James Carlos Wallen

James Carlos Wallen, 78, of Kingsport, was called home to be with the Lord at 8:00 a.m. on January 1, 2013 at his home due to a heart attack.

Carlos was born in Kingsport where he lived his entire life. He was a graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School, class of 1952. Carlos was in the grocery business and then was an employee of Eastman Chemical, retiring in 1991. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of the American Legion Hammond Post #3.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Lawson Wallen; parents, Alex and Cora Wallen; and brothers, Clarence "Dal" Wallen and Ernest Kyle Wallen.

Carlos is survived by his daughters, Melinda Hartman and Marnita Vaughn and husband, Gary, all of Kingsport; very special granddaughter, Maggie Tipton and husband Adam, of Jonesborough, TN; two step-grandchildren, Jessica Vaughn, of Clinchport, VA and Shaina King, and husband, Amos of Abingdon, VA; papaw's angel, great-granddaughter, Aubrie Tipton; sister, Wanda Jean Burks and husband, Charlie of Kingsport; two nieces, one nephew and several cousins; special niece, Sabrina Burks.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family will have a private graveside service at East Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday, January 3 with Preacher Gary Vaughn officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by American Legion Hammond Posts # 3/265.