Obituaries

William Shipley
May 12, 2009
William "Bill" Shipley, 86, of Fall Branch, went to meet Jesus with open arms early Tuesday morning, May 12, 2009 at the VA Mountain Home. He was born in Washington County, where he lived his entire life. He served in the Army during WWII and was a member of #3382 VFW. He was also a member of Fall Branch Baptist...

Darlene Simcox Brown
May 12, 2009
Darlene Simcox Brown, 61, of Fall Branch, went to be with the Lord at her home on May 12, 2009 following an extended illness.She was preceded in death by her father, Cecil Simcox; and her mother and father-in-law, Lyman and Eula Brown.Darlene is survived by her husband of 34 years, David Russel Brown, of Fall Branch; a daughter, Darla Renee...

Darlene Brown
May 12, 2009
Darlene Simcox Brown, 61, of Fall Branch, went to be with the Lord at her home on May 12, 2009 following an extended illness.She was preceded in death by her father, Cecil Simcox; and her mother and father-in-law, Lyman and Eula Brown.Darlene is survived by her husband of 34 years, David Russel Brown, of Fall Branch; a daughter, Darlene Renee...

Billy Gene Ferguson
May 10, 2009
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing." II Timothy 4: 7-8Billy "Gene" Ferguson, 71,...

David O. Williams
May 8, 2009
David O. Williams, 55, Kingsport, went to be with the Lord Friday May 8, 2009 at Holston Valley Medical Center after a lengthy illness. David was born and spent his life in Kingsport. He was co-owner and operator of Aurawood Plumbing with his wife, Helen. He loved and lived life to the fullest. David had a great love for his...

Leila B. Houser
May 7, 2009
"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth...

Anna Mae Starnes Rittenhouse
May 6, 2009
Anna Mae Starnes Rittenhouse, 73, of Kingsport, died May 6, 2009, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Born in Hawkins County, she lived in Kingsport most of her adult life. She was a homemaker. Ann had been a devoted and faithful member of First Christian Church since 1973.She was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie and Sherman Starnes; three...

Paul Thomas Lyon
May 5, 2009
Paul Thomas Lyon, 83, went to be with the Lord Tuesday May 5 following a brief illness at his home surrounded by his loving family.He was a member of Morrison City Christian Church where he was one of the original deacons and served on the Building Maintenance Committee. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #688. After 41 years of...

Fred Linville Coats
May 4, 2009
Fred L. Coats, 89, of Kingsport, passed away at 3:00 a.m. Monday at his home following a brief illness. Fred was born in Kingsport where he had lived his entire life. He was retired from the Tennessee Eastman Corporation where he worked in the tenite division for 43 years. He was a member of the Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church for...

A. Wayne Peters
May 3, 2009
A. Wayne Peters, 70, of Kingsport, died on Sunday, May 3, 2009.He was born on July 22, 1938, in Kingsport. A 1957 graduate of Sullivan High School, Wayne received his bachelor's and master's degrees from East Tennessee State University. He also served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He played football for ETSU from 1957-1961, serving as team...

Jerry Edward Crawford
Apr 30, 2009
Jerry Edward Crawford, 49, of Kingsport, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2009 at Brookhaven Manor following a lengthy illness.Jerry was born in Jacksonville, FL, and had resided in Kingsport most of his life. He was a former employee of Vic Davis Construction and of the United States Army.He was preceded in death by his parents, J. B. and Edna Crawford,...

Tony Phil Sampson
Apr 29, 2009
Tony Phil Sampson, 63, of Fall Branch, the Lord called him home on April 29, 2009 at his residence with his family by his side, following a brief illness.He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and special friend who loved his church and church family.Tony was preceded in death by his parents Burton Jay and Ella Jean Sampson.Tony is survived...

Virginia Kaaren Hansen Dickerson
Apr 29, 2009
Virginia Kaaren Skov-Hansen was born September 15, 1920 in Vernon County, MO to parents Elise V. Jones born 1896, of Ritchie County WV, and Hans Peter Skov-Hansen born October 13, 1889, who had arrived in the United States at Galveston, TX on the "Frankfurt" on January 11, 1911 from Denmark. With brothers Holger, Arthur, and Richard and sisters Elsie and...

Clora Belle Bishop
Apr 29, 2009
Clora Morelock Bishop, 82, Lone Star Community, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.Mrs. Bishop was a daughter of the late Nelson and Oma Hickman Morelock.She attended Friendship Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Bishop June 1985, two sisters, Dorothy Rines and Linda Skelton;...

Sonia Frances Neeley Taylor
Apr 28, 2009
Sonia Frances Neeley Taylor, Fall Branch, born March 5, 1927, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday April 28, 2009.She was preceded in death by her parents, Brian and Susie Neeley; and husband, James Taylor.Surviving are her daughter, Linda Haren and husband Dale; two grandsons, Ted Haren, Michael Haren and wife Cindy; two great-grandchildren, Haley and Hunter Haren,...

Tommy P. Harris
Apr 28, 2009
Tommy P. Harris, 64, of the Beech Creek Community, died Tuesday morning, April 28, 2009, after a brief illness. He was born in Rogersville where he resided all of his life. He was a graduate of Sullivan High School. Tommy was retired and had worked in construction for many years. He was a member of the Mount Carmel Freewill Baptist...

Ola M. Crawford
Apr 27, 2009
Ola M. Crawford, 82, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 27, 2009, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. She was a lifelong resident of Kingsport, member of Walker's Fork Baptist Church, and Eastern Star Liberty Chapter #198.Preceding her in death were her husband, James D. Crawford; parents, Rev. Hughie and Margie Morelock; two brothers, Melvin...

Vernal Johnson
Apr 27, 2009
Vernal Johnson, 60, of Kingsport, passed away Monday night, April 27, 2009, at Wexford House after a long battle with diabetes. Mr. Johnson was a mechanic for Colonial Heights Exxon for over 30 years. He loved gospel/bluegrass music, cars and most of all, his grandchildren and great-grandson. Vernal was a kind, loving and generous father and will be deeply missed...

Lola Grace Davis Pitt
Apr 26, 2009
Lola Grace Davis Pitt, 79, of Chuckey, passed away peacefully Sunday April 26, 2009 at home.Born and raised in Church Hill, she moved to Chuckey where she resided the rest of her life. Lola was a homemaker all of her life. Mrs. Pitt lived the last 11 years of her life with her daughter and caregiver, Faye. Lola was a...