Howard Keith Blevins

Howard Keith Blevins, age 74, of Shady Valley, TN lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, January 3, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was born April 23, 1944 to the late Danta “Ped” and Mildred Reece Blevins.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother Sallie Richardson Blevins and maternal grandparents Homer and Winnie McNiel Reece who were like parents to him. Keith was a faithful member of Shady Valley church of Christ. He was retired from Tennessee Eastman and had proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy. Keith was a fun-loving man who dearly loved his family, friends, fishing, gardening, the outdoors and was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to others. His smile and happiness were contagious to everyone he met. Keith leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife Eileen Steagall Blevins of the home; daughters: Katana Blevins and Angela Barrett, both of Bristol, TN and Wendy (Tony) Spencer of Shady Valley, TN; son Teddy “Tater” (Joannie) McQueen of Shady Valley, TN. Also surviving are brothers Ronnie “Bill” Reece of Papilllion, NE and Stuart Blevins of Damascus, VA; sister Carol Weaver of Bristol, TN and cousin like a brother Tom Reece. Grandchildren Nicholas VanHook, B.K. Barrett, Ethan McQueen, Chance McQueen, Noah McQueen and a host of friends also survive. The family would like to express their appreciation to his friends and family and especially Mark Gentry for helping provide such excellent care to Keith during his illness. Funeral services for Keith Blevins will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2019 from the Shady Valley church of Christ with Mr. Daniel Koen and Mr. Tom Reece officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. prior to the service.  Military graveside service accorded by the Johnson County Honor Guard will follow in Blevins Cemetery in Shady Valley, TN. Active pallbearers will be Dennis Honaker, Mark Gentry, Earl Jenkins, Clifford Watson, David Wallace, Forrest Blevins, Larry Gentry and Wayne Shepherd. Honorary pallbearers will be Haskell McQueen, Jim Sherman, Jim Eller, Daniel Jones, Jeff Lemay and Jim Spencer. At other times friends may call at the residence 10004 Hwy 421 N, Shady Valley, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shady Valley Volunteer Fire Department, %Charles McQueen, 176 McQueen Road, Shady Valley, TN 37683. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.huxlipfordfh.com Professional services for the Howard Keith Blevins family are being provided by Hux & Lipford Funeral Home, Mountain City, TN.