Lillard Blevins

Lillard Blevins, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather entered the presence of the Lord at the age of 94 on March 27, 2025, at Ben Atchley State Veteran’s Home Knoxville, TN. He was a former resident of Shady Valley, TN and a member of Shady Valley Baptist Church.

Lillard’s life was chiefly defined by his deep love relationship with his wife, Nora Ethel, who predeceased him. They were childhood sweethearts in Shady Valley. They shared 71 happy years of marriage. Together they raised four children and welcomed five grandchildren plus three great grandchildren to their family. Lillard and Nora were inseparable. Over the years they enjoyed camping, hiking, birdwatching, walking, and vegetable gardening. As loving companions, their days were filled with continual conversation shared over a never-ending cup of coffee.

Lillard’s heart was also strongly connected to his birthplace in the mountains of Appalachia where he grew up as one of Edna and Wheeler Blevins’ eleven children. Lillard spent his childhood in Shady Valley milking cows, feeding chickens, hoeing crops, picking green beans, fishing the streams, and whatever was needed on his family’s farm. Fresh water fishing remained a favorite pastime for a large part of his life. Never one to meet a stranger, Lillard enjoyed striking up conversations with people wherever he went.

Lillard graduated from Middle Tennessee State College after completing a tour of duty in the Army. He served during the Korean conflict in LaRochelle, France. After his military duty, Lillard worked in the automobile industry in Michigan before attending college in Murfreesboro, TN. He operated a Frost Top Root Beer shop while still in school. After graduation from Middle Tennessee State College, he began a long career in engineering. One of his proudest achievements was doing some work for NASA at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. He worked at Brown Engineering Firm and Thiokol Engineering. Lillard retired from TVA Knoxville.

Throughout his life, Lillard remained a dedicated Christian and contributed to his church wherever he lived. He served as a deacon at Bethany Baptist Church in Huntsville and in various capacities at his church in Shady Valley.

Lillard is survived by daughter Pamela Bierworth (Glen); son David Blevins; daughter-in-law Beth Blevins (Jeff deceased); son Bruce Blevins (Wendy); grandchildren: Christie Vasquez (Jason); Paul Bierworth (Madeline Moncla); Olivia Bierworth (Micah Armstong); Jacob Blevins; Keren Bierworth; great-grandchildren Lucas and Evie Vasquez, and Laurel Armstrong. Surviving siblings include Elmo Blevins, Kenneth Blevins, Ethan Blevins (Connie), Betty Plummer, Reba Tillery (John), Judy Tucker, Joseph Blevins (Jan), and Naomi Hammons.

Services will be held at Shady Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Stout on Saturday, April 4 with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Lillard will be laid to rest in Shady Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shady Valley Baptist Church, 1339 Highway 91, Shady Valley, TN 37688.

The family of Lillard Blevins has entrusted his services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.