Lonnie Lee Garrett

August 17, 1943 - June 26, 2018

Big Stone Gap, Va. Lonnie Lee “Rainbow” Garrett, 74, welcomed into the loving open arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, passing away on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Lonesome Pine Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap and worked with the Rainbow Bakery in his early years. Lonnie was a retired coal miner with the Westmoreland Coal Co., with 22 years of service. He was a proud member of the U. M.W. A. Local #1607. He was a member of the Bethesda Church of God in Big Stone Gap, where The Rev. Donnie Pickett loved and encouraged Lonnie in his love of the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Nona (Quillen) Garrett; brothers, Charles, Herbert, Wayne and Paul Garrett; sister, Maxie Harbin; special nephew, Billy Harbin; grandchildren, Michael Swiney, Nikki Lipps, and Mia; and two special pups, “Muffin” and “Pepper.” Lonnie is survived by his loving wife of 57 years and best friend, and the one who brought him to the Lord, Nellie Garrett. Lonnie and Nellie had their “first” wedding underneath a maple tree when he was eight years old and she was six. A cigar band signified their union. In addition to his wife, Lonnie is survived by his four daughters, Rhonda (James) Lovell, Elizabeth (Greg) Boggs, Veronica Garrett and Saundra (Charlie) Johnson, all of Big Stone Gap; grandchildren, James (Angie) Garrett, whom he adopted as a son, Josh, Jessica, Jenn, Justin, Amy, Beck, Brian, Hunter, Caitlin, Kirsten, Hannah, Seth and Kayley; eleven great grandchildren; sister, Doris Fields of Big Stone Gap; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday (July 1, 2018) at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N.) in Big Stone Gap. The funeral service will follow at 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with The Rev. Donnie Pickett officiating. Committal services and a U. M. W. A. graveside rite will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday (July 2, 2018) at Glencoe Cemetery. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Monday to go in procession. The pallbearers will be: Charlie Johnson, Greg Boggs, Kenneth Osborne, Scott Morgan, Hunter Neece, Marvin Fields, Bobby Potter and Leonce Hall. To view the obituary online and offer condolences, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is serving the Garrett family.