Sylvia S. Hutchinson

June 29, 1934 - August 5, 2011

Hutchinson, Mrs. Sylvia Simpson, 77, of Big Stone Gap, VA, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, departed this mortal life for her heavenly home in the wee hours of August 5, 2011, at her home. The majority of her life was spent as a resident of Big Stone Gap, and she was a professional teacher. She earned her Bachelors’ degree from Knoxville College where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and her Masters’ degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She retired from Wise County Public Schools after 34 years of devoting her life and skills to children. She was a life-long, devoted member of Mount Hermon Presbyterian Church where she worked in the Missionary Society and served as Elder and choir member. She was a troop leader of Girl Scout Lone Troop Number 1, the first Girl Scout Troop in Big Stone Gap. She was also a member of the Wise County Education Association, the Virginia Education Association, and the National Education Association. Sylvia was an excellent homemaker and care-giver to her father-in-law, her mother, and two of her aunts. Mrs. Hutchinson, the daughter of the late John Steward Simpson, Jr., and Florence Morris Simpson, is survived by her husband of 49 years, Edward R. Hutchinson, Sr; two daughters, Karen H. Sanders of Montgomery, Alabama, and Kim R. Harkness and husband Mark of Acworth, Georgia; two sons, Edward R. Hutchinson, Jr., and wife Lana of Kingsport, Tennessee, and Christopher S. Hutchinson and wife April Dawn of Big Stone Gap, Virginia; twelve grandchildren, Kanika Hutchinson, Keith Hutchinson, Kia Sanders, Mark Harkness II, Kayla Harkness, Derek Harkness, Martika Kyte (Josh), Edward Hutchinson III, Sierra Hutchinson, Skylar Hutchinson, Savannah Hutchinson and Rachel Thompson; two step grandchildren, J. C. Oaks (Heather) and Charlie Oaks; two great-grandchildren, Christian Oaks and Christian Glenn; a host of cousins and in-laws; and a multitude of friends. The family will receive visitors and friends on Friday, August 12, 2011, from 11:00 am to 1:00pm at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N) in Big Stone Gap. The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Anthony Barnette officiating. Interment will follow the service at Oakview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Kids Central, Post Office Box 661, Norton, Virginia 24273. To view the obituary and registry on-line, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hutchinson family.