Big Stone Gap, VA – John Johnson, 65, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025 at Ballad Hospice House in Bristol, TN. John was a lifelong resident of Appalachia and Big Stone Gap, VA. He was carefree and loving to all who knew him. John was God’s gift to many and he enjoyed the simple things in life. He attended the First Apostolic Church in Appalachia, VA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Milford V. and Virginia Carter Cross Johnson, and his siblings, Clyde Johnson, Pete Johnson, Edward Johnson, Marshall Johnson, Omar Johnson and Faye Poole.
John is survived by his caretaker of 28 years, Patricia Johnson; his siblings, Clifford Johnson of Wise, VA and Holly Johnson of North Carolina, and several nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 12:00-2:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA. The funeral service will begin at 2:00pm with Rev. Johnny Flanary officiating.
Graveside services will follow at American Legion Cemetery, Powell Valley Road, Big Stone Gap, VA. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Johnson family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Big Stone Gap, VA – Clara “Boots” Wilson Snodgrass, 85, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family. A lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap, she worked for Tri-City Opticians for nearly 50 years. “Boots”, as she was affectionally known, loved the Lord. Her singing voice was her gift to all who knew her. She was a proud member of The Wilson Trio. She loved traveling the back roads of these beautiful mountains with friends and cooking. She was a prayer warrior and was known to stop and pray for anyone in need. She was a member of East Stone Gap Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Snodgrass, Jr.; her parents, Sylvan and Nora Dorton Wilson; sister, Pauline Nidiffer and brothers, Johnny Wilson and Paul Wilson.
“Boots” is survived by her children, Danny Craft of Big Stone Gap, VA, Lori Kirby of Gate City, VA; Beth Marton (Barry) of Murfreesboro, TN, Michael Snodgrass (Jeanne) of Brant, MI and George Rose, who she loved as a son, of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Brian Lytle, Aaron Kelly, Travis Marton and Matthew Marton; great-granddaughter, Rilee Lytle and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her bonus brother, Phil Cubine; her dear friend, Diana Bloomer Cubine; special friends, Trish Rose and Lawanda Hail and her loving dog, “Punkin”.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 28, 2025 from 5:00 to7:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA. The funeral service will follow at 7:00pm with Pastor David Michael Nidiffer, Pastor John McCarroll and Dwayne Carroll officiating.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 11:00am in Barker Cemetery, Shady Lane, Big Stone Gap, VA. Family members and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home to leave at 10:20am to travel in procession to the cemetery. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers.
“Boots” worked until August of this year, at 85 years old, because she had to. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Gilliam Funeral Home, PO Box 886, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of “Boots” Snodgrass.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Fran E. Turner, 86, of Big Stone Gap, Va went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 22,2025. Fran was born in Clinchco, Va on November 8,1939. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Stant and Wanda Turner.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Schylor “Sharon” Flowers Turner; his daughters Karen Mullins and husband Shelcy, Wise, Va, Rhonda Dockery and husband Rick, Rye Cove, Va; his grandchildren Lawton Mullins, Bristol, Va; Chelsie Mullins, Bristol, Va, Shyla Casey Myers and husband Zachary of New Oxford, PA; Kendra Jessee and fiancé Richard Jones, Bristol, Tn and Afton Todd and husband Eli, Bristol, Tn; a brother Gary Turner, Big Stone Gap, Va and a sister, Reba Childress and husband Frank, Abingdon, Va and nieces, Shenia Hampton, husband Jamie and daughters, and Karee Mullins and husband Jason.
Fran graduated from Haysi High School in 1957. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, ME as an in-flight refueling specialist with the Strategic Air Command. After four years of service, he returned to Southwest Va and joined his father hauling coal. Over the years, Fran continued in the coal industry where he became an owner and operator of several surface and deep mine operations. He was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Board of Examiners in the Division of Mines and served as an appointee to the Selective Service Board.
He was a 50 plus year member of the Clintwood Masonic Lodge #66, AF and AM, member of Kazim Temple of Roanoke where he was Potentate in 1994, Cyrene Commandry #21 Knights Templar, Scottish Rite Bodies of Roanoke, Order of the Eastern Star #134, Norton, VA; Wise County Shrine Club and Powell Valley Shrine Club. He held several offices within the previously mentioned organizations.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, from 11am – 1pm with a Celebration of Life service to follow.
Military rites, by the U. S. Air Force Honor Guard, Shaw AFB, SC and local DAV and VFW posts, and a Masonic Service will immediately precede the Celebration of Life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made in Fran’s honor to Mountain Empire Older Citizen Fuel Assistance Fund or Powell Valley Shrine Club Transportation fund. Contributions for Mountain Empire Older Citizens can be sent to MEOC, P.O. Box 888, Big Stone Gap, Va 24219. You can also donate online. Contributions for Powell Valley Shrine Club transportation fund can be sent to 384 Shady Rd. Jonesville, Va. 24263.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Turner family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Norma Jean Person, age 84, of Roda Virginia passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2025 at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Born in Big Stone Gap on December 29, 1940 to Chester and Virgie Spears, she attended Big Stone Gap High School and graduated from the newly combined Powell Valley High School. Cheering on 3rd baseman Justin Turner, watching the LA Dodgers, and jigsaw puzzles filled her days with delight, but her heart’s greatest joy was always her family and the gift of being their mother and nanny.
Norma Jean is survived by her husband of 65 years, Bill Person and their children, Kay Person Cantrell (Shelton), Morris “Bo” Person, and Jessica Burke (Brandon); her grandchildren, Jared Person, Megan Fleming Gibson, Jeffrey “Chip” Anderson, Rachel Person, Maddie Person, Gavin Person, Dalton Burke, and Delaney Burke, and great grandchildren, Devin Person, Blakely Gibson, Caleb Anderson, Piper Anderson, and Silas Gibson. She is also survived by her dear friend, Lila Johnson and brothers, “Cobb” Spears and Sammy Spears.
Norma will be remembered for her strength, her loving spirit as a mother, her quick wit, her unwavering honesty, and her open home to all.
A celebration of life will take place at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W, Big Stone Gap on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. followed by a service with Reverend Johnny Flanary and Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating, with music by Sandy Flanary.
A graveside service will follow on Saturday November 22, 2025 at Riverview Cemetery at 11:00 am. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:20am.
Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Person family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Norton, VA-Jessee Darrell Cooke, 77, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, Tn.
Darrell was a lifelong resident of Norton, Va. He was a coal miner for Southmountain Coal Co. and others, for a total of 35 years. He loved hunting, fishing and raising farm animals. He also was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing softball in his younger days. He attended Esserville Community Church and Lighthouse Family Worship Center in Wise, Va. Darrell was a great husband to Glenda and cherished his children. He loved his dog, “Ellie Mae.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Everette and Ritter (Polly) Cooke; and his brothers, Doug and Denver Cooke.
Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Glenda (Hall) Cooke; children, Tammy Reynolds (Bobby) of Missouri, Michael Seaver (Sandra), Coeburn, Va., Chasity Mullins (Andy), Big Stone Gap, Va., Heather Mullins, Norton Va., Jeremiah Cooke (Danielle), Richmond, Va., Aaron Sargent (Hannah), Norton, Va., Sabrina Mullins (Andrew), Norton, Va. and Jessica Cooke, of the home; 15 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; sister, Darlene Ramsey, Wise, Va.; several nieces and nephews; and his best friend, Terry Turner, Coeburn, Va.
Arrangements are private.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Cooke family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Big Stone Gap, Va.-Jean B. DeVault, 86, passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Johnson City Medical Center.
She was born and raised in Jonesville, Va. She had lived in Big Stone Gap since 1980. Jean graduated with her BA from Clinch Valley College and later with her M.Ed. from Virginia Tech. She was a middle school reading specialist with the Wise Co. Public Schools. Following her retirement from the WCPS, she taught for several years at the Flatwoods Job Corp. Jean was the pianist for the Andover Community Church in Andover, VA, where she loved sharing her talents with the congregation.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Henry DeVault; her daughter, RuVonda Adkins; son-in-law, Chris Adkins; her parents, John Wiley and Mary Angeline (Woodard) Bonham; brother, Jack Bonham and an infant brother, John Wiley Bonham, Jr.
Surviving are her grandson, Jonathan Morefield; brother, Wayne Bonham (Debbie) of Jonesville, Va.; sister, Kay Jenkins, Englewood, OH; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial graveside service will be conducted Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Woodard Cemetery, Rte 719, Glenda Eldridge Dr. Jonesville, Va. with Pastor Tom Ely.
Please meet at the cemetery by 2:45pm.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve Ms. DeVault’s family and friends.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Big Stone Gap, Va.-Donald Ray “Buster” Clark, 86, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Johnson City Medical Center.
He was born on January 10, 1939 in Keokee, Va. to Edward “Ed” Clark and Ruby Smith Clark. Don attended Keokee High School. He worked for Westmoreland Coal Co. and Paramont Coal Co. for over 40 years. Don loved being an active member of the Deep Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Dryden, Va. He loved football and NASCAR. Don was a man with a generous heart and never met a stranger. His outgoing personality will be remembered by all that knew him.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his siblings, Debbie, Delmer, Garney, Eddie “Red” and Virginia.
Surviving are his loving wife of 58 years, Linda Clark; sisters-in-law, Freda Bishop and Barbara Boggs; special nephew, Andrew Bishop (Jenny) and their son, Adam Bishop; siblings, Doug and Pat Clark, Mike and Teresa Clark, Connie Bryant, Wilma Clark, Irene Clark and Patricia and Gary Pennington; numerous nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Dennis Carden; and sisters-in-law, Juliet Clark, Tena Clark and Roxie Clark.
The family will receive friends 5:00pm -7:00pm Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave, W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The service will follow at 7:00pm with Pastor Rick Phillips and Pastor Paul Davis officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Glencoe Cemetery. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 11:30am to go in procession to the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be: Andrew Bishop, Adam Bishop, Roger Bishop, Tom Fisher, Kenneth Kelly and Don Snodgrass.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Deep Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 149 Deep Springs Church Road, Dryden, VA 24243.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Clark family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Salem, VA-Bobby Jene Ruth, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke, VA.
He was born in Gate City, VA, to the late Robert (Bud) and Eddie May (Edna) Mathews Ruth.
Bob grew up in Big Stone Gap and enlisted in the Air Force. After leaving service, Bob worked as a millwright, installing and maintaining machinery in several factories in Virginia, West Virginia, and Louisiana. He also worked as a welder on several construction projects on the Virginia Tech campus and retired from the maintenance department of Volvo Trucks in Dublin, Va.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, his half-sister Betty Ketron and his son in-law Craig Waters.
He is survived by his daughters from his former wife, Peggy; Kelly Sowder and her son, Cody (Rachel); Cynthia Waters and her daughter Victoria; his step-son Jeff (Lisa) Miles and their children Drew (Payton), Jack (Nathalie), Abbey and Sarah. The family is very appreciative of all of the love, care and support provided by his special friend, Linda Cunningham, until her passing in January 2023. The family would like to thank Dr. Brooks and the staff of the Blue Ridge Cancer Center for taking care of Bob during his illness, the staff at the Joseph C Thomas Center in Salem and the Good Samaritan Hospice staff.
There will be a private family service at a later time at Glencoe Cemetery in Big Stone Gap. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Gilliam Funeral Home. Those wishing to make a donation in Bob’s memory to the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House, 4751 Cove Road NW Roanoke, VA 24017.

Fall Branch, TN – Leah Marie Hicks, 85, passed away on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, TN. She was born in Monroe, LA and raised in Louisiana. She graduated from N.E. Louisiana State University with a B.A. in Business Education and a minor in English. She attained her Master’s in Business from V.P.I. and State University. She taught for over 40 years in Wise County School System and Mountain Empire Community College. She loved to read. She was of the Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Elizabeth (Gillum) Laing; step-mother, Ila Mae (Stringer) Adams Laing; brothers, Walter “Bunny” Laing, Richard Adams and Woodrow “Bud” Adams; and a sister, Susan George
Leah is survived by her husband of 51 years, William R. “Bill” Hicks; her children, Amy Rae Hicks of Kingsport, TN and Richard A. “Ricky” Johnson (Heather) of Fayetteville, WV; her siblings, Sydna “Libby” Bougeré of Hendersonville, TN and Sheryl Anderson (Lyn) of LaFayette, LA and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W., Big Stone Gap, VA.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 11:00am at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, 5650 Powell Valley Road, Big Stone Gap, VA with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery by 10:50am.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Leah Hicks.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Dryden, VA – James Albert White, 52, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, TN. Born in Gary, IN, he lived in South Carolina and Big Stone Gap for all of his adult life. He was a roofer and a short order cook of which he loved to do. He loved fishing and being in the outdoors in general. He was a Christian.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Barbara (Wright) White and sister, Margaret Kathleen Redding.
James is survived by his siblings, Dianna Bentley (Derrick) of Gray Court, SC, Barbara Massey (Greg) of Greenville, SC, Raymond White, Jr. of Florida and Anthony White of Big Stone Gap, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Final arrangements will be private.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of James White.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Michael Dwayne Kilgore, 79 of Johnson City, Tennessee passed away at the Johnson City Medical Center on October 28, 2025 surrounded by his loving family, after a brief illness.
Mike was born in Exeter, VA and attended Appalachia High School. Mike spent most of his life on Skeens Ridge in Big Stone Gap, VA
Mike proudly served in the Vietnam War as an E-6 SSG in the Echo Company, 8th Air Mobile Calvary, 2nd Battalion, First Air Cavalry Division from 1969-1970. Recon Platoon Sargent/Heavy Weapons 1968-1970. He was a recipient of 2 Bronze Stars/with “V” Device/First Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Army Accommodation Medal with “V”Device/First Oak Leaf Cluster, Three Air Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry/ with “V” Device, and many Presidential citations. He was also awarded a congressional recognition certificate of honor for the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration for service from the US House of Representatives presented by Diana Harshbarger.
Mike continued his education after coming home from Vietnam. He pursued his engineering degree at Milligan College. He also furthered his education by taking courses in Industrial Mining at ETSU, MECC, The University of Tennessee, The University West Virginia & The University of Kentucky.
Carrying forward 3 generations in the coal industry Mike’s passion was in mining. He was an Engineer specializing in Industrial Engineering for Westmoreland Coal Company. When the company closed, he continued his mining career with Simmons Rand in Regional Management for Sales and Service, later when Long Airdox acquired the company he served as a Regional Marketing and Sales Manager, He retired from DBT America/Bucyrus where he also served in Regional Marketing & Sales.
Mike was a member of the American Mining Institute of Industrial Engineering, He served as the Vice President and President of both the Westmorland Coal Company-Stonega Veterans Association and Virginia Mining Institute, He served as Trustee for VFW Post #5715 in Big Stone Gap, VA, where he was also a member of the Honor Guard. Mike was also a member of the DAV Post #45 in Big Stone Gap, VA, 1st Air Cavalry-Silver Saber Division, Vietnam Veterans of America and the American Legion, Tenn Post 0003.
His favorite thing was watching his grandson Brantley grow up and play sports. Mike loved to shop and travel, he was an avid golfer, a big college football and basketball fan, he loved to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide & the Kentucky Wildcats. He also enjoyed writing and researching his family history.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence & Florence Kilgore, and siblings, Clarence “Eddie” Kilgore, Frederick Allen Kilgore and sister Julia Lynn Jackson.
Those left to cherish and carry on his legacy are his Loving Daughter, Stephanie Kilgore Reed, Son-in-Law Todd Reed, and the Joy of his life, his precious grandson Brantley Michael Reed of Telford, TN; Beloved Brother, Patrick Kilgore, Appalachia, VA, Former spouse of 46 years, Deborah Kilgore, Big Stone Gap, VA, and several nieces, nephews and cousins he loved dearly.
Mike was baptized and had given his life to Christ. He took his last breath with his family, Stephanie, Debbie & Todd, holding his hands. Life comes full circle, through good times and in turbulence, LOVE ALWAYS WINS!
We salute you and you will Never Be Forgotten, Until we meet again.
The family will receive friends on Monday, November 3, 2025 from 5:00-7:00pm for a private time of visitation, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave. W, Big Stone Gap, VA. Funeral services will follow at 7:00pm with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner, Jr. ministering. Funeral services will also be private.
Private military graveside services, accorded by American Legion Post 3, 265 Honor Guard, for family members and close friends will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 1:00pm at Mountain Home National Cemetery, 53 Memorial Drive, Mountain Home, TN. Those serving as pallbearers will be Vietnam Veteran Comrades, Pat Kilgore and Todd Reed, led by Brantley M. Reed.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Michael Kilgore.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

Coeburn, Va.-Chester Dale Dingus, 72, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
He was a lifelong resident of Coeburn, Va., but lived for a short period in Indiana. He was a Front Desk Receptionist for several local hotels/motels in the area. He loved flower gardening, acrylic painting and his cats.
He was preceded in death by his father, Carl Dingus; two brothers, Darrel Dingus and Tommy Dingus.
Surviving are his special friend, Linda Bailey; and close friends, Gary and Kristi McCarthy, and their son and Chester’s nephew, Brantlee.
Arrangements are private.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve Chester Dingus’ friends.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.