Will Dispute Prevents Burial of Actor Sherman Hemsley

A funeral home director in West Texas says they will continue to refrigerate the embalmed body of actor Sherman Hemsley, who became famous for his role as television's George Jefferson, until a local court rules on the validity of his will.

Hemsley signed the will six weeks before dying of lung cancer July 24. He names Flora Enchinton, whom he called "beloved partner," as sole beneficiary of his estate estimated in court documents to be more than $50,000.

The will is contested by Richard Thornton, of Philadelphia, who claims to be Hemsley's brother and says the will might not have been made by the actor.

The Philadelphia-born Hemsley played Jefferson in the CBS sitcom "All in the Family," then starred in the spinoff "The Jeffersons" from 1975 to 1985.