Dr. Terence Michael "Mike" Gilley

Dr. Terence Michael “Mike” Gilley, 68, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Deer Meadows Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Abingdon, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Kenneth “Ken” Gilley and Thelma (Sorah) Gilley of Powell Valley; and one sister, Deborah Ann Gilley. Dr. Gilley was a 1974 graduate of Powell Valley High School, Big Stone Gap, VA. After high school he went on to earn the following degrees: BA, Appalachian Studies, Clinch Valley College, Wise, VA 1978; MA Folklore-Ethnomusicology, Indiana University, 1981; MS, Library and Information Science, University of Kentucky, 1986; PhD, Community College Leadership, Old Dominion University, 2015. His professional experience includes Reference Librarian, Tazewell County Public Library, Tazewell, VA; Director of Library Services, Russell County Public Library, Lebanon, VA; Regional Library Director, Wythe-Grayson Regional Library, Independence, VA; Director of Library Services, Mountain Empire Community College, Big Stone Gap, VA. Publications include: Introduction to Traditional Music in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide; The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. He was also very active in the Mountain Music School and The Home Craft’s Days at Mountain Empire Community College, Big Stone Gap, VA. Dr. Gilley is survived by a special aunt, Shirley Walborn, Xenia, OH; adopted brother, Dexter Ramey (James Potter), Abingdon, VA; special cousins, Bob Jones (Kelley), Baton Rouge, LA, and Karen Moerlein (Bob), Punta Gorda, FL; and numerous friends and his family of “Old Time” musicians. Thank you to Ballad Health Hospice in Johnson City, TN and the staff at Deer Meadows Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Abingdon, VA for their care and support of Dr. Gilley “Mike”. A memorial service to celebrate Mikes life will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for a service to honor Dr. Mike Gilley, all those that would be willing to come and play a song or share a memory is invited to do so. His burial will take place following in Riverview Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest by his parents. An online register is available for the family at www.holdingfuneralhome.com Holding Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Terence Michael "Mike" Gilley

February 27, 1957 - September 2, 2025

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