Big Stone Gap, Va.-Betty Ruth Fannon, 74, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family.
Betty was a lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap. She served as a certified nursing assistant at
Lonesome Pine Hospital and Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tn. She loved her church family at West End Baptist Church and her family. She served as Mrs. Clause for over 20 years for various town’s Christmas parades.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen (Rose) Jones; sisters, Shirley Whisman, Katherine “Kitty” Ellis, Barbara Sanders and Mary Marsee.
Surviving are her husband, Charlie Fannon; children, Joe Ellis (Beth) and Jennifer Stafford (Donnie); grandchildren, Heather Glover (Wes), Jessica Taylor, Megan Nowlin, Joseph Ellis, Alexander Stafford (Martha), Alexia Stafford; great grandchildren, Kamalynn Burchell, Ryleigh Burchell, Audrina Glover, Addalyn Glover, Hunter Taylor, Caden Taylor, Harper Nowlin, Kyra Bowman, Skyla Hall, Talia Thompson, Mackenzie Stafford and Ellie Stafford; sister, Ruth Forbes (Tony); brother, Don Jones (Saundra); several nieces and nephews; and Cassie Stidham, whom she loved like a daughter.
The family will receive friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm Friday, December 8, 2023, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave, W., Big Stone Gap. The service will follow at 7:00pm with Pastor Josh Tompkins officiating.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00am Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at American Legion Cemetery.
The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:20am Saturday to go in procession.
Pallbearers will be: Dennis Roop, Alex Stafford, Joseph Ellis, Kalen Gardner, Decan McCracken and Jessee Sweeney.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Big Stone Gap Police Dept., Big Stone Gap Fire Dept. and Big Stone Gap Rescue Squad.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Fannon family.