Charles S. Valentine, Sr.

KINGSPORT - Charles S. Valentine, Sr., 81, of Kingsport went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 26, 2015.

Mr. Valentine graduated from Francis Marion High School in Marion, Alabama and attended Knoxville College.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.  Charles was a former Chemical Tech with Tennessee Eastman Company, now Eastman Chemical Company.

Mr. Valentine was a former President of the Citizens Advisory Board, and was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Tri-Cities Barracuda Swim Team, and the Kingsport Housing Authority.  He was a member of New Begininngs Christian Fellowship, and former deacon at Shiloh Baptist and Central Baptist Churches.

Charles is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joan M. Valentine, sons Charles Valentine, Jr. (Eva) and John Valentine (Velma);  daughter Kimberly Valentine;  sister Myrna McMillan;  brother Louis Valentine (Susan);  sisters-in-law Barbara Bell, Betty Fugate (Fred, Sr.);  grandchildren Arron, Gabrielle, Charles III (Jennifer), Robert, John, Jr. and Brianna; "adopted" children Donna Morrisette, Lori Stokley, Charlotte Farmer, and Kenneth Carothers;  "adopted" grandchildren Julius, Shalamar (Willie), Shantelle, Marcus, Cyndee, Sasha, Tre', Clint, and James;  8 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews across the United States.

The family will receive friends Thursday from noon until 1 PM at the Central Baptist Church.

A celebration of life service will follow at 1 PM with the Reverend. Billy Pearson officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Mr. Valentine's grandsons and nephews.

The staff of Oak Hill Memorial Park. Funerals and Cremations is honored to serve the family of Charles Samuel Valentine, Sr.

An online guest registry can be signed at http://www.oakhillmemorialpark.com

Constance Earnestine Carson

Sunrise 4/22/1960 -- Sunset 4/15/2015

Constance Earnestine Carson, 54, crossed the finish line to victory after a lengthy illness.


A native of Johnson City, TN, Connie lived a great part of her life in Kingsport, TN. After honoring & defending her country by serving in the United States Army, she later moved to Harrisburg, PA.

Connie accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age, she attended Friendship Baptist Church of Johnson City, TN. She attended Dobyns-Bennett High School and graduated from Science Hill High School (Class of ’78). She studied at East Tenn. State University and Northeast State Community College.

Connie enjoyed reading, planting flowers, trips to the Smokies and spending time with her granddaughter Kalyna, (the apple of her eye!). She also loved spending time with her nephews Ayden, Landyn, Antonio and Noah. Connie had a quiet and shy way about her but shared her quick wit and humor with those she knew and loved.

Preceded in death by her Father Earnest A. Carson and Step-Father, Joseph L. Gilmore, Connie leaves to mourn: Mother Jeraldine Fields Gilmore, Johnson City, TN. Two sons, Akeelan L. Young, Nashville, TN. and Alvin M. Young, aka Mikie, Johnson City TN. Brothers Earnest D. Carson (Ann), Abingdon, VA, and Mose White (Christina), Todd Page-Gilmore “TJ,” and Caleb Carson, all of Johnson City TN. Sisters Pamela C Rollins (Clinton) Johnson City, TN. Angela Gilmore of Kingsport TN. A beautiful granddaughter Kalyna Young. A host of uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Special friends include Richard Young and Wincey Copney.

A special thanks to the staff at Veteran Affairs and Nurse Cindy.

A celebration of Connie’s life will be held 4:00 p.m. on Monday 4/?20/?2015 at Friendship Baptist Church 522 W. Main St. Johnson City, TN. With Rev. C.H. Charlton officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 3-4 p.m. prior to the services at the church and other times at the home of mother Jeraldine Fields Gilmore, 514 E. Fairview Ave Johnson City, TN. Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday 4/21/2015 @ V.A. cemetery Mountain Home, TN.

Professional Services provided by Birchette Mortuary Inc., 219 E. Millard St. Johnson City, TN 423-926-6013. www.birchettemortuary.com