Robert E. Cress

February 17, 1941 - March 17, 2013

Big Stone Gap VA Robert E. Cress 72, passed away peacefully on Sunday (March 17, 2013) He was a devoted member of Thee Church in Appalachia, VA, where he was a Deacon and served on the Board of Trustees. He worked for the Westmoreland Coal Company for 29 ½ years, he was a member of the U.M.W.A. District 17, Local #1355. He worked for the Clear Creek Water Company for eight years, out of Appalachia. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and he loved the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Callie (Cress) Reynolds; five sisters, Leona, Aileen, Helen, Lucille, Louise, and a grandson, Aaron Stallard. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 ½ years, Louise Galloway Cress; five children, Pat(Husband) Jerry Chandler, Robert Cress, Jr., Johnny (wife) Donna Cress, Michael (wife) Janet, Donald (wife) Sharron, all of Big Stone Gap; grandchildren, Tamula, Breanne, Callie, Little Rob, Michael, Nicholos, Billy Joe, Ashley, Kendra, Gary Wayne, Crystal, and Heather; special grandkids; Savannah, Keith, Hunter, Gracie, Waylon, , Braxton, Keaton, Miranda, McKenzia, Kelsey, Bryson, Alyia, Cameron,Elijah, "KK," Dakota Bartee, Cheyenne Bartee, and Montana Bartee, step brothers, Gene (wife) Patricia Hall, Billy Reynolds (wife) Betty of OH, Cotton Reynolds (wife) Sheila of OH, Bobbie Reynolds of Appalachia, Eddie Hall (wife) Sherry of VA; stepsister, Judy Reynolds of VA; brothers-in-law, Delmar and Betty Penley, Otis Galloway, Jr., Eddie Galloway (wife) Jeanette; sisters-in-law, Betty Sturgill, Lou Ida Edens, Debbie Starnes (husband) Gary; a host of other very close relatives and friends, brothers and sisters of the church whom he dearly loved; and a very close friend, Rev. Y Jackson. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday (March 20) at Thee Church (718 W. Main St.) in Appalachia, VA. The funeral service will be conducted on Thursday at 12 noon at Thee Church in Appalachia, where the family will receive friends until the time of the service. The funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Duke Barker, Rev. Eddie Clifton, Rev. Jimmy Hammonds, Rev. Curt Flanary, and Rev. Jerry Belcher. Special music and singing will be provided by Thee Church. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Fleenor, Dr. Wilson, Brenda Kelly, and Lori Tankersly for all of their attentive care over the years that they have extended to Mr. Cress. The committal service will be conducted following the funeral in the American Legion Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. You may go online to offer condolences and sign the guest registry at www.holdingfuneralhome.com Holding Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cress family.