Kermit Rife

Kermit Rife, 78, of Abingdon Virginia, formerly of Hurley Virginia, passed away after a short illness at Johnson City Medical Center.
Born on February 21, 1938 in Hurley, he was the son of the late Roy and Lottie Rife. Kermit graduated as valedictorian of Hurley High School in 1958. He graduated from East Tennessee State University. Kermit then taught school in Buchanan County Virginia for fifteen years. He was a retired coal miner and owned & operated Blankenship & Rife Coal Company for twenty years. Kermit served on the Buchanan County Public Service Authority board. He was an avid outdoorsman & loved his horses. He was a member of the Little Prater Church of Christ & attended Macedonia Church of Christ in Abingdon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother & a sister. Survivors include his wife Sue Rife, his daughters Monica Chaney Justus (Tim) and Lea Mullins (David) of Abingdon, one granddaughter, Breanna Justus of Gray Tennessee., one grandson, John David Mullins of Abingdon, and one great granddaughter Alexa Justus of Gray.
The family will receive friends at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service on Saturday January 7, 2017 beginning at 5:00 p.m., with services following at 7:00 p.m. with Minister Ron Musick officiating. Entombment will be at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Claypool Hill, Va., 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 8, 2017. All those wishing to attend are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Mark Hackney, Truitt Blankenship, Robbie Bower, Tom Bower, Steve Ratliff & Thorn Mosley. Honary pallbearers will be Donnie Ratliff, Richard Williams, Dave Matney, Roger Rife, Roger Logan & Steve Blankenship.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register.
Kermit Rife and his family are being cared for by the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).