George E. Garland

George E. Garland, of White Pine, TN born in Pineola, NC on February 24, 1920 passed away on April 9, 2013 at his home after a long illness. He is preceded in death by his parents; George P. Garland and Myrtle Garland Smith, sisters; Florence Garland Hall and Hildred Garland Culberton, brothers-in-law Herman and Newman Lewis. He is survived by his wife of 73 years Vivian Lewis Garland, daughter; Shirley Sammons, son; George E. Garland Jr, both of White Pine, daughter and son-in-law; Frances and Perry Pinson of Clearwater, FL, grandchildren; Sherry Sammons Thomas, Felicia Garland and Lisa Kneisley all of White Pine, Mark Sammons of California, Monique and Keith Neubecker of Oklahoma, George William Garland and wife Danielle of Cleveland, TN, Lori and husband Mike Watson of Flower Mound, TX, James and wife Audrey Pinson of Cedar Park, TX, Billy and Sonja from Bullard, TX, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren, George is also survived by brothers; Ray Garland and wife Margie of Raleigh, NC and Jim Smith and wife Norma of Spruce Pine, NC, sisters; Lucy Stokes, Betty Taylor, Gail Buchanan and Teresa Johnson all of North Carolina, also several nieces and nephews. George attended school in Crossnore, NC and later joined the Civilian Conservation Corp at an early age and soon became team leader of over 30 young men. He was in the CCC for 3 years when he met and married his wife Vivian. He soon started work as a high steel worker in Oak Ridge and later felt he was needed in World War II, so he volunteered for service and joined the Marine Corp. Within 30 days he was shipped to the South Pacific and was immediately placed into combat. He was in a foxhole in the South Pacific when his youngest daughter Frances was born. Mud from the foxhole was still on the pictures of her when he came home, George remained on active duty until the end of WWII. He was only home a short time when he went to West Virginia to work as a heavy equipment operator. He and Jim Justice Sr. started Bluestone Coal Corporation in W.VA in 1968, and after retiring, George returned to TN to fulfill his dream of owning a farm. He enjoyed watching the cattle and horses graze on the pasture during the summer time. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose for over 50 years and has a lifetime membership. He was a member of First Baptist Church of White Pine. George received an invitation to attend the Presidential Dinner at the White House in 2002. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church in White Pine on Saturday, April 13, 2013at 3:00pm with the Rev. Brian Osborne officiating, Family will receive friends from 1-3:00pm prior to the service at the church. Military graveside interment sevice will be held in Evergreen Cemetery in Erwin, TN following the funeral service. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in White Pine, 865-674-2441