Earnest Lewis Maples

Earnest Lewis Maples, 73, of Blountville, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. Born in Pennington Gap, VA, he had lived in this area most of his life.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.  Lewis was a diesel mechanic with Mason-Dixon Trucking for many years.  He then retired from Health South after 11 years of service.  Lewis loved the outdoors and hunted deer.  He traveled to Canada to go bear hunting.  Lewis’s favorite things to do were playing with his grandchildren and sitting on his deck watching the deer and squirrels and drinking hot coffee.  He was a member of Calvary Freewill Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Evelyn Mary Maples; son, Tim Maples; and brother, Henry Maples.

Lewis is survived by his wife of 48 years, Evelyn Maples; daughter, Tammy Bledsoe and husband, Larry; 2 grandchildren, Miranda and Joshua Bledsoe; 2 sisters, Hazel Blackburn, and Cora Roark and husband, Bob; special nephew, Bradley Church; and several other nieces and nephews.  Lewis’s best friends are Bill Hicks (deceased) and Ernie Townsend.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. The funeral service will follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. Dewey Shaffer and Rev. Joe Trent officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Friday at 11:30 am at Gunnings Cemetery. Military Graveside Rites will be presented by the American Legion Posts 3/265. Those planning to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 11:15am.

Honorary pallbearers will be Joshua Bledsoe, Bradley Church, Kaden Hobbs and Mike Trent.

In lieu of flowers, we request a donation be made to FRIENDS – Friends Reaching, Inspiring and Educating Neighbors about Down Syndrome, at P.O. Box 5677, Johnson City, TN 37602, to honor Earnest Maples’ grandson, Joshua.