The Post

Gerald Lee Jackson, Sr, age 78 of Kodak, TN, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022. He was a longtime resident of Big Stone Gap, VA before moving to Tennessee. He was a member of New Hope Church and had formerly served his church as Chief of Security. Gerald was a veteran of the United States Army. He was preceded in death by his mother Ethel Minor, father Flem Jackson, son Carl Jackson, daughter Carla Pennington, brothers Artemis "Bud" and Fred Jackson, and sister Virginia Adams. Survivors include his wife: Ledna Jackson, sons: Gerald Jackson, Jr. (Jessica), Lee Jackson and Joe "Jay" Shupe, daughters: Stephanie Jackson, Lisa Jackson and Michelle Anderson, as well as 12 grandchildren, several...

Merle Ficker was born on September 23, 1938 and passed on March 8, 2022. We are saddened by the loss, but happy as we celebrate her life and all she offered. She received both her Bachelor's and Master's from the University of Florida. She worked as an English Professor and Dean but found her love as a children's librarian. She fostered a love of reading for thousands of children as she found books special for each child. She traveled where her husband's jobs led her and made adventures in NY, FL, VA, and AL before retiring to NC to be near her children and grandchildren. She was a true example of one who put others first and a fighter for the underdog. She loved her family...

Greta Faye Killion, 87, of North Charleston, SC, wife of Willard Killion went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 7, 2022. Greta was born May 3, 1934, in Big Stone Gap, VA. She was the eighth child of nine born to William and Bertha Jane Chandler. She was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband, William V. Rutherford and 8 siblings. She is survived by her son, Matthew Rutherford and wife Corrigan of Ridgeville, SC; three daughters: Valerie Jackson of North Charleston, SC, Jennifer Clagg and husband David of Elizabeth City, NC and Rebecca Sherwood and husband Randall of North Charleston, SC; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Greta was known as a woman...

Debbie passed away unexpectedly at home on July 28th, 2021 on Hilton Head Island, SC. She was 66. Deb was born on January 20, 1955 in Norton, VA to her parents, Vinard Jacob and Lula Beatrice Lawson. She was raised in Exeter, VA where she was known as Katie to her childhood friends. She graduated from Appalachia High School. She worked in nursing before embarking on a very successful sales career selling steel and aluminum in Ohio for EMJ. Deb was very strong and determined to achieve success. Her customers loved her. She married her beloved husband Jack Cooke in 1992. They built a home in Chagrin Falls, OH, where they lived for 21 years. In 2018, they made the move to Hilton Head Island,...

Margaret Susanne (Susie) Bell, 70, of Princeton died Monday, July 5, 2021, at Princeton Community Hospital following a long illness. Born June 28, 1951, in Appalachia VA., she was the daughter of the late Ernest Jack Young and Betty Jane Wallace Young. She was a graduate of Powell Valley High School and had attended Clinch Valley College as well as Bluefield State College. Susie had retired from Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center as Director of IT with 34 years of service. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. While her health permitted, she enjoyed traveling, going to band competitions to support her daughter and granddaughter. Susie was an animal...

Mona Lee Bryant Mills of Knoxville, a loving Christian mother and grandmother, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020. She was born September 5, 1931 in Woodway, Virginia, to the late Henry J. Bryant and Pearl Stone Bryant, and also preceded in death by brothers Glen Bryant and Jack Bryant. Mona is survived by her beloved family: sons Greg Mills (Becky) and David Mills (Teresa); grandchildren Paul Mills (Kristen), Carol Mills, Amanda Danson (Thad), Shannon Mills, Andrew Mills, and Sara Gooden, as well as three great grandchildren. Survivors also include one niece and other relatives, including several cousins. Mona was a member of Salem Baptist Church. She loved Cades Cove, traveling,...

71, of Indianapolis, went home to be with her Lord May 11, 2020 surrounded by a room full of loved ones. Charlie was born October 5, 1948 in Big Stone Gap, VA, to the late Ralph and Ruby Slagle. Charlie married Troy Coffey and was employed as a bus driver for Warren Township Schools for many years. She was a longtime member of East 10th Street Church of God. Visitation will be Thursday, May 14, 2020 from 12 noon until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. at East 10th Street Church of God, 7998 E. 10th St. Charlie was preceded in death by her husband, Troy; and siblings, Carolyn, Ralph, Jr. and Myrtle. She is survived by a sister, Kathy; and passed knowing the love of her five...

Marian Mae Kocher, 105, of Big Stone Gap, VA, formerly of Somerset, PA and Johnstown, PA, died December 3, 2019 at Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap. Born February 11, 1914 in Somerset, she is the daughter of William Henry and Elizabeth Margaret (Kimmel) Ankney. Preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter Merle Kocher, brothers; William, James, Edward, Cloyd and Emery Ankney, and sisters; Lucy Walker, Elda Shaulis, Grace Crossen, Irene Rhodes, Velma Barclay and an infant sister Mary Ankney. Survived by her son David M. Kocher married to the former Linda Clark of Big Stone Gap, VA and numerous nieces and nephews. Marian was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Big Stone...

Margaret Lettitia Smith Kibler, 71, of Bluefield, WV joined her beloved husband John in dancing before Jesus on November 24th, 2019. She was born in Appalachia, VA on January 19, 1948 to Betty Jane Humbert Smith and the late John Richard Smith, Sr. Margaret's daddy affectionately called his first born daughter Peejib, a family nickname that stuck with her through adulthood. She followed in her father's footsteps and graduated from Hiwassee College in 1968 with a degree in Speech and Drama before attending and graduating from Morehead State University in 1971 with a degree in Speech Education. During her college years, she excelled in her studies and won many awards in speech, debate, and...