Lois Ann Bowen Darnell

Lois Ann Darnell, age 72, of Blountville, entered into Heaven on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at the Welmont Hospice House in Bristol after an extended illness from cancer. Mrs. Darnell was a native of Jasper, Virginia. She retired from nursing after 25 years of service. Mrs. Darnell helped establish and was instrumental in several nursing care facilities in the Kingsport and surrounding areas. She and her husband ran a real estate and construction company for several years as a contractor and a developer. Mrs. Darnell was a very loving and compassionate person, who never met a stranger; she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and friend. Her family was the most important thing in her life and her proudest accomplishment. Mrs. Darnell was also a member of Holly Springs Church.

She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Bowen, sister, Judy Burton Wynegar, brother, Marvin Bowen and a nephew, Scott Ketron.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, James P. “Boze” Darnell; daughter, Melissa Wood and a son, Greg Darnell and his wife Alisa; her mother, Rosella Bowen; brother, Donnie Bowen; grandchildren: McKenzie Darnell, Tanner Wood and Hunter Wood, along with several nieces and nephews, who she loved as her own children.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Grover Starnes and Rev. Ralph “Buddy” Dingus, officiating. Entombment Services will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in East Lawn Memorial Park. Everyone is asked to assemble in the cemetery by 10:45 a.m. for the service. Pallbearers will be Steve Ketron, Carlos Burton, Mike Burton, Gary Darnell, Jeff Carter and Marty Judd.

The family would like to send a special Thank You to the staff of Welmont Hospice, Bristol and to Kingsport Oncology and Hemotology.

Please visit www.eastlawnkingsport.com to leave a condolence for the family. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements and is honored to serve the Darnell family.