Mike Witt

Mike Witt, 84, of Kingsport entered into rest on Monday, September 8, 2014 after an extended illness. He was born in Sullivan County and lived his entire life in the Kingsport area. Mike attended Holston Institute and Dobyns-Bennett High School and was a graduate of ETSU. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force. Mike started his insurance career at Bennett & Edwards before leaving in 1967 to establish Edwards, Tipton, Witt Agency with Val Edwards and Teeny Tipton. Upon retirement of Val and Teeny, Mike became sole owner of the agency in 1974. The agency flourished under his leadership and is still family owned and operated today. Mike was well known for working long hours and his devotion to customers and their needs.

Mike served on the Board of Finance at Eastern Kentucky University, the Board of Visitors at Emory and Henry College, was a fifty year member of the Sinking Creek Lodge No. 575 and was involved with the Girls Club of Kingsport. He was the oldest active member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church where he held many positions including teacher, board member, and member of Upper Room Sunday School. He loved to help people and was very generous to those in need. He was devoted to his wife, Bea, and family, his work, loved to fish, and also loved to travel. Mike was an avid golfer and was a former member of Ridgefields Country Club of Kingsport and the Golf Club of Amelia Island where he and Bea spent winters. Mike was a big University of TN fan and life long season ticket holder and donor. He loved to spend special days with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Chase Witt; two brothers, Robert (Bob) Witt and Judge Howard (Buck) Witt; and two sisters, Anna Lou James and Betty Lane.

Mike is survived by his wife, Bea Witt; two sons, Steve Witt, and Tim Witt and wife, Jennifer; four grandchildren, Stephanie Witt, Kristen Sharp (Rick), of Charleston, SC, Landon Witt of Kingsport, and Kayla Witt of Knoxville, TN; two great-grandchildren, Jonah and Mila June Sharp of Charleston, SC.

Family graveside services will be held at East Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday.

Honorary pallbearers will be George Jetter, P.T. Nottingham, Mac Patton, Jim Hall, Gerald Gilbert, Jack Garland, Bill Byrd and Clinton Waddell.

A memorial service will be conducted at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Burlingham officiating.

The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers, especially Missy Bruner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church Building Fund, 631 Lebanon Rd., Kingsport, TN 37663.

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