All Obituaries

Christine Gillin Surcey, age 96, of Gray, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on May 11, 2026. She was born on April 28, 1930, in Newport, Tennessee, and was a beloved daughter of the late Ernest & Minnie Gillin. She was a native of Newport, TN, and had lived in the Boones Creek area for nearly 80 years. During those many years, she built a life centered on hard work, kindness, and steady love for those around her. Christine was known for her warm spirit, her gentle manner, ...

Leon Oren “Red” Rowan, 95, a resident of Gray, TN, passed away on May 6, 2026, in Johnson City, Tennessee.   Red was born & raised in Montrose, West Virginia.  At age 17, he joined the Air Force. He served for 20 years and then worked as a civilian for the Army for 18 more years. His Air Force duty took him to Alaska when it was only a territory and considered an overseas assignment.  Then he was stationed in Florida, where he & his wife were married. ...

Charles Dwain Yates, age 76, of Gray, Tennessee, passed away on April 28, 2026, at Lakebridge Health Care Center. He was born on March 7, 1950, in Norton, Virginia, the son of the late Newton B. and Emogene Bise Yates. Charles was a native of Clintwood, Virginia, and had made his home in Gray, Tennessee, for the past 53 years. During those years, he became well known as a dependable and hardworking man who took pride in providing for those he loved. He retired from Eastman Chemical Co. ...

Lois Ann Giles Rogers, 86, passed away on April 26, 2026, at her son’s home in Jonesborough, Tennessee, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 26, 1939, in Johnson City, Tennessee, and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion, and steady grace. Lois was the daughter of the late Robert R. Giles and Mamie M. Grindstaff Giles. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Robyn Hawkins. She is survived by her daughter, Donna Riddle, and her husband, Bill; her son, Dana ...

James R. “Reggie” Lett, age 73, of Piney Flats, TN, passed away on April 24, 2026, in Port Richey, FL. He was born on January 22, 1953, in Johnson City, TN, the son of the late James B. Lett and the late Eleanor Christine Utsman Lett. Reggie was a native of Washington County, TN, and he lived in Piney Flats, TN, for the past 35 years. He carried with him throughout his life the values of faith, family, hard work, and friendship. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded ...

Gary F. Combs, 83, passed away on April 24, 2026, at his home in Kingsport, Tennessee. He was born on August 22, 1942, in Kingsport, and he lived his entire life in the community he loved. Gary was the son of the late H.W. and Myrtle McConnell Combs. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, H.W. Combs and Jay Combs, and his sister, Camilla Combs. He is survived by his son, Jeff Combs, and wife Crystal; his daughters, Angie Roberts and husband Chris, and Kelly Weaver; his ...

Alva Lee Stokes (Lee), 87, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, passed away on April 20, 2026. Lee was born on May 7, 1938, in Jackson, Alabama, to Thomas and Minnie Stokes, the youngest of seven children. In 1961, he began a career with Brown & Root, first as a heavy equipment operator and millwright. That same year, Lee married Jimmy Faye Reeves on February 6th in Wayne County, Mississippi. Together they raised their four children, June, Joe, Tom, and Lisa, and were married 50 years before her ...

Mary Ann Sturgill, 83, of Bristol, Tennessee, passed away quietly on April 9, 2026, at Bristol Regional Medical Center after a lengthy battle with heart disease.  She was affectionally known by her family as “Mur” and to her many beloved nieces and nephews as “Aunt Mur”.  Mary Ann was born in Bristol, Virginia, the last of her parents’ seven children to be born at home.  Mary Ann graduated from John S. Battle High School before entering beauty ...

Chad D. Helton, age 53, of Johnson City, TN, passed away on April 4, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a life well lived. He was a man who found his greatest joy in the simple, meaningful things—cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers every fall Saturday and spending long, peaceful days by the lake. Whether it was cruising on the water with family or just sitting back and taking in the view, the lake was his happy place. And when the Vols were playing, you could always ...