Virginia J. Smith

Beloved long-time resident of Sullivan County, Virginia Johnson Smith, 94, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2013, 6 weeks before her 95th birthday. Virginia was born in Dickenson County, VA and spent her early childhood there before moving to TN when she was a teenager.

Her quiet faith, love and devotion to family, friends, community and her church, Gunnings Baptist Church, will always be remembered and greatly missed. Virginia was the last Charter Member of Gunnings, which was founded in 1956. Virginia loved to work puzzles, to crochet, embroidery and quilt. She made several beautiful quilts, some winning blue ribbons. Also, she enjoyed gardening and baking; her specialty was coconut and chocolate pies. Virginia did not watch much TV but we could always find her watching ETSU and UT ball games.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Elbert Martin Smith; her parents, Roby J. Johnson and Rachel Sutherland Johnson; brothers, Claude, Lee, JC and Judge Johnson; and sisters, Molly Kiser, Almeda Wilson, Alta Frazier and Thelma Smith.

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Suthers and husband, Johnny of Kingsport, TN and Elbert M. "Buddy" Smith, Jr. and wife, Eva of Knoxville, TN. She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Patrick Suthers, PhD of Pennsylvania, Byron Suthers and wife, Billie of Kingsport, TN, Brooke Suthers of Kentucky, Elizabeth and Sarah of Knoxville, TN, and her only great-grandchild, Bryleigh Nicole Suthers of Kingsport. Virginia has numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and two sisters-in-law, Lorraine Johnson of NC and Azel Mae Olinger of Blountville, TN.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 12-2:00 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. A celebration of life will follow in the chapel with Rev. Bob Ferguson and Rev. J.W. Depew officiating. Music will be provided by J.W. Depew. Interment will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be George Smith, Bill Johnson, Tommy Frazier, Gene Wilson, Jeff Johnson and David Lemons.

Honorary pallbearers are Danny Owens, who visited Virginia on a weekly basis, Albert Laughlin, Fayne Bell, Alan Overstreet and Ray Hartsock.

Our many thanks to our extended family at Emeritus for the care, love and kindness, the dedicated health professionals from Amedisys, Dr. Chad Bates and Staff, Dr. Timothy Martin and Staff, our wonderful caregivers Monique, Sarah, Ruth and Kristina, and all friends and neighbors.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Gunnings Baptist Church, P.O. Box 450, Blountville, TN 37617.