Big Stone Gap, VA – Regina Chandler Rutherford, 71, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2024, at Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap, VA. A lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap and Appalachia, she graduated from Appalachia High School in 1971. She graduated in 1992 from Mountain Empire Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing and was employed with Lonesome Pine Hospital as an RN for 11 years. She was a member of Cedar Ridge Freewill Baptist Church and attended bible study at East Stone Gap Methodist Church. Regina loved her family and friends. She also loved to cook and garden.
She was preceded in death by her father, Sam Chandler; her mother, Ruby (Laney) Sturgill; her husband, Jim Rutherford and her siblings, Sheila Barnett and Sam Chandler, Jr.
Regina is survived by her children, Shannon Phillips (Derek) of Fredericksburg, VA and Jamie Givens (Brian) of Kingsport, TN; her grandchildren, Jonathan Chase Robbins, Connor James Givens and Zoë Givens; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Fay Rutherford; brother-in-law, Eddie Barnett; special friends, David and Kellie Carter; caregivers, Paige and Mike Blevins and a special cousin, Betty Bowman.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 18, 2025 from 4:00pm -6:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA. Funeral services will follow with Pastor James Holcomb officiating.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10:30 am in Barker Cemetery in the Cracker’s Neck Community. Family and friends are asked to assemble at Gilliam Funeral Home to leave at 10:00am in procession to the cemetery. David Carter, Nick Ratliff, Lemuel Wells, Brian Givens, Connor Givens and Mike Blevins will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Barker Cemetery Fund, c/o Karen Davis, 1608 Panoramic Ln., Duffield, Va. 24244.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Rutherford family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Frank Ellis Christian Sr., 94, passed away on Saturday April 12, 2025. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railway where he was a supervisor of C&S Communication and Signals. He was a member of the First Families of Tennessee and the National Society of the Sons of The American Revolution. Frank and his late wife, Ruth, would dress in historic clothing and participate in The Commemorative March of The Overmountain Men and their victory trail toward the Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. He volunteered in Parks with the National Park Service in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park area. He and his late wife spent twenty plus years traveling around researching and collecting information on their family genealogy.
He was preceded in death by Loving Wife, Ruth Christian; his son Edward Eugene (Gene) Gilliam; his sisters Naomi Johnson, Elsie Reed, Opal Vandergriff, and two brothers as infants; Parents Eldridge and Mary Christian .
He is survived by his son, Frank Christian, Jr. and wife Pamela of Maryville, TN; daughter, Deborah Christian of Knoxville, TN; Daughter-in-Law, Kay Gilliam of Maryville, TN; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; a host of friends.
The family will receive friends at the Gilliam Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap from 11:00am to 1:00pm Friday April 18, 2025 Funeral service will be at 1:00pm on Friday April 18, 2025 in the funeral home Chapel with Steve Maddox officiating. Burial will follow after the funeral at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Christian family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Big Stone Gap, VA – Marquetta Ann Nichols, 76, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025 at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN. A longtime resident of Big Stone Gap, she graduated high school in LaPorte, IN and was a graduate of Mountain Empire Community College. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Marquetta never met a stranger. She loved watching her grandchildren play sports. She worked for the former Town of Big Stone Gap’s 101 Car Visitors Center for about ten years, sharing her warm smile with those she came in contact with. She was a member of Christian Life Church in Big Stone Gap.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Shannon Nichols; her parents, Brady and Lovella (Stidham) Blair and a brother, Dennis Blair.
Marquetta is survived by her husband of 54 years, Roger Nichols; children, Ronna Hutchins (David) of Kingsport, TN, Roger “Bub” Nichols, Jr. of Big Stone Gap, VA and Justin “Gus” Nichols of Big Stone Gap, VA; grandchildren, Brayden Erickson (Dalton), Avery Hutchins and Ty Hutchins; sister-in-law, Loretta Blair and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Christian Life Church, 2635 First Ave. E., Big Stone Gap, VA. The funeral service will follow with Pastor Michael Dalton officiating.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 11:00 am in American Legion Cemetery. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Family and friends are asked to assemble at Christian Life Church to leave at 10:30 to travel to the cemetery in procession.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Nichols family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Big Stone Gap, VA – Noah Steven Blevins, Sr., 82, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Holston Valley Hospital, Kingsport, TN. He was a lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap and worked for Putnam Tool and Die, Detroit, MI, for over three years, Westmoreland Coal Company and was a UMWA member for 23 years. He drove heavy equipment cross country for Riggs Oil Co. He served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany. He liked woodworking, hunting, fishing and welding. Noah especially loved his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harrison and Georgia (Hill) Blevins; four brothers and four sisters.
Noah is survived by his wife of 61 years, Phyllis Ann Chandler Blevins; children, Noah Steven Blevins, Jr. (Sharon) of East Stone Gap, Michael Wayne Blevins (Paige) of the Crackers Neck community and Veronica Skidmore of the Crackers Neck community; siblings, Michael Blevins (Linda) of Spokane, WA and Johnny Blevins (Kim) of Indianapolis, IN; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Final arrangements will be private. Military rites will accorded by local VFW and DAV Units and Gate City National Guard.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Blevins family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Wise, VA – James Edward Phillips, Jr., 79, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025 at his home. Born in Lynch, KY, James lived most of his life in Big Stone Gap and had resided in Wise for the past four years. He was a surveyor for Westmoreland Coal Company. He adored his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He loved baseball and watching anything political on TV. He was a member of Christian Life Church in Big Stone Gap, VA.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jamie Elizabeth Phillips Johnson; and his parents, Ed & Jean Phillips.
James is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patsy Ann Hamilton Phillips; his son, James E. Phillips, III of Springfield, KY; his siblings, Leland Wayne Phillips of Big Stone Gap, VA and Charlotte Darlene Gilley (Steve) of Big Stone Gap, VA; his grandchildren, Jimmy Joe Lane (Jessica) of Wise, VA and Rebecca Vanover of Appalachia, VA; six great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 11:00am – 1:00pm Friday, April 11, 2025, at Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The service will follow at 1:00pm with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating.
Burial will follow in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Phillips family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Panama City Beach, FL. / Big Stone Gap, Va. – Effie Irene Neeley, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the home of her daughter Glenda in Panama City Beach, Florida.
Born in Stonega, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Luther and Ethel (Evans) Owens. Effie made her home in Crown Point, Indiana, for 40 years before relocating to Panama City Beach, where she had lived for the past six years. She was a longtime member of Ross Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana.
Effie was passionate about cooking, reading novels, and arts and crafts—but above all, she cherished her family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roy C. Neeley; two sons, Larry Joe Neeley and Steven Allen Neeley; two grandsons, Steven Neeley and Robert Kolicius; a granddaughter, Dawn Robison; her niece, Donna Jurca; and her brother, Hayward Owens.
Survived by:
Siblings: Carroll (Linda) Owens, Jerry (Shirley) Owens, Wanola Horne, and Maxie McPherson
Children: Glenda Martin, Wayne (Arlene) Neeley, and Dennis Neeley
Grandchildren: Tommy Martin, Heather Lambert, Jennifer (Scott) McConnell, and Wendy Targgart
Great-grandchildren: Nicholas Robison, Andrew Robison, Taylor Martin, Draven Targgart, Kayla (Robert) Taylor, Cheyenne (Adam) Lambert, Morgan (Nico) Eason, Madison (Alana) Carta, Sage (Aiden) Targgart, and Kinsey Targgart
Great-great-grandchildren: Alice Eason, Rowan Taylor, and Crew Guerrero
She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Avenue W., Big Stone Gap, Va. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Rick Whitten officiating.
Burial will follow at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Family members will serve as pallbearers.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Neeley family.
To view the obituary or offer condolences, please visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home's Facebook page.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
— John 14:1–3

Jonesborough, TN/Big Stone Gap, VA – Sherrell Leo Pitman, 67, passed away on Friday, April 4, 2025 at Johnson City Medical Center. He attended Powell Valley High School and Radford University for a couple of years. He was a proud member of the U.S. Air Force, serving our country for four years. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Leo’s College in Florida. Sherrell was the owner of Stonehenge Bike Shop in Big Stone Gap and a self-employed house restorer for many years. He enjoyed history and traveling. Sherrell had a very generous personality, and never met a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Eunice (Lane) Pitman; son, Zachary Faw; brothers, Larry Pitman and Ronald Roscoe Pitman and sisters, Faith Pitman Pleasant and Carolina Pitman.
Sherrell is survived by his wife of 10 years, Laurie McDaniel; children, Shiloh Pitman of Jonesborough, TN and Michaela Pitman of Big Stone Gap, VA; siblings, Montana Herron (Donnie) of Big Stone Gap, VA, Darrell Pitman (Melissa) of Big Stone Gap, VA; brothers-in-law, Robin Pleasant of Knoxville, TN and Randy McDaniel (Melissa) of Willis, VA; granddaughter, Bellamy Zatt and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave, W., Big Stone Gap, Va. Private graveside services will be held at Glencoe Cemetery, Big Stone Gap, VA.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Sherrell Pitman.

Big Stone Gap, VA – Mark James Mullins, 37, passed away on March 27, 2025 at Johnson City Medical Center. He was born in Dalton, GA and lived most of his life in Big Stone Gap. He worked for Johnson’s Tree Care, Big Stone Gap. He went by “Curt”. He loved music and wrote poems and lyrics. Curt enjoyed anything having to do with science. He was hardworking and loved spending time with his family. He loved reading his Bible. He loved his canine buddy, “Gunner”. One of the family’s fondest memories is remembering Curt saying, “my bad”, “oh, snap” and “wakawakawoo”! His childhood nickname was “Cub”.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Deaton Mullins; his maternal grandmother, Janice Sarber; his maternal grandfather, George Stidham; his uncle, Mark Mullins and his nephew, Skylar McMahan.
Curt is survived by his children, Allison Dotson “Allie” of Lexington, SC; Carter James Mullins of Lexington, SC and Colin King Mayweather Mullins of Wise County, VA; his father, Titus Mullins (Judith) of Chatsworth, GA; his mother “Momma” Melissa Reece of Big Stone Gap, VA; his sister, Crystal Mullins Wade (Anthony) of Big Stone Gap, VA; his nephew, Trey McMahan, his niece; Inyiah McMahan; his maternal grandfather, Paul Morris of Greycourt, SC; his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Mullins of Chatsworth, Ga. and his fiance’, Jessica Mullins; aunt, Angela Morris, Greer, SC and her children, Benjamin Shoop, Maria Shoop and Micah Shoop, all of Greer, SC; uncle, Brian Morris, Kingsport, Tn.; cousins, Jason and Justin Artrip, Kingsport,Tn. and Alexis Artrip; uncle, Paul Morris, Jr., Greenville, SC and his child, Paul Morris, III, Big Stone Gap; aunt, Diane Martin, Chatsworth, Ga., Jean Parks, Dalton, Ga. and Wanda Hudson Tunnell, Varnell, Ga.
The family will receive friends 11:00am – 1:00pm Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Avenue, W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The service will follow at 1:00pm with Pastor Russell Herron officiating.
Burial will follow at American Legion Cemetery.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Gilliam Funeral Home, P. O. Box 886, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219, to assist with funeral expenses.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Curt Mullins.

Jonesville, Va./Big Stone Gap, Va.-Robert G. Whitt, Jr, known by most as “Bobby”, passed away after a short illness on March 28, 2025, at Johnson City Medical Center.
He was born on March 2, 1948, in Appalachia, Va. to Robert and Evelyn Whitt. He grew up in Big Stone Gap and graduated from Powell Valley High School in 1966. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp and went to Parris Island, SC on the night of his graduation. He spent 4 years in the Corp, serving several tours in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1970 while stationed at Cherry Point, NC.
After his discharge, he attended Mountain Empire Community College and then went to work as a conductor for Southern Railroad. He retired from Norfolk Southern as a locomotive engineer with over 35 years of service. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc. He enjoyed going to the reunions with his fellow Marines he served with in the FLSG-B group and participating in veteran events when he was able.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Evelyn (Lane) Whitt, his grandparents, John and Anise (Shuler) Lane and William and Addie Lou (Richmond) Whitt, his niece Brandy Whitt and many of his fellow Marines he served with in Vietnam.
He is survived by his partner, Alice Clark of the home; children, Robert Whitt, III (Dodie) of London, England, Richard Whitt (Nicole) of Big Stone Gap and Ryan White (Kevin) Of Fort Worth, TX; grandchildren, Abigail, Emily, Bradley, Ella, James and Ben; brothers, Billy Whitt (Susie) and Jimmy Whitt (Debbie); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and his little dog, Blue. He is also survived by his bonus grandchildren, Samantha, Roger, River, Dalton and Lyla.
As per his wishes, the family will receive friends for a graveside service with military honors on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 11:00am at the American Legion Cemetery. Services will be conducted by Reverend Timothy Robinson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations in his memory to The National Vietnam Veterans Museum, P. O. Box 1779, Weatherford, TX 76086, the Gary Sinise Foundation, Gift Processing Department, P. O. Box 1858, Merrifield, VA 22116-9641 or your favorite veteran’s charity.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff in the ICU unit at Johnson City Medical Center and Lee County Hospital Emergency for the care and compassion that they gave to Bobby in his final days.

Dungannon, Va.-Donald Ray Laney, 75, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Ridgecrest Manor Nursing Home in Duffield, Va.
He was born in Norton, Va. He graduated with honors from Mohegan University in Connecticut with a BS in Chemistry. He honorably served in the U. S. Navy for 19 years, having served as an Aviation Safety Specialist and a P-3 Flight Crew Ordnanceman. Donald loved woodworking, reading, cooking, camping and bird watching. He was a Christian.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Pauline (Mefford) Laney; and the mother of his daughter, Brenda Sue (Goad) Laney.
Surviving are his daughter, Heather Laney Robinson (Donald), Baltimore, Md.; granddaughter, Rachael A. Northington (Daniel); brother, Larry R. Laney (Joyce), Norton, Va.; aunt, Beatrice Mefford, Bluff City, Tn.; niece, Jennifer Laney; nephews, Roger Laney, August Alanis and Luis Alanis; and his cousin and best friend, Roger Dockery.
Per Donald’s wishes, there will be no services.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Laney family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

The Bible says “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

Big Stone Gap, Va.-Clayton Caudill at the age of 60 passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, after a 13-month battle with cancer and is now in the presence of the Lord. He fought a hard fight all the way to the end and was surrounded by many loved ones in his final days. He left this world knowing he was loved.
Clayton worked as a local breadman for 43 years at Rainbo, Sara Lee, and Flowers Bakery’s. Everyone knew and loved their favorite breadman. He loved being outside riding four wheelers, hunting, going into the mountain, boating, camping or just hanging out with friends and family. His favorite adventure was cruising on cruise ships with his wife all over the world. They had been on 28 cruises together making so many wonderful memories. Clayton just enjoyed life.
Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Estil Ann Caudill as well as son Freddie Ashley. He leaves behind his loving wife of 26 years, Joyce Caudill, whom he always said was his best friend. He leaves behind sons, Cody Caudill (Rachel), Clay Caudill (Danielle) and daughter Tammie Hale (Kenneth). He also leaves behind his grandchildren Mason Caudill (his buddy & sidekick), Meredith Caudill, Brandon Hale, Leeanna Hepler, Kayla Mumpower, Nathan Ashley, and Matthew Ashley as well as great grandchildren Abby, Hannah, Rebecca, and Jeremiah. Surviving also is his brother Danny Caudill (Ellen) and sisters Vickie Harless (Ronnie), Rowena Sellitto and Joyce Riddle. He had three nieces that he thought the world of: Jessie, Kellie, and Tiffany.
The family will receive friends 10:00am – 12:00pm on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The service will follow at 12 noon with Pastor Josh Tompkins and Rev. Mark Tabor officiating.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Wells, Johnny Baker, Mike Wilson, Billy Barker, Clay Caudill, Cody Caudill, Ken Hale and Danny Caudill.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Caudill family.

Appalachia, Va.-Delmer Eugene McKinney, 92, passed away on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Lee Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pennington Gap, Va.
He lived most of his life in the Andover community. He was retired from Highland Gravel. He was a coal miner with Eastover Mining and was a member of the U.M.W.A. He loved horses, raising them in Powell Valley, where he had a barn and tractor. He enjoyed hunting. He was a Christian.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Daniel McColgan; parents, Daniel and Effie (Moore) McKinney; and two brothers, Clayton McKinney and J. B. McKinney.
Surviving are his wife, Frances (Sklar) McKinney; daughter, Carmella McColgan of Big Stone Gap, Va.; son, Victor McKinney (Peggy Sue) of Appalachia, Va.; two granddaughters, Katie McColgan and Megan Robinette (Dillan); great grandchildren, Cooper Coleman and Gillian Falcone; a sister, Loretta Kilgore of Bedford, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
An entombment service will be conducted 12 noon on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Glencoe Cemetery Mausoleum in Big Stone Gap, Va. with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating.
To view the obituary online and offer a condolence, visit www.gillliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the McKinney family.