Wiley E. Blevins, 87, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord, May 29, 2016, after an extended illness. He passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family. He lived most of his life in Shady Valley where he was a lifetime member of Harmon Chapel Christian Church. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Wiley enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, working in his flowers, and was an avid reader. He was a retired carpenter, brick mason, rock layer and enjoyed building furniture. He was a graduate of Johnson County High School where he was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1946.
He was the son of the late Ambrose and Viola Blevins and also proceeded in death by an infant brother, Winton Blevins, sister, Janet, and special brother-in-law, Eugene Tinker.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Leona Dumic Blevins, and five daughters, Kathy Yarber and husband Lou of Unicoi, Cynthia Brookshire of Johnson City, Teresa Blevins of Elizabethton, Linda Brown and husband Seth of Asheville, N.C., and Rose Blevins, of the home; his three grandsons. Jason Brookshire of Bristol, Tenn., David Brookshire of Elizabethton and Bentlee Brown of Asheville, N.C.; his four granddaughters, Ashley and Amanda Boyd of Johnson City, Elizabeth Blevins of Elizabethton and River Brown of Asheville, N.C.; his great-grandchildren, Sierra, Kayla, Daymon and Christina Brookshire of Bristol, Tenn., Cameron and Kyleigh Smith of Johnson City, Kali-Kay Mercereau of Johnson City and Gabriella Brookshire of Elizabethton; one sister, Alta Houck of Roseburg, Ore.; several nieces and nephews as well as countless cousins; and special friends, Gary Wagner, Marshall Cuddy and Dale Hodge.
Special thanks to Hospice workers, Emily White and Tim Horton; as well as Silver Angels staff and caregivers, Linda Gentry, Lori Gentry and Tony Davenport.
Per his request, Wiley’s body has been donated to Restore Life USA to further the science of cancer research. Family and friends may call or stop by the home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.