Big Stone Gap – Karla Thomas Entered her eternal rest Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Lonesome Pine Hospital. She was of the Christian Faith. She was a hard working, loving, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. While Karla’s family grieves her loss they are choosing to remember her in a way that honors her free spirit.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Alonzo Thomas and her father, Charles Leon Milbro.
Surviving are her children, Dorian Milbro (Carissa), Treyvon Daniels, and Jayda Thomas; mother Wilma Jo Milbro; grandchildren, Keshawn Milbro, Khalil Milbro, and Carter Milbro; sister Vernita “Sissy” Fitzgerald; brother Carlos “Buck” Milbro; fiance’ Mark Horner; aunts Juanita Dinkins, and Ruth Hoskins; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 11:00am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The service will follow at 1:00pm with Pastor Sandra Jones officiating.
Graveside service will be held at Joseph G Long Cemetery on May 31, 2023 following the service.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Karla Thomas.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, vist www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home’s Facebook Page.

Dryden, VA – Barbara Bailey Ward, 90, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 19, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.
Barbara was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend. She loved working in the garden and flowers as she had a green thumb. She also loved her doll collection and plate collection. She was owner of Barbara’s Gift and Fabric Shop for over 40 years and a member of the Hope of the Midnight Cry, Church of God Seventh Day, Dryden, VA.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Ward; her grandsons, Paul “Tre” Miller III and Herbert Edward Todd Stipe; her parents, John and Nancy Bailey; her siblings, Kelly, John, Robert, Frances, Bernice, Gladiola, Shirley and Suzi and her son-in-laws, Paul Barker Howard and Herbert Stipe.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen Stipe, Eddie Ward and Jennifer Ward; her grandchildren, Carla Bresee (Rick), Michelle Miller, Jessica Miller (Ken), Hillis Bresee (Jam), LeeAnn Oaks (Brad) and Kandace Miller; her great grandchildren, Star, Dallas, Justice (Roger), Caitlin (John), Zoie, Kendall, Bryce, Camden, Aubri, Ayden, Kyler, London and Jace; her great-great grandchildren, Mason, Danny and Beckham; her sister, Charlene Kelly (Ted) and her fur grandbaby, BoBo. Special thanks to Dr. Sam Deel, hospice nurse Ashley Hill, Diana Ott, Lee Health & Rehab, staff & nurses, and Anita Phillips
Graveside Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Powell Valley Cemetery, Dryden, VA with JR Sexton officiating and special music by JR and Karen Sexton. Dallas, Kendall, Bryce, Camden, Ayden and Kyler will serve as pallbearers. Family and friends can meet at the Gilliam Funeral Home at 12:15 am to go in procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paws of SWVA, PO Box 576, Coeburn, VA 24230 or online at www.pawsswva.org/donate.
Gilliam Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family of Barbara Ward.
You may visit www.giliamfuneralhome.com to view obituaries and leave condolences.

Big Stone Gap, Va.-Inez Brickey Blevins, 99, was called away to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 18, 2023. She was born in Imboden, Va. and was the daughter of the late Charles Nelson Brickey and Elizabeth “Bessie” Anderson Brickey.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer K. Blevins; son, Kenneth Blevins; granddaughter, Kristy Blevins; sisters, Nancy Gibson and Mildred Pierce; brothers, Kelly Brickey and Bill Brickey and daughter-in-law, Lisa Blevins.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She raised her children with love and devotion with her husband, Elmer, in Big Stone Gap. She was a loving mother to many others besides her immediate family.
Inez devoted her life to serving God, her children and others. She attended Cedar Ridge Free Will Baptist Church in later years.
Inez worked during World War II at the Radford Arsenal, a powder packing plant in Radford, Va., as part of the war effort. She was a Cub Scout den mother and volunteered at Lonesome Pine Hospital for over 25 years. She was a member of the Lonesome Pine Bowling League for many years. Inez loved her flowers and was the member of a local gardening club. She was a wonderful homemaker and talented seamstress.
She is survived by her children, Carolyn Hanus (Robie Manuel), Steve Blevins (Carol Hale) and Mark Blevins; grandson, Luke Hanus (Joannie); step granddaughters, Brandi Davis (Blake) and Ashley Wells (J.T.); great grandchildren, Bryson and Kaylee Mitchell; step great grandchildren, Asher, Hezekiah, and Eden Davis, Tucker Wells and Preston Mullins; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 4:30pm – 6:00pm on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The service will follow at 6:00pm with Pastor James Holcomb officiating.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. The family and friends will meet at the funeral by 1:20pm to go in procession to the cemetery.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
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 homes Facebook page.

Big Stone Gap, Va.-Charles E. Miller, 81, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Norton Community Hospital.
Charles was a lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap. He was in the first graduation class of Powell Valley High School. Charles began his career working at Buckles’ Grocery. He then was a “D.J.” for WLSD in Big Stone Gap. He worked at Don Wax Homes, Inc., Don Wax Realty and then was co-owner of Don Wax Mobile Homes. Charles served as Building Official and Director of Housing for the Town of Big Stone Gap, where he co-authored the grant that brought the Wallens Ridge State Prison to Big Stone Gap. Charles was a board member of the Big Stone Gap Housing Authority, a member of the Big Stone Gap Volunteer Fire Dept. and a board member for Wise County Social Services. Charles was a longtime member of East Stone Gap Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher for 38 years in the Miller Sunday School Class.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Betty Miller; grandson, Westin Miller Dietz; and his parents, Rev. Paul Harry Miller, Sr. and Evelyn (Dalton) Miller.
Surviving are his daughter, Julie Dietz (Joel), Big Stone Gap; three grandchildren, Alli Delp (Josh), Hailee Dietz, and Emma Dietz; six great grandchildren, Willoh Dietz, Prim Dietz, Charlotte Delp, Levi Delp, Connor Jones and Lettie Jones; sisters, Carolyn Terry (Charles) of Ringold, Va., Patricia Osborne (David) of Mt. Carmel, Tn. and Cathy McKinney (Terry) of Big Stone Gap; brothers, James “Jim” Miller, Kingsport. Tn. and Paul H. Miller, Jr. of Big Stone Gap; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the East Stone Gap Methodist Church. The service will follow at 7:00pm in the church’s worship center with Rev. Jake Herron, Pastor Phil Goble, Rev. Norman Clark and Rick Jones officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Westin Miller Dietz’s memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN 38105.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Miller family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.

“Therefore, you now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice….” -John 16:22


Bristol, Va./Big Stone Gap, Va.-Myrtle Lawson Lambert, 65, left this world and went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Bristol Regional Medical Center after a short illness.
She was born on the 17th of March, 1958 in Wise County, Va. to Ralph B. Lawson, Sr. and Ann Gilbert Lawson. She was a daughter, sister, wife mother and grandmother and her grandchildren were her world. All who met her knew she had a kind and loving heart.
“Myrt,” as she was called by family and close friends, never met a stranger and she always had a big smile on her face. To say that she will be missed is an understatement.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Lawson, Sr.; a brother, Ralph Lawson, Jr.; an infant daughter and her stepfather, Charlie Wagner.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 25 years, Kenneth Lee Lambert; her mother, Ann Lawson Wagner, Big Stone Gap; three sons, Michael Carico, Bristol, Va.; Timmy Carico, Pochantas, Va.; and John Carico and wife Brittney, Big Stone Gap; three grandchildren, Elijah Carico and Eliana Carico, both of Big Stone Gap, and Sakaria Carico, Pikeville, Ky.;; and a new granddaughter expected in a few months; three brothers, Jackie Lawson and wife, Mychelle, Danny Lawson and wife Fay, both of Big Stone Gap, and Mike Lawson and wife, Nioma of Asheville, NC; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and the father of her children, Steve Carico, Big Stone Gap.
The family will receive friends 5:00pm – 7:00pm Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave, W., Big Stone Gap. The service will follow at 7:00pm with Pastor Bill Hughes officiating.
Committal graveside services will be 11:00am, Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:20am to go in procession.
Pallbearers will be: Danny Stidham, Phil Lee, Steve Carico, Jack Lawson, John Carico, Michael Carico, Nathan Sturgill, Travis Lawson and Jody Shular.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve Mrs. Lambert’s family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Norton, Va.-Martin Steven Wells, 65, passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at his home.
“Marty,” as he was affectionately known, was born in Norton, lived in the Southeastern U. S. for many years and returned to Norton in 1989. He was a carpenter by trade. He was a Christian.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Milford Wells and Barbara (Smith) Bledsoe; and siblings, Barbie Bledsoe, Becky Wells, Dennis Wells, and an infant brother, Tommy Wells.
Surviving are his son, Tommy Wells of Norton, Va.; siblings, Debbie Lindsey of Norton and Michelle Hanst (Bill) of Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wells requested cremation.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve Mr. Wells’ family.

Dryden, Va.-Evelyn (Hensley) Clark, 93, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023, at Lee Health and Rehab Center in Pennington Gap, Va.
Evelyn was born on August 4, 1929 in Stonega, Va. to Carson and Ellen (Smith) Hensley. She was employed at the Stonega Company Store until her marriage to Morgan Lyle Clark in 1949. She was later employed as a teacher’s aide at Appalachia Elementary School where she touched many children’s lives with her compassion and care. She also attended East Stone Gap Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Morgan Lyle Clark; her son, Morgan Lyle Clark, Jr.; her granddaughter, Gina (Clark) Jessee; her parents, Carson and Ellen Hensley; and her sisters, Hazel Buckley, Faye Moore and Juanita Van Hoorelbeka.
Surviving are her children, Allen (Cindy) Clark, Steve Clark, David (Pam) Clark and Angela (Ron) Brown; her grandchildren, Casey (Sarah) Clark, Kami (Shane) Tucker, Kim (Bill) Rasnick; and Morgan Blanton; her great grandchildren, Joshua Clark, Lexi, Lamore and Leah Tucker, and Makenna and Braylee Rasnick; her brother, J. D. Hensley, her sister, Wilma Wood; and several nieces and nephews.
A heartfelt thank you to the staff of Lee Health and Rehab Center for the un-paralleled care they provided Evelyn for over 12 years.
The family will receive friends 1:00pm – 2:00pm Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap, Va. The funeral service will follow at 2:00pm with Pastor Jake Herron officiating.
Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, East Stone Gap, Va.
The family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
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 on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Wise, Va.-Dorothy Ellen (Sparks) Hill, 79, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at her home.
Born in the Stone Mountain community of Coeburn, Va. She had lived most of her life in Coeburn and had lived in Wise for the past six years. She was one of 13 children. She loved bingo, dancing and watching NASCAR. She was of the Pentecostal faith. She never met a stranger and her door was always open to all. She was a mother figure to many.
She was preceded in death by three sons, Robert Hill, Ricky Hill and an infant son; a granddaughter, Cassandra Hill; her parents, Elgin and Georgia (Riner) Sparks; and twelve siblings.
Surviving are her children, Michael (Martha) Hill of Wise, Va., Brenda Adkins (Mark) of Coeburn; Tommy (Donna) Hill of Coeburn, Gary (Melissa) Hill of Coeburn, Charles Hill of Coeburn, John (Ilene “Arlene”) Hill of Wise, Lee (Christie) of Coeburn, Timmy Hill of Coeburn, Elisha Hamilton of Big Stone Gap, and Joshua (Julie) Hill of Coeburn; 27 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special friend, who is like a daughter, Debbie Flanary of Wise, Va.
The family will receive friends 5:00pm – 7:00pm Friday, May 12, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave, W., Big Stone Gap. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 7:00pm with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Hill family.

Duffield, Va.-Roger Rowe, 80, of the Stickleyville community, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Holston Valley Medical Center.
He was born and raised in Grundy, Va. and had lived in Stickleyville since 1998. He was a retired electrician with the Westmoreland Coal Co. He was a pastor at First Freewill Baptist Church in Pennington Gap, Va. for several years. He loved fishing and gardening.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Bureda (Fleming) Rowe; and two brothers and three sisters.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Glenda Rowe; daughter, Bureda ReRe Phillips (Frank), Mooresburg, Tn.; son, Roger Michael Rowe (Kimberly), Stickleyville, Va.; eight grandchildren, Perry, Christopher and Brittnie Phillips, Travis, Keith, Chase and Dustin Rowe, and Brianna Baker; 13 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson; sisters, Virginia Norcross, Roanoke, Va. and Irene Crim (Ray), Front Royal, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm Friday, May 5, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap. The service will follow at 7:00pm with Pastor Glen Lovell officiating.
Committal graveside services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Rowe Family Cemetery, Stickleyville. The family and friends will meet at the cemetery by 10:45am.
Pallbearers will be: Travis Rowe, Perry Phillips, Christopher Phillips, Brandon Baker, Benton Rowe and Dustin Rowe.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Rowe family.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Lebanon/Big Stone Gap, VA - Elizabeth "Libby" Ann Mumpower, 74, went to be with Jesus on Monday, May 1, 2023, surrounded by her family and friends.
Libby was born in Derby, Va. on March 25,1949 to her parents, Howard H. Gillenwater and Agnes M. Mullins Gillenwater Gilley; her step-father Noel B. Gilley, whom all preceded her in death. She was as also preceded in death by a sister, Janice Gillenwater.
She was a member of the East Stone Gap United Methodist Church from an early age.
Libby graduated from Powell Valley High School Class of 1967. Libby, like her mother, had a desire to teach children so she attended Emory & Henry College through her sophomore year. She completed her studies in Elementary Education at Clinch Valley College in 1971.
Libby began her teaching career in the Wise County School System at Appalachia Elementary teaching 7th Grade through 1971-1975 school years.
After starting her family, she was a stay-at-home mom for her two daughters. In 1980, she returned to teaching at the Wise County Christian School of Norton & Wise.
After the birth of her third child in 1989, she became a stay-at-home mother until 1993 when she returned to teaching at Appalachia Elementary School teaching primarily in the 3rd Grade. In 2005, she transferred to Powell Valley Primary School teaching 3rd Grade and later became the school’s Title 1 Family Involvement Coordinator until her retirement in 2014.
Libby’s greatest joy was her family, especially the beautiful grandchildren whom she adored. Her beautiful smile and genuine love will forever be remembered by all who knew her.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Earl N. Mumpower, Jr; two daughters, Julie Ann Werner (Jeremy) of Nixa Mo. and Sara Elizabeth Stacy (Travis) of Abingdon Va.; her son, Stephen Earl Mumpower (Kristy) of Bristol; her seven grandchildren, Jonah and Elijah Werner, Isabella and Isaiah Stacy, Jaycee, Korra and Kallan Mumpower; two sisters, Gwendolyn Gillenwater of Charleston, SC.; and Pamela Clark (David) of Dryden, Va.; one aunt, Charlotte Atkins of Derby, Va.; a loving bonus daughter, Chrissy Hurley of Big Stone Gap, and Jaycee’s mother, Andrea Haines. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins and her many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday May 7, 2023 at the East Stone Gap United Methodist Church in East Stone Gap, Virginia with Pastor Yul Miller and Rev. Norman Clark officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00pm - 3:00pm with the service following at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Libby Mumpower Fund for a local annual scholarship. Please mail check to: Powell Valley National Bank, P. O. Drawer GG, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Mumpower family.
To view the obituary online or offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Norton, Va.-Susan Alice Kennedy, 55, passed away on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Holston Valley Medical Center.
She was born in Appalachia, Va., she had lived in Coeburn, Big Stone Gap and Norton. She was a caregiver, phlebotomist, and ward clerk in various hospitals. She was of Baptist faith.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Barbara (Shephard) Hall; and a brother, Clarence Edward Hall.
Surviving are her husband of 37 years, Paul Kennedy; son, Adam Kennedy; brother, David Hall (Kristy), Big Stone Gap, Va.; sister, Nancy Green (Philip), Blountville, Tn.; several nieces and nephews; two aunts, Brenda Caudell (John), who raised Susan, like her own child, and Janice Culbertson (Gary).
A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Greenwood Acres Cemetery, Coeburn, Va. with Dr. Bill Sims officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:50pm.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Kennedy family.

Big Stone Gap, Va.-Reverend and Captain David Allen Gibson has reported for duty in heaven. An accomplished and inspiring leader, he passed away at age 65 on April 30, 2023, after a brief illness.
He met and married the love of his life, Alice, while attending college. They spent 45 years building a beautiful family together.
He was mentor to many, and took pride in the success of those whose life he impacted. He nurtured many men and women to become their best selves, and eagerly celebrated their accomplishments. His career in the Air Force included travel the world-over, and friendships with many people. His colleagues report that he shared his time, energy and love with them. After retiring from the military, he worked as a professional civil engineer at various firms, then spent the rest of his working years as a junior ROTC instructor.
David prioritized relationships with people. He pastored several United Methodist Churches until 2022. He loved God, and he loved people. He continued to serve in ministry and especially enjoyed singing in church choirs. He also enjoyed playing with the community concert band. He appreciated and valued every person he came to know.
He was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Ramona Gibson. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Alice, daughter Beth Tipton (Jason), son Doug Gibson (Alicia), and two adoring grandchildren Dorothy and Samuel. He is survived by one sibling Elizabeth Mullins, step-mother Phyllis Gibson, and a plethora of extended family members.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave, W., Big Stone Gap. The service will follow at 7:00pm with Rev. Timothy Robinson and Rev. Roy Hull officiating.
Military graveside rites, by the Shaw Air Force Base, SC Honors Team, will be accorded at 11:00am on Friday, May 5, 2023, at the Treadway Cemetery in Powell Valley. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:20am to go in procession to the cemetery.
Instead of flowers, David would desire that you do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for another human being, and consider making a donation to a local VFW post.
Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be his JROTC students.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Gibson family.