Grace E. Hopkins Sturgill

Grace E. Hopkins Sturgill, 89, of Kingsport, Tenn., formerly of Marion, died on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at her home. She was born in Marion on Dec. 2, 1919. She moved to Kingsport in 1985 to be near her daughter. She retired from Harwood Manufacturing. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Henry F. Sturgill, her father and mother, George and Dora Hopkins, all of her siblings, and her beloved dog, Curly, and cat, Cody. She was born again at an early age and had remained a faithful Christian. She was proud of her wonderful name and was quick to remind people of the real meaning of "Grace." Her greatest delight was making people laugh, and her greatest worry was people dying and going to hell. She was a faithful member for many years of Hooks Branch Baptist Church, Marion. In recent years, she attended Hillcrest Bible Mission Church, Kingsport, Tenn. Survivors include one daughter, Janice Barr, and husband, John, of Kingsport; two grandchildren, Mark Barr, and wife, Annie, of Bristol, Tenn., and Christy Denton, and husband, Brian, of Bristol; five great-grandchildren, Dillon, Lucas, Patrick, and Nathan Barr, and Hannah Denton; and her two beloved cats, Punky and Blacky. She was a loving and devoted "Mother," Maw-Maw" and "Granny Grace." The family will receive friends, Saturday, July 18, from noon to 2 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home and any time at the home of her daughter. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel at 2 p.m., with Brother David Castle and Brother Tois Seay officiating. Interment will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Dillon Barr, Elden Bailey, Brian Denton, the Rev. David Montgomery, Keith Moody, and the Rev. James Woods. Honorary pallbearers will be great-grandsons, Lucas, Patrick, Nathan Barr, Daniel Moody and her nephews. Please visit MEM.COM to leave a tribute or a condolence to the Sturgill family. East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.