Jean Elizabeth Gaither

Jean Elizabeth Gaither died on October 16, 2017, at the age of eighty-six in Paintsville, Kentucky, after a long illness. Born on August 7, 1931, in Mercer County West Virginia, Jean was the daughter of the late Bill and Flossie Mitchem of Lorton Lick Road. She was one of eleven children and is survived only by a brother, Robert Mitchem, who resides in Delaware with his family. She was married to Avis Ryland “Jack” Gaither for fifty-six years and had three children: Danny Gaither of Bluefield, West Virginia; David Gaither of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Pamela Burton of Van Lear, Kentucky. In addition, Jean had five grandchildren: Matthew Gaither of Radford, Virginia; Jeffery Gaither of Bluefield, West Virginia; Anna Burton and Christine Burton of Van Lear; and Stephanie Bailey. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Cheryl Gaither, son-in-law John Burton; and granddaughter-in-law, Susan Gaither. She had three great-grandchildren: Sophia Gaither, Luke Gaither, and Ella Gaither, all of Radford, Virginia. Although Jean lived the last five years of her life in Kentucky, she spent the rest of her life in Bluefield, West Virginia, where she was an active member of the community and well-liked by all who knew her. Furthermore, she was a member of the Lorton Lick Baptist Church. A Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home with Pastor Shawn Bragg officiating the service. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, West Virginia where friends and family will be serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.