Mary Sue Still

Mary Sue Still passed away peacefully, at home with family on March 20, 2026.

Mary Sue Still was born in Pennington Gap, VA on November 14, 1934 to Rev. Clyde & Margaret Watkins. Her role as the daughter of a Methodist Minister took to her to Fries, VA, Fountain City, TN, Tazewell, VA and to Kingsport in 1949. The white frame parsonage attached to First Methodist Church on the Church Circle in the heart of the City was her first Kingsport home. It was at that church where she met her future husband, Gene Still. After graduation from Dobyns-Bennett she completed her education at Tennessee Wesleyan College and East Tennessee State. Mary Sue & Gene married in 1953 & welcomed their son, Randy in 1954 and Vanessa in 1962. The family was active in First Methodist Church and after the merger, First Broad Street United Methodist Church.

Mary Sue was active as a Church School Teacher, choir member in Sounds of Joy, the Thursday morning Bible Study, United Methodist Women, and was a frequent delegate to Church Conference. Her family and her church family were of prime importance to her throughout her life. Her love of people led her to participate in Meals on Wheels, the Church Food Ministry to the community, Separate Prisons Support Group, PTA, People to People International Exchange hosting and as PTSA President at Dobyns Bennett and the pleasure of knowing many young people throughout her life.

Her love of the community was exemplified in her board membership in Friends of the Archive for the City of Kingsport, work on a Kingsport City Schools re-districting committee, Board of the John Hay House, The Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO Chapter V). She was the recipient of the Kingsport Civitan Club’s Citizenship Award which was referred to as “The Golden Nut Award” much to the amusement of Randy and Vanessa.

She and Gene worked with and eventually owned Still Transfer Company, Moving & Storage and she work in many roles there throughout her adult life.

Mary Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Margaret Watkins; siblings, Marvin (Ina Sue) Watkins, Christine (John) Bean, Rhea Watkins and her husband, Eugene Still; in-laws, Tom (Jewell) Still, and Melba (Hubert) Gilliam.

She is survived by her children, Randy Still and Vanessa Lawhon (Pres); sister-in-law, Nancy Watkins; grandchildren, Ashley (Scott) Mattison, Steven (Kimberly) Lawhon; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Layla, and Nathan Mattison; and many special nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. Visitation will follow.

Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park.