Ernest "Eg" Gordon Rhea

Kingsport, Tennessee

Ernest Gordon “EG” Rhea, 67, passed after a long illness, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, Tennessee. He was born January 25, 1944 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. While in the Army he earned the rank of SP4. He was retired from Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tennessee. He was a lifelong farmer and was a special education bus driver for the Sullivan County School system. He was loved by many of the children whom he lovingly took to and from school. He was a member of the Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Ernest survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Nettie Holt Rhea, of the home: two daughters, Jessica Leigh Rhea of Blountville, Tennessee and Rebecca Sue Rhea McKinney and husband Joshua of Johnson City, Tennessee: brothers Howard Rhea of Blountville, Tennessee, Arling Chester Rhea of Kingsport, Tennessee and Carl Ray and wife Helen, of Kingsport, Tennessee; sisters Velma Sue Frazier, and husband Clyde, of Walterboro, South Carolina: Wilma Thomas of Blountville, Tennessee, Kathleen Light-Opie and husband Clint, of Bellbrook, Ohio and many nieces, nephews great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Roosevelt Rhea Sr. and brothers Ivan Roosevelt Rhea Jr., Elmer Garland Rhea and James Earl Ray: sister Phyllis Ann Ray.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, June 24, 2011 at East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park or anytime at the residence. Funeral Service will follow Visitation at 8:00 pm in the Chapel with Reverend Jeff Davis officiating.

Military Graveside will be June 25, 2011 at 3:00 pm at East Lawn Memorial Park, Kingsport, Tennessee with Military Honors accorded by The American Legion Hammond Post #3 & Gate City Post #265.

East Lawn Funeral home and Memorial park are honored to be serving the Rhea family.

To leave a condolence for the Rhea family visit our website at www.eastlawnkingsport.com