James R. Huggins

September 14, 1924 - April 26, 2018

James R. Huggins, 93, of Bristol, Virginia, went home to his Lord and Savior on Thursday, April 26 at NHC in Bristol, Virginia. He was born in Union County, GA on September 14, 1924, the oldest son of the late John Harvey Huggins and Amanda Octavia Huggins. James served as a PFC in the USMC’s 4th Marine Division in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He was a member of the first graduating class of Truett-McConnell University in 1949. He graduated from Carson- Newman University in 1951 before attending Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He served as Pastor of churches in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. James retired as Pastor of East Bristol Baptist Church in 1990. He continued to serve as interim Pastor of several churches in Southwest Virginia. He was a faithful member of North Bristol Baptist Church. James was preceded in death by Earlene Huggins, his wife of 67 years. He is survived by four sons, Larry Huggins of Bristol, VA, Ed Huggins and wife Chris of Centreville, VA, Andy Huggins and wife Tove of Brumunddal, Norway and Mark Huggins and wife Elizabeth of Bristol, VA; five grandsons, David, Joseph, Martin, Walker, and Jordan; eight granddaughters, Christina, Rachel, Emily, Amanda, Meg, Katie, Abby and Hannah; 17 great grandchildren and one great great grandson. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM on Friday, May 4 at Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, VA. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 5 at the funeral home with Pastor Alan Moore and Pastor Travis Ingle officiating. The committal service and interment will be held immediately following at Mountain View Cemetery, Bristol, VA.