John M. "Sonny" Sauls Jr.

John M. “Sonny” Sauls, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Wellington Place in Kingsport, TN from complications with Parkinson’s disease. John, or as many called him “Sonny”, was born in Smyth County, VA on May 16, 1935 to the late John Millard Sr. and Della Pickle Sauls. Farming and gardening were mainstays in his life, as were his family and the many friendships he established during his career with Pet Dairy and Piedmont Milk Sales. Moving from his family homestead in Chilhowie to Kingsport with his wife Bettie in the 1950s, John began in the receiving room for Pet Dairy and by the late 1980s was Production Manager of the Kingsport plant. He transitioned to Field Representative for Piedmont Milk Sales soon thereafter, coming full circle being back on treasured farmlands. Many folks, old and young, enjoyed Pet Coolie and ice cream treats, not to mention thousands of half pints of chocolate milk during school field trips, farm days, fairs and festivals John worked with during his lifetime in the dairy industry.

John cultivated not only great friendships - he was well-known for his own family garden, bountiful and beautiful. Strangers would often stop while he was plowing or tilling, ask questions, walk the rows with him and there another friendship would bloom. He and Bettie provided many a bushel of half runner beans, sweet corn and tomatoes to family, friends and strangers alike. No one visited their home without leaving with a full stomach and more than likely full arms with gifts from the garden, fresh or lovingly canned. An avid hunter and fisherman, many a vacation day was spent with his late father-in-law on the banks of the South Fork River, with friends and family on Lake Weiss in Alabama or on a Virginia mountainside watching the sun rise. Prior to his illness, John and Bettie attended Liberty Church of the Brethren and Colonial Heights Christian Church.

John was preceded in death by his parents John (Sr.) and Della Sauls, brother Tom Sauls and beloved aunt Nannie Pickle.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Bettie Blevins Sauls; daughters and sons-in law Ann and Roger Smith, Melanie and Keith Beam, and Patti and Alan Bagley; granddaughters Cate and husband Jacob Crawford, Cece McClellan, and Ellie Bagley; step-grandson Cory and wife Kaitlyn Beam; step-granddaughter Ivy Beam; siblings Sue and Neal Stuart, Zane and Brenda Sauls, Betty and Bill Williams, Shannon and Nancy Sauls, Ann and Cotton Armstrong, Donna and Steve Berry and sister-in-law Tammy Sauls; many cherished nephews and nieces, extended family members and friends.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Wellington Place in Kingsport for the exceptional care and love they provided John; to Drs. Cynthia Reece, R. Scott MacDonald and Robert Lee for the grace and dignity they showed caring for him; to the caregivers at Home Instead in Kingsport, who spent many hours by his side; to the members of the Sullivan County EMS who were outstanding in our times of need; and to Amedysis Hospice, who allowed him a peaceful journey “home.”

The family will receive friends Friday, October 17, 2014 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm in the East Lawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life service for Mr. John M. “Sonny” Sauls, Jr. will follow at 7:00pm in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. A private burial will take place in the Garden of Faith at East Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be his sons-in-law and nephews Richard, Tim and Travis Sauls. Honorary pallbearers will be Garland Blevins, Dewey “Doug” Blevins, Teddy Gaby, Bill Price, Scott Gammon, Ronnie Hale, Mike Jackson, and Jim Kelly. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider memorial donations to the National Parkinson Foundation Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741 www.parkinson.org or the American Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090 www.alz.org.

East Lawn Funeral Home, 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664; 423-288-2081; is honored to be serving the Sauls family.