Ray Don Markland Sr., 82, of Elizabethton, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 11, 2015, at Johnson City Medical Center. He was the son of the late John and Connie Wilson Markland and was a native of Carter County.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Hattie Wilson; two brothers, Clarence and Carl Markland; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Grant and Maude Bullock.
Mr. Markland was a veteran of the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was a retired employee of North American Rayon Corporation with more than 40 years of service. He was an active member of Borderview Christian Church, serving as an elder, trustee and former Sunday School teacher. He also served on several ministry teams and committees throughout his over 50 years of service to the church.
He enjoyed coaching softball teams for many years, in the community as well as the church. He was an avid Lady Vols fan, enjoyed working in his bee stands, working in his “shop,” gardening and perfecting the art of lawn care. One of his greatest joys was helping others.
Ray was a devoted husband to his wife of 55 years, Charlotte Bullock Markland, of the home, devoted father to his only son, Ray Don Markland Jr., loving father-in-law to Ray Don’s wife, Suzette Warren Markland, and dearly loved his “adopted” grandson, Chris Timmons. He is also survived by a sister, Ruby Bice, a brother, Kenneth Markland and his wife, Donna, and two sisters-in-law, Betty Markland and Jane Fletcher and her husband, Clint. In addition, he is survived by several nieces, nephews and special friends, Betty Little, Lawrence Ritchie, Wayland and Dorothy Mays and Jody and JoAnn Crowe.
A service to honor the life of Ray Don Markland Sr. will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, at Borderview Christian Church with Mr. Scott Fisher and Mr. Ken Overdorf, ministers, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Mr. Scott Reynolds, Ms. Susan McNabb and Ray Don Markland Jr. The family will receive friends at the church from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service, or at the home at other times. The committal and entombment service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 14, in the Mausoleum of Peace at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Steve Burrough Jr., Jody Crowe, Paul Dickson, Randy Hardin, James Hughes, Lawrence Ritchie, Chris Timmons and Ted Weaver. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Bowers, James Counts, Harold Hicks, Pen Hampton, Joel Norris, the church family, and Hubert “Shube” Estep. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Borderview Christian Church, 1338 Bristol Highway, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax at (423) 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is proudly serving the Markland family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.