Obituary of Rev. Edward L. Medlin

REV.  EDWARD  L.  MEDLIN

Kingsport- Edward L. Medlin, 91, of Kingsport, went to spend eternity with Jesus on Tuesday morning (June 19, 2018) at his residence.  He was born in Barbourville, KY and had spent most of his life in Kingsport.  Mr. Medlin was a veteran of the United States Navy and was very proud serving his country.  He attended Barber College in Louisville, KY and then moved to Kingsport in 1950.  He met and married his loving wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Medlin in 1952.  In 1956, it was very evident that God called him into the ministry and he became an ordained minister at Bloomingdale Baptist Church.  Rev. Medlin pastored several local churches along with working as a barber before being called to Indian Springs Baptist Church in 1961.  He was then called back to Corbin, KY in 1965 to minister and work as a barber for 11 years before moving back to Kingsport.  Ministry was his true calling, and barbering was only one of his loves.  He ministered as he cut hair and had the privilege of influencing many people while leading them to become a Born Again Christian.  He retired this past December at 91 years of age.  His loves were many, but first he loved and worshipped his God and Savior Jesus Christ.  Edward’s wife and children were the loves of his life, the church, and studying God’s word were his spiritual yearnings.  Mr. Medlin was a very patriotic man who loved our country who always included his country in his prayers.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillard and Grace Medlin; brothers, Walter Medlin and Wayne Medlin.

In addition to his loving wife of 66 years, he is survived by his daughters, Gail Self and husband, Richard, Kay Medlin, Carol Lee Absher and husband, Michael, Kimberly Marshall and husband, Phillip; his grandchildren, Jeffrey Redmond, Justin Baker and wife, Brandy, Dustin Candler, Matthew Absher, Meghan Briscoe and husband, Michael, Stephanie Absher, Lindsay Shanks and husband, Brad; his great grandchildren, Zachary, Zane, Whitley, Kylee, Raigan, Quillan, Paisley, and Reid; a great-great granddaughter, Zoey; his sister, Ona Light; special nephews, Ricky Light, Roger Medlin, Lynn Medlin; special niece, Becky Light Rockwell;  his special friends, Richard and Patricia Zollman, Gordon and Angela Zollman, Larry and Judy McKenzie, J.C. and Carolyn Herron, Kendrick and Misty Venett, Clarence Millhorn, Dr. Mark Mayhew, and Dr. Robert Funke along with many close friends at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Doug Wagner, Pastor Benny Keck, and his Sunday School Class.  A special thank you goes out to his hospice caregivers, Melissa, Janet, and Terri.

A visitation will take place on Thursday (June 21, 2018) at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Mount Carmel from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.  A celebration of his life will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Benny Keck, officiating.  Music will be provided by Doug Wagner, D.L. Smith, and the church choir. A military graveside service will be conducted by the U.S. Navy and the Hawkins County Color Guard on Friday (June 22, 2018) at Oak Hill Cemetery with his grandsons serving as pallbearers. 

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Medlin requested that memorial contributions may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church Foreign and Home Missions Fund, 311 Cypress Street, Mount Carmel, TN 37645. 

You can send an online condolence to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com. 

Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Medlin family.