Hemsley's body still at funeral home

EL PASO, Texas, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- The body of TV icon Sherman Hemsley remains stored in an El Paso, Texas, funeral home freezer five weeks after his death from lung cancer.

The El Paso Times said funeral plans for the 74-year-old star of "The Jeffersons" and "Amen" have been delayed while his will is contested.

Hemsley left his estate to his longtime friend, business partner and roommate Flora Isela Enchinton, but a Philadelphia man named Richard Thornton claims he is Hemsley's brother and rightful beneficiary, the newspaper said.

"The most important thing for me is to do what is right for Sherman," Enchinton told the Times. "To give him his dignity and respect that he deserves. This is something embarrassing for his name right now."

Enchinton's lawyer Alexander Neill said a hearing regarding the matter is to take place in late September.

Thornton and his lawyer, Mark Davis, could not be reached for comment, the Times said.