Terry Kern Obituary

Terry Lee Kern

August 24, 2025

CHURCH HILL - On Sunday, August 24, 2025 Terry Lee Kern, 68, of Church Hill, TN completed his last mission this side of Heaven surrounded by those who loved him.

He served his country proudly in the Army National Guard in Gate City, VA from 1976-1986. Terry also worked for Westmoreland Coal Mine from 1977-1993, he then moved to Florida where he became a mechanic and retired from that and moved back to Virginia in 2016. He was ordained as a Deacon at Darthula Baptist Church on July 24th, 2022. Terry was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a passion for serving others and doing the Lords work. He spent countless hours volunteering for Ballad Health, serving on the mission fields in Belize and Honduras as well as missions at home.

Those that have gone on before him are his parents, Kenneth and Mamie Kern; brothers, Ray Kern, Rex Kern, Roy (Agnes) Kern, Buddy Kern, Ken (Pat) Kern, Jr., and Tony Kern; sister, Faye (Gene) Carter; son, Clifton Lee Kern.

Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Vonda Carter; daughters, Heather Vanzant (Stephen, his best buddy), Amanda Clark (Dustin) and Tina Kern (Tyson); grandchildren, Wayland Lee Kern (Brandy), Tiffani Lawson (Austin), Jacob Vanzant (Lauren), Kylee, Alley and Sadie Clark and T.J. Kern; great-grandsons, J.P. and Cody Lee Vanzant and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to invite anyone that would like to wear a pair of overalls to do so as that was Terry's favorite outfit.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Darthula Baptist Church, 1741 Lunsford Mill Rd, Hiltons, VA. Military honors will be given at 6:00 pm with American Legion Hammond Post 3/265 assisted by the Virginia Army National Guard. Funeral services will follow with his son-in-law and best buddy, Pastor Stephen Vanzant and his Pastor Layton Bentley officiating. Music will be provided by Layton Bentley, Dremia Smith and Ed Jennings.

Pallbearers will be Andy Anderson, Austin Lawson, Wayland Kern, Jacob Vanzant, Zach Sloan and Jeff Seay.

The family would also like to express their most sincere gratitude to everyone for praying, calling, visiting and bringing food and for loving on Terry and his family during his courageous battle. He was always astonished by how much love he was covered with.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family at 4155 Stanley Valley Rd, Church Hill, TN 37642.

Condolences may be made to the family by visiting our website, www.sturgillfuneralhome.com

Flowers may be delivered to the church after 9:00 am Wednesday.

Sturgill Funeral Home, Pennington Gap, VA is in charge of the arrangements.