Big Stone Gap, VA – Regina Chandler Rutherford, 71, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025, 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.