Grace Ester Church

Grace Cannon Church, 98, Kingsport, known to all as Mamaw Church, passed away Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Church was born in Watauga County, NC in 1910, the daughter of the late Elbert and Esther Love Cannon and stepmother, Libbie Baird Cannon of Watauga County, NC. She and her husband, Frank and son, James Church moved to Kingsport in 1939.

Mamaw Church attended Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church in Bloomingdale for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Church; daughter, Judy Carty; sisters, Corda Mayes, Vonnie Greer, Faye Fitzgerald; and brothers, Ben, Lloyd, and John Frank Cannon.

Surviving are her son, James Church and wife Stella; daughters, Esther Stewart, Ann Horton and husband Raymond, Linda Flanary and husband Bob, and Revonda Chapman and husband Bill, all of Kingsport. Mamaw Church is also survived by fifteen grandchildren including Angie Church, who was a very special caregiver, loving granddaughter, and was always at her side; fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Pam Mellons.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Services will follow at 7:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home with Pastor Bobby Krtausch officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Oak Hill Memorial Park where she will be interred beside her husband.

Pallbearers will be David Church, Gary Church, Jeff Stewart, Brian Carty, Brad Carty, and Eric Flanary.

Honorary pallbearers will be Alex Rogers, Justin Church, and David Church, Jr.

A special thanks to Wellmont Hospice, especially nurses, Misty and Becky.