Keokee, Va.-Monte Lee Lawson, 76, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
He was a retired coal miner, having worked with both Leeman Coal Co. in Pardee, Va. and Big Fist Coal Co. in St. Charles, Va. He loved watching Bob Barker and The Price Is Right. He also loved to tinker and could fix just about anything. His children likened him to McGyver. He cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was of Baptist faith and an avid reader of the Bible.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Anita (McKinney) Lawson and a brother, Arnold Lawson.
Surviving are his four daughters, Mona Lawson of Kingsport, Tn., Stephanie Jones (Johnny) of Auburn, Ga., Candice Sykes, Keokee, Va., and Amber Shepherd (Jeremy) of Coeburn, Va.; 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; sister, Loma Lawson of Exeter, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 5:00pm – 7:00pm Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at Gilliam Funeral Home, 618 Wood Ave., W., Big Stone Gap, Va.
A graveside service will be held 11:00am Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Barker Cemetery, Rawhide Loop Road, Keokee, Va. with Lowell “Cotton” Gardner officiating. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:15am Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery
Pallbearers will be: Kendall Sykes, Camden Sykes, Kyler Sykes, Brennan Lawson, Dakota Williams, Braxton Willis and Declyn Shepherd.
Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Monte Lawson.
To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.