John Russell Church

John married Martha Cook on 9 Jul 1892 in North Carolina, , , . Martha (daughter of Larkin H. Cook and Eliza J. Trivette) was born on 29 Jun 1874 in North Carolina, , , ; died on 17 Feb 1936 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Beech Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Reatha Walsh about 1929 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . Reatha (daughter of James Hamilton Walsh and Martha Ellen Church) was born on 4 Apr 1909 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 13 Apr 1997 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Texie married John F. McGuire about 1912 in North Carolina, , , . John (son of Leander Webster McGuire and Nancy Louisa Trivette) was born on 14 Dec 1891 in North Carolina, , , ; died on 4 Jun 1983 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Blevins Cemetery, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Zora married John Malachi "Mal" Estep on 7 Jan 1913 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . John (son of Landon Estep and Rebecca F. Watson) was born on 15 Jan 1894 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 23 Mar 1955 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in McGuire Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eliza married Acie Virgil McGuire about 1915 in North Carolina, , , . Acie (son of Leander Webster McGuire and Nancy Louisa Trivette) was born on 24 Feb 1894 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 9 May 1978 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in McGuire Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Bertha married Leroy McGuire about 1915 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . Leroy (son of George Washington McGuire, Jr. and Saphronia Alice Trivette) was born on 3 Mar 1894 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 21 Apr 1977 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Beech Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Lanta Tabatha McGuire on 8 Jun 1924. Lanta was born on 23 Sep 1906 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 7 Jul 1927 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Reatha Walsh on 25 Nov 1929 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . Reatha was born on 4 Jan 1909 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 13 Apr 1997 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Grace married Coy David Mann on 12 Oct 1924 in , Carter County, Tennessee, . Coy (son of Arthur Frank Mann and Mary Isabell McGuire) was born on 25 Aug 1905 in , Watauga County, North Carolina, North Carolina; died on 5 Mar 1963 in Washintgon County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Asa married Sarah E. Morton on 20 Jul 1935 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Sarah was born on 2 May 1916 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 5 Dec 2007 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Flossie married Harvey Bowman on 4 May 1935 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Harvey (son of Lee Roy Bowman and Nicie Trivette) was born on 11 Feb 1911 in , Giles County, Tennessee, ; died about 1966 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eustace married Leila B. Hardin on 30 Jul 1938 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Leila (daughter of Michael Roberts Hardin and Lucy Bartee) was born on 22 May 1914 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 21 Mar 2011 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gurney married Ruby Harmon about 1934. Ruby (daughter of Virgil Kinzy Harmon and Minnie Isabell Stout) was born on 28 Apr 1919 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; died on 14 Jun 1978 in Johnson County, , , Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Eula married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married James H. Hickman on 4 Jun 1948 in , Washington County, Tennessee, . James was born on 25 Mar 1925 in , Hawkins County, Tennessee, ; died on 18 Jun 1922 in , Lenawee County, Michigan, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Len Rex Estep, 69, 1775 Highway 91, Elizabethton, died Tuesday, December 19, 2000, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.
Mr. Estep was a native of Avery County, N.C., and a son of the late John Mal and Zora Church Estep. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Estep, and a daughter, Sue Solomon.
Mr. Estep was a former employee of Tri-State Container. He had lived in Detroit, Mich., for a number of years and retired from West-Vaco Container in Detroit. He returned to Elizabethton four months ago. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Anna Estep, Elizabethton; two daughters, Sandra Bates and Peggy Comacho, both of Detroit, Mich.; two brothers, Raymond Estep, Elizabethton, and Gurney Estep, Tipton, Mich.; and two sisters, Pat Patterson and Betty Jo Ketchem, both of Elizabethton. Ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

ESTEP -- Funeral services for Len Rex Estep, 69, 1775 Highway 91, Elizabethton, who died Tuesday, December 19, 2000, will be conducted at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. James Chapman officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday, December 22, in the Ensor Cemetery. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. Friday, will be Mike Johnson, Bill Tester, Basil Blackburn, Allen Blevins, William McHone and Chad Blackburn.

Family/Spouse: Ruth Oliver. Ruth was born about 1936 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; died before 2000 in , Carter County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Floyd married Betty Jane Scalf about 1950 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Betty was born about 1928 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 7 Dec 1991 in Washington County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Edna Tidwell on 19 Jul 1947 in , Carter County, Tennessee, . Edna (daughter of Vegie Tidwell and Thelma Inez Collins) was born on 2 Nov 1928 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; died on 16 Oct 2022 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, Carter County, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
ELIZABETHTON - Glenn C. Church, age 83, of Elizabethton, TN went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Glenn served during the Vietnam Era for the U.S. Army and later retired after 30 years from the U.S. Post Office. A native of Carter County, he was the son of the late Asa Clinard Church and Sarah “Dolly” Morton Church. Glenn was a graduate of Unaka High school and then went on to finish his education at ETSU. He was very soft spoken and never raised his voice or spoke harshly of anyone. Glenn was a Minister of Music for over 60 years and served many local area churches. He was a member of Lynn Valley Baptist Church. Glenn enjoyed working in the yard, planting his flowers and being outside, but he especially loved to spend time with his grandkids. He always looked forward to music school every year with the Watauga Association of Baptists. Glenn had a significant influence on many people who came to know Jesus. He was a man who loved his God, family and flag.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Howard and sister-in-law, Pat Church. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife and “rare gem” of 53 years, Joyce Oliver Church, of the home; two sons, David Church and wife Vicky, of Knoxville and Stephen Church and wife Lori, of Johnson City; a brother, Gene Church, of Elizabethton and brother-in-law, Howard Rev. Robert, of Kannapois, NC; three grandchildren, Kathleen “Katie” Church and Caleb Church, of Knoxville and Erica Church, of Johnson City and other nieces and nephews also survive.

A service to celebrate the life of Glenn C. Church will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday, May 28, 2021 in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Rev. Dennis Wilson and Dr. Kenneth Jordan officating. The music will be under the directon of Jamie Schaff. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. prior to the funeral service.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be selected by family and friends.

Notes:

Buried:
Carol Ann Church Howard, 78
Throughout this illness, she touched the lives of many wonderful medical personnel with her strong faith. She faced every obstacle with the mindset that God loves her and that He is in control. Her question to everyone was whether or not they knew Him, and if not, could she make the introduction.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 8, at 2 pm, at Miami Baptist Church, 6701 Miami Church Road, Concord, NC 28025 where she was a member. The service will be officiated by Rev. Scott Faw and the Rev. Eddie Barbee. Interment will be at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Daughter of: * Cline Church and * Dolly Morton Church
She grew up in the Elizabethton, Tennessee area where she met and fell in love with a young preacher. Because of her maiden name, the joke was that her husband had "married the church and was raising a Sunday School." Carol was the model "pastor's wife," and was constantly engaged in serving alongside her husband in many capacities but mostly in the area of music. She spent many years playing the piano or as Director of Music as her own father had while she was growing up.
After her children were in school, Carol went back to college in order to become a better church musician. She subsequently earned 2 different music degrees from Wingate University in 1979 and 1981. After a few years of almost daily duty as a substitute teacher, she earned certification to teach middle school language arts and social studies. She later returned to Wingate to earn a Master's Degree in Education in 1994 and was also a National Board Certified Teacher. Carol spent 21 years teaching full time at East Union Middle School in Union County, and then Kannapolis Middle School in Cabarrus County, touching the lives of many students.
Husband of 58 years: Rev. Robert Dallas Howard

Carol married Rev. Robert Dallas Howard, Jr. on 30 Jun 1962 in Carter County, , , Tennessee. Robert (son of Dallas Robert Howard and Carrie Elva Combs) was born on 29 Apr 1939 in , Carter County, Tennessee, ; died on 3 Mar 2023 in , Union County, Tennessee, ; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, Carter Carter, Tennessee, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Emma Robina Lewis. Emma (daughter of Roy Butler Lewis and Sylvia Novella Cook) was born on 25 Mar 1940 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; died on 31 Jan 2020 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sonja D. Whaley, age 79, of Central Community, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018, at Indian Path Medical Center, after a brief illness.

Mrs. Whaley was born in Elizabethton and was a daughter of the late Eustace C. and Leila Bell Hardin McGuire. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glen Whaley.

Mrs. Whaley was a member of the Roan Street Church of God. She loved to read her Bible and do crossword puzzles. She also loved taking care of her family and enjoyed watching westerns and taking care of her dog, Rachael.

Those left to cherish her memory include a son, Scott Whaley and his wife, Melanie, of Johnson City; five grandchildren, Jordan Jackson and her husband, Travis, of Kingsport; Kasey Carpenter and her husband, Chris, of Knoxville; Holly Thompson, of Johnson City; Leah Whaley, of Johnson City; Aaron Oliver of North Carolina; and special relatives and friends, Ella Jean Lunceford and her husband, Dean, Ed and Bessie Vanover, Jean Hart, Jason Lunceford, Mack Presnell, Richard Gray, Nat and Mattie Payne, Tracey Fann, Donna Vanover and Pastor Ken Bewley.

A service to honor the life of Mrs. Whaley will be conducted on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 6:30 PM in the Chapel of Peace, Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Pastor Ken Bewley officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5:00 – 6:30 PM on Wednesday prior to the service.

The committal and entombment service will be conducted on Thursday, April 26th, 2018, at 11:00 AM in the Mausoleum of Peace, Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Travis Jackson, Chris Carpenter, Logan Clifton, David Fann, J.J. Toms, Jason Lunceford, David Vanover and Tom Holt.

Sonja married Glen W. Whaley about 1958 in , Giles County, Tennessee, . Glen was born about 1932 in , Giles County, Tennessee, ; died about 1993 in Carter County, , , Tennessee; was buried in Happy Valley Memorial Park, , Carter County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

On October 23, 2022, Terry Len Estep, 69, walked into the arms of Jesus. He was the son of the late Rex and Ruth Oliver Estep and was born in Carter County on February 15, 1953. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Jonathan Estep; a sister, Sue Soloman; his precious “Aunt Ruby” Oliver in 2021 and his beloved black lab “Sarah” who he lost in January 2022.

Terry was a 1971 graduate of Unaka High School and was the former owner and mechanic of Milligan Auto Care. He was a member of Dungan Chapel Baptist Church.

Terry enjoyed cooking and made a great meatloaf and the best mashed potatoes. He loved spending time with his family, listening to Elvis and watching the leaves turn in the fall. Christmas was his favorite time of year – the more lights the better! Even his deer heads has Christmas hats. He loved collecting santas.

Those left to cherish his many memories include his wife of forty-four years, Anna Tester Estep; his children, Lora Hensley (Keith) of Johnson City; Travis Estep (Teina) Jonesborough; and Timothy Estep of the home; his grandchildren, Nikki Hyatt, Mitchell Hyatt, Slagle Shell, Tyler Estep, Thaddeus Estep, Thatcher Estep, Trentin Estep, Chasity Davis and Alexis Davis; two great-grandson’s, Michael and Carson; two sisters, Peggy Estep and Sandra Estep, father-in-law Bill Tester; mother-in-law, Carolyn Tester; sister and brother-in-law, Lynn Tester and Don Miller; a brother-in-law, Tommy Tester, former sister-in-law, Robin Brunner; special uncle and aunt-in-law, Allen and Dianna Blevins; special “nieces”, Amy Oliver and Libby Oliver Johnson (Jimmy) and “Papaw Terry” to Eli Johnson and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service to honor Terry’s life will be conducted at 1:00 PM Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Ensor Cemetery with Doug Rasnick officiating. Active pallbearers will be Nikki, Mitchell, Slagle, Tyler, Thaddeus, Don Miller and Tommy Tester. Honorary pallbearers are Thatcher, Trentin, Bill Tester, Allen Blevins, Mike Johnson, Michael and Lane Sparks and Jake Fagan.

Notes:

Buried:
Deborah Church Childress, age 70, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, went home to be with the Lord on November 5, 2021, at her home in Abingdon, Virginia, surrounded by loved ones. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, the late Floyd R. Church and Betty Jane Scalf Church.
Debbie retired from Nuclear Fuel Services (14 years) and previously worked at Raytheon (26 years). She was a member of Grace Baptist Church and faithfully served the Lord as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher as well as leading the puppet ministries. She also ministered sharing her musical talents in the church choir and orchestra. She enjoyed music, art, and spending time with her family.
Left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 39 years, Bill Childress; her dear sister and brother in love, Vicky and Tim Brummitt; her beloved children, Robert Todd Blackwell, Jason Blackwell (Kimberly), and Andrea Childress Tall (Cheick); eight adored grandchildren, Caleb Blackwell, Justin Blackwell, Caitlyn Blackwell, Emily Blackwell, Anna Blackwell, Bela Blackwell, Mimi Tall, and Sunny Tall; five beautiful great-grandchildren, Ethan Blackwell, Kaylee Blackwell, Tyler Blackwell, Aiden Blackwell, and Khalie Blackwell; a special daughter in love, Melissa Blackwell; two special granddaughters in love, Jennifer Jones and Clarisse Murphy; three special brothers and sisters in love, Johnny and Mary Childress, Jackie and Annie Childress, and Eddie Childress and Catherine Osborne, and several cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A graveside service to honor the life of Debbie will be conducted for her family at Happy Valley Memorial Cemetery, 2708 Elizabethton Hwy, Johnson City, TN 37601, on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 3 p.m. with Pastor Ron Owens and Dr. Travis Tyler officiating.