Calvin “Ham” Eskridge

Calvin H. Eskridge, fondly known as “Ham”, was a servant of God and man. He departed this life on December 9, 2022, from UT Hospital in Knoxville, TN.  He was born in the Emory Gap community of Harriman, to the late Lady Byrd Eskridge Jackson and Rufus C. Hill, on September 24, 1942.  He attended elementary school at Emory Gap and Campbell High School in Rockwood, TN. He enlisted in the United States Army.  He was employed as an auto mechanic by Union Carbide at K-25.  He remained there for 30+ years.

He was a faithful member of the Williams Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church where he served as chairman of the Trustee Board.

He was very active in many organizations including Harriman Junction Masonic Lodge 103, American Legion Post 232, Roane County NAACP, and the Jamieson Development Corporation:

He was preceded in death by his former wife: Clifredia Collier Eskridge; Stepmother: Permelia Hill Anderson

Stepfather: Thomas Jackson; Brothers:  Rogers Alexander Hill and Rufus Hill Jr.; Sisters: Tonya Jackson, Wanda Jackson and

Janae Hill.  He leaves to cherish his memory: Daughters: Melanie Eskridge -Knoxville, TN, Antonia Brown -Knoxville, TN and

Rhonda Brown; Sisters: Barbara Jackson and Cheryl Jackson of Cincinnati, OH, Christine ( Alvin ) Hill-Gwathney, Lenoir City, TN., and Pamela Hill Wright, Stone Mountain, GA; Brothers:  Terry Hill Jeffersonville, IN and Kenneth Eddie Hill Harriman, TN

Sister-in-law: Cynthia Bowen, Chattanooga, TN; Aunts: Patricia Taylor Harriman, TN, and Franda McBride Hartford, CT.; Uncle: Timothy Goodwin, Lawrenceville, GA.; Devoted friends:  L.C. Gillespie, Kingston, TN, Elder Leander Blackmon and Tressa Garrett of Harriman, TN, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 12:00-1:45 pm ET at Evans Mortuary in Rockwood, TN. Masonic service will begin at 1:45, with a funeral service to follow at 2:00. Graveside and interment services will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 12:30 pm in the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, TN (2200 E Governor John Sevier Hwy). In lieu of flowers the family request that contributions be made to the building fund at Williams Chapel AME Zion.