Ernest Hilemon Obituary

Ernest "Grady" Hilemon

March 21, 1935 -

August 3, 2025

ERWIN - Ernest "Grady" Hilemon, age 90, of Erwin, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025. He was a son of the late Carl L. and Katherine Morrow Hilemon. He was a native of Yancey County, NC but lived in Unicoi County most of his life.

Grady was a US Army Veteran and former member of the American Legion. He received an associate degree from Northeast State Technical College. He attended Grace Methodist Church.

Grady retired from Nuclear Fuel Services after forty-one years of service. He was an avid farmer and member of the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association. He received Soil Conservation Farmer of the year.

Grady was a Board Member of Southside Volunteer Fire Department. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping and NASCAR. He was a member of The Valley Beautiful and NFS Camping Clubs.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three infant children, Annette Hilemon, Sandra Jean Hilemon, and Michael Alan Hilemon; two brothers: Sammie Hilemon and Lee Roy Hilemon; one sister, Magdaline Nancy Stiles; his father-in-law and mother-in-law; John A. and Arlene "Granny" McInturff, special friends Frank Higgins and Bill Newman.

Grady leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of sixty-seven years Nancy A. McInturff Hilemon, his son, John G. Hilemon and wife Anjanette; one grandson, John G. Hilemon, II and fiancé Meredith; one brother, Ronnie Hilemon and wife Kathy; one sister-in-law, Linda Hilemon; special cousin, Freddie and Fran Deakins; special friends: Fred Horning and wife Stella, Harry and Shirley Britt, Robert and Donna Adams, and Frieda Newman; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Grady's family will receive friends Saturday, August 9, 2025 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm at Robert Ledford Funeral Home. Reverend Darrell Shelton will officiate the 1:00 pm funeral service. Committal will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Harris, Fred Horning, Albert Laws, Toney Tittle, Carroll Mumpower, Jim McKinney, Jeff Bryant and members of Southside Volunteer Fire Department.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in memory of Grady to: Southside VFD, PO Box 943, Erwin, TN 37650

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Center on Aging and Amedisys Hospice for the care they gave to Grady.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Hilemon family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com.

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Hilemon family. (423) 743-1380