educated in the Loudoun County Public Schools (Banneker Elementary and Douglas High School) and in Tennessee, he went to Dobyns Bennett High School and East Tennessee State University.

Mike accepted Christ as a young man and became a faithful member of Friendship Baptist in Johnson City, Tennessee. He held several positions in the church through-out the years. He loved his church family. Mike’s world revolved around training horses for many years. When he retired, he became employed in the health care field as a caretaker for clients with developmental disabilities. He loved his job and his clients.

In addition to the love for his horses, he loved his children. He had three daughters Monica and Tamara. He was also a proud grandfather whose blessings continued to grow and his smile got bigger when Jahmar, William and Michael Aaron were born. Tamara outdid herself when she gave Aaron her father’s first name and he had no problem with letting you know he that Aaron was named after him. Then came Koryn his only granddaughter and soon after, her baby brother Camren. The smiles never stopped when Mike’s grandchildren were visiting. Lest not forget Mike’s nieces and nephews who thought the sun rose and set with Uncle Mike.

Mike wore many hats, he was a father, grandfather, brother, significant other, and friend. When his sisters Linda and Sharon lost their husbands, Mike was the glue that held them together with phone calls, prayers, and words of encouragement. He was always lending a helping hand. Mike met and fell in love with Myca Gray (fiancé) and planned to get married to her and move back to Virginia.
Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Berryman-Smith, father, Vincent Whitney and brother, Ronald Whitney Smith. Mike leaves to cherish his loving family: Two daughters, Monica (Chris) Cannon, Winston-Salem, NC., Tamara Stevens, Johnson City, TN and step-daughter, Jeri Lyn (Thomas) Harrington, Virginia Beach, VA. Seven Grandchildren: Jahmar Adams, Johnson City, TN, William Adams, Charlotte, NC., Aaron Adams, Johnson City, TN, Koryn and Cameron Cannon, Winston/Salem NC, Austin and Patrick Harrington, Virginia Beach, VA. Five Sisters; Sharon Peterson, Middleburg, VA, Lois Smith, Annandale, VA, Linda Brooks, Upper Marlboro, MD, Bonnie Smith, Portland, ME., Nancy Inman, Purcellville, VA. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mike was a loving Father, Grandfather, Brother Uncle. Although known for his friendship and his big smile but most of all for his love of God.

Dr. Charles Hayes Charlton

December 22, 1940 - Jannuary 22, 2020

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Dr. Charles Hayes Charlton, 79 years old, entered into the presence of our Holy God on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at Johnson City Medical Center with his wife Janet by his side. Dr. Charlton was born December 22, 1940 in Radford, Va. To Lawrence Edward, Sr. and Ollie Ruth Charlton. He was the youngest of four sons. He was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Tyron M. Charlton, favorite Aunt Viola M. Charlton, Father-in-law Aldean S. Lewis and Mother-in-law Mildred V. Lewis.
On July 22, 1960, Dr. Charlton married the love of his life, Janet Lewis, who he lovingly referred to as “Honey”. To this union one son was born, Charles Melvin Charlton.
Dr. Charlton leaves to celebrate his life, his loving wife of 59 years, Mrs. Janet Lewis Charlton; son Charles Melvin Charlton of Johnson City, TN, grandchildren, Charles Edward Charlton, Jarred Hayes Charlton, great grandchildren, Tybree Hayes Charlton, Taiylor Crabtree, Brothers Lawrence Edward Charlton, Jr. of Palm Beach, Fl., Byron W. Charlton (Carolyn) of Reston, Va. Sister-in-laws Ellen Brown of Fredericksburg, Va., Rita Lewis of Radford, Va., a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, his Friendship Baptist Church family and many loving friends.
Dr. Charlton attended Christiansburg Institute in Cambria, VA. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Philosophy and a M.Ed. in Literacy Studies. He also has a Th.D. from Emmaus Bible Institute and Seminary, a Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling from Cornerstone University and a Doctor of Divinity from the Tennessee School of Religion in Memphis, TN.
Dr. Charlton was the first African-American Board of Education member in Radford, VA and the first African-American Mayor in Southwest, VA., serving as Mayor of Radford, VA. He is the former pastor of Big Hill Baptist Church in Salem, VA, First Baptist Church in Elliston, VA and First Baptist Church in Blacksburg, VA. He has been a preacher for 59 years and a pastor for 58 years. He served as the Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN for 42 years. He retired as Pastor in November of 2018 and was named Pastor Emeritus. In addition, he served a 5-year term on the Johnson City Board of Education; six years on the Johnson City Regional Planning Commission with one year as chairman and two years as Vice-Mayor of Johnson City as part of a four-year term on its City Commission. He was also a member of the inaugural admissions committee for the ETSU Pharmacy School.

Dr. Charlton has served his denomination as moderator of two associations: The Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Association in VA and the Bethel District Baptist Missionary and Educational Association in TN. In addition, he served as the Director of the Pastor’s Conference of the Baptist Missionary & Educational Association for the State of Tennessee. He has served as lecturer on Black Psychology and Marriage and Family Dynamics with the Southern Baptist Convention in Ridgecrest, NC and Glorietta, NM.

Dr. Charlton also was an Associate Professor at Northeast State Technical Community College, Blountville, TN, where he taught Reading, Learning Strategies, Comparative Religions, Humanities, Black Studies and Speed Reading. Dr. Charlton taught at Northeast State Technical Community College for 23 years and was involved in education for 25 years. In the 2006-2007 academic year, he conducted a seminar entitled, “Reaching, Teaching and Retaining Our Students” for the state and national conferences for Developmental Studies instructors.

The Virginia Historical Society also recognized Dr. Charlton as a Virginian who contributed significantly to the history of his state. Consequently, his photograph and biographical information are exhibited in the Virginia Historical Society Museum in Richmond, VA to emphasize his service to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Dr. Charlton is the author of The Agony and the Ecstasy of the Ministry; The Key to My Heart; God Give Us Some Real Men; Love is the Key (an African-American History Presentation); Making the Fundamentals Fun (A study skills handbook); From "Rev" With Love; As The Twig Is Bent; and Thoughts For Quiet Moments.

Dr. Charlton said “That the most important moment in his life was when he became a Christian. The second was marrying his beautiful wife, Janet, who has walked with him in both challenge and triumph. He believes service to God is the greatest privilege that he has been afforded in his life and being a minister of the Gospel is the most important thing that he has been blessed to do throughout his life.” Dr. Charlton also said, “He is grateful to God for opportunities to serve; however, his greatest joy is knowing God and serving Him as best he can, while looking with great anticipation to going to Heaven when he leaves this world.”
 

Ann K. McConnell (Workman) Simmons

April 11, 1954 - September 26, 2019

Ann (Bugzy) was born April 11, 1954 and transformed to glory September 26, 2019.
She is preceded in transition by her daughter Katherine N. Workman.

Left to cherish her gentle spirit are her parents, Charles and Ann McConnell; children, Stacie Workman, David Workman; sisters Tracey(Pedro) Bacon; Sevella(Stephen) Mostella; Charlette(Bennie) Tate; Gloria Barner; brothers, Eddie McConnell, Garry(Jodie) McConnell; Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

We were blessed by her voice as she united all of us in praise in the Mass Choir at Friendship Baptist Church. In addition to singing she amazed us with her acting talent and performed at the Community Theatre.

Intellectually gifted, Ann skipped the eleventh grade, graduated from University High School, and practiced nursing.

Janice McAdams

April 4, 1946 - March 22, 2019

Ms. Janice C. McAdams was born April 4th, 1946 in Johnson City, TN. The daughter of Rudy and Katherine McAdams, she attended Langston High School where she went on to graduate and served in nursing in Greenville, TN. She was employed by The Johnson City Water Department for many years before moving to Michigan where she resided for over 40 years. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and watching her soap operas. She also enjoyed cooking, talking on the phone and eating Raisinets.

Janice was preceded in death by both parents Rudy and Katherine McAdams, two sisters Patsy Bradley Tucker and Teresa McAdams Allen, and grandson Carlos Caron Lewis.

Janice leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter Cheree McAdams of Johnson City, TN, her son Ralph (Rachel) Hall of West Bloomfield, MI, her daughter Katherine Hall of Flint, MI, her brother James (Screwball) Bradley, and her sister Bobbie Douglass both of Johnson City, TN.

She leaves her grandchildren: Courtney Lewis, Jr. of Flint, MI, Jacqueline Marie Hall of Chicago, IL, Chereeka Lewis of Johnson City, TN, Cabral Lewis of Flint, MI, Myles Hall of Sterling Heights, MI, Peyton and Cameron Hall, both of West Bloomfield, MI. She also leaves her great grandchildren who were the loves of her life as well: Courtney Lewis III of Flint, MI, La’Von Mitchell of Chicago, IL, London Noelle of Johnson City, TN, King Mitchell and Aston Blake, both of Chicago, IL, A host of other family and friends including special friends James Allen, LaGloria Shumpert, Pamela Goins Bolden, and Carrie Whittington.

Claudine Delaney

April 10, 1930 - February 17, 2019

Ms. Delaney was born on 10 April, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Rev James Mills and Addie Mills. She was the seventh child of nine siblings; Claudine was preceded in death by six sisters and 2 brothers one son Joe Nathan Delaney and one great grandson and one great granddaughter.
She retired from Johnson City Medical Center in 1993 as medical assistance transcriber. She raised 8 children 4 girls and 4 boys. Ms. Claudine moved to Kingsport Tennessee in 1952 she was a devoted grandmother and prayer warrior. In her spare time she enjoyed poetry and crossword puzzles.

Her Family paid this tribute to her, ‘Claudine was one of the kindest people you could ever meet, strong in character; steadfast and unshakeable. She opened her heart and her home to her grandchildren over the years and she will be sorely missed. Claudine leaves to cherish her memory to her children:
John Delaney (Big John), Fredrick Delaney(Freddie), Deborah Perry (Cherry), Jennifer Alexander, Reginald Delaney (Reggie) June Norwood and Taina Rosser (Lu Lu). A special so- in-law Derrick Rosser and daughter in-law Veda Delaney.

Grand Children:
Aaron Delaney, Tamiko McDaniel, Timothy Delaney, Cossell Perry, Nehemiah Perry, Xavier Delaney, Tataina Rosser, Natacha Trammel, Shawn Perry, Shawna Perry, Kim Delaney -Surratt, Tiffany Alexander, Tanji Delaney, Khadija Byron , Jamila Youngblood, Princess Delaney, Author Delaney, Jason Delaney, Joe Delaney, Ronell Delaney, Yakima Delaney, Tia Clark, Dee Davis and a host of Great of Grand kids.

“She opened her mouth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindnesses”

Dr. Angela Radford Lewis

July 30, 1962 - January 18, 2019

Dr. Angela ‘Angie’ Yvette Armstrong Radford Lewis passed away January 18, 2019 at her home in Johnson City, TN. Angela was born on July 30, 1962 to the late Walter and Dorothy Armstrong in Columbia, Tennessee where she spent her childhood years, attending Maury County Public Schools.

After attending Columbia Community College, Angela completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics with Consumer Services at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in 1984. Three years later she earned a second Bachelor of Science degree from MTSU in Vocational Economics Education. Less than a decade later, she returned to her beloved alma mater where she earned a Master’s degree in Vocational-Technical Education. In 2003, Angela graduated from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a PhD in Human Ecology. Angela also earned her Funeral Directors Certificate from John A. Gupton College in 2017 and had hopes of soon opening her own funeral business with her son Jonathan.

A lifelong educator, Angela taught middle and high school home economics in Bayou La Batre and Loachapoka, Alabama and in Columbus, Mississippi in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During that time she received the Governor of Alabama Golden Apple Teacher Award and a host of other recognitions for her work in the classroom. After several years in the classroom, Angela transitioned to the Tennessee State Department of Education where she served as an education consultant and state advisor in the late 1990s.

Her career in higher education began when she returned to MTSU as a faculty member in the Department of Human Sciences in 1998 and, in 2003 she received the University’s Outstanding Teacher Award. In 2004, she took her first administrative role at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) as chair of the former Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. In 2009, Angela moved to the Clemmer College of Education, where she served for five years as an Associate Dean and 17 months as the Interim Dean. In 2015, Angela moved to the office of academic affairs and served as the Associate Vice Provost for undergraduate education for curricula, programs, and service. After she completed a fellowship with the American Council on Education (ACE) at James Madison University in 2017, she was promoted to Vice Provost and Special Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives at ETSU.

Angela was an active career-long member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences where she received the 2015 Distinguished Service Award for her tireless accomplishments in the field. She also was a proud member of the Kappa Omicron Nu National Honor Society.

While Angela scaled the ranks of success in education, she became a devout follower of the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age and faithfully served the Christian Church until her death. Angela served as a choir member, health ministry member, missionary, Christian education teacher, pastor’s aid, education-support volunteer, and most proudly as an usher.

Over the span of more than 50 years, Angela was blessed to be a part of congregations at the former 14th & Phillip Street Original Church of God, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, Bethesda Original Church of God and Friendship Baptist Church. In addition to supporting her pastors and local churches, Angela served in several leadership capacities at the district level, most recently as Usher President for the Bethel District Baptist Association.

Angela also had a passion for public speaking and ministering inside and outside of the church as she delivered hundreds of speeches proclaiming a message of excellence, hope, and faith in God to people across the nation.
In every community she lived, Angela quickly built and nurtured relationships with those she met. Even more, she worked as a fierce advocate for education, seniors, and health awareness. Most recently she served as board member for United Way of Washington County, TN, Inc., Boys & Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County, Johnson City Public Schools Foundation, Inc., Johnson City Senior Services Advisory Council, and the African American Health Education Religion News, Incorporated (AHERN) Board of Directors.

Angela enjoyed seven wonderful years of marriage to the late Coach Ralph Stacey Radford before he passed in 1994. Five years later, she joyfully entered holy matrimony with Emanuel Lewis on September 25, 1999.

Angela leaves behind Emanuel and her loving son, Jonathan Stacey Radford of Jacksonville, FL along with three beloved sisters – Waltnelle (Warren) Boyd of Indianapolis, IN, Brenda (Ronald) Walker of Columbia, TN, Sherrill (Clifford) Woods of Nashville, TN and an adopted brother Elder Samuel (Amaryllis) McDonald of Mesquite, TX. Additionally, she leaves behind an uncle, Floyd (Mildred) Smith, and an aunt, Carolyn Smith. Angela’s beautiful smile, memories, and legacy will be cherished by a host of adopted sons and daughters, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, colleagues, former students, church, and community members for years to come

Mary Alexander

March 23, 1946 - January 16, 2019

Mary Adeline Henderson Alexander was born March 23, 1946, in Johnson City, TN to the late Mary Louise Jackson and Orville “Slim” Horton. Mary was preceded in death by her brother Edward Lewis Williams, Jr. and her sister Mable Inez Williams Glaspie.

She leaves to mourn her death two sons: Alan Jerome Alexander and William Ernest Alexander, Jr., her brother James Nathan Henderson (Georgette), a step-daughter Connie Stephens, five grandchildren: Ebony Alexander, Alan B. Alexander (Leslie), Jordan Chillee Carson, Ayanna Alexander, Quinton Alexander, seven great-grandchildren, her beloved nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and special long-time friends Starlett Jean Rhea Benson Williams, Maxine Dabner Johnson and Angela Wood Fritz.

Mary was a true “Renaissance Woman.” She was interested in and involved with the church and the community. She was a dedicated and active member of Bethel Christian Church (Jonesborough, TN), Friendship Baptist Church (Johnson City, TN) and a founding member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church (Johnson City, TN). Known as the “Mother of The Church” at New Jerusalem, she loved her pastor and first lady Rev. /Mrs. Lester Lattany! Mary also loved the members as she lent her considerable talents as a Sunday school teacher, a choir member, and usher board member and as a dedicated student of the Word.

Below are just a few of the many accomplishments earned by Mary Alexander.
Education
• She was educated in Johnson City’s segregated schools at Dunbar Elementary and graduated from her beloved Langston High School in 1963.
• She received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree in History with an emphasis on African American Studies from East Tennessee State University.
• Her dissertation was on “The Black Churches and Their Impact On The Black Community in the Segregated Johnson City of the 1950’s”
Career
• Johnson City Housing Authority for Many Years
• Director of South Central In Kingsport
• Taught at ETSU, North East State, and Subbed for JC Schools
• Watauga Square Complex
Community Activism
• One of the founders of The Langston Heritage Group (formerly known as HAASP)
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast
• Several State Historical Markers
• Dr. Hezekiah Hankal Building – JC/Washington County Health Dept.
• ETSU Fountain – Honoring Integration
• Restoration Fundraising Efforts for the West Lawn Cemetery
Civic Involvement
• Washington County Commission – 4th District
• Johnson City Planning Commission
• Washington County Board of Mayor and Alderman
• Washington County Election Commission
• Voters Registration
• Washington County Historical Society
• Board of Rocky Mount Historical Site