James (Jim) M. Lyons

James (Jim) M. Lyons of the Bloomingdale Community of Kingsport, TN finished his last mile Monday, January 15, 2024, as he entered the gates of Gloryland. He was 86.

Jim was born and raised in the Powell Valley section of Big Stone Gap by his beloved parents, Chester O. Lyons and Corrie Creech Lyons. Jim was a 1955 graduate of East Stone Gap High School where he enjoyed being involved in sports, and is still remembered as a fierce competitor of the gridiron.  He worked at Clinch Haven Farm prior to serving in the U.S. Army in 1959; there, he was stationed at The Presidio in San Francisco, CA, and worked with NORAD.  After serving 4 years, he returned to his home and worked at Clinch Haven Farms.

He met the love of his life, Mary Queen from Clintwood, VA, and the two were married February 2, 1964. They lived in Wise, VA, Hampton, VA, and Kingsport, TN, before settling in the Bloomingdale Community. Jim was employed by Kingsport Garage Door Company, Holston Defense, Chemical Leaman, TVA, and Mason Dixon Trucking, as well as other smaller trucking companies, before retiring from East Tennessee Transportation. He spent his retirement enjoying traveling, woodworking, carpentry, golfing, and leading the building and grounds team at Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member. His greatest joy was watching and being a part of his grandchildrens lives.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary Queen Lyons; parents, Chester Ora Lyons and Corrie Creech Lyons; and siblings, Carson Lyons and Charlotte Irvin.

He is survived by his sons, Steve Lyons (Sonja) of Johnson City, TN, and James (Jim) Lyons (Hope) of Wise, VA; sister, Rita Lyons Powers (Bill) of Powell Valley in Big Stone Gap, VA; four grandchildren, Joshua Lyons, Lauren Lyons Lawson, Nikkei Lyons, and John Lyons; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and special friend and caretaker, Connie Browder.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 125 Coley St., Kingsport, TN 37660. The funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m. with Pastor Larry Browder officiating.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Hamlett-Dobson Memorial Park with Military Honors by American Legion Posts 3/265.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church.