The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page B4

THE TENNESSEAN OBITUARIES 4B -WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012 LOCAL NEWS FROM PAGE ONE Man who aided jailed gang leader gets 20 years JONES, Charles 75 Remember them with honor Share memories, read and sign a guest book, donate to a charity, or send flowers and gifts Visit Tennessean.com, and select "Obituaries" for a complete list of notices. To submit an obituary listing, please have the funeral home or cremation society in charge By Richel Albright The Tennessean A former Rollin' '90s Crips gang member who has spent the past three years behind bars will spend the next 20 years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to aid a Crips kingpin in escaping from prison. Christopher "Snooty" Conyers, 26, was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Nashville after pleading guilty to six counts involving prison escape, robbery and weapons charges. He acknowledged delivering letters and information from a jailed gang leader to other gang members.

The gang leader, Jamal "Donut" Shakir, who is serving a life sentence without parole, orchestrated multiple murders through phone calls and letters from Metro Jail to other gang members, including one who had a cellphone while incarcerated at Tennessee's Riverbend Maximum Security Prison in West Nashville. He also planned a failed escape, which involved stealing a helicopter, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy. "He was a critical link between the two men," Koshy said of Conyers' role.

Conyers is one of 28 people who have been arrested for involvement in drug deals and murders as members of a gang confederation under the influence of Shakir. He was passing along information in letters and calls from Shakir regarding addresses or names of potential victims. Paul J. Bruno, Conyers' attorney, said his client carried out some of Shakir's biddings because he feared for his own life and his family's safety. When he was sentenced in 2009, Shakir was found guilty of killing or playing a role in the deaths of nine people.

Conyers, who is a career offender, was arrested on Sept. 11, 2009, after a corrections officer at Metro Jail noticed that the return address on a letter Shakir sent to Conyers was differ ent from the jail address. Conyers admitted that he had been a conduit for Shakir. "I did some wrong and I deserve some time," Conyers said during his sentencing hearing. He also said he took the plea out of fear of an even worse penalty and didn't get involved with Shakir to cause harm to anyone.

In an earlier plea agreement, had Conyers cooperated with the government, he could have received 15 years in prison. But Koshy argued that because of Conyers' lack of truthful cooperation he should not get the lesser sentence. Conyers told Senior U.S. District Judge John T. Nixon that his criminal career, which began at the age of 12, stemmed from a poor upbringing, in which he lacked a father figure and endured molestation.

"My whole life I had to fight," he said. Richel Albright is with the Seigenthahler News Service-MTSU. She can be reached at RichelA16gmail.com. Titans cornerback Jason McCourty jumps off of the NFL Play 60 bus Tuesday for an event at Sycamore Middle School, photos by george walker ivthe tennessean Students, players work out of Goodlettsville, TN, passed away November 26, 2012. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Minnie Jones; sister, Louise Jenkins.

Survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Janie; sons, Tony (Jina) Jones, Michael (Michelle) Jones; granddaughters, Holly, Katie, Dani, Alyssa, Sarah; sister, Elfreida Young. Family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, at Cole and Garrett, Goodlettsville. Funeral service 10 a.m. Thursday, November 29, 2012 with visitation 1 hr.

prior to the Service. Bro. Bill Carver officiating. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. COLE GARRETT FUNERAL HOME, (615) 859-5231.

JONES, Robert 82 of Nashville. Survived by devoted wife, Charlene Jones; daughter, Charnita Jones; grandson, Nehemiah "Trey" Douglas III; brother, Gene (Florence) Jones; sister, Flo (Frank) Washington; mother-in-law, Johnnie M. Williams; sister-in-law, Ida Dotson; other relatives and friends. Viewing Friday, November 30th, 1-6 p.m. at Patton Brothers.

Visitation Saturday, December 1st, 11-12 Noon, funeral to follow at Edenwold M.B. Church. Interment, Dry Creek Cemetery. PATTON BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, (615) 256-3608. pattonbrothers.net LEE, Symona Nashville.

November 20, 2012. Survived by children, Marquel Brown, Tanesha Frezzell, and Robert Frezzell; grandmother, Lillian Hightower; sister, Vanessa Yount; grandchildren, Myla and Amari Brown; other relatives and friends. Ms. Lee will lie in state today, from 2-6 p.m. Visitation with family on Thursday, 112912 from 12-1 p.m.

at Robert E. Lee Memorial Chapel, 2500 Clarksville Pk. Funeral to follow with Rev. Herbert Brown officiating. Interment at Greenwood West.

LEWIS WRIGHT FUNERAL DIRECTORS, (615)255-2371. LINK, Matthew suddenly at home on November 21, 2012. Matt was born in St. Louis, MO on April 3, 1959. He was preceded in death by his father, John T.

Link and his mother, Teresa P. Link. He is survived by brothers, Donald, Joseph (Maria), John (Sarah), and step-children, Phillip Boswell and Tara Bos-well Hand. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, November 29th at 6:30 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by a Memorial mass at St.

Stephens Catholic Community, 14544 Lebanon Old Hickory, TN. MAYS, Betty Jean Age 76 of Whites Creek. November 27, 2012. Preceded in death by parents, Harb Maggie Rushing; brother, Jack Rushing. Survived by husband, Leroy Mays; daughters, Pam Eden Phyllis (Richard P.

Jr.) Alexander; grandchildren, Heath Eden, Regina (Tom) Phillips Cody Alexander; 2 greatgrandchildren great 1 great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Connie Dailey; special cousin, Martha Graves. Visitation 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday and Funeral Service 10 a.m. Thursday November 29, 2012 at New Life Apostolic Church, 4712 Clarksville Nashville, 37218 with Rev Jack Batson officiating.

Visitation prior to Burial 2 until 3 p.m. at Iron Hill Pentecostal Parson, TN. ANDERSON GARRETT, (615) 876-2968. andersonandgarrett.com MORTON, Mother Sylvia Nov 27, 2012. Survived by family and friends.

Complete notice later Smith Brothers FH, (615) 726-1476. BARNETT, Bobbie 84 of Nashville. November 24, 2012. Survived by devoted daughter, Constance Plantt; brothers, Sylvester and James Roland; sisters, Louise Douglas; grandsons, Rodney Barnett great-grandsons, Jerrod, Rodney Jr. and Timothy Barnett; great-granddaughters, Lecrecia Woodard of El Paso, TX and Loren Mitchell; brother-in-law, Cornell Barnett; devoted friend, Argie Franklin.

Much gratitude to the Bellcourt Terrace Staff for all the caring and support. Public view today at Henry Louis Smith from 1-6 pm. Family visitation Thursday, November 29, 2012 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m., with service to follow at Emmanuel MB Church, 934 43rd Ave.North. Pastor James E. King, officating.

Internment Friday, November 30, 2012, 11 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery. HENRY LOUIS SMITH FUNERAL DIRECTORS, (615) 244-5044. ELLISTON, MD Lewis Daniel Age 69 of Nashville. Nov.

25, 2012. Services today at 11:30 a.m. Dignity Hall. Arrangements by Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home 660 Thompson Lane ltVJ Nashville, 3 7204 (615) JttJ-4m Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawn-roesch-pattorifli.com GOOCH, Rosa Lee Age 78. November 24, 2012.

Survived by sons, Harold (Narvia) Priest, Dan, Jerome Dwayne Jones; 3 grandchildren; several other relatives. Visitation Wednesday, 12-6 p.m., with Memorial service to follow at TERRELL BROADY FUNERAL HOME, (615) 244-4755. GRIGGS, Emmett L. Visit from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, with Rosary service at 6 p.m., at St.

Henry Catholic Church. Complete arrangements to be announced. Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home 201 2 Mi Ave North Nashville, 17203 (615)117-1111 Condolences may be offered at www.mar.shalldonnellycnmbs.com HARLAN, Willie Mae "Big Mama" Age 89 of Nashville. November 25, 2012. Survived by children, Helen Easley, Charles Harlan, Nathaniel Harlan, Macy Bowling, Sharon Ivory Timothy (Vickey) Harlan; god daughter, Lena Blackman; a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing Wednesday, 12-6 p.m., at the funeral home. Visitation Thursday, 6-7 p.m., with funeral to follow at New Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 1701 Cedar Grove Rd. Pastor Venerria Smith, Eulogist. TERRELL BROADY FUNERAL HOME, (615) 244-4755. JONES, Bobby Ray-Age 77.

Nov. 24, 2012. View obit at www.phillipsrobinson.com. PHILLIPS-ROBINSON FUNERAL HOME, 262-3312. LEE, Geneva Sue Visit 2-6 p.m.

today, Nov. 28th. Service 1 p.m. Thursday. MADISON FUNERAL HOME, (615) 868-9020.

gag vn of arrangement email the to obits atertffjean or call Pages 4-5B BARNETT, Bobbie BELL, Shirley BROWN, Patricia CARTER Norwood CHEWNING, Billy DOGGETT, Ruth Able DUNCAN, Leonard R. EDMUNDSON, Robert Jay ELLISTON Lewis ENDSLEY Bobby FOSTER, Billy FYKE, Ruby GAINER, Dian GEORGEFF, Mr. Boris GONZALES, Jim GOOCH, Rosa Lee GREER, Ricky GRIGGS, Emmett L. HARLAN, Willie Mae HAWKER, WILLIE HESSON, B. C.

HINEGARDNER, Robert HYNDMAN, Frankie JETT, Charles JOHNSON, William Earl JONES, Charles E. JONES, Bobby JONES, Robert KIDD, Caleb Nathaniel LANKFORD, Marjorie Sullivan LEE, Symona LEE, Geneva LEE David A. LINK, Matthew T. LOWERY, Thomas MAJORS, Roy MARTIN, Emmitt MAYS, Betty MERCER, Eva Maria MILLER, Calvin MILLER, Roland MORRIS, Janice MORTON, Mother Sylvia MURPHY, Robert H. ODOM, Barbara R.

PERDUE, James PERRY, Mary RICHMOND, Georgia ROSS, Saxon ROWLAND, Harold SCIVALLY, Timothy Dale SIMMS, Reba SLAUGHTER, David SMITH, Dinah Mae SMOOT William E. SMOOT William SOUTHCUT, Charles STEPHENS, DORIS STRATTON, Edward M. "Ed" WEBSTER, Mr. George WILCHER, Steven WILKERSON, Aaron WILKINS, Russell WILLIAMS, Shelley ZERGIEBEL, Charlie ENDSLEY, Bobby Ik-Age 72 of Shelbyville. Nov.

26, 2012. Service 11 a.m. Thursday. GOWEN-SMITH CHAPEL, (931) 684-1372. JOHNSON, William Earl-Age 87.

Nov. 26, 2012. Graveside 2 p.m. Thursday, Hill-crest Memorial Grdns. HILL-CREST F.H., 931-684-2265.

MURPHY, Robert H. 77 of Shelbyville. Service 2 p.m. Thursday. Visit 1 hr.

prior. FELDHAUS, (931)684-8356. SCIVALLY, Timothy Dale Age 53. Service 6 p.m. Thursday.

Visit 1 hr. prior FELDHAUS, 931-684-8356. shelbyvillefuneral. com MILLER, Calvin Age 87 of Woodbury, died Nov. 26, 2012.

Visit 4-8 p.m. today. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, (615) 563-5337. JETT, Charles November 27, 2012. Serv.

Dec. 1, 10 a.m. with visitation following KILGORE FUNERAL HOME, (931) 455-0677. GAINER, Dian Campbell-Age 63. passed peacefully at home on Nov.

25, 2012. For additional ellisfuneral homenashville.com 255-5412. HYNDMAN, Frankie Age 84. Funeral service 10 a.m., today at HARPETH HILLS FUNERAL HOME, 9090 Hwv. 100, (615) 646-9292 15-259808.

HEALTHY FROM 1B grateful for the grant. Five Tennessee Titans Patrick Bailey, Jared Cook, Brett Kern, Marc Mariani and Jason McCourty visited Sycamore to pump up the students and promote an active and healthy lifestyle. The NFL's Play 60 program encourages youth to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity or play per day to fight childhood obesity. Bailey told the students the importance of making responsible decisions and being disciplined to have a healthy outlook on life that can lead to success. "It's important to do the right thing day to day and make the right decisions," Bailey said.

Sycamore eighth-grader Evie Krantz was one of 50 students who were ran- Titans punter Brett Kern (6) leads push up drills Tuesday with a group of students at Sycamore Middle School. Desjarlais blasts ethics domly selected to spend some time with the Titans players before the school-wide assembly. After the assembly, the students participated in a special workout with the Titans, working through a variety of exercises from jumping rope relay races to sit-ups and push-ups. complaint, Desjarlais aide Robert Jameson said, "This is clearly nothing more than a shallow publicity stunt by a far-left organization owned by George Soros and used to further his liberal agenda." Soros, a billionaire hedge fund manager, is known as a patron of liberal groups. In a later phone interview, Sloan acknowledged her organization receives funding from the Soros-backed Open Society Institute.

But she added, "George Soros is not on my speed dial" and had nothing to do with the complaint. Sloan described Desjarlais as "a two-bit congressman from Tennessee" and said the House Ethics Committee, at a minimum, should find him deserving of an official reprimand. "I think he should resign," Sloan said, adding that House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio should show he's serious about not tolerating unethical conduct within Republican ranks. "Working out helps you to get in shape and stay fit," Krantz said. "But it also helps to keep you more focused on grades and not get into trouble." Sycamore will use the grant for programs and equipment that encourage physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

complaint "It's hard to find someone more reprehensible." The CREW complaint comes as questions about his political future continue to swirl around Desjarlais, a tea party Republican who came to Congress on a pro-life stance in 2010 and was re-elected to a second term earlier this month. In addition to the situation involving the female patient, the 2001 divorce transcript shows Desjarlais and his former wife, Susan, made a mutual decision to have two abortions. It also shows he acknowledged having affairs with eight women during the time when his divorce was pending. Desjarlais also prescribed pain killers to patient with whom he was having an affair and engaged in sexual relationships with three co-workers as well as a representative of a pharmaceutical company. Contact Paul C.

Barton at pbartongannett.com. DESJARLAIS FROM 1B outcome of the pregnancy, the group added. Desjarlais, R-Jasper, has claimed the woman was not pregnant and did not have an abortion. "It is clear Rep. Desjarlais lied to ensure his telling of events aligns with his current anti-abortion stance.

Apparently, his views have 'evolved' to the point where he now believes abortions should be illegal for everyone except the women with whom he sleeps," Melanie Sloan, executive director of CREW, said in a statement. 'Publicity stunt' Most of the congressman's conduct "while reprehensible," is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Office of Congressional Ethics or the House Ethics Committee, CREW said. But Sloan said Desjarlais statements this fall about his past actions are grounds for an investigation. In response to the ethics.