Ray George Quillen

Ray G. Quillen, 77, known as ?Poppy? to family and ?Bobo? to friends, died unexpectedly, closed his eyes, and went home to Heaven Friday morning, November 2, 2007, at his home.

He was born in Kingsport where he lived his entire life. Ray was an employee of Mead Corporation retiring after 40 years of service. He was of the Baptist faith and loved to fish and work with his hands.

Ray was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Charlene Quillen. He was the last of a family of eight ? brothers, Joe Clyde, Hubert, and John; and sisters, Lonnie, Blanche, Edith, and Bessie.

Surviving are one daughter, Julie Strong and husband, Paul, Kingsport; two sons, David Quillen and fiancée, Janie Ramey, Church Hill, Sam Quillen and wife, Pam, Fall Branch; grandchildren, Dwayne and Marcie Strong, Chris Strong, Chasity Quillen, Kimberly Quillen and Adam Barrett, Josh and Tabitha Quillen, Caleb and Amber Quillen; seven great-grandchildren, Hallie, Sierra, Mackenzie, Cory, Cody, Stella Charlene, and Railey; a daughter-in-law and her husband, Kathy and Dayton Peterson, Kingsport; a sister-in-law, Edlis Bledsoe, Kingsport; a brother-in-law, Paul Carver, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Mike Stout officiating. Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Dwayne Strong, Chris Strong, Josh Quillen, Caleb Quillen, Adam Barrett, and Paul Strong. Honorary pallbearers will be Dayton Peterson, Rick Hensley, and Anthony Ramey.